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Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
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Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 7, 2012 10:33 PM
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It's about time to find a more ideal booksellers vehicle. I'm driving 300+ miles a week going on house calls and hittin estate sales and with gas prices being what they are, driving V8's is gettin really old....
I'm looking for a smaller SUV (already have a Yukon) that gets at least 30 mpg (hwy), and is reliable and easy to maintain. Nothing flashy, but decent. I'm not really looking for anything new as I want to pay cash.
I'm sorta thinking model years 2009 - 2011 and I'd like to keep the total spend under $20K all in. The only 'feature' I need is A/C, so nothing really fancy. We have fantastic weather out here in SoCal, so I don't need 4x4, heated seats, etc.
What I've thought about so far....
Toyota RAV 4
Toyota Highlander
Honda Pilot
Kia Sportage
Ford Escape
Chevy Equinox
Do any of you have an opinion on what is an ideal vehicle for doing what we do - schlepping books and estate sale / auction finds home from sometimes remote locales ? It would also get some work shuttling stock from offsite storage.
What do you (or folks you know) drive that seems to really fit the bill for the average joe bookseller ? Or vehicles you would AVOID for reliability / safety / practicality reasons.
TIA...
~ Pretiumque et Causa Laboris ~
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(24 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 8, 2012 04:00 PM
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fine.books wrote:
robssecondjob wrote:
But they are quite small on the inside. I am just a little guy and I have a terrible time fitting in them.
Have you driven the Wraith yet? Are you aware that it's only four smokestacks short of having life preservers marked "Titanic?"
.
I have not driven it yet. Negotiations are on-going. The owner has a son who has a very inflated idea what the car is worth mucking things up a bit. He is the type that will let a car rot away next to the barn becuase "he's going to restore it".
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(25 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 8, 2012 04:53 PM
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This just rescued from a mountain of political emails - enjoy:
101 Year-Old Woman Drives An 81 Year-Old Car:
There is hope for us all.
Wonder what her insurance cost is?
This video clip is priceless. Notice at the very end when she steps on a little red towel to get into the car so she won't dirty the running
board, then picks it up and puts it in the car so she can use it when
she gets out!
An amazing lady, 101 years old driving an 81-year-old car and changes the oil and spark plugs herself! This is a hoot!
Click Here: Two Classics, One Car.mp4 - YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHwwwJ83oWo
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(26 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 8, 2012 05:04 PM
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.
“Ask the man woman who owns one.”
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(28 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 8, 2012 06:00 PM
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I don't own one right now, due to the ridiculous deal on a Caddy a few months ago, but when given the choice it'll always be a 5 speed. I'm guessing you don't have to deal with snow, so that's not the benefit, but a stick is easier to maintain X10, and will just keep running and running on a full tank. I like my present car because it's ridiculously comfortable, but I do miss my old 5 speed for lots of reasons.
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(29 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 8, 2012 06:02 PM
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Oh, yeah, plus car thieves tend to pass on them as well.
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(30 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 8, 2012 08:52 PM
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I have simple tastes in cars and love my 2009 Pontiac Vibe ... it's perfect for hauling auction finds, with rear seats that fold down flat and allow a large cargo area.
I notice it's also mentioned by Consumer Reports in their recent list of the best used car deals (in the Wagons category), along with the 2008 Pontiac Vibe and the 2010 Toyota Matrix (the Vibe's mechanical twin ... the Vibe and Matrix were manufactured in the same plant):
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/03/best-used-car-deals/index.htm
*
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(31 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 8, 2012 09:30 PM
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Wowza....
Thanks for all the replies guys.
I'm sorta leaning more toward an Asian import despite the gains US makers have made the last decade or so merely because it seems as though repair costs (parts and labor) are just so much less compared to domestic and European makes. (and Joe, I don't think a MBZ 'Gelandewagen' is for me.  I already have a 7 series Bimmer that relieves me of enough cash in gas and maintainence to feed a small village !)
I've seen several Toyota Highlanders that look like they'd fit the bill, but to CC's point, I need to pull the TSB's and review the service history. I'm not completely inclined to trust Consumer Reports.
Another thing I'm considering is a bolt on mpg efficiency kit or a CNG mod for whatever I buy. I'd like to be able to leverage a highly efficient vehicle when we have another fuel spike. In 08' far fewer people were out because of gas prices.
Thanks again....you guys are the best !
~ Pretiumque et Causa Laboris ~
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(32 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 9, 2012 09:09 AM
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I drive a chevy Equinox. the back of the two back seats and the front passenger seat all can be laid down individually adding more room. This car is called a small SUV. It holds, literally, hundreds of books. Versatile for furniture and other antique delights also.
If half the USA population performed one act of kindness daily that would be over 150,000,000 kindly acts every 24 hours, just over a billion each week.
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(33 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 9, 2012 09:14 AM
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One or two more things--the Equinox drives well and has been very reliable. There is a bad blind spot that needs extra caution--something to do with something called C-pillars.
The seat warmers are lovely not only in winter, fall and spring, but on a bad back.
If half the USA population performed one act of kindness daily that would be over 150,000,000 kindly acts every 24 hours, just over a billion each week.
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(34 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 9, 2012 10:00 AM
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Why not take the 'Custom' option ?
