Need a New Detailing Rigg, what should I get??

[imported_JoshVette]

I currently have an 04 F150 and it does the job but I really need an SUV so that all my supplies are enclosed and secured when I`m detailng out of town.



A couple reasons are the truck is 19 feet long and just way too big even a suburban is slightly smaller and I only get 17 mpg on the hwy....



I want to go big and newer like a full size suburban or the likes....

I want it to look good and stylish like an Escalade....

I`d like to get decient gas, at least 19 hwy....

I want a quality vehicle like a Toyota....



So let me know what you all think? I`m open to any and all suggestions, please explain your reasoning if you would?



Thanks,

Josh

[BobD]

If you are just using it for business I`d get a work van or similar. They can usually be had for cheaper and you won;t have the wasted space of rear seats if you`ll never use them.



My thought on something stylish. I would not want to roll up to someones house in an Escalade to do work. I honestly don`t think that looks professional, unless you are a lawyer or something. It`s not blue collar enough if that makes sense? People want to feel that the person doing the work on their vehicles are not afraid to get their hands dirty. I think rolling up in some luxury SUV might just make you look like you are all about collecting the money.



I know it might sound weird but I`d much rather have, lets say a construction worker, show up to my house driving a van with ladders and tools on top than a luxury SUV. I`d take him more serious if he was in a modest professional vehicle instead of something over the top. Like in that movie Money Pit where the contractors come and take his money and leave. One`s in a Corvette and the other a Cadillac. LMAO

[EcoAutoCT]

I want to go big and newer like a full size suburban or the likes....

I want it to look good and stylish like an Escalade....

I`d like to get decient gas, at least 19 hwy....

I want a quality vehicle like a Toyota....

Sequoia. I think that`s the only vehicle to meet all those qualifications, right?



If it were me looking for something like that it`d be an Armada, and kind of more `blue collar` that Danase mentioned. They`re priced well last time I looked at around 20-25K. I use a QX4, and while it works adequately the payload is low and I`m flirting with it`s limits everyday. I`ll be `upgrading` to an Astro in the spring.



edit* And I found a way to bring my own water supply:

[img removed]

[89gt-stanger]

Sequoia. I think that`s the only vehicle to meet all those qualifications, right?



If it were me looking for something like that it`d be an Armada, and kind of more `blue collar` that Danase mentioned. They`re priced well last time I looked at around 20-25K. I use a QX4, and while it works adequately the payload is low and I`m flirting with it`s limits everyday. I`ll be `upgrading` to an Astro in the spring.



edit* And I found a way to bring my own water supply:

If I were you, I`d get an Expedition Limited. They are really good looking, ahve chrome rims. They are 10X more comfortable than a Sequoia. On top of all that, dont buy Japanese. If you really think that Toyotas are higher quality than Ford or GM, go move to Japan.



Sorry for the rant, but I jsut dont understand why people spend so much money on a Japanese product over an American product...

[Scottwax]

I`d look into the Honda Odyssey. My brother uses his for his computer business, lots of room with the third row seats folded down, even more room if you take out the 2nd row. Gets about 23 mpg freeway and the acceleration is quite good.



If you use a water tank and pressure washer, I`m not sure you`d want to put that inside an Odyssey though.

[imported_Denzil]

Japanese vehicles have a better track record/history than American vehicles as far as reliability`s concerned. That is why everyone has this "misunderstanding" that Japanese vehicles are better than American vehicles.



I`ve owned both and spoken with many mechanics; this has still held true.



To answer your question Josh, I`d think that the Honda Odyssesy, as Scott mentioned, would be your best bet. Some other vehicles you may want to look into could be a Toyota FJ Cruiser or Scion xB.

[salty]

Not sure what you will be hauling Josh and i know the Dodge Sprinter is ugly, but it is practical.



Dodge - 2008 Sprinter - Photos & Videos

[V_Eight]

Honda Element. We have two.



It has your size, it has no carpet, and it`s a Honda.

[BobD]

Not sure what you will be hauling Josh and i know the Dodge Sprinter is ugly, but it is practical.



Dodge - 2008 Sprinter - Photos & Videos

I love those things and they really stand out too.

[V_Eight]

I love those things and they really stand out too.

I like how the one we would need is $50,000+. :cooleek:

[imported_JoshVette]

My thought on something stylish. I would not want to roll up to someones house in an Escalade to do work. I honestly don`t think that looks professional, unless you are a lawyer or something. It`s not blue collar enough if that makes sense? People want to feel that the person doing the work on their vehicles are not afraid to get their hands dirty. I think rolling up in some luxury SUV might just make you look like you are all about collecting the money.



I know it might sound weird but I`d much rather have, lets say a construction worker, show up to my house driving a van with ladders and tools on top than a luxury SUV. I`d take him more serious if he was in a modest professional vehicle instead of something over the top. Like in that movie Money Pit where the contractors come and take his money and leave. One`s in a Corvette and the other a Cadillac. LMAO

Funny thing is I used to own a Vette and it`s really how I got starting detailing for money, the Vette owners knew I was one of them and trusted me to understand there needs.....



The luxo suv thing could go both ways, some could see it as you say and some could see it as I`m successful at what I do.



I use it about 85% for detailing.

Sequoia. I think that`s the only vehicle to meet all those qualifications, right?



If it were me looking for something like that it`d be an Armada, and kind of more `blue collar` that Danase mentioned. They`re priced well last time I looked at around 20-25K. I use a QX4, and while it works adequately the payload is low and I`m flirting with it`s limits everyday. I`ll be `upgrading` to an Astro in the spring.

I looked at some Armada`s but the mpg on them is horrible, like the low teens..... other then that I`d love one, it has all the room I want, looks great with some rims and is enclosed.

[imported_JoshVette]

If I were you, I`d get an Expedition Limited. They are really good looking, ahve chrome rims. They are 10X more comfortable than a Sequoia. On top of all that, dont buy Japanese. If you really think that Toyotas are higher quality than Ford or GM, go move to Japan.



Sorry for the rant, but I jsut dont understand why people spend so much money on a Japanese product over an American product...

You can`t be serious? I did not start this thread to debate the quality of USA auto`s vs the quality of Jap autos.....:nomore:



Please stick to the topic.

[imported_Detailing Technology]

Go cheap - get a Toyota FJ Cruiser.



I always notice them on the road.

[longdx]

@Joshvette:



Not to nitpick, but it seems you want the best of both worlds which really cannot be accomplished by a full size SUV (American, Japanese, or otherwise). I would echo that a Honda Odyssey (mine consistantly gets between 20- 24 mpg) would serve your purpose very well. If you wanted something with a smaller footprint but still very efficient then go with a Honda Element( about 27mpg) or a HHR panel (will get at least 30mpg, dedicated storage in back)



If you go with a larger SUV, your real world mileage will not be much different from your current vehicle (mass+ lousy aerodynamics= poor mpg) and the footprint will be about the same. IMO, a person who shows up to my house in an Escalade to do work will be turned away immediately. (I tend to agree that a dedicated work vehicle looks more professional than a blinged out SUV)

[David Fermani]

If it were me, I`d get a C5/C6 Vette and pull a matching enclosed trailor with a nice mural ad on it. Relaibility, versatility, stying, economical and fast. I think it would really make a statement.