What Do You Drive?

Brian Standing · January 8th, 2008, 08:58 AM

2006 Scion Xb. Oceans of room inside, huge cargo space, small outside, great gas mileage, built by Toyota. It's the perfect car. In 2007, Toyota messed it up, though, by giving it a longer wheelbase, less headroom and a bigger, less fuel efficient engine. They took a brilliantly designed crossover vehicle and made it just another middling mini-SUV.

Most of the time, though, I'm driving my 30-year old modified 10-speed hybrid bicycle, pulling a Burley trailer for my gear.

John Miller · January 8th, 2008, 09:06 AM

A '95 Ford Explorer mainly - great for humping scuba gear around + I live in a rural area where it comes in handy. About 160K miles on it.

When I get around to fixing the speedometer on it, an '85 Mercedes Benz 300D with >220K miles on it.

Chris Hurd · January 8th, 2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ervin Farkas

Jeep Grand Cherokee here, big old 5.2 V8, all wheel all the time and all the power I need (or don't need).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bennis Hahn

Jeep Grand Cherokee as well. V6, horrible gas millage but it hauls everything with no problems, 140k strong.

Here's another Jeep Grand Cherokee. '93, 6 cyl., original engine and third transmission. On its way back from the Moon with 270,000 miles. Headliner sags a bit but still a great vehicle for hauling gear.

Nate Benson · January 8th, 2008, 09:58 AM

05' Ford Focus
You'd be surprised what you can fit in those things

Bill Mecca · January 8th, 2008, 10:16 AM

04 Ford Focus zx3, lots of room and I average 30mpg.

Bill Koehler · January 9th, 2008, 06:25 PM

2006 Honda CR-V

Lots of room for me + my gear.
Great gas milage as well. ~34 mpg highway.

Guy Cochran · January 9th, 2008, 08:45 PM

'91 Toyota Land Cruiser with 251K miles
Perfect for hauling gear :)
It's the company "car".

Dave Vaughn · January 10th, 2008, 12:55 PM

Most of my work is single camera interviews, so a DVX100, tripod, mics, laptop, and other odds and ends, plus an overnight bag; fits quite well into the trunk of my 1990 Mazda Miata.
Last week my interviews took me to Panama City Beach - top down in FL in January. This is a great job. :-)

Bill Pryor · January 10th, 2008, 06:28 PM

I drove an '88 Toyota Land Cruiser (pre-yuppie version) for 230,000 miles. I could haul anything with it and pass anything but a gas station. It got 14 mpg on a good day. As my equipment got smaller, so did my vehicle. Now it's a Scion XB, a 2005, and I've got about 52,000 on it now. Averages 35mpg on the highway and I can haul everything I need on a shoot (with the exception of a Western Dolly, but I did take a Spyder dolly and Flextrak OK).

Denis Danatzko · January 10th, 2008, 07:06 PM

w/138K.

I'm w/Boyd...4WD during a Jersey winter can be a lifesaver if you're far from home and have to travel either the Parkway, Turnpike, or any of the suburban stretches of any of the interstates.

Considering a new ride though, maybe a minivan-like thing, so it's comfy if you need to drive client(s) around, but roomy to haul gear, while being indiscreet in the parking lots.

BTW, am selling son's '02 Wrangler if anyone's interested. (He got himself a used Tacoma).

Charles Papert · January 10th, 2008, 08:21 PM

'97 Honda CRV--not the manliest of cars but it's hauled my Steadicam successfully for many years and never had any mechanical issues, so I have to give it props. Was all set to move on to a new Element this year since they have dealt with the two-tone body panel issue and look a lot better than they used to (IMHO), especially as I have added a rolling cart for the rig, but confound it all, the cart is just two inches too tall for the Element (and the Element is taller than anything in its class). I was so looking forward to rolling that f****er up into the car via ramps which would cut some notable time and energy out of my day, but it was not to be. Still figuring it out.

Meanwhile, my non-working time is spent in an '06 Prius--40+MPG, driving alone in the car pool lane and don't have to pay for parking meters in the City of Los Angeles. Loving that. In a pinch, I can even fit the Steadicam in there with some creative re-arranging, but I try to keep a non-work vehicle if I can.

Hoping to find a hybrid or biodiesel-esque solution to my equipment vehicle in this New Year--that is, if the film industry ever gets back on its feet.

Allen Plowman · January 10th, 2008, 08:35 PM

did anyone else notice that the person interested in our vehicles is named Tim Allen? coincidence? I dont think so...

Dan Brockett · January 10th, 2008, 09:38 PM

Hi all:

Some interesting rides and reasons and justifications for the rides here.

Mine is a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Diesel Crew Cab. It's huge, I call it the "monster truck" because it is. 22' long, weights almot 7,000lbs. Why do I have such a beast? Well easy, I also have a 32' Fifth Wheel trailer that we use to do shoots and vacation in all over the West Coast.

