Patrick is from New Hampshire and works as a mobile DJ. Unfortunately, his manual Outback was recently wrecked. Now he needs a family-friendly car with enough room for his gear and something hopefully fun to drive. What car should he buy?
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Here is the scenario.
So I have quite the conundrum here hence my decision to write this. I am a mobile DJ who has had only one car to do all the work. For the longest time I’ve been using my 2011 Subaru Outback with a 6-speed manual (I’m kinda a purist) with a Thule Atlantis 1600 on the roof. Everything fits for my gigs just fine but just barely as I basically have to play Tetris to get it all in. Nonetheless it works and I love my car.
Recently the worst of the worst happened as I got in a car accident. Not at fault but that doesn’t feel relevant as my car is still totaled. I don’t know how much I’ll get from the assessment but I owned it outright and it was worth around 11K last time I checked. I have the capital to get something newer but I’m not a fan of SUVs or vans. That being said I know I can’t have my cake and eat it too so I’m wondering if there’s something out there that’s fun and if not a manual at least has paddle shifters and some oomph while both being able to fit all of my DJ equipment and also being able to function as a family car (I have a 5 year old son who can’t sit in the front seat yet). I have no idea what to do and am seeking guidance from the Jalopnik community. Any advice and suggestions would be much appreciated. Budget is about $25,000
Quick Facts:
Budget: up to $25,000
Location: Amherst, NH
Daily Driver: Yes
Wants: Space, fun
Doesn’t want: A van or a big SUV
Expert 1: Tom McParland - It’s Not Really A Van Or An SUV
As you have already found out, trying to balance a fun, manual car with family and DJ duty is a challenge. I would suggest prioritizing the practicality and if you can score something with a little extra pizzazz that’s a bonus. Fortunately, there is a car that rides that line pretty well, but finding a quality example with the desired equipment is going to require searching well beyond your area.
What you need is a Ford Flex, this big box was a great alternative for the buyer who wasn’t quite ready to jump to the minivan, yet didn’t want the same old SUV. The reticle on wheels means tons of space for your gear and plenty of comfort for the kiddo. While the Flex was a bit underappreciated for its time, they have become somewhat sought-after buy folks who really like them. To get a little extra punch, you want one with a turbocharged V6 that cranked out about 360 horsepower. At that $25,000 and under price-point, your options are slim in the New England market, but cast out a little further and you can find something like this 2019 Limited with the EcoBoost motor in the Carolinas for just over $25,000.
Expert 2: Bradley Brownell - Be A Van Man
You need something reliable and fuel efficient, but still fun to drive and can carry a bunch of stuff to gigs? I know you said you didn’t want a van, but allow the quirky Mazda5 to be the van that exceeds your expectations for a fraction of your budget. Yes, it’s a van, but it’s a small one, so it drives much more like a wagon than an Odyssey or Sienna would. It should fit all of your stuff, and you can always add a roof rack to this, too, if you need more.
This example, sadly in boring silver, is available on eBay for just $9,995 and it has just 70,000 miles on the odometer. It’s perfectly suited to the rigors of daily life and hauling DJ equipment. And get this, it’s got a stick! Look at that, three pedals and a row-your-own in a van? Can life get better than this?
Expert 3: Collin Woodard - One Size Does Not Fit All
Well, Patrick, I looked at all the manual wagons listed within 100 miles of you, and unfortunately, your options are pretty bleak. You’re going to have to compromise somewhere, and it sounds like you’ve already admitted to yourself that you’re willing to compromise on the transmission. The good news is, I was able to find a car for you that should tick most of your boxes while coming in well under budget.
Some might call it more of a hatchback than a wagon, but either way, it’s tall and has a long roof to go with the 260 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque that you get out of its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Yes, I’m talking about the Chevrolet HHR SS, specifically this 2008 model with less than 100,000 miles on the odometer in nearby Connecticut. And yes, that would likely involve driving to Connecticut, but at least I’m not trying to send you to Rhode Island.
For just under $8,000, you get a practical vehicle that can do front-wheel-drive burnouts with traction control turned off. Sure, it’s held back by its automatic transmission, but something tells me you and your son will find plenty of ways to have fun in your new mobile DJ-mobile. And if there isn’t enough room for all your equipment, you can just stick another roof box on top. Then, and this is the really important part, you use $7,000-$10,000 of your remaining budget to buy a motorcycle for the real fun. Manual, light, quick as hell. What is there not to like about this plan? I bet your son would love riding on the back of a motorcycle when you’re not schlepping equipment to DJ gigs.
Expert 4: Amber DaSilva - Every Week You Make 40 G
OK, Patrick, hear me out. You’re a DJ, on the East Coast, and you need space. There’s a vehicle absolutely perfect for your use case, and you don’t have to even come close to your budget to get it. An icon of East Coast hip hop that went nationwide, a vehicle that’s been used for mixing and mastering, a car beloved by the likes of Wu-Tang and Busta Rhymes: The first-generation Mazda MPV.
Tupac had one. Biz Markie had two. DJ Premier used one to check mixes. The MPV is ingrained in DJ history, and by owning one you’d be joining the ranks of the greats. Not only will it fit all your music gear, it’ll fit all your music — so long as you put a bit of cash into the stereo.
Of course, given how cheap first-gen MPVs are, you’ll have cash to spare in your budget. This example is asking $5,500 in Connecticut, which leaves you plenty of money to customize it. Address the fading paint by blacking the car out, swap in the best stereo you can find, and you’ll have yourself one of the most recognizable DJ-mobiles out there.