Filed under: Trends, Wagons/Estates, Etc., Crossovers/CUVs
You gotta have harp: A musician looks for the perfect hauler
The weekly New York Times Automobile section is always a good read, with articles written by people who clearly like cars, and topics that you just don't often find in the buff mags. Take this week's gem, a piece by Peggy Minnis on her daughter's search for a new vehicle. Now, you may be thinking that car shopping isn't exactly the most newsworthy topic, and for the most part, you're right. The Times piece has an angle, though.
You see, Peggy Minnis' daughter
Think the big Dodge Magnum was up to the task? Think again. Subaru Legacy? Uh-uh. Bimmer 5-series? Nope.
At least not if hauling a harp (or something similarly long and bulky) is going to be part of your daily routine. What's the winning ride? I won't spoil it for you here. Go read the article for yourself and enjoy. I certainly did.
[Source: NYT]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Matt 9:45AM (10/16/2006)
I recently bought a Scion xB for the room to haul my bass gear. It's a great option for musicians that need to haul amps, but don't want to drive an SUV. With the seats down I can get a full amp stack, amp head and several electric basses in with ease.
Reply
Plannerben 9:49AM (10/16/2006)
Wanna have fun at an auto dealer's? Show up with a tape measure. Before the salesman can say anything, demand that he open the trunk of whatever model you're interested in. Start making measurements--width, diagonal, space between wheel wells, etc. That REALLY puts them on the defensive.
Reply
emulous1974 10:57AM (10/16/2006)
Yeah, besides the xB, I think the Element would of fit her needs perfectly and she could of afforded to buy one brand new. I think she's gonna be surprised about the cost of maintenance and fixing a used Mercedes E500.
Reply
TCR 11:07AM (10/16/2006)
I suspect she could buy a new 9-5 wagen for what a recent vintage used E class would cost. It would have a 4 year comprehensive warrenty. I often say, when it comes to luxury cars, If you can't afford it new , you can't afford it used.
Reply
Mike 11:10AM (10/16/2006)
She called in to Car Talk a week or two ago, and Click and Clack recommended the Honda Element as a Harp hauler...
Reply
Davec 11:27AM (10/16/2006)
When I read the article, all I could think was a quote from the Danish Composer Carl Nielson. "A Harp in one's orchestra is like a hair in one's soup."
Reply
Bill 11:51AM (10/16/2006)
I know a harpist who manages with an early 90's Civic hatchback.
Reply
DriftPunch 11:52AM (10/16/2006)
Quit yer bitchin'....
Form follows function. Minivans displaced wagons for a reason, they are better suited to the task at hand.
If she legitamately has a unique need (which she does), the author shouldn't complain that there's little out there while disregarding a whole category of plentiful options. Reminds me of the problem high maintence women have when they go to the closet and upon seeing rows of expensive dresses, claim "I've got nothing to wear!"
Reply
MC 11:56AM (10/16/2006)
The wagon in the photo is the Saab...
Reply
SaabLover 12:14PM (10/16/2006)
#9
...but the "glimpse" is the Toyota to the right of the Saab lest anyone think the Saab looks like a tired Toyota;-)
Reply
eh 12:47PM (10/16/2006)
I would think a honda element would gobble that right up. surprised it or any other minivans were not considered.
mercedes/bmw/saab/jag for a harp player???? I would not think they made that much money... even to afford a used one. :-D
Reply
Bret 1:03PM (10/16/2006)
Saab FTW!!
Actually, used Saab's are a great deal and are much more affordable than a used Benz or Volvo. An '04 9-5 wagon with 30K should be in the low 20's, a little more for an Aero. A comparable E320W is a good $10-15K more. In her neck of the woods there are plenty of Saab dealers and indy shops, so service should not be an issue.
But I can understand the desire for the M-B. After years in a clapped out Camry, who wouldn't want to floss a Benzo? Hopefully she makes enough money wailing on the harp to afford the car *and* the maintenance.
Reply
j e cook 1:22PM (10/16/2006)
The NYT article represents the Subaru Legacy as having a 2nd-row seat that doesn't fold flat. I find this hard to believe, because our 2003 Legacy allows flat folding (if you flip the seat cushion forward first, and then flip the seatbacks down); so did our 1990 Legacy and 1986 GL wagons, for that matter, so the current 4th-generation Legacy very likely offers this feature as well and they just didn't figure it out (or read the owner's manual).
Reply
Greg A. 1:35PM (10/16/2006)
Her daughter's name is Jane, not Margaret.
Reply
davidl340 2:11PM (10/16/2006)
I've fit some pretty big stuff in a PT Cruiser, despite anyone opinions on its looks, it is a very functional, exceptionally comfortable car, and is CHEAP, but doesn't feel cheap.
Reply
Gordon Mackenzie 3:20PM (10/16/2006)
I play the double bass, which is pretty big [though not quite as big as an orchestral harp!].
We used to use a Volvo 850 before it became just too unreliable. Now we have a Seat Alhambra.
Needless to say I had plenty fun taking the bass to car dealers.
[Having said all that, my old teacher swore that she could fit hers into her original Mini. Darned if I know how - by strapping it to the roof, maybe? :/ ]
Reply
David 3:31PM (10/16/2006)
This reminds me of when I bought a 36-inch old school cathod-ray tube TV, speakers and an entertainment cabinet at Best Buy. Pulled up the curb in my Mercedes wagon and the crowd gathered to take wagers on whether it will fit. The wagon swallowed everything with very little room to spare. It's deceivingly large. The hatch closed with everyone clapping in amazement.
Reply
Scott 3:53PM (10/16/2006)
While reading I kept wanting to scream "Mazda6 Wagon!" Submarining seats for a true flat fold, no cargo floor impediments, and a (very) reasonable price. The PT Cruiser's seat hooks would probably get in the way, plus the pain of removing & storing the seats for every concert. The Element's good too, but odd seats and the rubber load floor wouldn't be as soft as carpet.
Reply
Jane 7:57PM (10/16/2006)
As the harpist in the story, I would like to say that you must remember that stories for newspapers get editted. We did try many of the cars you have mentioned, including the Subaru Legacy, which my father owns and I tried to use when my own car was getting the head gasket replaced. The harp did not fit. It also doesn't work with cars that have "lips" from the bumper to the loading area.
And...I do have another job.
Reply
Pete 9:07PM (10/16/2006)
After all that effort, it turns out that they didn't even buy the car! And apparently, they couldn't even afford the car of choice. As for the relevance of the article, 99.99% of us will never need to haul a harp. What a waste of time.
Reply