What is the absolute easiest car/truck to use as an appliance?

[Zeke]

Ease of entry, driving, parking, maintenance, the whole ball of wax.

Let me rate what I have:
Boxster: I don't fit in it well, but it's cool sometimes to drive it.
Jag: Seems to be getting smaller, but still a nice ride.
Later model Silverado 1/2 ton ext cab: A beast by my old standards ('89 Chevy 1/2T).

[Aragorn]

Minivan....

All are about the same and find their basis in the 90's Dodge Grand Caravan. Flat floor for plywood and tools. Hauls 7 comfortably. Gets around mid 20's mpg. Easy to get in and out of. Blends in well as urban camouflage. Easy to work on and most Dodges last for at least 100 to 150k between transmission replacements.

[Cajundaddy]

I also have a Boxster and 2005 Silverado. The Boxster is tight by design and I enjoy it for sport driving, not long hauls. The Silverado is a very big boat. I used to tow a lot and needed the full size truck but no longer. It is still very reliable and does haul loads well so I keep it. I am 5'10" 175lb.

Other cars I have that I like:
Lexus RX 330- wifey's grocery getter/dog hauler. Almost perfectly suited for this use. Flawless reliability and build quality, easy in/out or to drive long distances, very comfortable seating and cabin.

A fleet of Toyota Tacoma base pickups for work- Very easy to drive, useful cargo capacity, very reliable work/play truck. 25mpg My service techs beat these things to death and they just keep running.

[Christien]

Do you have any requirements other than what you listed? If size isn't an issue a corolla should be on that list. Absolutely boring with no redeeming fun or style features whatsoever, but cheap and will go forever on minimal maintenance. If size and comfort play into it, I'll second the RX series. Lexuses (lexi?) are wonderful cars.

[fastfredracing]

I love my grand cherokee. They run forever, can hold a pick up truck load full of tools, with ladders on the roof. I pull broken down cars into the shop with it, haul motors, and transmissions in the back, work the rentals with it, and the next day, put the family in it to road trip wherever we are going . I have never seen enough snow, to even slow it down, and for an suv, it is not that bad to drive. This one is a 97. I have had a few newer ones, but they seemed to get more complicated, with more of that fine chrysler gadgetry to break.
Parts are cheap, and they are easy to work on. 180,000 miles on this one, original motor/trans, transfer case, and rear diff, I had to put pinion bearings in the front diff when I got it .

[techweenie]

I've had 5 or 6 Cherokees and Grand Cherokees. They are an excellent all around utility vehicle. Not big or heavy, but can carry a lot of stuff. If you're feeling spendy, I replaced my last XJ with a Chevy Volt, and it carries about the same amount of stuff (2 911 fenders and a front bumper two days ago filled about 60% of cargo area).

[VINMAN]

As much as I love my Ram ( which is my favorite vehicle..), I'd have to go with my Grand Cherokee. Best "all around" vehicle Ive owned.

[GH85Carrera]

My 82 year old dad loved his Toyota Highlander. He did not haul a lot with it, but it would seat 4 passengers.

[RWebb]

you did not spec. a load carrying capacity so all vans and SUVs are out

you did not mention sportiness so a miata is out - even a pink one

a Smart Car is it

[gatotom]

Well, Zeke, I am 6'0" and 180 lbs and I have no problems getting into my 96 Chev 1/2 t extended cab and I have no problems getting into my 06 Audi A4.

Have you thought about a new SUV ??? My daughter just bought a new Subaru Forester and I have to admit it is a nice entry, just the right height plus it gets good mileage in the 31 range on the hwy.

[VFR750]

+1

The Chrysler minvan is the most useful vehicle. Low $$/cu.ft. Fits 4x8 sheet in back. Seat up to 7. Carries a ton of camping gear. Can tow a small trailer (no Porsche though) Had two over the course of 14 years.

Downside is they are pretty big, and peoples perception of MVs. The last one is an artificial reason to dislike MVs.

