Chevy Astro totalled; need something with fairly specific requirements

[isoptimus]

Hi,
A disclaimer: I know next to nothing about cars.
Until now, my family owned a Chevy Astro Van, that was used primarily by me for getting to university and back with my double bass (a very large instrument)
However, a few days ago, that vehicle was in an accident

So, we need a replacement.

These are the criteria it has to meet:
-It has to be able to tow a Jayco Jay Feather trailer (not sure about the specific model, etc, I can provide that information later today if necessary)
-It has to have enough room, with seats folded down, to store a 6 foot tall, very bulky instrument
-It has to have at least 5-6 seats
-It has to be within a price range (used) of $6000-8000 (the insurance payout on the Astro)

From what I understand towing the trailer, and the price range, are going to be the biggest snags, but we really don't have a lot to work with.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I live in BC, Canada, if that helps.

Cheers.

[MagicRat]

Is fuel economy a big issue? I suggest pick up trucks, even one with a cap are out of the question. I would not want to leave any instrument in the unheated pick up truck bed in winter. Too much risk of thermal damage imho.

So, that leaves you with SUV's and vans.

I think the trailer rules out most minivans, which are almost all front wheel drive and relatively lightly-built, and are not up for serious towing. I think something truck-based like your Astro is better. A full size passenger or conversion van is an alternative, but these are huge, cumbersome to drive and get terrible mileage. However, they could take the bass and 5 people at the same time.

Five seats allows you to consider most mid-size and full size SUV's. If you need 6 seats, you will end up with a full-size SUV with a third-row seat. These will do a better towing job than the Astro, but get worse fuel economy.

A final alternative is another Astro. These things do not hold their value will, so used ones are cheap. $6000 will allow you to get the best used one out there. The problem is there simply may not be any good ones in your area.

[isoptimus]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

A final alternative is another Astro. These things do not hold their value will, so used ones are cheap. $6000 will allow you to get the best used one out there. The problem is there simply may not be any good ones in your area.

we've been looking around at used cars, can't find an astro under 8 grand...

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by isoptimus

we've been looking around at used cars, can't find an astro under 8 grand...

In about 3 seconds I found 3 pages of affordable Astros in BC on Kijiji alone.
http://bc.kijiji.ca/f-cars-vehicles-...troQQCatIdZ174

I don't know where you are looking but whoever has $8000 astros is just on a fishing trip looking for a poorly-informed sucker. Do some research and use it to negotiate a much more affordable price.

[isoptimus]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

In about 3 seconds I found 3 pages of affordable Astros in BC on Kijiji alone.
http://bc.kijiji.ca/f-cars-vehicles-...troQQCatIdZ174

I don't know where you are looking but whoever has $8000 astros is just on a fishing trip looking for a poorly-informed sucker. Do some research and use it to negotiate a much more affordable price.

Thanks for showing me that, I hadn't checked that site before. The problem with a lot of these is that either they're cargo vans, so they don't have the seating we need, or they don't have the tow package, so they wouldn't give us the towing capacity we require.