Buying a used car

[Adam Berland]

Hey guys,

 

I'm going be purchasing a used car. Also I'm going be buying some gear. Do you guys have recommendation on one?

[Janice Arthur]

Adam

 

Think about what cart you'll be using.

 

A magliner takes up a bunch of space and or rips up your car seats.

 

Your choice on carts these days is vast so maybe u won't use a magliner?

 

Second are you working out of your car on shoots? A car that can only be packed with exactly the right amount of space is hard to pack and repack quickly between locations and takes a lot of time.

 

Small trucks are what I use with a cap. Infinite variability and you can't hurt the bed no matter how fast you pack.

 

They're also great for working out of.

 

Additionally you can dive in them fast in bad weather and toss gear in as well.

 

Lastly use your whole name here on sign in

 

Thanks and good luck.

 

Janice

[Aaron King]

Honda Element. It's what I drive, and you would be amazed by the space when you completely remove the back seats. I know several people in production around my area that drive them as well.

Edited May 15, 2014 by Aaron King

[Jens Piotrowski SOC]

Minivan with two sliding doors, like the grand caravan

[Victor Lazaro]

Just got a Scion xB. I have yet to see how my gear fits in it but it's fairly big inside.

[John Stout]

We opted for a small 5'X8' trailer. Gives us a place to work out as well as haul gear.

 

We use a Honda Pilot to pull it. Room for 4 plus luggage and all the gear in the trailer.

 

However, me and my AC can go in just the pilot if we are just taking the rig and accessories. Six of the 1650 type cases and a TufPak stand for the stands.

 

We don't take a cart in those situations, but we do take a collapsable dolly. We are going to be adding the Inovativ Scout cart, as it packs down so tight and will then fit in the Pilot as well.

 

John

[Michael Maga]

The ford connect looks like it has a ton of room, and is pretty cheap. Anyone using one?

[Brett Manyluk]

I also use a truck. Used to run a dodge 1500 quad cab with the gas guzzling hemi. Worked great for years but sure wasn't easy on fuel. Now I'm running a F150 Supercrew with the 6'5" box with a cap. Really loving the huge back seat in the ford. Easily enough room to put my whole steadi package in the back seat with the jump seat still available for a passenger, one or two camera carts in the box, extra weather gear, plus lighting & grip gear if I'm DP'ing a small job, or it can also fit my jimmy jib. And then you have 4x4 when you need it (which is critical in Canada 8 months of the year), it's pretty easy to pack, and you can still park it conventionally in (most) underground parking. Rent or buy a two axle trailer if you need more room (I'd get the ecoboost engine and heavy duty suspension if I did it again).

 

If you need to go larger, there are the Mercedes/Dodge sprinters available new and used everywhere. And Ford has a full sized version of the transport now to match it I believe. Lots of room but not so useful as a daily driver.

[Osvaldo Silvera SOC]

Ran out of a 1950 2 door Ford sedan for a few years, then a 2009 Smart Brabus ( yes a Smart car), now a 4 door Mini Countryman, Everything fits in any of the cars mentioned, even in the Smart car. I'll eventually be getting another one Exclusively for Steadicam work around town, they stash in a corner of the garage and are fairly cheap used.

[richard bellon]

i use VW Caddy van,

i used to have shelves in there too, but since took them out, i don't have to collapse any cart, just drive it in and strap down

 

the pictures are same model as mine,

[richard bellon]

found some old pictures of van with shelf still inside and my old cart, (same size as magliner senior)

[Janice Arthur]

Hi all;

 

Transit connects are great I wanted one but couldn't find a good used one and I refused to buy new on principle.

 

The used ones were from contractors and beat to death so I got another truck

 

Good luck

 

Janice

[brett.mayfield]

i cant be happier than i am with my 4runner (2003 version. cant speak to the older or newer models)

-it fits a magliner in it in any direction (disassembled), all my cases, milk crates, etc, stacked. and i can still see out of the rear window fully!

-i remove all headrests for extra bits of room and ease.

-it has several anchors for ratchet straps and seats just in case i need i drive anyone (but they go flat if i need)

-one of the coolest things in the rear window slides down by using the rear door lock or the button on the dash, which is great for not having to keep the door open or opening/closing throughout the day but still having access.

-i have used it for vehicle mount shots.

-got weather tech mats for the whole thing which is really helpful.

-there are several storage compartments throughout the vehicle.

-the truck can go anywhere and with enough driving experience in it, you can put it in just about any space or place you can imagine. i cant believe sometimes the trucks ability to squeeze, twist, fit and slide its way around anything. i drive motorcycles as my regular mode or transport and i put them in the tightest possible places and i am always impressed by the 4runner's manageability.

 

i have never had a single problem with the truck in 11 years.

and i dont have any blind spots! there are little reversed mirrors in the back of the truck that you can view through your rear view mirror and see what would be blind spots. very smart design.

 

though i really dont dig the honda elements, they are terrific production vehicles and can handle a ton of gear and abuse.

 

janice, i commend and appreciate your commitment to used goods! i started something i call thursday purgeday as a motivator for rehoming my old stuff in order to trade or buy some used stuff. im probably on craigslist and freecycle as much as i am the forum! i try to keep things streamlined so i have to get rid of something in order to take anything in.

[Ian Vatcher]

I have a jeep patriot. The seats fold down nicely and offer a lot of space, though you'd have to collapse your cart to get it in there. I often put a thick foam mat down inside of it on long days, so I can get a bit of shut eye if needed.

 

I've had it out in all conditions and it's taken a beating, but it still runs like a top and I got it for cheap used. Plus the 4x4 is a must where I live. I bought it as a production vehicle so I knew it would take the abuse. It also has the tow package in case I want to get a mini hauler for it down the road.

 

I can get all of my cases, stand and AKS in there no problem. I've been very happy with it.

 

 

[David Allen Grove]

I own a 2014 Honda Odyssey and it's great.

It has sliding doors on both sides. Back seats fold down into the floor and the 2nd row seats are easily removable and are lightweight.

I don't own a cart, I have the "ER" stand, my gear and a rickshaw.