Minivan....



All are about the same and find their basis in the 90's Dodge Grand Caravan. Flat floor for plywood and tools. Hauls 7 comfortably. Gets around mid 20's mpg. Easy to get in and out of. Blends in well as urban camouflage. Easy to work on and most Dodges last for at least 100 to 150k between transmission replacements.

[red-beard]

My F250 can be used as an easy bake oven...

But seriously. How about a Ranger PU?

[VincentVega]

Without many requirements a Toyota Corolla is the best appliance on the market. Reliable, good on fuel, boring to drive... with a roof rack you can haul all sorts of stuff.

[scottmandue]

My Miata has been in the shop so I have been driving the Hyundai Elantra... after DDing the Miata it seems HUGE, also seems to ride like a Cadillac... also been driving my dad's Honda CRV, about as exciting as a vanilla shake but a good jack-of-all-trades.

I love my Miata but to be honest it is a PITA to get in and out of... and my next project is to drop it an inch.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Any four door hatchback. Room for 4-5, 30+ MPG, cavernous inside for hauling but small outside, easy to find in varying variety of sportiness. Think Mazda3, Golf/GTI, Focus, Fit, etc.

[Zeke]

Some good answers here. I should have thought the truck purchase out a little more, but I've never been w/o a Chevy PU since '65.

We had a 2000 Grand Cherokee and I agree that is a pretty easy car to use. But not to wash. Every car designer should have to wash the care they designed before it gets built. However, the GC spent about a cumulative 2 months in the shop during the 3 years it was here. Couldn't wait to get rid of that POS. Fortunately it was leased and when we dropped if off it needed a bunch of repairs. Windows and door locks didn't work and the brakes were vibrating as bad as ever. The only time the brakes didn't vibrate was the first 5000 miles. After that, whatever they put on was junk.

I don't know if I could drive a minivan (or a Corolla), but I hear ya on the utility aspect. When I get so old I'm in a wheel chair, I'll get one with a ramp, lower it and put on some dubs.

[95avblm3]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

As much as I love my Ram ( which is my favorite vehicle..), I'd have to go with my Grand Cherokee. Best "all around" vehicle Ive owned.

I too had an '02 Ram and as much as I have become a fan of Hyundai's for their use as a quality, cheap appliance (read any recent thread similar to this and I have probably pushed the virtues of the cheap appliance and a 10 year warranty), my '02 Ram was hands down my favorite vehicle I have ever owned. Very little went wrong with it and what did was cheap to fix on my own. It held a ton, was real comfy, looked great and mine had a 5-speed manual mated to the little V8 (4.7) too. It was a blast to drive.

[98cobra]

Without many requirements a Toyota Corolla is the best appliance on the market. Reliable, good on fuel, boring to drive... with a roof rack you can haul all sorts of stuff.

I agree 100%, I just got back from PR and my wife's mom has a Corolla that she uses to rescue dogs and drive on the beach or in the mountains. It gets great MPG, awesome A/C, doesn't need much maintenance, and is cheap if you by it a couple years old.

[LeeH]

Mazda5 - I volunteer for a local organization that drives elderly folks to doctor appointments, shopping, etc. I've repeatedly been told that my Mazda5 is the easiest car for them to get in and out of. Most of the people are somewhat frail and use walkers. Mazda5 has large, square doors, captain chair type seating, but is much lower to the ground than a minivan.

It's built on the same platform as the Mazda3, so it handles really well. Very small turning radius. Can seat six, if needed. Can haul a lot of stuff if needed. Can't do both at the same time.

Go drive a Honda Odyssey then drive a Mazda5. The basic shape is the same but, the Mazda5 is much closer to a tall hatchback than a minivan. It's not a common vehicle so you don't see yourself coming and going.

If you're used to gobs of power you'll be disappointed, but I find it adequate. Seat base is a little shorter than I'd like.

[911SauCy]

Late 80s S-10 p/u...