Is this the Ultimate Gigmobile?

Tdot · March 21st, 2008, 12:02 PM

The topic of cars for musicians has come up several times, so here's what appears to be a perfect Gigmobile. Okay some of you have seen them before but this is a new release for the USA market. And yes it's ugly, but look at that headroom, and cargo space, and easy load/unload...

It would also be great for hauling big dogs, bicycles, lawnmower/snowblower, big cake with a girl inside, MG engine, tires, all kinds of things that don't fit inside most cars or are just a pain to lift into a truck.

tiktok · March 21st, 2008, 12:15 PM

Looks like a slightly taller version of the Honda Wagovan, a five-door Civic from the late 80's/early 90's. Doesn't look quite big enough for a full band's gear (certainly not without the crash guard mounted behind the front seats), and you'd still need a second vehicle to carry the other band members, and looks like more room that a single musician needs.

Pete Galati · March 21st, 2008, 12:31 PM

IMO, you don't want anything real nice to haul band gear. It needs to be dependable, but you don't want something your wife would drive. You want a heavy duty panel van.

414driver · March 21st, 2008, 12:50 PM

And thought the same thing....perfect gigmobile

unbridled · March 21st, 2008, 01:06 PM

I'm definitly re-thinking my Suburban with gas prices so high.

toadman · March 21st, 2008, 01:18 PM

nope! too small. maybe with a trailer. i already trashed a ford Aerostar by overloading it! we need at least a 3/4 ton 15 passenger van. right now the dodge 3500 is holding up well. it fits the band and all our equipment in it. no need for a trailer. the gas bills are getting bad thopugh. luckily most of that is paid for by the band.

hekawi · March 21st, 2008, 01:19 PM

i always thought it was this one:

Tdot · March 21st, 2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiktok

Doesn't look quite big enough for a full band's gear (certainly not without the crash guard mounted behind the front seats), and you'd still need a second vehicle to carry the other band members, and looks like more room that a single musician needs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by toadman

nope! too small. maybe with a trailer. i already trashed a ford Aerostar by overloading it! we need at least a 3/4 ton 15 passenger van. right now the dodge 3500 is holding up well. it fits the band and all our equipment in it. no need for a trailer.

Hmm, I wasn't thinking tour bus or band taxi. Just one guys car, that has enough room to get himself to a gig (big amp, a few guitars, and misc gear) without the struggle... and to be multi-practical (nobody wants to haul a girl in a cake?).

amp boy · March 21st, 2008, 01:34 PM

check out the honda element.
better on gas probably.
and could fit a lot....or enough i think.
plus they cool in black.

Tdot · March 21st, 2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Galati

IMO, you don't want anything real nice to haul band gear. It needs to be dependable, but you don't want something your wife would drive.

That thing is nice? Your wife would drive that?

If I brought one home, I bet my wife would give up her garage spot and park her car in the driveway, just so the neighbors wouldn't see the Transit.

FMA · March 21st, 2008, 01:39 PM

RE: The picture. The horn section obviously digs it.

Slow Reflexes · March 21st, 2008, 01:47 PM

Tall enough to stand in, more interior space than anything short of a moving van, and 30MPG driven by auto magazine testers. I've wanted one for a few years now.

tiktok · March 21st, 2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tdot

Hmm, I wasn't thinking tour bus or band taxi. Just one guys car, that has enough room to get himself to a gig (big amp, a few guitars, and misc gear) without the struggle...

How big is this amp? Because I'd haul all that in my wife's Civic without a problem.

boris bubbanov · March 21st, 2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slow Reflexes

This is made by Freightliner, which I believe was kept by Daimler when private capital bought Chrysler. In time this Dodge version will be discontinued I suspect.
Although, Chrysler Corp. (Cerberus) is rationalizing the whole line. Dodge will be about trucks only, Chrysler about cars only, so Dodge will need this whatever, help me, Sprinter?

You can always get the Freightliner version

Preacher · March 21st, 2008, 04:26 PM

I like this one...

It was a little icy out the day I took it, but you can put a bunch of gear in it and still haul the drummer around since his car is always broke down...

and get 32 MPG...

