inter_alia:
This thread will likely quickly turn into a Ford-Chevy argument ...
These days there are so many imports that this old argument hasn't come up among my friends in years.
inter_alia:
... I've been in a Honda Civic (the antithesis of a scuba-friendly automobile, IMHO)
Have a look at what I'm driving. And I can fit two divers, two SP72s and two gear bags. Gotta SCUBA rack and know how to pack.
inter_alia:
I want to haul tanks, gear, a friend or two and be as comfortable as possible when doing this.
As a starting point, I'm considering (oh no) the Honda Element. It's so ugly I can't resist but want to know if scubaboard has any suggestions.
It really depends how often you go diving in relation to how much you drive, with how much gear. You dive twin 120s and stages, and bring three or four sets for the weekend? Every weekend? Get a Florida Dive Bag like FredT has.
Spend an hour or two every day in the car, and go once or twice a month for a single tank dive with a friend? Anything form an Element to a Subaru or Jetta wil work just fine.
Some considerations:
Especially if you dive saltwater it's a good idea to have corrosion protected luggage area. May that be an add-on plastic trunk or bedliner tub, a SportTrack or Avalanche's composite bed or a Jeep's drainholes so you can hose it out. If you decide on a car you might want to check in advance if a liner is available.
Do you have insurance on your dive gear, or transport other valuable stuff?
Make sure it's safely locked and out of view. If insured check with your carrier if they accept station wagons/SUV, and if so all contend or just what's under the retracting cover. Mine doesn't cover cameras and lighting equipment unless it's locked solidly out of sight (either a car's seperate trunk or a pick-up with a fiberglass tonneau cover).
How much can, and are you willing to, afford? Both inital cost, insurance and consumables. There is a pretty large gap between the Element and the Hummer mentioned in one post.
If you buy something that might be borderline in size, take your gear with you when you buy.