Best small learner car for a cellist

[rze99]

Hi I need to get a small used learner car for my daughter. She is a keen cellist and that cello in the case is pretty big! we have a large-ish estate/station wagon as the main car (mostly for my guitar gear) and we just fold one of the back sets down and slide the neck end of the Cello case through the back ono the seat which keeps it flat.

If you have a cellist in the family is there a small car that suits transporting a cello? I am thinking maybe a Mini Hatch or similar.

 

[Bendyha]

A cello case should fit in about anything. A freind of mine transported double basses around in his dyane citroen. One has to be aware that if stored in the boot, and you get rammed from behind, the insurance will likely not pay for damages to the cello, due to negligence on your part. Across the backseat, strapped down, is the place for a cello, and as I say, it should fit in most anything, as to whether it is easy to reach it in into a two door car, is a mater of personal opinion.

 

[rze99]

A cello case should fit in about anything. A freind of mine transported double basses around in his dyane citroen. One has to be aware that if stored in the boot, and you get rammed from behind, the insurance will likely not pay for damages to the cello, due to negligence on your part. Across the backseat, strapped down, is the place for a cello, and as I say, it should fit in most anything, as to whether it is easy to reach it in into a two door car, is a mater of personal opinion.

"One has to be aware that if stored in the boot, and you get rammed from behind, the insurance will likely not pay for damages to the cello, due to negligence on your part."

Whoa. Thanks. I was not aware of that. It's pretty valuable. WAY more valuable than any of my guitars...

 

[cousinpaul]

Toyota Matrix. It's pretty much a Corolla with a hatchback body. Holds a surprising amount of stuff. The Pontiac Vibe is essentially a re-badged Matrix and can usually be had a little cheaper.

 

[uriah1]

I think our cars are a tad bigger on this side of pond.

 

[kelnet]

Suzuki Swift, SEAT Leon Cupra, Peugot 208. Maybe you can find an old Austin Allegro or Ford Anglia.

(image removed)

 

[VintageSG]

Don't laugh. Dacia Sandero Laureate.




OK, laugh now.

 

[kelnet]

Volkswagen Golf would be good. Should be lots of used ones around.

 

[boris bubbanov]

A cello case should fit in about anything. A freind of mine transported double basses around in his dyane citroen. One has to be aware that if stored in the boot, and you get rammed from behind, the insurance will likely not pay for damages to the cello, due to negligence on your part. Across the backseat, strapped down, is the place for a cello, and as I say, it should fit in most anything, as to whether it is easy to reach it in into a two door car, is a mater of personal opinion.

Huh?

UK tort law is not that different from laws in North America. The overwhelming number of instances where someone is rammed from behind, the guy who did the ramming is the one at fault. He'll be responsible for all damages that flow easily from his wrongful actions. And if the cello player was at fault, failing to properly stow the instrument will not usually be Concern #1.

Anyway, I know a lot of the cars over there but not their going prices for sale there so I'll defer to the UK people on that. Except, no Dacias, no Tatas and no Reliants.

 

[rze99]

Suzuki Swift, SEAT Leon Cupra, Peugot 208. Maybe you can find an old Austin Allegro or Ford Anglia.

(image removed)

That Allegro is certainly a suitable name (being "lively" in classical music terms for the uninitiated) but.... WHAT A DOG!
That must be a contender for most disgusting car in British motoring history. Like a small, orange hearse but with wheels from a different car. Only uglier. Those door handles went on to feature prominently on the side of the more upmarket early Range Rover, I think you'll find, car fans.

The Anglia is at least cute. Sort of like a '60s milk float with whitewalls.

 

[BigDaddyLH]

I don't know what you go in the UK, but why not bring the empty case to some dealerships?

 

[rze99]

Huh?

UK tort law is not that different from laws in North America. The overwhelming number of instances where someone is rammed from behind, the guy who did the ramming is the one at fault. He'll be responsible for all damages that flow easily from his wrongful actions. And if the cello player was at fault, failing to properly stow the instrument will not usually be Concern #1.

Anyway, I know a lot of the cars over there but not their going prices for sale there so I'll defer to the UK people on that. Except, no Dacias, no Tatas and no Reliants.

Thanks. Can't comment on tort law...

..but I beg to differ re the Reliant. I always found the Reliant Scimitar rather sexy as well as being practical. Below and in a nice colour for a Tele.

 

[studio]

I don't know what you go in the UK, but why not bring the empty case to some dealerships?

Pardon me, can I interest you in a Ford F-150?

 

[rze99]

I don't know what you go in the UK, but why not bring the empty case to some dealerships?

Yes it's a idea to carry the case in to see cars.
No Dealers as such. Not buying new, buying old so she can feel free to ding it in the supermarket car park and scrape the alloys on the kerb, friends can vomit in the back after a vodka party and I won't care. Her cello will be worth maybe 5 times the cost of the car (and BTW old German cellos appreciate at about 8% per annum, investment types take note).

 

[String Tree]

Has she ever thought about taking-up the Viola?

 

[rze99]

Has she ever thought about taking-up the Viola?

No. Shame... she could save a lot a money getting the Tube everywhere!
My wife is a violin player, singer and pianist and she has told her all the viola player jokes already so she'd never go near a viola. (Sort of the classical music equivalent of drummer jokes.).

 

[BigDaddyLH]

No. Shame... she could save a lot a money getting the Tube everywhere!
My wife is a violin player, singer and pianist and she has told her all the viola player jokes already so she'd never go near a viola. (Sort of the classical music equivalent of drummer jokes.).

My daughter plays the flute -- I wish I could say that involved forethought on my part. She's recently been asked to double on the piccolo - hah! She's renting one but those little buggers aren't cheap, professional models, I was told, start at around $3,000.

 

[Togman]

I would suggest a Honda Jazz (Fit in the USA). They have an impressive set of rear seats that can easily be changed to various combinations.

 

[rze99]

My daughter plays the flute -- I wish I could say that involved forethought on my part. She's recently been asked to double on the piccolo - hah! She's renting one but those little buggers aren't cheap, professional models, I was told, start at around $3,000.

Ouch. 3 grand for a piccalo. Sheesh. You might have to do something really serious like, sell a guitar.
I didn't mind blowing all the money on the cello when I found out how much a good one appreciates every year. Hope the Piccalo does the same for you.

 

[BigDaddyLH]

Ouch. 3 grand for a piccalo. Sheesh. You might have to do something really serious like, sell a guitar.
I didn't mind blowing all the money on the cello when I found out how much a good one appreciates every year. Hope the Piccalo does the same for you.

The piccolo is rented. It is for the youth orchestra. The flute players drew lots and the loser had to play piccolo. When she practices, the dog gives me these worried looks.