When not hauling a trailer, the truck holds almost all of my 2.5 ton grip and lighting package and my jib. But trying to park this rig in most of LA is a PITA, it's too huge. I do some celebrity stuff and there is nothing more fun pulling up to the Four Seasons or Beverly Hills Hotel's valet in this beast and making fun of all of the Porsches and Ferraris. My truck is 7' high and you would be surprised at how many parking garages in LA are 6' 8" clearance, that's the part that really sucks. But it is fun to get dirty looks from all of the beautiful people for driving something in LA that is so politically incorrect ;-)

For all of it's size, I still get 21mpg with it. I love diesel even though we are getting gouged worse than gas customers on the price. Going to Europe was an eye opener, about half of the cars I saw were diesel. Good old smart California, in their infinite wisdom (not) has decided that they will not let manufacturers sell diesel cars new in the state (you can buy a used one at least).

All of this is changing as the new generation of diesels can meet California's CAFE' emission standards is being introduced this year. Even Honda is coming out with a diesel Accord. But I digress. If I didn't have a fifth wheel, I would be driving a Prius or I would be waiting for the new generation of diesel cars here as many of the smaller ones can even get 75 mile per gallon. Yes, diesel is more expensive than gas now, but if you can get that kind of mileage, that's still a good deal. At the time I bought the truck, diesel was cheaper and I do need something like this to pull a 10,000 lb trailer.

Best,

Dan

Stewart Menelaws · January 11th, 2008, 08:06 AM

Hey Dan never mind the outragous fuel prices we pay in the UK.... what about the van tax hike...

We were using Landrover 110 Hardtop Defenders, fantastic of road (sore on the aging back on long drives) then went to Landover Discoveries (very nice on the aging bones) until they became too posh to be of any commercial use, and the company tax was really heavy.

Moved over to the Jap pickups (Animal/Warrior) with hardtop and towing gear, they are really usefull... but here is the rub.... it has been costing £500 a year in tax to run a commercial van/pick up - our great leader Mr Brown has now put that up to...... wait for it...... wait for it.......£3,500.00 per year.

How's that for inflation, how's that for helping business.... better go now, I have feelings of anger about to swamp me.... ;-(

Regards: Stu
www.srtudioscotland.com

Tim Miller · January 11th, 2008, 08:39 AM

2003 Toyota RAV4

This is the perfect vehicle for me. It's small enough to get good mileage and it feels like a car. It's big enough to haul LOTS of gear. It's not too expensive - I think I paid around $22K new. Also, it sits up high and is very easy to get in and out of - important for an old man with bad knees. And the cherry on top - it's very cool looking!

January 8th, 2008, 08:58 AM	#31
Brian Standing Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 621	2006 Scion Xb. Oceans of room inside, huge cargo space, small outside, great gas mileage, built by Toyota. It's the perfect car. In 2007, Toyota messed it up, though, by giving it a longer wheelbase, less headroom and a bigger, less fuel efficient engine. They took a brilliantly designed crossover vehicle and made it just another middling mini-SUV. Most of the time, though, I'm driving my 30-year old modified 10-speed hybrid bicycle, pulling a Burley trailer for my gear. __________________ http://www.prolefeedstudios.com/blog/ Documentary for the masses!

January 8th, 2008, 10:16 AM	#35
Bill Mecca Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 475	04 Ford Focus zx3, lots of room and I average 30mpg. __________________ Award-winning Pine Barrens Documentary! Video, Audio, Music & More

January 9th, 2008, 08:45 PM	#37
Guy Cochran DVCreators.Net Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 892	'91 Toyota Land Cruiser with 251K miles Perfect for hauling gear :) It's the company "car". Attached Thumbnails __________________ Guy Cochran DVinfo Sponsor, Cool Gear - DVeStore!

January 10th, 2008, 07:06 PM	#40
Denis Danatzko Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NYC Metro area Posts: 579	'98 Explorer w/138K. I'm w/Boyd...4WD during a Jersey winter can be a lifesaver if you're far from home and have to travel either the Parkway, Turnpike, or any of the suburban stretches of any of the interstates. Considering a new ride though, maybe a minivan-like thing, so it's comfy if you need to drive client(s) around, but roomy to haul gear, while being indiscreet in the parking lots. BTW, am selling son's '02 Wrangler if anyone's interested. (He got himself a used Tacoma). __________________ Denis ------------ Our actions are based on our own experience and knowledge. Thus, no one is ever totally right, nor totally wrong. We simply act from what we "know" to be true, based on that experience and knowledge. Beyond that, we pose questions to others.

January 10th, 2008, 08:21 PM	#41
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	'97 Honda CRV--not the manliest of cars but it's hauled my Steadicam successfully for many years and never had any mechanical issues, so I have to give it props. Was all set to move on to a new Element this year since they have dealt with the two-tone body panel issue and look a lot better than they used to (IMHO), especially as I have added a rolling cart for the rig, but confound it all, the cart is just two inches too tall for the Element (and the Element is taller than anything in its class). I was so looking forward to rolling that f****er up into the car via ramps which would cut some notable time and energy out of my day, but it was not to be. Still figuring it out. Meanwhile, my non-working time is spent in an '06 Prius--40+MPG, driving alone in the car pool lane and don't have to pay for parking meters in the City of Los Angeles. Loving that. In a pinch, I can even fit the Steadicam in there with some creative re-arranging, but I try to keep a non-work vehicle if I can. Hoping to find a hybrid or biodiesel-esque solution to my equipment vehicle in this New Year--that is, if the film industry ever gets back on its feet. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

January 8th, 2008, 09:06 AM	#32
John Miller Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hillsborough, NC, USA Posts: 968	A '95 Ford Explorer mainly - great for humping scuba gear around + I live in a rural area where it comes in handy. About 160K miles on it. When I get around to fixing the speedometer on it, an '85 Mercedes Benz 300D with >220K miles on it.

