I know, this is a very strange topic for a cake decorating forem, but you guys have always been so much help! sorry if this is long! hahaha

We have two family cars...I drive a matzda Miata (which is a two seater convertible with a trunk about as big as your pocketbook) Its my baby, I will never give it up!

My DH Drives a Ford F150 CrewCab, which he will never give up because its his baby (and we need it to haul our 31 foot camper!)

Anyway, I have been using his truck to deliver cakes (the back seats fold down and it is a pretty big area!) But with the price of gas, and with me now taking on the challenge of doing more then one wedding a weekend, the truck isn't doing the trick. And there is no way I can take a cake in my little miata.

So after going over everything, we have decided it was time for us to buy a third car. Well, it was the first time in my life I looked at cargo space on a car before anything else! hahaha! I settled on the Toyota Matrix, which is a nice small car, and the entire back folds down to a wonderful flat are and the it gets 32 mp to the gallon and won't break the bank! So we go to test drive it. Now you see, I am only 5 foot 2, and I have no problems fitting into any car! But my poor DH is 6 foot 2 and he can barely get behind the wheel of this tiny thing! (The Miata seats kind of settle down into the floor, and he has no problems, but this car was different) We want him to be able to drive the car too, as he can use it to drive to work instead of his truck and save us on gas!

So we have looked around again and think we are thinking on the Rav4..which also has a nice fold down back, but the gas mileage won't break the bank. But we are still looking.

It made me start wondering what others are using to deliver their cakes in. A huge SUV is out of the question, as well as Minivan, as I don't need something that big and don't want to spend that much money. What do you guys use? At one point I was saying why don't I go buy an old utility van, but those things only get like 15 miles to the gallon! haha!

Love to hear what you guys drive!!

We tried taking one in DH's diesel Dodge Ram one-ton with a back seat that folds down, but it rides too stiff and some of the borders actually bounced right off the bottom layer of an overhanging stacked book...plus the mileage...oy...

I have a Camry that has a wonderful spacious flat trunk that has back seats that fold down so the AC can reach to the back area and keep everything cool. Used it yesterday for a 4-tier in separate boxes with a separate 12 x 18" sheet cake, and had room to spare. Mileage is great, but it is b-o-r-i-n-g, and I'm tired of it! It's even beige...I think I'm the only person under like 100 years old who drives one...lol (no offense--it's been a great car, but still!)

It's going to be replaced asap with my "real" choice, which is the newer version of my last car, a BMW, though this is the first time I've wavered on space for cake reasons and have considered the SUV version of that car, but I'm totally a CAR person, not an SUV person...I'm still leaning toward the fold-down back seats and the trunk config, because SUV is just not...me...I do like some of those other cute "little" SUVs that are out there, and I've started noticing them more often, in terms of "Hey, I could haul cake in that!" lol--funny how things change.

A van has come to mind too, but I'd have to have a bakery; then I'd totally buy one just for that...otherwise, I want my personal car to be something fun again.

I have a Toyota Avalon, nice big trunk - but I hated putting cakes in the trunk & if I have to assemble the wedding cake ahead of time, etc... not the best choice........ however, my husband surprised me with an older Ford Explorer (a '93). He paid $1000 for it, and I LOVE using it to deliver! It can hold all my deliveries at once! Good luck in your quest!

Well it's not what you want but I drive a Nissan Pathfinder and my DH drives a Nissan Xterra. I can deliver in either which is great but the gas in both is killer. We are surviving though.

The Rav4 is a great choice although your husband can't drive. Maybe he can fit in the Matrix by Toyota?

Good luck and if youre looking for a hassle free deal and you are close to a CarMax they are get!!

Well, right now I drive a Ford Expedition, so space is not a problem, but the blue beast (I call my truck Babe, like Paul Bunyan's blue ox) only gets about 12 mpg on a good day. We've been talking about getting a smaller vehicle and at this point the ones we've narrowed it down to are the Hyundai Santa Fe (my personal fave) or a Chrysler PT Cruiser. I was really surprised to see how much room they have in the back, especially if you fold the seats down! WOW! Everyone I've asked that has a PT says they love it and would own more than one in a heartbeat.

My dream car for cake delivery is a PT Cruiser. I think they're cute and they just look like they'd be a good fit for a cake decorator. Probably more likely to get a SUV of some sort when I do buy a car, but I'll still be drooling over the PT when it passes by.

Wow I never thought of a PT Cruiser...I will have to see how that back looks...! (although not a big chrysler fan..how are those cars for holding up?)

Thanks for all the great comments! This has been very educational!

I have a ford 150 FX4 and prefer to deliver in that instead of our small car I just lay a pillow under the box and make sure its secure.

I drive a Dodge Durango but I rarely deliver.Most of my clients live in the area and pick up since I have small kids and find it a hassle to drag them with me!! If I had a wedding or something I would definetly deliver but charge for it.

