Patrick is from New Hampshire and works as a cellular DJ. Sadly, his handbook Outback was just 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 situation.
So I’ve fairly the conundrum right here therefore my choice to put in writing 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 handbook (I’m kinda a purist) with a Thule Atlantis 1600 on the roof. All the things matches for my gigs simply superb however simply barely as I principally must 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 acquired 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 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 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 handbook no less than has paddle shifters and a few oomph whereas each having the ability to match all of my DJ tools and likewise having the ability to operate as a household automobile (I’ve a 5 12 months outdated son who can’t sit within the entrance seat but).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 do not know what to do and am in search of steerage from the Jalopnik group. Any recommendation and solutions could be a lot appreciated. Finances is about $25,000
Fast Info:
Finances: as much as $25,000
Location: Amherst, NH
Day by day Driver: Sure
Desires: 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 have got already discovered, making an attempt to stability a enjoyable, handbook automobile with household and DJ obligation is a problem. I’d counsel prioritizing the practicality and if you happen to can rating one thing with slightly additional pizzazz that’s a bonus. Luckily, there’s a automobile that rides that line fairly properly, however discovering a high quality instance with the specified tools goes to require looking out properly past your space.
What you want is a Ford Flex, this large field was an awesome 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 house in your gear and loads of consolation for the kiddo. Whereas the Flex was a bit underappreciated for its time, they’ve grow to be considerably sought-after purchase of us who actually like them. To get slightly additional 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 slightly additional and you will discover 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 stated 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, but it surely’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 all the time add a roof rack to this, too, if you happen to 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 trials 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 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 just’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 bins whereas coming in properly underneath finances.
Some may name it extra of a hatchback than a wagon, however both means, it’s tall and has a protracted 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 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 will doubtless contain driving to Connecticut, however no less than I’m not making an attempt 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. 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 high. Then, and that is the actually necessary half, you utilize $7,000-$10,000 of your remaining finances to purchase a bike for the actual enjoyable. Handbook, gentle, 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 once 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 house. There’s a car completely good in 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 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 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. Deal with the fading paint by blacking the automobile out, swap in one of the best stereo you will discover, and also you’ll have your self one of the crucial recognizable DJ-mobiles on the market.
