THe Perfect Harp Car

[barbara-brundage]

>Is it possible to load it straight and then and angle the column toward the passenger seat with the base to the rear left in order to leave adequate leg room for the driver.

While I have the 2007 Matrix, which is a bit different, I would say the answer to this is No. The car is not wide enough to accommodate the neck unless the top of the column is as far to the left as possible, and it’s not long enough unless you angle the harp. You need to angle the base to the right to make it fit.

[onita-sanders]

I have been reading this thread with great interest. Am intrigued with all the wonderful suggestions. I would like to add one of my own.

[kirsten-osborne]

I have a 2005 matrix and a concert grand pedal harp. I have to move my seats up as far forward as they will go and then I load the harp straight in. I can then move them back a little, but it’s a bit tight. I am about 5’8″ and it’s not too bad for me but my poor husband is miserable when he rides with me! For the money I’ve saved in gas I would say it is worth it though! I love my matrix!

[Alison]

I have always looked at hearses with that idea in mind, now I know I’m not entirely bonkers… and there is a funeral directors at the bottom of my hill.

[catherine-rogers]

I used to consider hearses when I was young and thought it would be cool, especially if it were painted a cheerful color. But their distinctive styling can’t hide what they are, and you can usually only get one that’s used and pretty worn out. They get terrible gas milage. More important, would you get complaints from clients (especially brides) whose guests see a hearse parked outside the church or other venue? You’d be labeled as the harpist who drives a hearse and some would not hire or refer you based on that.

[barbara-brundage]

>They get terrible gas milage.

Yes, like 10 mpg terrible, which is a very significant consideration if you plan to do much driving with it.

[jessica-wolff]

Wonder what you could get into a 2008 New Beatle? (Yes, that’s what I drive.)

[Saul Davis Zlatkovski]

I recently moved my harp, wedged into what I think was an Explorer. I would not want to do it again. And I was constantly having to tune. I remain convinced the neck must lay flat and be continuously supported evenly throughout its length to be protected.

[HBrock25]

I currently drive a GMC Envoy Extra Long and it fits my L&H 17, dolly, bench, etc.

[carl-swanson]

Why are you trying to avoid a minivan? I’m on my 4th Dodge Grand Caravan and I love it. I often have to move multiple harps, and I can get 4 concert grand instruments in this car. I get 23 or 24 miles per gallon, and they are virtually maintenance free if you take care of them and don’t drive like a teenage boy.

I’ve never bought a new car in my life. I usually buy a used one with 30 or 40 thousand miles on it, drive it to around 140,000+ miles and get rid of it. I’ve never had a single repair on any of them. I get rid of them when they are still working well because I don’t want to start putting big bucks into repairs at that point. The most recent one that I bought had 16,000 miles on it. I’m at 53,000 now and again, no repairs at all. I find them to be very cost effective, comfortable, dependable, and easy to load and unload. The newer ones have seat configurations that allow you to keep a single back seat up and fold the others down into the floor. I would strongly suggest you look into the Dodge Caravan. BTW, I always get the grand caravan because it is about a foot longer and I need that extra length to nest multiple instruments in the car. If you are only moving one harp, you can probably look into the shorter version. But I would check out both models anyway.

[Tristan Adair]

I adore my 2009 Pontiac Vibe (same as Toyota matrix but cuter). Sadly, GM has discontinued the Vibe, but I think you can still get the Matrix and maybe some Vibes at a great deal. I purchased my Red Flash used at 17,000 miles from a rental car company. I currently am at about 65,000 .. lots of travel as a full time hospice harpist. I researched for months and experimented with many cars, taking harp to make sure it fit. I research big purchases ad nauseum, including Consumers Report April yearly guide on cars, and asking all my car guys. I ADORE my car. I like the Traction No-Slide in snow button (wow it works.. I tried to do a donut in an empty parking lot and actually couldn’t). I play a rather tall 31 string gothic and don’t have to flip the front passenger seat down at all. Even can have one passenger in the back. As well as all my other gig stuff. No repairs. The car is extremely comfy and I get about 30mpg. Only negative is the panels in rear make side vision a little tricky, but I am used to it now.

BTW my contrabass fits too (I played professionally until I discovered harp). Now its all harp, all the time.

[B M]

I have a 2004 Ford Escape Limited and love it! I am partial to SUVs because I prefer sitting higher off the ground after driving a Civic in college. The Escape gets better gas mileage than many SUVs (I usually average about 20 mpg) and now you can get it as a hybrid, which gets even better mileage.

One note – be sure the bottom seat cushions for the back seats can be removed completely if you need to fit a semigrand (my in-laws 2001 Escape does not have removable back seat cushions…not sure if it because of the year or the style). I have a Lyon & Healy 85E, which fits perfectly in the back of my Escape (slightly diagonal with room for the dolly to lay next to it), but only if I remove the bottom seat cushions before laying down the back seats. I have a feeling you would have some trouble fitting a full CG…

I’ve also borrowed my aunt’s Lincoln MKX (which is the same as the Ford Edge), and had no problem fitting a full size harp in it. I don’t remember exactly what style harp I put in it, as I was renting a harp for an out-of-town family wedding…but it was definitely close to semigrand size and fit with plenty of room.

[Laura Neil]

What year was the explorer you were using? I am currently looking for a new car and we love the 2011 ford explorer. I have yet to put my harp in it though.

[patricia-jaeger]

Bear in mind that when people post here from outside the U.S. where the driver may sit in the right front seat, instead of the left, then naturally when they recommend

[Sid Humphreys]

Laura,

A year ago May (2010) I loaded my 23 in a 2010 Explorer. I had no problem getting the harp to lay flat and there was plenty of room to spare. It was a bit higher than my Edge, which I like better.

Sid

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