Way OT: Need Used Car Recommendations

[Zooberwerx]

Actually, this thread is not that far off topic as any car selection will have to accommodate a 4 X 10 cab, head, and at least two bass cases. So there....

 

I'm selling my pickup (Dodge Dakota with 200K miles) and need to find a suitable replacement. Susan and I are thinking of either a station wagon or smaller 6 cyl. SUV. I put a lot of miles on a vehicle and go upside down a new vehicle rather quickly so we'll focus on the used market (

 

Help me sort the trash from the treasure. We appreciate any input / suggestions.

 

Riis

[The Insomniac]

It's not an SUV or a stationwagon but I stick a 212 and a 210 and 2 basses in the back of my Olds Intrigue. It's a pretty nice car also.

[Zooberwerx]

Olds Intrigue, eh? Sounds interesting (hence the intrigue) but, alas, I sometimes have to tote larger oxygen cylinders (282 cf, 150 lbs) which requires a tailgate of some sort. Hatchbacks and trunks aren't up to the task. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

 

Riis

[bassguy]

id say late 90s volvo station wagon, very nice cars

[james on bass]

I'm partial to the PT Cruiser. Lots of room when you fold down the back seats, or remove them entirely. Front passenger seat will fold flat as well.

 

Ford Focus seem to get good reviews even though they started out as one of the most recalled Ford vehicles.

A guitarist I played with for a short while had one, and it had a lot more room than it looked like it should have. Again, though, by folding down the rear seats.

[Cortfan]

My favorite choice would be a Dodge/Chrysler minivan. I have a Plymouth Grand Voyager that comes in handy for about every task.

[Emprov]

Subaru Outback. My brother just bought one of these, totally cool cars!

 

 

[ARES]

Originally posted by Zooberwerx Actually, this thread is not that far off topic as any car selection will have to accommodate a 4 X 10 cab, head, and at least two bass cases. So there....

My Subaru WRX wagon is pretty small inside, but fits all that plus 3 guitars, a combo amp, a guitarist, and a small cooler of beer.

[burdizzos]

Originally posted by Emprov Subaru Outback.

 

+1 to that. My wife's outback is a great car. The downside is that they hold their value very well. I doubt you will find one that meets your criteria.

 

Here's one that has more miles than you'd like, but that's not really a problem for Subarus.

[MageZ]

Subaru sounds like good idea.

Or maybe some kind of Toyota Corolla Combi.

[beam]

Toyota Matrix

Plenty of room

Good Fuel Economy

Decent Engine

[bassplayinguy]

Id suggest a Ford Explorer with the 4.0L 6 cyl in it, those have plenty of room in the back for gear,

[Ender_rpm]

+1 for the Focus. I bought mine used and put 40K+ miles on it in 2 years with nary a hiccup.

[rovito]

Isuzu Trooper. It will hold the weight and one look in the back and you will know it has the most room of any wagon or SUV. I retired mine at alittle over 200k. I now use a Mercury Mountaineer which also has a good bit of room.

[thelurker]

I second the Trooper! I have 243,000+ miles, still going! I do seem to go through clutches, but that just might be me! They're not cushy like U.S. SUVs, they're based on a truck frame, they're meant to work like a truck and they do!

[bikehorn]

first generation Suzuki XL-7, 2001 through 2004 i believe.

 

we had an '01 until the lease expired and my dad bought a new one this year. it was rock solid, drove well and was built with precision. they didn't {censored} around. had a 2.7L 170 HP V6, maybe not as much muscle as you wanted but it still pulled alright.

[BoundandBlocked]

I have a Subaru Legacy wagon and I can fit a lot of gear in it. They do hold their value, but there's a reason for that. Another advantage over some of the inline fours that have been mentioned is that the Subaru won't downshift going up a hill on the interstate with the cruise control on. If you're really looking for some power, they have turbo-charged versions too!

 

[zachoff]

Scion xB

Toyota Matrix

Pontiac Vibe

Focus Hatchback

Mazda Protege 5

Kia Rio Cinco...

 

Basically, get a hatch... Of the ones I mentioned, I'd get a Matrix. I drove one not too long ago and they're fairly peppy and will run forever.

[rovito]

I have also heard really good things about the Hyunday Santafae.

[HoldingThsMoment]

Originally posted by ARES My Subaru WRX wagon is pretty small inside, but fits all that plus 3 guitars, a combo amp, a guitarist, and a small cooler of beer.

 

ahh... greetings from a fellow WRX (sedan) owner

[jbryant8159]

Whatever you do get a hatchback or a wagon. Having a big gate to put big stuff in is really handy. There's a lot of cars with big trunks but small openings to fill it with.

 

Nothing worse than finding out it won't slide in thru the trunk opening and the doors don't open wide enough to stow it on the back seat.

 

I had a 2001 Mazda Protege5, 5 door hatch that was awesome in what it could haul and it was fun to drive and got great mileage. Not too pricey on the used market either.

[danzigdan]

 

Originally posted by bassguy id say late 90s volvo station wagon, very nice cars

 

 

I would agree. They can be a bit expensive to fix but they will run forever.

 

The old 240 wagons are TANKS! A friend has one and you can fit huge sheets of plywood in the back AND close the tailgate.

[cookie2]

Originally posted by bassplayinguy Id suggest a Ford Explorer with the 4.0L 6 cyl in it, those have plenty of room in the back for gear,

 

Agreed

 

+ it's a popular model so repairs will be in general cheaper and easier.

[J the D]

My Explorer is perfect for hauling the upright, Jazz, bass amp & cabinet, various pieces of the PA and a full cooler. It also does a great job pulling the boat on the hunt for the elusive bass.