I’m currently driving an old volvo wagon.  Its dying and I need to replace it.  Any suggestions as to what vehicle is big enough to haul an xs8 and assorted gear.  Will it fit in a Matrix/Vibe.

What vehicles will not work.

Thanks for any feedback.

B

My budget is on the small side.  Hey I’m a musician

Chevy Malibu. Great all-around car that you could fit a grand piano into (well almost). The trunk is huge, and the back seats fold forward so you could flip one side down and open one side up all the way to the front seat, slide the XS8 in and still have room for a back seat passenger on the other side. The 4 cyl has plenty of power and 30 MPG or better on the highway.

Check it out - it really is quite the vehicle. My daughter and brother-in-law both have one, and they have been virtually trouble free.

The current model came out in 2008, so keep that in mind if looking for a used one.

Bob

Ford Escort Wagon. The all-time musicians car. :-)

...you would be amazed at what I have to carry on the back of my Honda Motor-bike!

Paul....Bike it...you’ll like it!...LOL...!

When my Volvo 740 wagon died, I replaced it with a Toyota Sienna minivan. My personal critical gear issue was getting a string bass into the back without any contortions. It has at least 50% more room than the Volvo and was about $10K less than a new Volvo wagon. Had zero problems after 3 years/65K miles. 24MPG with the V6 and it can haul a small trailer.

As far as the Matrix/Vibe, the pianist in one of my bands gets her Yamaha piano (P80, I think...not as deep as a Motif)) plus her Hartke Kickback amp, scissor stand and bag of pedals, cords, etc. in the back of her Vibe with one side of the split seat down. She often has one or two bandmates with her and is able to fit a Fender Deluxe amp and a couple of guitar cases in there as well.

I’ve loaded the piano for her a few times; easy enough but like most hatchbacks the floor is not level with the tailgate opening the way it is on a Volvo wagon so you do need to lift a bit, can’t just slide it in.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Given the amount of sedans that have fold down seats my options have expanded.  The other thing for me is that I am very tall in the torso, even though I am less than 6 feet, when I sit down my head sticks up more than most folks. 

Two vehicles also suggested are the Subaru outback and the Honda cr-v.

cheers

B

I have an old Ford Aerostar mini Van (AKA) The Band Van...lolz!

How about one of these LOL

Click thumbnail to see full-size image

lexluthier53 - 16 June 2010 11:30 PM

How about one of these LOL

Ahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!1

bsr2002 - 16 June 2010 08:11 PM

I have an old Ford Aerostar mini Van (AKA) The Band Van...lolz!

Had one of those for years when I was still hauling an M-3 and leslie.  Liked everything except the gas mileage.

I still drive my 1997 Dodge Caravan, which still gets about 23-25 MPG on the freeway (6 cylinder, automatic) and the most I’ve ever loaded in it was my Motif ES7, XP80, Kurzweil K2VX, Ensoniq SD-1, Roland KC-500, drum kit and drummer! Lots of carpools to Vegas, AZ and northern cali......

1999 GMC Suburban… talk about cargo capacity!  With the 3rd seat out, you wouldn’t believe how much can fit in there.

I can get 3 guitars, a Roland XP30, Xp10, Korg Ms200b, and my XS7, a double tier, Apex, 3 guitar space stands, mic stand, cable,foot pedal bag, 10 channel mixer, amp Stand, bench, Vox tonelab LE, and a Behringer 300 watt amp in a Ford ZX2 hatchback!