With what I have been adding, my little Scion xb no longer can handle the job. I'm now looking at a Ford Flex. In fact, I borrowed one on Friday from the dealer for the weekend.
Bigger parties mean a bigger car...
- Thread starter Papa Deuce
- Start date
Am I think only one who thinks that looks like a mutated version of one the newer Toyota SUVs? I think it looks pretty cool, I'm not sure I care for the squarish styling which seems to be all the rage in car lately.
Have you test fitted your gear yet?
Have you test fitted your gear yet?
The small cargo van was lost when Chevy discontinued the Astro.
If you need a basic Cargo hauler and get the economy of a 4 cylinder and can do with out the frills of the flex, but still want space for 5 people:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/
Ford Transit Connect
If you need a basic Cargo hauler and get the economy of a 4 cylinder and can do with out the frills of the flex, but still want space for 5 people:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/
Ford Transit Connect
I knew of those, and they definitely serve a purpose, but I don't see the wife and kids in it. The Flex actually has 6 seats.
The Transit connect comes in a wagon version. You get regular glass windows on the sliding rear doors and a bench seat in the back that is removable so its technically a minivan of sorts. It seats 5 easily. It would just be a matter of styling preference at that point. The 4 cylinder is what attracts me to this vehicle.
Some useless info BTW:
The scion XB or the Toyota Bb as it is called in Japan is a direct attempt of the Japanese to create their own Astro van. I was in Okinawa in the mid 90's and there were huge Astro Van clubs, shag carpet and everything. The recently released in the US Nissan Cube was actually the first to create a mini Astro Van type of square minivan. The Toyota version followed shortly. Toyota took a gamble and brought the Bb to the US and now nissan has followed.
Yeah, the Flex does look like the Scion on Steroids.
Some useless info BTW:
The scion XB or the Toyota Bb as it is called in Japan is a direct attempt of the Japanese to create their own Astro van. I was in Okinawa in the mid 90's and there were huge Astro Van clubs, shag carpet and everything. The recently released in the US Nissan Cube was actually the first to create a mini Astro Van type of square minivan. The Toyota version followed shortly. Toyota took a gamble and brought the Bb to the US and now nissan has followed.
Yeah, the Flex does look like the Scion on Steroids.
With what I have been adding, my little Scion xb no longer can handle the job. I'm now looking at a Ford Flex. In fact, I borrowed one on Friday from the dealer for the weekend.
If I showed up in one of those people would think I charge too much
If I showed up in one of those people would think I charge too much
Well, at least I am looking at the low end version. About $27K.... They go up to $42K.
Ok, so Ducky and I are looking at what to do vehicle wise because we're gonna be in the market for a new one next year and with my bro being a Ford mechanic, we're obviously looking at Fords. Actually, we're looking at 7 different Fords, the Flex, Taurus X, Transit Connect, Freestar, Escape, Ranger, F-150.
A few things about each of them...
Flex...not a bad vehicle, a bit on the pricey side though, but it is the new mini-van; if you have wider loads to haul, not the best option, a lot of trim, etc on the inside reduces cargo room; it is able to pull a trailer though.
Taurus X...you'll soon be able to find used ones that can do the trick for hauling gear; extremely similar to the Flex, in fact could be called the predecessor of the Flex
Transit Connect...by far the best option out there for hauling gear. Extreme amounts of cargo space, specifically designed for businesses in big cities, no real decorative trim to speak of on the inside, so it helps to create cargo room that way. A few drawbacks though, being built on a Focus chassis, there is no option to ever haul a trailer and the price tag is on the higher side (starts at $22K) but it is designed specifically for moving cargo and people for businesses.
Freestar...yes, I know they don't make these anymore, but my brother was mentioning several of the good aspects about these. First off, they're easy to get ahold of and they're not expensive; they are able to tow a trailer; decent gas milage; built on a stronger chassis than a Transit Connect. My brother was telling Ducky and I that they have one at the dealership he works at for a parts vehicle...they've hauled the big F-550 engines and trannys in this vehicle with no problems.
Escape...smaller SUV, not a bad idea for moving smaller systems and still family friendly and the newer ones are getting better milage.
Ranger...smaller pickup and is able to tow fairly large trailers with some weight in them...would have to get a topper for the bed though in order to stand things up in them, decent gas milage as well anymore.
F-150...same deal as the Ranger, just bigger.
A few things about each of them...
Flex...not a bad vehicle, a bit on the pricey side though, but it is the new mini-van; if you have wider loads to haul, not the best option, a lot of trim, etc on the inside reduces cargo room; it is able to pull a trailer though.
