Sedans with trunks big enough for 20 inch bells?

[cjk]

I like cars. However, it seems like the more aerodynamic cars become, the smaller the trunk openings get. I'm also not so much interested in SUVs. I'm not really car shopping right now either, but I am interested in what's out there.

I have a fairly large tuba which does fit in the back seat of my car (though it requires some significant tuba-acrobatics as the car only has 2 doors); but it will not fit in the trunk. This means I can't take my big tuba and my kids anywhere at the same time. My 4/4 sized tuba does fit in the trunk of my car.

So I'm thinking my next car will need to be some sort of 4 door sedan.

If you have a big tuba, or at least a tuba with a big bell (like a Getzen G50 or Conn 56j), and are able to fit your tuba in the trunk of a sedan, what kind of sedan is it?

Thanks,

Christian

[Wyvern]

I can fit my Neptune with 520mm (20.5 inches) bell in the trunk of my Mercedes E-class (2004-2009 model) when its in its gig bag. I just had to remove the flat false floor (very easy) so the bell slots into recess. The trunk is even large enough that my PT-15 F will go in there as well. Useful when I have a two tuba gig!

I do like transporting the tubas in the trunk out of sight of prying eyes if I stop on route

[Chadtuba]

Though I can't speak from experience with the larger belled horn I can say that the Toyota Avalons have large trunks with large openings. I never had any problems putting my 983 in the trunk of the two Avalons I had acces to, 1999 & 2006. There was plenty of room to fit a larger bell into these trunks. And the size of these trunks was just amazing. The 983, the bass trombone in the Alteri gig bag (which is much larger than the hard case), the Besson euphonium in a Cronkite gig bag, garment bag, 2 overnight bags, and still more room. The other thing I really like about the Avalons is that a large guy could sit in the back seat comfortably with plenty of leg/head room.

[Brown Mule]

Fit perfectly in 1959 Cadilac Sedan De Ville trunk with room to spare for 3 suitcases.

[cjk]

Anybody out there have a current body style Subaru Legacy, Honda Accord, or Acura TL and can comment about the trunk size?

[LoyalTubist]

Years ago I had an Izusu I-Mark. You couldn't fit a tuba in a case in the trunk but you could fit two tubas in gig bags (I put two pillows between them). You couldn't do that with the Chevy Nova I had.

[Bill Troiano]

I have a 2006 2 door Honda Accord Sport Coupe. I'm not sure why I bought it new when I did - mid life crisis or something. I guess I thought I was buying a sports car. Anyway, my Gnagey tuba, with it's 19 in. York bell, fits in the trunk with maneuvering to get it through the opening in an Altieri bag. My son's 56J with its 20 in. bell doesn't fit no matter how we twist and turn it.

[tclements]

BMW 335, or 550.

[cjk]

BMW 335, or 550.

I find 3-series BMWs quite interesting (and the 1-series even moreso), but their trunks are too small for even my 4/4 CC. A 3-series interior is about the same size as a Honda Civic sedan. In 2006, I believe I test fit my CC in an E90 and an E46 3 series. I think I remember that my 4/4 would just fit in the trunk of an E46 sedan (330i) but not in the trunk of an E90 (335i) at all. I'm quite sure my 6/4 wouldn't fit in the trunk of either car. The only option for carting around a 6/4 tuba in a 3-series with more than one passenger is a 328i wagon (newer) or a used 325i wagon. Both are nice to drive, but are quite pricey and slow for what they are.

99% of 5-series cars have automatic transmissions. I'm not a big fan of those. 5-series BMWs of recent manufacture are really annoying, but I think I could deal with a stripper 535i with a manual transmission, the sport package, and nothing else. I have checked out the trunk in a 2006 M5, and I'm pretty sure my big tuba would fit.

It's my experience that a significant number of BMW drivers (usually 3 series and 6 series drivers) drive like absolute jerks, so I'm not eager to join that "club". However, BMW riders are almost always interesting people.

[tclements]

I can fit my Willson 3050RZ in there. Yeah, it's a tight fit, but it goes in, caddy corner. The Bruckner goes in there as well. The Gronitz PCK fits, tightly, but it DOES go in. All of these fit in a Cronkhite bag. Can't say about OTHER bags.

[cjk]

I can fit my Willson 3050RZ in there. Yeah, it's a tight fit, but it goes in, caddy corner. The Bruckner goes in there as well. The Gronitz PCK fits, tightly, but it DOES go in. All of these fit in a Cronkhite bag. Can't say about OTHER bags.

in what?

[tclements]

335i

[Teubonium]

My 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix will hold 2 tubas in gig bags in the trunk without dropping down the rear seatbacks. One of the tubas was a Frankentuba with 20" bell.

[cjk]

335i

Cool. A buddy of mine has one of these, so I should be able to work up a test.

[Tundratubast]

I had a 2005 Ford Taurus 4dr sedan. I actually took my Mira 1291 or a MW 25 ( don't remember which), into the showroom and put it into the trunk, plenty of room, probably enough for a second 4/4 BBb. Great trunk nice driving car.

[MartyNeilan]

I could get the 20+ inch bell of a Conn Donatelli into the trunk of a Yaris I was renting. If I was creative how I got it in and out, I was even able to make the massive BART go into that trunk (although not at the same time.) I think that most modern day trunks on a decent car will be able to hold a good sized tuba - don't be shy about walking into the dealership with your horn. Don't let the size of the car fool you - I could even put a 6/4 Martin in the trunk of a Volvo 240 SEDAN with the bell still on.
I can fit two tubas in the back of my Prius if I have them side by side and bow to bell.

[fairweathertuba]

Ford Crown Victorias have some seriously large trunks. If you get a used one with the police package (interceptor engine) not only will you be able to easily fit a tuba or two in the trunk but you won't have any trouble making to the gig on time.

[Sally Larsen]

A Volvo 240 sedan will hold even huge-belled tubas in the trunk, though I find it easier to slide my older detachable bell King in the back seat. (Why don't rear doors open all the way on modern cars? Grrrr. Give me the old Volvos any day!)

[Brown Mule]

Another successful Tuba Lugger was the 1960 Mercury Colony Park Station Wagon------------must have imitation wood on sides and chrome luggage rack on top for several more 2xj's.

[Captain Sousie]

I would suggest a Pontiac G8 gt/gxp (I have the gt) but you can only fit an 18.5" bell or smaller without removing the floor panel of the trunk. easy to do but it might bother you. They are good on gas mileage for a V8 (think 23-27 with reasonable driving habits on the highway) and they are seriously quick. Plus they have an engine and body parts in common with other gm cars so you won't have to worry about the Pontiac-not-existing-anymore thing. Good luck with your choice.

Sou