I currently drive a VW beetle, and it surprises most people how much room is in this thing. I just love it. I have plenty of room for normal cake deliveries, but not for weddings. I have to borrow my mom's Oldsmobile Bravada and I don't really like it.

I am now considering getting the new Dodge Caliber. I love it. It's already got cargo space, then the back seats fold down, AND the front passenger seat folds down flat for more cargo area. It's reasonably priced and supposed to get decent gas mileage too.

I have a Honda Element. It's great for cakes. Lots of room in the back and both back seats can come out or lay flat. I just put a non skid mat under my boxes and no problem!

Debbie

I drive a ford explorer and have lots of room and no problems with non sdid mats under,I use those foamylike shelf liners they are great.love the pt cruiser thought!! I've always wanted one and it really does look like the perfect cake delivery vehicle! I never thought about that one!

i know your not looking for a mini van , but i have the toyota sienna,
it has an automatic opening and closing back door which is great for delievery and doing groceries. seats fold flat into the floor which gives ahuge flat area. it gets around 19-21 mpg.

I have a Chrysler T&C mini van and I am ready to kick it to the curb! It's in the shop pretty regularly.

It has the room I need, especially putting the cakes in the WAY back, far enough away from the kids that they couldn't throw something and ruin a cake. My 3 year old has amazing aim...I swear I have a bullseye on the back of my head that only he can see.

We are also looking for a new car for me, my first instinct is to get another mini van, but my DH thinks it's time to retire the mommy car look. We are looking at the Explorer (I've previously owned 2) the Envoy or the trailblazer. I need room to delover cakes, but I also need the seating for kids and their friends...I want it to seat at least 6.

We need 4X4 and with gas prices, a bigger SUV will suck my cake profits right out of my hand!

Before buying a PT cruiser, I would actually test drive it to your house and PUT everything in the back you think you would take, The back is actually awkward, they gave me one as a rental once and it would not fit my double stroller, also does not fit luggage really well, mom mom travels and has had a few rentals.

I need the minivan with the 3 boys, bought a Chrysler Town & Country last year with the automatic doors and the stow and go, LOVVVVVE IT.
I took a wedding cake to st louis last summer and had sooooomuch room because the entire back was flat. Gotta love the DVD player for those 16 hour trips!!!!

Well I have a Chrysler Pacifica. The space is o.k. The trunck is small but when you put down the back seats there is a lot of room. I just HATE Chrysler. I brought the car brand new in 2005 and I have been in the shop to many times to count. CHRYSLER SUCKS. This is my first American car and my first brand new car and I hate it. I had a honda accord & a toyota corolla and never had a problem and they were both second hand cars.


It is pretty good on gas, but Chrysler sucks and they could care less once you leave the show room.

I drive (don't laugh) a Dodge NEON.... When I first bought it 4yrs ago everyone laughed at me. BUT now who's laughing as it gets GREAT gas milage. The trunk is gigantic!!!!!! and the seats fold down. I always bust chops that I could fit a body in it. AND for a four cylinder it has alot of SPEED!!!!!! My bf is 5' 6 and can drive it comfortably. I'm 5'2 and it's perfect for me.

thanks for the post.. we are going to start car shopping to replace his 10yr old dodge ram. He understands that the next vehicle HAS to have room for cakes..lol

I just bought a Mazda3 about a year ago and I LOVE IT. It gets good gas mileage, and I've seen several articles about it (which I agree with) that for the options and trim levels you can get for the price, you feel like you're driving a much more expensive car.

I paid about $20,000 and with that I got the 2.3 liter engine upgrade so it has more power, a sport package with a wheel upgrade and some extra body work, 6 disc in-dash CD changer, leather interior, sunroof, power everything, HID headlights (super bright), stick shift.. I think the only option they offered that I didn't get was a navigation system that pops up out of the dash. It's a 4-door with plenty of room that my 6'2" fiance fits in with head and leg room to spare and fold-down backseats and a huge trunk that's big enough to haul almost anything.

My fiance also has a Miata like you do and there's no room to breathe let alone haul a cake lol. He's got the Mazda RX-8 and MX-6 too, but those don't work well for deliveries either. I needed something that wasn't so much a sports car and that had a little bit more room.

Lol aside from cake decorating I'm also a member of a local import car club, can you tell?

I seriously reccommend a test drive though. I fell in love with mine as soon as I got in it!

PT Crusier here.... luv the space in the back...big enough to swallow an overstuffed chair easily with the back seats removed. To get true flat floor have to put in plywood board and shim it level.

reliability so far: excellent Problems: none except those caused by the crazed person at the wheel (2 new rims, 2 new tires -- waiting on one now! -- what is about my ability to find potholes and sharp curb edges? --- and those tires are $100/each and the rims $250...that's the biggest handicap to this car)

BUT ....

coveting the Toyota Scion XB. It even looks like a cake box on wheels...the possiblities for a custom paint job are amazing. (and 30 mpg to boot and starts at $15,000)

I have a P.T. Cruiser and I love it. My husband took the passenger seats out and made me a form fitted platform. He covered it with a scotch guarded material so I could clean it if I needed to. I use the non-skid shelf liner in strips so the boxes don't slide. Since we only use the car for deliveries it has worked well. I have also used it for caterings, it holds more then you think. I put my magnetic signs on it and away we go. I get about 25 mpg . I have put 50.000 miles on it in 2 years, so I am looking at either getting another one or possibly the Chevy HHR, the seats fold completely flat and it claims to get 34 MPG. Its a cute car also. I don't like the SUV's, they are overrated, and the insurance is more expensive.

