Lately I've been shopping for a newer gig-mobile. My daily-driver (2003 Mitsubishi Outlander) after doing double-duty for the past 5 years is close to 200K miles now, and while it's in fair mechanical condition, I just don't trust it on these 500+ mile weekends anymore. Will spend a little $$$ on it though, for brakes, tires, suspension work, and continue driving it back and forth to work, maybe for another couple years, but for weekend travel I need something a little newer, with lower miles and plenty of cargo space. Wouldn't hurt if it was also AWD. Also a plus if I can catch a rest area nap in it. 

Of course playing bass, (especially an upright bass) imparts a few extra requirements. Most of the time, I'm carrying around a Mesa Walkabout/Scout 15 combo amp, and either 2 bass guitars, or my old upright and an Acoustic Image amp, and Flite 12 monitor cab, which is much smaller and lighter. That's at a minimum, but sometimes I'll have both. Less often, I'm loading up a small PA with one bass rig or the other. On average, I'd guess I'm carrying 400 lbs worth of gear, so we're not talking a big truck. It's just bulky stuff that doesn't fit well in a sedan. Station wagons or small SUV's have worked well so far.

The Outlander has performed spectacularly, but I've found the newer models of Mitsubishi's SUV are marketed more for comfort than utility, So I have set out to find the ultimate weekend warrior's gig-mobile... just wondering what you guys/girls are loading up your stuff in? Reality checks and radical ideas both welcome.

How about this? From the look of things you'd still have room for a small amp.

My 2001 Toyota Highlander has over 220,000 miles and is still going strong.  Lot's of cargo room, especially with the rear seats folded down.

Bill, tgo

I just picked up a 2010 Nissan Xterra. Built like a truck but has good car manners on the road. All my stuff fits in the cargo area. Most of my stuff fits in the cargo area of my wife's 2015 Subaru Forester, which gets almost double the mileage. I haven't hauled the doghouse bass lately, so I can't really speak to that directly but I am confident it fits in either one. All of my basses are in gig bags, which frees-up lots of space. I know what you mean about modern SUV types being more about comfort than utility.

John

2003 Subaru Legacy wagon, mostly.  Sometimes 2010 Subaru Outback.  the Legacy is more agile for grabbing those all-important urban parking spots close to the gig.!

I love my 2012 Subaru Outback. The AWD is great for MN winters and I can fit my PJB 8T & 16B cabs, three basses and all the other gear I need in it with ease and have room for passengers. Though I Don't own an upright, with the back seat down I don't think there would be any problem fitting one in if you had one of the newer models. They have grown a lot in recent years with newer models a lot bigger than the originals.

2010 Subaru Outback. Took my speaker cabinets to the dealer to be sure they would fit (with 1" to spare).

2001 Subaru Forester with 280,000 miles on it and still running strong.   I've had a drum kit, my bass + amp and the guitarists gear in there WITH two passengers in the backseat.   

2002 Ford Explorer. My second one (wife had a 2000). Great gigging machine! Seems like no matter what rig/instruments I'm carrying, I find a nice tight pack for everything.

Ditto on the 2001 to 2007 Toyota Highlanders! Great rigs for hauling music gear.

I'm on my 2nd Scion XB. Super dependable, good on gas, easy to park at gigs and fits everything I try to put in it. Also, as I do a lot of night time driving after gigs, it's nice not to have all of the dash controls in your line of sight (they are all located in the center console area).

2014 Dodge Challenger.

Although the trunk is pretty formidable, I've still had do some some serious down-sizing. But, oddly enough, this has coincided with having to downsize my rig (and volume) for most of the places I'm playing these days...

Prior to that, I drove 4-door Jeep Wranglers and played bigger venues - yeah baby - let th' good times roll!

Thanks for the input fellas. I'm narrowing it down... may move on one tomorrow actually. I've purposefully avoided car lots by keeping my search to private sales, and got 3 low mileage candidates, any of which would do the job.

It's funny - most of what you guys put up here were on my list. Almost everybody I talk to that has a Subaru LOVES it. Both my parents have one. They love them so much that by the time they sell it, they have 200K on them. I feel the same way about my old Mitsu. 

Close to the Scion XB is the Kia Soul... and I like it but where I live is mountains in every direction, some of them severe. Just around town would have been fine but that little guy would be struggling to climb up the Fancy Gap on I-77 from North Carolina back into Virginia with a full load.

Update to follow.

My vehicle is a 2004 Honda Pilot.  Its on-demand four wheel drive gets me up my steep gravel drive easily; it holds a lot of stuff; and it's well made, dependable, and comfortable.

I agree with your strategy of sticking with private sellers and avoiding the dealers.

The other guitar player in my band loves the utility of his Honda Element.  Sort of a more mature Scion XB.

Bill, tgo