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Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:27 am
by MissileCrisis
Hi guys so I'm going to buy a car in the next morning that and I'm wondering what people's experience with wagon vs minivan. Am I going to kick myself for not getting the extra size up front or would getting a Subaru outback with a small trailer for more speakers reasonable? Only thing I have against the minivan is that it is a bit big for a day to day drive vehicle and this will be my only vehicle for a good while. I'm 20 years old and have already decided on one of these two styles of vehicle based on packspace. I need to fit my 20 inch t60 which will fit in either but with much more room for other gear in the minivan due to standing the sub up.

Re: Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:34 am
by Bruce Weldy
MissileCrisis wrote: I need to fit my 20 inch t60 which will fit in either but with much more room for other gear in the minivan due to standing the sub up.
You can't stand up a 5 foot tall speaker in a minivan. Full-sized van, yeah maybe.

Re: Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:41 am
by MissileCrisis
I meant 30 inch side vertically. Since its a 20 inch loaded having it on the skinny side yields a lot of side room for e.g. Otops and stands.

Re: Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:44 am
by Chris_Allen
The loading height for the minivan should be lower and a tail versus doors is great when it's raining!

I'm not sure the minivan will be that much bigger than a wagon and do you need a crew cab?

Wagons are not as popular in the UK but the overall dimensions of the road make them impractical compared to vans, you simply not get much boot space.

(I'm assuming by wagon you mean something like a Dodge Ram)

Re: Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:59 am
by Frederic Gelinas
I've loaded 2xT39, 2 Jack 12, a 30 inches tall amp rack, 2 big boxes of cables and my 3 kids in my Grand Caravan. For a daily driver, it gulps petrol, but to bring the 5 kids at school and the occasionnal weekend gig, I really like my Dodge.

Re: Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:25 am
by MissileCrisis
Wagon = Subaru outback or volvo v70. Minivan choices include toyota previa, Nissan quest, and other 1990's models.

Re: Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:43 am
by Bruce Weldy
A Grand Caravan would be very versatile. My wife has driven one since 1987. Take out the seats and there is a whole lot of room. I don't think any of the imports are nearly as big. And you can get used ones pretty cheap.

Re: Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:45 am
by MissileCrisis
After thinking about it I'm leaning towards wagon because after removing the rear seats I feel I could fit what I need to. Albeit close. Also I'd rather not drive around twice the car I need because once in a while I want to gig.
I hear you about the caravan but my dad thinks they are too unreliable. Regardless I have a 3k budget so I can afford to get a slightly nicer minivan or wagon.

Re: Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:03 am
by MissileCrisis
How much can you carry on the roof of an Audi a6 wagon roof rack? I'm eyeing one at a decent price and it looks amazing.

Re: Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:05 am
by Bruce Weldy
MissileCrisis wrote:Regardless I have a 3k budget so I can afford to get a lightly nicer minivan or wagon.
:shock:

Find you a good one....

Re: Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:44 am
by Radian
Volvo XC70

Best "Truck disguised as a car" attempt of the last decade.

Image

Re: Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 12:54 pm
by Ian Westwood
Chris_Allen wrote:I'm assuming by wagon you mean something like a Dodge Ram
Wagon = Estate and the Ram is a truck!

Re: Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 1:01 pm
by MissileCrisis
In the uk they call minivans "caravans", thank you top gear. Moving on, yeah I'll probably get a wagon and use the rack for all my stands.

Re: Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 1:06 pm
by Ian Westwood
MissileCrisis wrote:In the uk they call minivans "caravans", thank you top gear. Moving on, yeah I'll probably get a wagon and use the rack for all my stands.
No Caravan is a Travel Trailer!! Unless it is a Dodge Caravan, which in actual fact is a kind of mini van!!

Re: Wagon or minivan

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 1:09 pm
by sine143
toyota sienna fits 4 t48s (2x30" 2x18") and a couple otops plus an amp rack. the big tuba is just a little bit more difficult/less pack friendly.