Obscure question... as DP's.... what do you drive? To transport gear etc.

[Barry_Green]

Another vote for the Element, it pretty much meets all your requirements and it can hold an amazing amount of stuff, and the absolutely flat floor is great for loading/unloading. Not sure if it'll fit in your parking spot though, you'll have to do some measuring to be sure.

[Jordan Scott Price]

I went from Toyota Avalon to '08 Nissan Xterra. Mileage is decent. It's affordable. And it's Nissan, so it will last. It could hold all your stuff rather comfortably, but I think the victory still goes to the Element. I see those on set all the time, almost as much as I see Xterras, but it looks like they can hold just a bit more. If they can't hold more, they hold it "better" because they are boxes, like everyone else said.

Starting to see quite a few Kia Souls around, too. I hear their gas mileage is phenomenal. They're kind of built like the Honda Element.

[TheDingo]

I go by cab 90% of the time!

In Toronto one of the cab companies ( Beck Taxi ) owns 160 mini-van cabs ( they cost $30 more than a regular cab ) that you can get at a moment's notice.

I always ask them to remove all of the seats, so it's pretty easy to haul a lot of gear with an empty mini-van.

And the best part about using a taxi mini-van is not having to deal with parking.

[ErikTande]

2000 Dodge Caravan. The Milf Magnet.

I can fit all my camera gear, lights, dolly and track, jib, tripods and anything else I need.

[Matty_g]

4x4 frames fit in the element too. I load them in the side doors at the end so they're on top.

[Michael Solomon]

Hrm... kia soul looks nice considering how cheap it is. I'll look into the element as well.

I thought about the scions but they're poorly reviewed and more expensive than the soul

[stefancolson]

Toyota Prius! I'm able to fit the following:

Coffin Case w/ 3 fresnels, 3 LED panels, stands, etc.
Kessler KC-12 Crane
Kessler K-Pod
Weights
Pelican 1560 w/ Camera/Lenses
Pelican 1500
Large Pelican w/ Kessler Oracle controller / Revolution Head
2 C-Stands
Sandbags
Apple Boxes
Glidecam w/ Vest/Arm
Sticks
Slider
2 6-Bank flourescent Fixtures
2 Backpacks
Passenger
Audio package w/ boom

It fits all of that while getting 50mpg. It's a really fantastic production vehicle if it fits your kit. A used 2010 or earlier should be in your price range too.

[Kyle Fordrung]

Subaru Legacy AWD wagon. Tons of room for gear, and with the 4-wheel drive it can go just about anywhere.

Not to mention that they can take a beating...

I had my last one up to 260K miles before the engine finally seized up and caught fire.

[Michael Solomon]

prius is out of my price range =/

[Osslund]

In Toronto one of the cab companies ( Beck Taxi ) owns 160 mini-van cabs ( they cost $30 more than a regular cab ) that you can get at a moment's notice.

I always ask them to remove all of the seats, so it's pretty easy to haul a lot of gear with an empty mini-van.

And the best part about using a taxi mini-van is not having to deal with parking.

Yes, that is a great advantage. Get a car when you need one and I don't have to deal with it once on location and it's cheaper than owning a car!