What car should a young drummer buy?

bigpat

Serious question! I’m trying to do a little research on behalf of my son who is just coming up to 20 years old and - fingers crossed - will pass his test in the next few weeks.

He plays drums with a rock band and whenever they get a gig I can just about get everything in the back of my Astra with the back seat folded down. The other lads have to make their own arrangements. But now he’s hoping to get something big enough to transport this stuff himself, plus a few guitars, plus some amps, plus three other passengers.

He’s considering a loan and could afford repayments of around £300 a month, as he lives at home.

Should be be looking at an estate car, or a people carrier, or what? Does anyone have any idea what makes and models give you the most bang for your buck in terms of cubic capacity?

Fuel economy and road tax will have to be factored in, but the big thing for a lad of his age is going to be insurance, even if his mum and me go on his policy as named drivers. I’m less worried about performance and handling. In fact something lumbering and slow might be safer all round!!

forgotmyname

If you can just get the drum kit into an Astra with the seats down he needs a people carrier or a van.

loskie

whatever you think will be sensible he won't. Leave him to it.
Skoda Roomster or Citroen Berlingo would be ideal but he will disagree. We all would at that age.

Johnmcl7

forgotmyname wrote: »

If you can just get the drum kit into an Astra with the seats down he needs a people carrier or a van.

That's what I was thinking, I've only moved band equipment a handful of times but pretty much filled a Skoda Octavia estate with just room for a single passenger. To take a load of band equipment and three passengers as well I'd think you'd need a decent size people carrier or something like a VW Caddy Maxi Life/Combi.

John

bigpat

Thanks for those replies. One of my early suggestions was a Transit Connect, but he does want to be able to take several passengers and actually another "proper" car in the household wouldn't be a bad idea. And I mentioned a Berlingo too but was laughed out of the room. Seriously uncool Dad!

We'll keep looking, but he'll have to pass his test first.

agrinnall

A Yeti might be cool enough and big enough, but also may be too expensive.

Herzlos

Mondeo/Insignia/Vectra estate? Will be pretty big for a new drivers car and might hurt a bit on insurance but they should fit everything.

forgotmyname

The Mondeo estate is big but if they filled an Astra with the seats folded then i don't think it will be big enough.

My dad is amazed every time he wants something shifted in the back of my car. A mirror he thought i would have to drop the seats for and put lengthways fitted sideways and the black bags all fitted with the boot cover still able to close normally.

2 large IKEA wardrobe baskets fitted side by side in the boot alone and stacked with boxes, again no need to drop the seats.

shaun_from_Africa

You mentioned that insurance would be a big cost but what is important to remember is that if your son gets paid to perform at any of the gigs, this will have to be declared to the insurers and is highly likely to increase the premium even more.

loskie

transit van crew cab. used by bands for decades
https://www.gumtree.com/p/vans/transit-trend/1137825076

Nodding_Donkey

And remember people carriers are just that, they tend to have really dire load spaces unless you take out the rear seats when they effectively become a posh van.