Patrick is from New Hampshire and works as a cellular DJ. Sadly, his handbook Outback was 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?
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Right here is the situation.
So I’ve fairly the conundrum right here therefore my determination to write 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 handbook (I’m kinda a purist) with a Thule Atlantis 1600 on the roof. All the things suits for my gigs simply positive however simply barely as I principally must play Tetris to get all of it in. Nonetheless it really works and I really like my automotive.
Not too long ago the worst of the worst occurred as I received in a automotive accident. Not at fault however that doesn’t really feel related as my automotive continues 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 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 no less than has paddle shifters and a few oomph whereas each with the ability to match all of my DJ gear and likewise with the ability to operate as a household automotive (I’ve a 5 yr outdated son who can’t sit within the entrance seat but). I do not know what to do and am searching for steering from the Jalopnik neighborhood. Any recommendation and recommendations could be a lot appreciated. Price range is about $25,000
Fast Details:
Price range: as much as $25,000
Location: Amherst, NH
Each 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’ve already came upon, attempting to stability a enjoyable, handbook automotive with household and DJ responsibility is a problem. I might counsel prioritizing the practicality and for those who can rating one thing with a little bit additional pizzazz that’s a bonus. Fortuitously, there’s a automotive that rides that line fairly effectively, however discovering a top quality instance with the specified gear goes to require looking out effectively past your space.
What you want is a Ford Flex, this massive 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 house on 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 additional punch, you need one with a turbocharged V6 that cranked out about 360 horsepower. At that $25,000 and below price-point, your choices are slim within the New England market, however forged 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
Professional 2: Bradley Brownell – Be A Van Man
You want one thing dependable and gas 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 finances. Sure, it’s a van, nevertheless it’s a small one, so it drives way more like a wagon than an Odyssey or Sienna would. It ought to match your whole stuff, and you’ll at all times add a roof rack to this, too, for those who want extra.
This instance, sadly in boring silver, is out there on eBay for simply $9,995 and it has simply 70,000 miles on the odometer. It’s completely suited to the trials of day by day life and hauling DJ gear. And get this, it’s received a stick! Take 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 handbook wagons listed inside 100 miles of you, and sadly, your choices are fairly bleak. You’re going to must compromise someplace, and it sounds such as you’ve already admitted to your self that you simply’re keen 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 below finances.
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 might probably contain driving to Connecticut, however no less than I’m not attempting 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. 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’ll be able to simply stick one other roof field on high. Then, and that is the actually necessary half, you employ $7,000-$10,000 of your remaining finances 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 whenever 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 house. There’s a automobile completely excellent on your use case, and also you don’t must 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 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 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 most effective stereo you could find, and also you’ll have your self one of the crucial recognizable DJ-mobiles on the market.
