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What kind of vehicle do you drive to work? A car, van or truck?

Most of your tools will fit in a tool box. You drive what you can afford. Honestly, if I didn't live where it snowed, I'd buy a backpack, drive a motorcycle and save on gas. I drove a company truck until I started on my own, and the only time I put anything in the back was when I took something (like a bench) back to their shop, where they did full restorations.

Hi Sam,
I'd like to thank you for your answers to some of my other questions because they have helped me a lot, and has increased my confidence.

No problem. I know how scary it looks out there, especially when all your competition is 30 years older.

With all the texting and driving wrecks I try to avoid smaller cars

You may consider the ability to carry an action (grand or an upright on a action cradle) to your or a friend's shop safely.
Also, consider room for a portable fold up table as well as your tool kit.
Usually a hatchback with folding rear seats of some sort will do.

A valid consideration. However my Hyundai Elantra -- as with just about every other similar car I have had -- does quite well at carrying almost any grand or upright action as a front seat "passenger". One end goes where the passenger's feet would normally go and the other on or just under the headrest.

Also, most of these cars have the back seat seatbacks that release, creating contiguous room from the trunk. That being the case, there isn't any piano part I can't carry in my 30+mpg FWD car. Also, I'm able to carry my collapsible piano tilter and enough tools to do whatever needs to be done onsite.

I upgraded to a four wheel drive Chevrolet Colorado last year. I'm a school teacher as my full-time job, and hated just sitting at home on those snow days. Now I can get out and tune a few pianos when I'm off from school.

Here's a picture... it gets a lot of attention around town. I'm going to add some more graphics in the rear side windows soon. Yes, there are a couple of errors in the keys. The designer guy I guess cut and pasted to get a piano keyboard to fit the length of the truck. Most people don't notice it. I had already approved the design and had it home for a few days before I noticed. Oh well. LOL

After having a van for a while I decided that smaller was better for my needs. I considered the risk of getting in an accident with a smaller car and felt the rewards of easy maneuverability, comfort, gas mileage, lower maintenance cost outweighed the risk. Also, a lot of new cars have more airbags than a Mars Lander, which may actually be safer than my van was.

I have a Toyota sedan, which so far has been able to carry everything I've needed to carry.

In rural areas, slough, ruts and shallow creek-crossing called for 4WD here. Had a Ford Explorer.

My car is a PT Cruiser. My daughter informed me a while back that the PT stands for "Piano Tuner"

I drive a wagon so that I can load actions and tools easily and safely. Unfortunately, gas mileage could be better, and it is expensive as %$#@ to maintain. When I am ready for my next car, I will probably get an SUV.

Your car is a client's first impression of you and your business. It's my mobile store front. I drive an Acura MDX. It has four wheel drive and enough guts to pull my trailer for occasional piano moves. Being a 2005 I'm thinking about trading it in, though.

When I was visiting Joel and Priscilla Rappaport this past February, Priscilla was enamored with her new Honda Fit. She got the sport model and upgraded the wheels so it looked snazzy. It was getting 38mph on the highway and was very peppy.

The car I'd like to own, however, is a Tesla!

Ryan, what kind of temperament do you use to tune the keyboard pattern on your truck??

Just got a 2011 Nissan Juke. It's a fun car to drive.

The ideal hatch back should be able to carry tools and an action (it is a struggle but I have done it) and get at least 26mpg on the freeway, and be fun to drive.
http://www.pianoworld.com/Uploads/files/myvette002.jpg

Uh Oh I drive a lifted 1988 Toyota 4runner and a loud mean looking motorcycle. I wounder what they think!!!

I drive a Honda Accord. But even if I could afford an expensive car, I wouldn't drive it to tuning appointments.

Most days I drive my VW Passat. On rare occasions when my wife may need the car,
I use my 1958 Chevy pickup (Mater). People usually seem more interested in the truck
than my work when I drive up in it.

I tune it to the Unequal Beating Mid-Century Temperament It's quite new. You should see the fingerings for the scales. One has to have 12 fingers to play on it correctly.

It was a printers mistake and since I had approved the design, I would probably have to pay for it again. I'm going to just live with it for a while. I'll be more careful to proof better next time. I've only had one person notice it.

50,000 miles most years. Road vehicle at present is a 2003 Buick LeSaber, in deep Burgundy. 30+ MPG and paid for car!!