The Quest for the Ideal Piano Technician Automobile

[JOHN ROSS]

If a mileage charge is made, then as long as the vehicle is getting 
reasonable mileage, I can't see a problem.
Gas is more expensive up here.
Also don't you depreciate your vehicle, and right off the expenses to your 
work vehicle, or the portion that is business?
I drive a Dodge Grand Caravan, I have the seats removed, and have parts 
cabinets, and lots of space to transport, what I need.
In my younger days, when going to a convention, I had a mattress and a 
sleeping bag in it, and slept in the rest areas, on your great thruways. 
Now, I go to a Motel, but I still drive to conventions.
I like to stop when I want, and I feel lost without my wheels. Also, I make 
detours and visit relatives.
I know that flying would be cheaper, but it just doesn't interest me.
Oh yes, I think I get 20-22 mpg US
John Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Geoff Sykes" <thetuner at ivories52.com>
To: "'Pianotech List'" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2007 3:08 PM
Subject: RE: The Quest for the Ideal Piano Technician Automobile


> Having followed this, and the discussion about a month ago on recommended
> tuner cars, I have a '96 Honda Civic with about 110K on it. I get between 
> 37
> and 42 mpg on it pretty consistently. And if I'm *extremely* careful I can
> get an action in the passenger seat with the seat back folded down all the
> way. The last time I had a grand action in there I removed the stack so I
> could maneuver things a little better in the space.
>
> I have been fantasizing about replacing this car but with this kind of
> mileage I'm finding it hard to even consider most options. My fantasy is a
> Scion xB, which gets 31 to 35 mpg. Does anyone out there have one of 
> those?
>
> -- Geoff Sykes
> -- Assoc. Los Angeles
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On 
> Behalf
> Of John Formsma
> Sent: Friday, May 04, 2007 7:30 PM
> To: Pianotech List
> Subject: Re: The Quest for the Ideal Piano Technician Automobile
>
>
> I have a 1999 Honda Accord that has done well, except it's not all that
> convenient for action transport. It works, but you have to put the back 
> seat
> down and rearrange tools.  It has almost 252,000 miles on it, and is still
> going strong. I'm looking to replace it in a couple of years or whenever 
> it
> breaks down.
>
> My thinking is to get a vehicle that gets decent gas mileage, yet allows
> flexibility for tools and transport. I'm looking at some small
> SUV's:
>
> Toyota RAV4
> Honda CR-V
> Subaru
> etc.
>
> Both of those get around 22/29 mpg, which is good for their size. There 
> are
> certainly smaller cars that do better on gas, but I also have a couple of
> kids I'm blessed to carry around.
>
> One thing that has helped me as I look is to figure how much EXTRA gas I'd
> be buying with a bigger vehicle. That way I know what the real
> costs/benefits will be. Like, is it really worth it to cram myself and
> family into a smaller car to save $800 annually on fuel?
>
> Now if (when - it's a matter of time) the cost of a gallon goes up to 
> $5.00,
> it will make quite a significant difference, and it's also something to
> consider. That's anyone's gamble, I suppose.
>
> JF
>
> On 5/4/07, kurt baxter <fortefile at gmail.com> wrote:
>> My beloved VW hatchback (with back seat removed for bountiful action
>> cradle
>> space)
>> is starting to feel its age and 188,000 miles and I am pondering what I
> will
>> do when it
>> finally goes to the great big salvage yard in the sky...
>>
>> In your opinions, what is the all time best suited car for piano work?
>> Including, most vitally:
>>
>> ---Easy transport of grand and upright actions
>> ---Room for needed tools
>> ---Decent gas mileage
>>
>>
>>
>> (Also, I was eying a Honda Insight the other day, and was wondering if
>> any ambitious tech out there has tried to fit an action in one of
>> those gasoline sippers... Maybe in the back hatch with the passenger
>> seat all the way forward? Am I totally deluding myself?)
>>
>>
>>
>> Highly subjective opinions welcome.
>>
>>
>>  [k]urt
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>