January 8th, 2008, 09:58 AM	#34
Nate Benson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Buffalo, New York Posts: 157	05' Ford Focus You'd be surprised what you can fit in those things

January 9th, 2008, 06:25 PM	#36
Bill Koehler Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia, USA Posts: 760	2006 Honda CR-V Lots of room for me + my gear. Great gas milage as well. ~34 mpg highway.

January 10th, 2008, 12:55 PM	#38
Dave Vaughn New Boot Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 23	Most of my work is single camera interviews, so a DVX100, tripod, mics, laptop, and other odds and ends, plus an overnight bag; fits quite well into the trunk of my 1990 Mazda Miata. Last week my interviews took me to Panama City Beach - top down in FL in January. This is a great job. :-)

January 10th, 2008, 06:28 PM	#39
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I drove an '88 Toyota Land Cruiser (pre-yuppie version) for 230,000 miles. I could haul anything with it and pass anything but a gas station. It got 14 mpg on a good day. As my equipment got smaller, so did my vehicle. Now it's a Scion XB, a 2005, and I've got about 52,000 on it now. Averages 35mpg on the highway and I can haul everything I need on a shoot (with the exception of a Western Dolly, but I did take a Spyder dolly and Flextrak OK).

January 10th, 2008, 08:35 PM	#42
Allen Plowman Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Paradise, california Posts: 353	did anyone else notice that the person interested in our vehicles is named Tim Allen? coincidence? I dont think so...

January 10th, 2008, 09:38 PM	#43
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Hi all: Some interesting rides and reasons and justifications for the rides here. Mine is a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Diesel Crew Cab. It's huge, I call it the "monster truck" because it is. 22' long, weights almot 7,000lbs. Why do I have such a beast? Well easy, I also have a 32' Fifth Wheel trailer that we use to do shoots and vacation in all over the West Coast. When not hauling a trailer, the truck holds almost all of my 2.5 ton grip and lighting package and my jib. But trying to park this rig in most of LA is a PITA, it's too huge. I do some celebrity stuff and there is nothing more fun pulling up to the Four Seasons or Beverly Hills Hotel's valet in this beast and making fun of all of the Porsches and Ferraris. My truck is 7' high and you would be surprised at how many parking garages in LA are 6' 8" clearance, that's the part that really sucks. But it is fun to get dirty looks from all of the beautiful people for driving something in LA that is so politically incorrect ;-) For all of it's size, I still get 21mpg with it. I love diesel even though we are getting gouged worse than gas customers on the price. Going to Europe was an eye opener, about half of the cars I saw were diesel. Good old smart California, in their infinite wisdom (not) has decided that they will not let manufacturers sell diesel cars new in the state (you can buy a used one at least). All of this is changing as the new generation of diesels can meet California's CAFE' emission standards is being introduced this year. Even Honda is coming out with a diesel Accord. But I digress. If I didn't have a fifth wheel, I would be driving a Prius or I would be waiting for the new generation of diesel cars here as many of the smaller ones can even get 75 mile per gallon. Yes, diesel is more expensive than gas now, but if you can get that kind of mileage, that's still a good deal. At the time I bought the truck, diesel was cheaper and I do need something like this to pull a 10,000 lb trailer. Best, Dan

January 11th, 2008, 08:06 AM	#44
Stewart Menelaws Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Scotland (UK) Posts: 219	Hey Dan never mind the outragous fuel prices we pay in the UK.... what about the van tax hike... We were using Landrover 110 Hardtop Defenders, fantastic of road (sore on the aging back on long drives) then went to Landover Discoveries (very nice on the aging bones) until they became too posh to be of any commercial use, and the company tax was really heavy. Moved over to the Jap pickups (Animal/Warrior) with hardtop and towing gear, they are really usefull... but here is the rub.... it has been costing £500 a year in tax to run a commercial van/pick up - our great leader Mr Brown has now put that up to...... wait for it...... wait for it.......£3,500.00 per year. How's that for inflation, how's that for helping business.... better go now, I have feelings of anger about to swamp me.... ;-( Regards: Stu www.srtudioscotland.com

January 11th, 2008, 08:39 AM	#45
Tim Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 43	2003 Toyota RAV4 2003 Toyota RAV4 This is the perfect vehicle for me. It's small enough to get good mileage and it feels like a car. It's big enough to haul LOTS of gear. It's not too expensive - I think I paid around $22K new. Also, it sits up high and is very easy to get in and out of - important for an old man with bad knees. And the cherry on top - it's very cool looking!