Tdot · March 21st, 2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiktok

How big is this amp? Because I'd haul all that in my wife's Civic without a problem.

The Civic's are great and they hold a lot, and I like the "Homer Simpson" styling of the Element. But this thing looks like you'd never bump your head, practically walk-in, and lower access than the full size van/truck/SUV.

This thing would have been great in my bike racing days. Personally I can't imagine myself in one today, but I'll play devil's advocate in this case, because I think Ford has really made an "out of the box" move by introducing this model in the U.S. market. Though I'll be surprised if they become anything other than fleet vehicles. American driver's are swayed far more by image and fashion, than any practicality.

Of course I haven't seen one in person but this photo, and this one, make it look like a small car with big cargo space. I guess everything is still relative.

toadman · March 25th, 2008, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tdot

Hmm, I wasn't thinking tour bus or band taxi. Just one guys car, that has enough room to get himself to a gig (big amp, a few guitars, and misc gear) without the struggle... and to be multi-practical (nobody wants to haul a girl in a cake?).

ahhhh....in that case my '96 Subaru outback does just fine, even at 207K miles!

toadman · March 25th, 2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slow Reflexes

Tall enough to stand in, more interior space than anything short of a moving van, and 30MPG driven by auto magazine testers. I've wanted one for a few years now.

yep....that's our next band mover! but the 30K price tag was just abit too heavy for me. Dodge 3500 15 passenger former schoolbus. that's the ticket!

marshman · March 26th, 2008, 07:23 AM

A few years ago, one of the major car mags did a comparo with the Element, that Scion, the PT Cruiser and Chevys' HHR. They did not have the newer, panel-truck version of the HHR. But the gave top honors for overall to the Scion, despite the fact that the back seat had to be removed with tools to capitalize on the cargo space.

I thnk Guitar Player actually did a little blurb on the Scion, as well, demonstrating that it could transport a man and his half-stack with accessories with little difficulty.

Thus far, whenever I've had a gig, I've found that I can get the entire PA, Bass rig, both guitar amps, all accoutrement (including instruments) into my sisters' suburban. Drums not included.

Big John · March 26th, 2008, 07:30 AM

No Sir !!, THIS is a Ford Transit !!, the name has been used over here since the early 60's and the Transit (or Rancid) has looooong been a popular band wagon.
There are some pretty outrageous claims for mileage from some of those old Transits but they were a pretty remarkable machine, when the heater/gearbox/backaxle worked !

The image looks 'squashed' better click on it to see it in all its glory !

toadman · March 26th, 2008, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big John

No Sir !!, THIS is a Ford Transit !!, the name has been used over here since the early 60's and the Transit (or Rancid) has looooong been a popular band wagon.
There are some pretty outrageous claims for mileage from some of those old Transits but they were a pretty remarkable machine, when the heater/gearbox/backaxle worked !

The image looks 'squashed' better click on it to see it in all its glory !

i bet one of those old Moris Minor taxi cabs would be a good equipment mover too. as long as it didn't smell of vomit like the one i rode in! cool cars!

stephent2 · March 26th, 2008, 07:43 AM

Ultimate? here you go,... I'd buy this if I was stupidly rich.

601210 · March 26th, 2008, 08:35 AM

http://blogto.com/city/2008/03/iron_...nd_in_toronto/

March 21st, 2008, 12:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tdot Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Back of the Wasatch, UT Posts: 3,313 58 Photos	Is this the Ultimate Gigmobile? The topic of cars for musicians has come up several times, so here's what appears to be a perfect Gigmobile. Okay some of you have seen them before but this is a new release for the USA market. And yes it's ugly, but look at that headroom, and cargo space, and easy load/unload... It would also be great for hauling big dogs, bicycles, lawnmower/snowblower, big cake with a girl inside, MG engine, tires, all kinds of things that don't fit inside most cars or are just a pain to lift into a truck. __________________ And now for some feedback: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

March 21st, 2008, 12:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
tiktok Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 3,177	Looks like a slightly taller version of the Honda Wagovan, a five-door Civic from the late 80's/early 90's. Doesn't look quite big enough for a full band's gear (certainly not without the crash guard mounted behind the front seats), and you'd still need a second vehicle to carry the other band members, and looks like more room that a single musician needs. __________________ It takes two people to paint a perfect painting: one to paint it, and the other to shoot him when it's done. http://www.myspace.com/travishartnett http://www.myspace.com/sugarcanemutiny http://www.myspace.com/davidbavas

March 21st, 2008, 01:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
unbridled Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dillon, Mt Age: 33 Posts: 105	I'm definitly re-thinking my Suburban with gas prices so high. __________________ Just about everything I say has been stolen from someone else.

