Patrick is from New Hampshire and works as a cellular DJ. Sadly, his guide Outback was just lately wrecked. Now he wants a family-friendly automotive with sufficient room for his gear and one thing hopefully enjoyable to drive. What automotive ought to he purchase?
(Welcome again to What Automotive Ought to You Purchase? The place we give actual folks actual recommendation about shopping for vehicles. Would you like us that can assist you discover a automotive? Submit your story on our kind.)
Right here is the state of affairs.
So I’ve fairly the conundrum right here therefore my choice to jot down this. I’m a cellular DJ who has had just one automotive to do all of the work. For the longest time I’ve been utilizing my 2011 Subaru Outback with a 6-speed guide (I’m kinda a purist) with a Thule Atlantis 1600 on the roof. The whole lot matches for my gigs simply nice however simply barely as I principally should play Tetris to get all of it in. Nonetheless it really works and I really like my automotive.
Just lately the worst of the worst occurred as I acquired in a automotive accident. Not at fault however that doesn’t really feel related as my automotive remains to be totaled. I don’t understand how a lot I’ll get from the evaluation however I owned it outright and it was price round 11K final time I checked. I’ve the capital to get one thing newer however I’m not a fan of SUVs or vans. That being mentioned I do know I can’t have my cake and eat it too so I’m questioning if there’s one thing on the market that’s enjoyable and if not a guide at the least has paddle shifters and a few oomph whereas each having the ability to match all of my DJ tools and in addition having the ability to operate as a household automotive (I’ve a 5 12 months outdated son who can’t sit within the entrance seat but). I don’t know what to do and am looking for steering from the Jalopnik group. Any recommendation and ideas can be a lot appreciated. Funds is about $25,000
Fast Info:
Funds: as much as $25,000
Location: Amherst, NH
Every day Driver: Sure
Needs: House, enjoyable
Doesn’t need: A van or a giant SUV
Knowledgeable 1: Tom McParland – It’s Not Actually A Van Or An SUV
As you’ve got already came upon, making an attempt to stability a enjoyable, guide automotive with household and DJ responsibility is a problem. I’d recommend prioritizing the practicality and in case you can rating one thing with a little bit further pizzazz that’s a bonus. Fortuitously, there’s a automotive that rides that line fairly effectively, however discovering a high quality instance with the specified tools goes to require looking out effectively past your space.
What you want is a Ford Flex, this large field was an important different for the customer who wasn’t fairly prepared to leap to the minivan, but didn’t need the identical outdated SUV. The reticle on wheels means tons of area to your gear and loads of consolation for the kiddo. Whereas the Flex was a bit underappreciated for its time, they’ve change into considerably sought-after purchase people who actually like them. To get a little bit further punch, you need one with a turbocharged V6 that cranked out about 360 horsepower. At that $25,000 and underneath price-point, your choices are slim within the New England market, however solid out a little bit additional and you will discover one thing like this 2019 Restricted with the EcoBoost motor within the Carolinas for simply over $25,000.
Knowledgeable 2: Bradley Brownell – Be A Van Man
You want one thing dependable and gasoline environment friendly, however nonetheless enjoyable to drive and might carry a bunch of stuff to gigs? I do know you mentioned you didn’t desire a van, however permit the quirky Mazda5 to be the van that exceeds your expectations for a fraction of your finances. Sure, it’s a van, however it’s a small one, so it drives rather more like a wagon than an Odyssey or Sienna would. It ought to match your entire stuff, and you may at all times add a roof rack to this, too, in case you want extra.
This instance, sadly in boring silver, is accessible on eBay for simply $9,995 and it has simply 70,000 miles on the odometer. It’s completely suited to the pains of day by day life and hauling DJ tools. And get this, it’s acquired a stick! Have a look at that, three pedals and a row-your-own in a van? Can life get higher than this?
Knowledgeable 3: Collin Woodard – One Measurement Does Not Match All
Nicely, Patrick, I checked out all of the guide wagons listed inside 100 miles of you, and sadly, your choices are fairly bleak. You’re going to should compromise someplace, and it sounds such as you’ve already admitted to your self that you just’re prepared to compromise on the transmission. The excellent news is, I used to be capable of finding a automotive for you that ought to tick most of your containers whereas coming in effectively underneath finances.
Some may name it extra of a hatchback than a wagon, however both manner, it’s tall and has a protracted roof to go together with the 260 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque that you just get out of its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Sure, I’m speaking concerning the Chevrolet HHR SS, particularly this 2008 mannequin with lower than 100,000 miles on the odometer in close by Connecticut. And sure, that may doubtless contain driving to Connecticut, however at the least I’m not making an attempt to ship you to Rhode Island.
For slightly below $8,000, you get a sensible automobile that may do front-wheel-drive burnouts with traction management turned off. Certain, it’s held again by its automated transmission, however one thing tells me you and your son will discover loads of methods to have enjoyable in your new cellular DJ-mobile. And if there isn’t sufficient room for all of your tools, you may simply stick one other roof field on high. Then, and that is the actually vital half, you utilize $7,000-$10,000 of your remaining finances to purchase a motorbike for the true enjoyable. Handbook, mild, fast as hell. What’s there to not like about this plan? I guess your son would love using on the again of a motorbike if you’re not schlepping tools to DJ gigs.
Knowledgeable 4: Amber DaSilva – Each Week You Make 40 G
OK, Patrick, hear me out. You’re a DJ, on the East Coast, and also you want area. There’s a automobile completely excellent to your use case, and also you don’t should even come near your finances to get it. An icon of East Coast hip hop that went nationwide, a automobile that’s been used for mixing and mastering, a automotive beloved by the likes of Wu-Tang and Busta Rhymes: The primary-generation Mazda MPV.
Tupac had one. Biz Markie had two. DJ Premier used one to examine mixes. The MPV is ingrained in DJ historical past, and by proudly owning one you’d be becoming a member of the ranks of the greats. Not solely will it match all of your music gear, it’ll match all of your music — as long as you set a bit of money into the stereo.
After all, given how low-cost first-gen MPVs are, you’ll have money to spare in your finances. This instance is asking $5,500 in Connecticut, which leaves you loads of cash to customise it. Tackle the fading paint by blacking the automotive out, swap in the perfect stereo you will discover, and also you’ll have your self some of the recognizable DJ-mobiles on the market.
