Patrick is from New Hampshire and works as a cell DJ. Sadly, his handbook Outback was lately 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 choice to jot down this. I’m a cell 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 handbook (I’m kinda a purist) with a Thule Atlantis 1600 on the roof. Every part suits for my gigs simply wonderful however simply barely as I principally need to play Tetris to get all of it in. Nonetheless it really works and I really like my automobile.
Not too long ago the worst of the worst occurred as I bought in a automobile accident. Not at fault however that doesn’t really feel related as my automobile continues to be totaled. I don’t know the way 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 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 handbook a minimum of 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 perform as a household automobile (I’ve a 5 12 months previous son who can’t sit within the entrance seat but). I do not 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
Desires: Area, 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 could have already discovered, attempting to steadiness a enjoyable, handbook automobile with household and DJ obligation 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 automobile that rides that line fairly properly, however discovering a high quality instance with the specified gear goes to require looking out properly past your space.
What you want is a Ford Flex, this large field was an incredible various for the client who wasn’t fairly prepared to leap to the minivan, but didn’t need the identical previous SUV. The reticle on wheels means tons of house on your gear and loads of consolation for the kiddo. Whereas the Flex was a bit underappreciated for its time, they’ve turn 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 beneath price-point, your choices are slim within the New England market, however solid out a little bit additional and you could find one thing like this 2019 Restricted with the EcoBoost motor within the Carolinas for simply over $25,000.Â
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 enable the quirky Mazda5 to be the van that exceeds your expectations for a fraction of your funds. Sure, it’s a van, but it surely’s a small one, so it drives rather more like a wagon than an Odyssey or Sienna would. It ought to match your whole stuff, and you’ll all the time add a roof rack to this, too, in case you want extra.
This instance, sadly in boring silver, is on the market on eBay for simply $9,995 and it has simply 70,000 miles on the odometer. It’s completely suited to the pains of every day life and hauling DJ gear. And get this, it’s bought a stick! Take 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 Dimension Does Not Match All
Properly, Patrick, I checked out all of the handbook wagons listed inside 100 miles of you, and sadly, your choices are fairly bleak. You’re going to need to compromise someplace, and it sounds such as you’ve already admitted to your self that you just’re keen 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 containers whereas coming in properly beneath funds.
Some may name it extra of a hatchback than a wagon, however both approach, 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 seemingly contain driving to Connecticut, however a minimum of I’m not attempting to ship you to Rhode Island.
For just below $8,000, you get a sensible car that may do front-wheel-drive burnouts with traction management turned off. Certain, 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 cell DJ-mobile. And if there isn’t sufficient room for all of your gear, you’ll be able to simply stick one other roof field on prime. Then, and that is the actually vital half, you utilize $7,000-$10,000 of your remaining funds to purchase a bike for the actual enjoyable. Guide, mild, fast as hell. What’s there to not like about this plan? I wager your son would love driving on the again of a bike if you’re not schlepping gear 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 house. There’s a car completely excellent on your use case, and also you don’t need to even come near your funds to get it. An icon of East Coast hip hop that went nationwide, a car 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 place 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 funds. This instance is asking $5,500 in Connecticut, which leaves you loads of cash to customise it. Deal with the fading paint by blacking the automobile out, swap in the most effective stereo you could find, and also you’ll have your self one of the vital recognizable DJ-mobiles on the market.