Just remember whatever you get to make sure that when the seats are folded down it is level and doesn't slop slightly or your cakes will slide. I love my SUV but it gets very bad gas mileage. It is a Nissan Armada; we just traded it form a Toyota sequoia. Now we don't have much of a choice b/c we have 5 kids. But the seats fold down to a very nice flat surface. Every seat except the drivers seat folds down; So it has the largest capacity. And when I don't need that much room I can put on the floorboard b/c they are completely flat also. My hubby Chrysler 300 isn't quite flat and is difficult to put a cake into.

So just remember to make sure it is very flat!

I have a Volvo wagon and it's great for deliveries...The back end/trunk area is large and I can access it easily. I don't have to worry about putting any seats down. One of the greatest things that came with the car is a reversible rug in the back. One side is carpet and the other is a black non-skid surface.. I don't know what sold me on the car...The safety factor or the non-skid surface in the back...LOL!!

Just an update: Have been car shopping like crazy! So far, its a toss up between the Rav4 and the PT Cruiser. We went to a local CarMax and got a chance to look in the back of about every car in the market! haha!
Many of mini vans, the back seats did not fold down flat enough, and some of them were just wierd! (like the Honda Element, the seats hooked up into the air over the back windows!) The Scion was ok, but the seats did not go completely flat and the back was kind of odd.

I test drove a PT Cruser with manual transmission and it was a lot of fun to drive! Very zipping with manual...not so with automatic! I really like this cream colored one! The back seat folds down and then pops up, very easy to remove! There is also this shelf that you can put in the very back for different levels, and is very flat.

The Rav4 also folded down very flat and had lots of room. But is $7000.00 more. I could fit more cakes in it, but not sure I can afford it.

Anyway, thanks again for all the suggestions! Will keep you posted on what we settle on.

BTW. don't know if I should post this somewhere else, but has anyone bought magnets for their cars? Who do you recommend online? I have seen very bad ones and very good ones!

I drive a Chevy Suburban. I love it for delivering my cakes. Just this past Saturday I had a huge wedding cake. I took out the third row bench for the base of the cake and folded down the 2 captains chairs for the other tiers. It is great for taking the kids and the cakes at the same time. Gas mileage is not too bad, but with gas at $3.09, I charge a higher fee for deliveries.

loriemoms, did you bring DH with you when you went car shopping? Mine is 6'6" and I'm 5'4", so it's not a problem of me fitting in anything. But poor DH just doesn't fit in some cars! I really wanted a PT cruiser, but DH wouldn't fit, nor would he fit in a Ford Explorer or a Toyota suv. I traded down two years ago from a Ford Expedition to a VW Jetta I sure miss the room but not the gas mileage - the Jettas a diesel and gets 40 mpg, and surprisingly, DH fits in it - not well enough that he'd drive it often, but we use it when we have someplace to go as a family (DS is 9 and already 4'9.5"). Dh's vehicle is a Ford F250. It pays to bring him with you when you car shop!

beachcakes:

Wow, I thought my DH was tall! (he is 6'2") haha! Yes, I brought him along and he did fit very well in both cars. Although he said the PT Cruiser petals were pretty close together for him..and he actually fit in the back seat..although it was hard to get him out! hahaha!

I have to bring my DH car shopping with me, or I will come home in a new car first time out! hahaha!

I used to drive a Dodge Intrepid, but we bought a new car this year.
A 2006 Ford Fusion! http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fusion/
I love this car...I can't say enough. It's a roomy mid-size family sedan and it's so useful.
I bought mine in a stick since it was the most economical on the wallet and also in the gas tank.
MSRP $17,795 USD
EPA Est MPG: 24 City/32 Highway w/5-speed manual
It comes with cruise too to boot (they call it speed control and you can only use it in 5th gear but then that's all I need it for.)
Also you can fold the back seat down, it's a 40/60 split, and there a levers in the trunk that you pull and the seats pop open for you. I can fit an entire 1'x2'x8' piece of wood in my car!
It's got a 160 horsies and it's so much fun to drive!
It came with a 3 year 24 free roadside assistance warranty, which I just had to use when I drove over a nail on the freeway and it decided to come out while I was sitting in the McDonald's drive through. (Drove in with a full tire, came out completely flat by the time I got my food. )

I LOVE MY CAR!!!

An H1 HUMMER.. although I do not deliver much cakes since I am not in the cake business.