Football season is underway and tailgating is in full swing. But maybe after these first few home games you find yourself unprepared to carry the ball for your friends and family like you want to. Or maybe its time to start shopping for a car and you just want to know which new cars for sale marry your passion to your budget. We have eight suggestions to help ease you through your time browsing car search engines trying to find your perfect match.
To start off, there is no single best car here and there is no ordered ranking. Everyone's tailgate needs differ, and for some a specialized custom approach is required. For the rest of us however, the standard 2012 SUVs, Trucks, and Minivans are sufficient to meet our needs. Buses, motor homes, and ambulances need not apply new cars for sale only.
We'll start on the budget side of things with our only borderline cars under 20000. Three things are valued in selecting a tailgating vehicle. Can it carry your things, can it carry your friends, and is it flexible enough to get the job done. While the Honda Element isn't the biggest people hauler, it is one of the most flexible with the ability to manipulate the seating configuration to a variety of needs and offering suicide doors to really give your ride full access. A more expensive upgrade in the small size category is the Ford Flex, a seven passenger wagon that can really haul all the goodies and your friends. Though its flexibility comes at the cost of choosing between seating or storage.
For minivan options the Chrysler Town & Country and Nissan Quest are both excellent choices on car search engines. The flexible seating, ability to seat seven, and the optional entertainment systems you use to entertain your kids through the week, and entertain your buddies on the ride to the stadium. Just be sure to change the in ride movies. Once you arrive, the flexible seating arrangements often allow you to store or reposition seats to fit your needs. Something most SUVs under 30000 aren't able to boast about.
If you are more worried about getting all the equipment to your tailgating spot, expecting your friends to find their own way to the party, then forget about the cars under 20000 and get a truck. We recommend the Honda Ridgeline and any one of the Ram truck varieties, especially with the Rambox. The open truck bed allows you to store and easily unload all your goodies while the Ridgelines built in bed box and Rams locking bed walls allow you to keep your drinks, condiments, or utensils all safely tucked away. And unlike any of the 2012 SUVs, you can easily wash out a truck bed. Good luck trying that with carpet.
Speaking of SUVs, the GMC Yukon and Ford Explorer are still the big boys, though the Explorer is the only SUV under 30000 so keep that in mind if you are on a budget. Both rides allow you comfortably carry your crew with you to the big game and still carry your stuff without feeling overwhelmed. And unlike a truck if you get to the tailgate and find the elements inhospitable you can still stretch out and stay comfortable instead of standing around trying to stay warm or dry. Which setup do you think is right for you?