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(35 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 9, 2012 03:17 PM
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Its amazing to have/drive a small mini-van
Mine is named Honda Element
Beware though --- never before in so many years of ownership did I have this fluke accident til 4 weeks ago--- I was diagnosed with a small hile in my head--- I was told its only a small hole ...I leaned in quickly and banged my head on the case hardened steel loop at the top of the car frame-- that loop helps hold in the suicide doors-- YES suicide doors are best!
The Element is like VW van better designed spatially, mechanically
The rear seats go up totally against the sides to create a cargo space that no one can see in from the sides
Also all 4 seats will lay flat to make a double bed.. very easy conversion
Then the back seats have spectator seating ao its really fun to ride in the back.
I have moved enormous things in this car. In downtown Portland I spilled an ice T on my capris just allover... I moved from drivers seat to back seat and changed to jeans in a crowded downtown area parked right alongside a sidewalk restaurant... no one saw... after all PORTLANDIA!
The Honda Element was planned for the 20 year old's but the over Baby Boomers love the Element best!
NO Carpetting!, vinyl flooring! Hooray!
Art Bird Red
Art*Fine*Contemporary*Modern
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(36 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 9, 2012 03:25 PM
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Plus I was able to dodge a high speed chase subject who slowed down to 100 as he missed me by 18 inches... thee was an enormous number of cops following so i gave witness statement to that charge(one of a gazillion charges) which was called Attempted Vehicular Homicide
Element is super wide with very large tires for such a small car.
It has the same chassis and engine as the Honda CRV or X whichever is the fancy SUV
I have the 5-speed with 4WD which is really all wheel. Operates like a tank
Don't worry about the plastic fenders ...the body is heavier weighted.
Art Bird Red
Art*Fine*Contemporary*Modern
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(37 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 9, 2012 03:27 PM
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persona-non-gratin wrote:
Why not take the 'Custom' option ?
What a fab Bookmobile! Great for the dry summer months outwest--- convert all sales to the street!
Art Bird Red
Art*Fine*Contemporary*Modern
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(38 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 9, 2012 03:35 PM
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You know who is cheapest for having sepentine/timing belts installed?
Dealers--- the pricing structure uses that item as the leader for the massive 100K maintenance... plus it is cheap to replace for a dealer
Of course so are O-2 sensors but a dealer will charge you arms and legs for O-2 sensors
So get just that belt at the dealer
Art Bird Red
Art*Fine*Contemporary*Modern
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(39 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 10, 2012 08:39 AM
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The criteria you have set are very similar to the search for a replacement for my wife's current vehicle. We've narrowed down to the 2008-2010 Acura RDX, which you should be able to find in the $20K range. For a couple of grand more (maybe you can negotiate?), the 2008-2009 Lexus RX 350 fits the bill.
I realize you want to buy used, but we are also considering the new Acura RDX which has been redesigned for 2013. Base model lists at $35k (which is loaded with features), and should still have some after market value after 10 years of use, so the 'net cost' over 10 years might actually be less than that of a used $20K vehicle. The new Acura RDX is about $10K less than the Lexus RX.
"Good as it is to inherit a library, it is better to collect one."
- Augustine Birrell
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(40 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 10, 2012 11:09 AM
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I have to look at this way. The operating expenses on a large truck or SUV don't really matter. I need 4WD anyway where I live and a small vehicle doesn't do that much better than a larger vehicle. The difference may be 4 or 5 MPG. And gasoline for business is tax deductible.
If I keep the vehicle 5, 6, or 7 years I'll have no major maintenance costs. I can buy a warranty from my auto insurance company for less than $100 a year on a Toyota. (More than twice as much on a GM vehicle). $250 deductible. The vehicle certainly won't be seeing the inside of a dealership for $100.00 oil changes/tire rotations or $600.00 - $1000.00. recommended 30K or 60K service.
If once in those 5, 6, or 7 years I happen upon enough product to fill a large vehicle then the profit from that one trip alone will more than offset the extra fuel costs over a period of years.
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(41 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 10, 2012 12:39 PM
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(42 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 10, 2012 12:52 PM
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84, Charing Cross Road!!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!1!!!!
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(43 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 11, 2012 10:19 AM
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We have a Dodge Grand Carvan van which is great for 90% of our needs. The "Stow and Go" seats are nothing short of a miracle. ( They rarely even make an appearance except for those occasions that friends traveling to JFK remember that my van does indeed have those pesky seats! )
We rent either Full Size Cargo Vans ( Enterprise ) or Box Trucks ( Rent a Wreck ) when the occasion arises a few times a month. Both companies have excellent business rates, about $50 with unlimited milage cargo vans & $79 unlimited milage 14' box trucks. We recently sold our larger truck after calculating maintenence, insurance etc.. it was cheaper to rent.
We put on about 50,000 miles per year so gas milage does stink on the Dodge but over all it has been a great little truck.
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(44 of 44)
Re: Suggestions On The Ideal Bookseller Vehicle....
Sep 11, 2012 12:20 PM
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I have these visions of spending winters after Rick retires driving around in our combo mobile home/bookmobile, going from one small town to another in areas of moderate climate, watching Wheel of Fortune in the evening.
Mom never missed Wheel of Fortune, The Nanny, Oprah. After dinner he sat in the recliner and she laid on the couch, both dozing off now and then. Just the other day I was on the couch, Rick in the recliner, both dozing....
When I realized the ditto affect of what we were doing I WAS HORRIFIED!!!
If half the USA population performed one act of kindness daily that would be over 150,000,000 kindly acts every 24 hours, just over a billion each week.
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