Patrick is from New Hampshire and works as a cellular DJ. Sadly, his guide Outback was not too long ago wrecked. Now he wants a family-friendly automobile with sufficient room for his gear and one thing hopefully enjoyable to drive. What automobile ought to he purchase?
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Right here is the state of affairs.
So I’ve fairly the conundrum right here therefore my resolution to jot down this. I’m a cellular DJ who has had just one automobile 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. Every thing matches for my gigs simply high-quality however simply barely as I mainly should play Tetris to get all of it in. Nonetheless it really works and I really like my automobile.
Lately the worst of the worst occurred as I received in a automobile accident. Not at fault however that doesn’t really feel related as my automobile 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 value 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 stated 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 not less than has paddle shifters and a few oomph whereas each with the ability to match all of my DJ gear and in addition with the ability to operate as a household automobile (I’ve a 5 12 months outdated son who can’t sit within the entrance seat but).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 in search of steering from the Jalopnik neighborhood. Any recommendation and options can be a lot appreciated. Finances is about $25,000
Fast Info:
Finances: as much as $25,000
Location: Amherst, NH
Every day Driver: Sure
Desires: House, enjoyable
Doesn’t need: A van or an enormous SUV
Professional 1: Tom McParland – It’s Not Actually A Van Or An SUV
As you will have already discovered, attempting to stability a enjoyable, guide automobile with household and DJ responsibility is a problem. I might recommend prioritizing the practicality and in case you can rating one thing with a bit of further pizzazz that’s a bonus. Fortuitously, there’s a automobile that rides that line fairly nicely, however discovering a top quality instance with the specified gear goes to require looking out nicely past your space.
What you want is a Ford Flex, this huge field was an important various 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 turn out to be considerably sought-after purchase people who actually like them. To get a bit of further punch, you need one with a turbocharged V6 that cranked out about 360 horsepower. At that $25,000 and beneath price-point, your choices are slim within the New England market, however solid out a bit of additional and yow will discover one thing like this 2019 Restricted with the EcoBoost motor within the Carolinas for simply over $25,000.Â
Professional 2: Bradley Brownell – Be A Van Man
You want one thing dependable and gasoline environment friendly, however nonetheless enjoyable to drive and may carry a bunch of stuff to gigs? I do know you stated you didn’t need a van, however permit the quirky Mazda5 to be the van that exceeds your expectations for a fraction of your price range. Sure, it’s a van, however it’s a small one, so it drives far more like a wagon than an Odyssey or Sienna would. It ought to match your whole 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 offered on eBay for simply $9,995 and it has simply 70,000 miles on the odometer. It’s completely suited to the trials of each day life and hauling DJ gear. And get this, it’s received a stick! Have a look at that, three pedals and a row-your-own in a van? Can life get higher than this?
Professional 3: Collin Woodard – One Dimension Does Not Match All
Properly, 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 simply’re prepared to compromise on the transmission. The excellent news is, I used to be capable of finding a automobile for you that ought to tick most of your packing containers whereas coming in nicely beneath price range.
Some may name it extra of a hatchback than a wagon, however both means, it’s tall and has an extended roof to go along with the 260 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque that you simply get out of its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Sure, I’m speaking in regards to 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 possible contain driving to Connecticut, however not less than I’m not attempting to ship you to Rhode Island.
For just below $8,000, you get a sensible automobile that may do front-wheel-drive burnouts with traction management turned off. Positive, it’s held again by its computerized 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 gear, you may simply stick one other roof field on prime. Then, and that is the actually essential half, you utilize $7,000-$10,000 of your remaining price range to purchase a bike for the actual enjoyable. Guide, mild, fast as hell. What’s there to not like about this plan? I guess your son would love driving on the again of a bike if you’re not schlepping gear to DJ gigs.
Professional 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 good to your use case, and also you don’t should even come near your price range to get it. An icon of East Coast hip hop that went nationwide, a automobile that’s been used for mixing and mastering, a automobile 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 verify 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.
In fact, given how low cost first-gen MPVs are, you’ll have money to spare in your price range. This instance is asking $5,500 in Connecticut, which leaves you loads of cash to customise it. Tackle the fading paint by blacking the automobile out, swap in the most effective stereo yow will discover, and also you’ll have your self one of the recognizable DJ-mobiles on the market.
