Patrick is from New Hampshire and works as a cellular DJ. Sadly, his handbook Outback was not too long ago 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 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 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. The whole lot suits for my gigs simply nice however simply barely as I mainly need to 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 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 a minimum of 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 yr 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 recommendations could be a lot appreciated. Finances is about $25,000
Fast Info:
Finances: as much as $25,000
Location: Amherst, NH
Each day Driver: Sure
Desires: House, enjoyable
Doesn’t need: A van or a giant SUV
Skilled 1: Tom McParland – It’s Not Actually A Van Or An SUV
As you have got already discovered, making an attempt to stability a enjoyable, handbook automotive with household and DJ responsibility is a problem. I’d recommend prioritizing the practicality and if you happen to can rating one thing with a little bit additional pizzazz that’s a bonus. Thankfully, there’s a automotive that rides that line fairly nicely, however discovering a top quality instance with the specified tools goes to require looking nicely past your space.
What you want is a Ford Flex, this large field was an excellent various for the customer 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 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 of us 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 beneath price-point, your choices are slim within the New England market, however solid out a little bit additional and you’ll find one thing like this 2019 Restricted with the EcoBoost motor within the Carolinas for simply over $25,000.Â
Skilled 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 need 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, nevertheless it’s a small one, so it drives rather more like a wagon than an Odyssey or Sienna would. It ought to match all your stuff, and you’ll all the time add a roof rack to this, too, if you happen to 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 pains of day by day life and hauling DJ tools. 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?
Skilled 3: Collin Woodard – One Dimension Does Not Match All
Nicely, 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 automotive for you that ought to tick most of your containers whereas coming in nicely beneath funds.
Some would possibly name it extra of a hatchback than a wagon, however both approach, it’s tall and has an extended roof to go along 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 might seemingly contain driving to Connecticut, however a minimum of I’m not making an attempt to ship you to Rhode Island.
For slightly below $8,000, you get a sensible car 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 tools, you possibly can simply stick one other roof field on prime. Then, and that is the actually necessary 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 guess your son would love using on the again of a bike once you’re not schlepping tools to DJ gigs.
Skilled 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 to 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 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 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 automotive out, swap in the perfect stereo you’ll find, and also you’ll have your self probably the most recognizable DJ-mobiles on the market.