March 21st, 2008, 01:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
toadman Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: andoverandoverandover,ct Age: 45 Posts: 865	nope! too small. maybe with a trailer. i already trashed a ford Aerostar by overloading it! we need at least a 3/4 ton 15 passenger van. right now the dodge 3500 is holding up well. it fits the band and all our equipment in it. no need for a trailer. the gas bills are getting bad thopugh. luckily most of that is paid for by the band. __________________ toadman the plank spanker www.slugnickel.com www.zydecohogs.com "The ultimate result of protecting man from folly is to fill the world with fools" Herbert Spencer

March 21st, 2008, 01:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
hekawi Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: greenville, sc Posts: 1,856	i always thought it was this one: __________________ ____________________________________________ "Rule Number One: Obey All Rules" - Barney Fife

March 21st, 2008, 12:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pete Galati Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 8,104 2 Photos	IMO, you don't want anything real nice to haul band gear. It needs to be dependable, but you don't want something your wife would drive. You want a heavy duty panel van.

March 21st, 2008, 01:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
amp boy Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: toronto, Canada Age: 27 Posts: 330 4 Photos	check out the honda element. better on gas probably. and could fit a lot....or enough i think. plus they cool in black. __________________ I'm kinda like class act simplicity with a raw edge that can rip out yer bones.

March 21st, 2008, 01:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
FMA Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,033	RE: The picture. The horn section obviously digs it.

March 21st, 2008, 01:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
Slow Reflexes Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Willamette and Columbia Posts: 331	Tall enough to stand in, more interior space than anything short of a moving van, and 30MPG driven by auto magazine testers. I've wanted one for a few years now.

March 21st, 2008, 04:26 PM	#15 (permalink)
Preacher Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma Age: 40 Posts: 241	I like this one... It was a little icy out the day I took it, but you can put a bunch of gear in it and still haul the drummer around since his car is always broke down... and get 32 MPG... __________________ So many guitars... so little time.

March 26th, 2008, 07:23 AM	#19 (permalink)
marshman Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SE PA Posts: 587	A few years ago, one of the major car mags did a comparo with the Element, that Scion, the PT Cruiser and Chevys' HHR. They did not have the newer, panel-truck version of the HHR. But the gave top honors for overall to the Scion, despite the fact that the back seat had to be removed with tools to capitalize on the cargo space. I thnk Guitar Player actually did a little blurb on the Scion, as well, demonstrating that it could transport a man and his half-stack with accessories with little difficulty. Thus far, whenever I've had a gig, I've found that I can get the entire PA, Bass rig, both guitar amps, all accoutrement (including instruments) into my sisters' suburban. Drums not included.

March 26th, 2008, 07:30 AM	#20 (permalink)
Big John Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Suffolk UK Posts: 3,751 33 Photos	No Sir !!, THIS is a Ford Transit !!, the name has been used over here since the early 60's and the Transit (or Rancid) has looooong been a popular band wagon. There are some pretty outrageous claims for mileage from some of those old Transits but they were a pretty remarkable machine, when the heater/gearbox/backaxle worked ! The image looks 'squashed' better click on it to see it in all its glory ! __________________ If you are going to be a bear, be a grizzly !!

March 26th, 2008, 07:43 AM	#22 (permalink)
stephent2 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA. Age: 57 Posts: 2,169 20 Photos	Ultimate? here you go,... I'd buy this if I was stupidly rich. __________________ 3. If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers. - - Thomas Pynchon Last edited by stephent2 : March 26th, 2008 at 08:31 AM.

March 26th, 2008, 08:35 AM	#23 (permalink)
601210 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Philippines Age: 14 Posts: 310	The Ultimate Gigmobile http://blogto.com/city/2008/03/iron_...nd_in_toronto/