Scuba-friendly automobile suggestions?

[KrisB]

lol one of the instructors i have seen at the beach like 3 times drives a corvet... u should get one fits 2 hp 80 or smaller in the back seat.. remeber u work on your trim even out of the water... he has a very compact bc and wet suit in the trunk... your gloves hood boots and reg in the front seat... ohh yeah u can put your mask defog in the cup holder... i just dont know were u stores his weight..

so get a corvet man

last I checked, Corvettes don't have back seats... so you're hooped -- someone else has to bring your tanks!

 

[frenchy07]

I like the Element, been playing with one for a year now. My lady hates it just because (and i quote) "it looks like a rubbermaid box". 1st time i saw it i hated it as well, then i drove it and fell in love. Tons of room inside, comfy seats, good ac, and a kick ass stereo. The "big" v-tech engine (strong, powerfull) with the 5 speed makes it very easy to drive (did 30 foot burnouts with the one I'm playing with). Probally the best thing i can say is the drive train is almost bulletproof (should be good for 300K), Honda engineer told me they have never had a V-Tech head failure that could not be traced to lack of lubrication (you know, putting oil in!!). Keep the oil changed and you should be one happy puppy, that is if you like tooling around in a rubbermaid box making 24 MPG.

 

[The Kraken]

Mini-vans of any make.

 

[mtnredhed]

if it's just you and a buddy...with the backseats down, 4 tanks and two big dive bags fit no problem. Plus awd and great gas milage. Rear gate loading height is very nice too. Could probably go 6 tanks

 

[babar]

'98 honda civic *shrug* It's cheap.

babar
and it fills for 14 bucks

 

[hermosadive]

We love our Xterra. Spent 12 days in Baja transporting 3 of us with full camping gear, 3 surfboards, snorkel/spearfishing gear. Easily holds 4 tanks and gear. Backseats are raised to provide stadium seating for passengers. Nice sized auto, without getting into a huge obnoxious SUV.

Roland

 

[Jmaserati]

Here is my ultimate Scuba adventure vehicle!:

http://www.sportsmobile.com/2_sr_2500.html

You can customize this and put in a shower/toilet module.

Best thing is being able to stand up inside (I'm 6'3")

Diesel engine (although I hate that rattle) gets about 20 MPG, plenty of power left to tow trailer, and the thing only costs from $25k - $45k customized!!

 

[darylm74]

I believe any smaller SUV is the best route. You have the power and storage you need to get places and you don't have to worry about tighter squeezes that some of the bigger vehicles can't go through or are top heavy. I have a jeep cherokee and I go pretty much where I want to. It has the power to go back through the jeep trails that I need to get through to a trailhead or a back field quarry. The Xterra, Explorer SportTrac or a similiar vehicle is probably your best. I would definitely check out the Jeep Liberty as well, just stay away from the Grand Cherokees. Know several people around here who have had problems with them and have a small yellow balloon on them denoting a lemon.

 

[MSilvia]

I have a Subaru Legacy wagon. I haul everything from Hay bales to dogs, to dive gear. It has almost the same back space as a S-10 Blazer believe it or not, You can lock everything up in it, Lots of leg room, Great gas Mileage, handles superbly especially in rain or snow, goes just about anywhere, easy to work on, and affordable. I love my car!

I got a Subaru Loyale wagon (the predecessor to the Legacy) and was suprised to find it roomier than my old Nissan Pathfinder. I'll definately second it as a great scuba sled, but having blown and fixed the head gasket on mine, I can't really agree with the "easy to work on" bit. Easy to maintain? absolutely. Easy to fix? I guess it depends on what your fixing, but with a 4 cylinder opposing piston "pancake" engine, getting the timing set if you take it apart can be a bear.

 

[fmw625]

I had a Safari van prior to being certified. Used it for a shore dive and found it great. Third seat has been removed, lots of room for gear and has plenty of room for 4 people. The cargo area is high enough to comfortably assemble and don equiptment without bending or squating. Had to use a plastic tote to protect carpet from getting wet though.