Taurus X...you'll soon be able to find used ones that can do the trick for hauling gear; extremely similar to the Flex, in fact could be called the predecessor of the Flex
Transit Connect...by far the best option out there for hauling gear. Extreme amounts of cargo space, specifically designed for businesses in big cities, no real decorative trim to speak of on the inside, so it helps to create cargo room that way. A few drawbacks though, being built on a Focus chassis, there is no option to ever haul a trailer and the price tag is on the higher side (starts at $22K) but it is designed specifically for moving cargo and people for businesses.
Freestar...yes, I know they don't make these anymore, but my brother was mentioning several of the good aspects about these. First off, they're easy to get ahold of and they're not expensive; they are able to tow a trailer; decent gas milage; built on a stronger chassis than a Transit Connect. My brother was telling Ducky and I that they have one at the dealership he works at for a parts vehicle...they've hauled the big F-550 engines and trannys in this vehicle with no problems.
Escape...smaller SUV, not a bad idea for moving smaller systems and still family friendly and the newer ones are getting better milage.
Ranger...smaller pickup and is able to tow fairly large trailers with some weight in them...would have to get a topper for the bed though in order to stand things up in them, decent gas milage as well anymore.
F-150...same deal as the Ranger, just bigger.
Diggin' the Ford Flex....it reminds me of a modern day surf wagon. It does have some great lines and alot of room but it is a little pricey. You might want to wait another year or so before buying one of these. Many times the bugs on newer vehicle are still being wokred out...which means you could run into plenty of mechanical problems.
My brother had a problem when the Chevy Duramax when it first rolled out....some of the parts were still being made.
My brother had a problem when the Chevy Duramax when it first rolled out....some of the parts were still being made.
Everytime I see the Flex I think it needs wood on the sides. I assume that's the look they were going for with the horizontal creases.
If I showed up in one of those people would think I charge too much
It says a lot about your business..
Heres what my thinking is on this one....
So I hire Papa to come do a gig for me...and you show up in this thing..I'd be thinking this guy knows how to waste money on a ford.
JKn. I prefer the trailer route myself. A lot more room, and less to deal with as far as moving stuff back and forth..etc etc.
I know lots of people dislike minivans but they are very good DJ vehicles IMO. My trusty old '96 Olds Silhouette is going to be replaced soon with something with a lot less than 150,000 miles. Looking forward to it. People can laugh at me and point all they want, I've been driving a minvan for probably 10 years or more, since my kids were in elementary school-long before I ever thought about being a singer or a DJ. The first one was a Dodge Caravan. Someone drove it away years ago for $500 with 183,000 miles on it.
my scion xb is still working great. equipment just getting smaller. now using bose l1 model 2's and bose l1 compacts. Much more cost effective to pay more for gear small enough for a $14k car to transport it.
my xb can transport 2 model 2's, 4 bass units, a compact, 3 computers, container for lights, container for mics and cords, container for denon 2500 and 2 t1's and still have extra room if I need it for things like video screen and projector.
my xb can transport 2 model 2's, 4 bass units, a compact, 3 computers, container for lights, container for mics and cords, container for denon 2500 and 2 t1's and still have extra room if I need it for things like video screen and projector.
I liked the Flex when it first came out and we were looking for a new car, then we drove one and ruled it out. I found it a lot like the new Chryslers where the seats were fairly low and the windows almost chopped. try to see the lines in a parking lot at the side of the vehicle. I think maybe since I have driven a minivan for the better part of 12 years that maybe I am just used to having a lot of space and big windows. I bought a Kia Rondo instead, I liked the drive better, price was better, more options for way less, just as much useable space and seating for 7. It is also rated for better fuel economy.
For my DJ vehicle though I love my GMC Safari. Nothing like having a vehicle that can haul all my gear with room and power to spare. The gas mileage isn't great but not too bad either. The plus is I don't have to worry about scratching up a brand new vehicle, I can throw my gear in at 2 am without being super careful. My wife and kids rarely ever ride in it so I can keep my gear nicely organized without seats too.
young...
For my DJ vehicle though I love my GMC Safari. Nothing like having a vehicle that can haul all my gear with room and power to spare. The gas mileage isn't great but not too bad either. The plus is I don't have to worry about scratching up a brand new vehicle, I can throw my gear in at 2 am without being super careful. My wife and kids rarely ever ride in it so I can keep my gear nicely organized without seats too.
young...
I'm liking the 5 seat model of the Ford Transit Connect, nice! The photo of the rear seat makes it look like even the middle seat is roomy. The Flex is a nice station wagon; I like it also. Add some wood-panelling down the sides and we would be right back in the late 60's early 70's! I would never want to use a Flex for DJ'ing however, as I would have to bee way too careful. As it is, I am oh-so-careful with my gear but at 1 or 2 in the morning, sometimes I can't help but accidently whack the metal lip of my cart against the rear bumper of my Astro van. I could swear that each piece of gear is 5 to 10 pounds lighter at load-in...