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BristolCavendish · 30 January 2018, 06:49 AM

There are a lot of threads in Open Discussion about cool and expensive high-performance automobiles.

Now what in your opinion qualifies as the most mundane and/or dull car to drive or own?

'Back in the day' (pre-family obligations/responsibilities), Mrs. BC and I owned 3 cars. We had an 850i for weekend excursions + a Volvo 240 DL for everyday use and my F-250 4x4 work truck. We are now down to a Subaru Outback and my old truck (250,000+ miles).

Looking back, the 240 DL was an incredibly dull car to drive but very reliable. Underpowered yet built like a tank, one always felt safe in it and the chances were pretty good that no one would ever take the time or effort to steal it. Comparatively, the 850i was in a league of its own but expensive to maintain and insure + there was always some jackass handing out door dings in the parking lot.

Getting back to the most boring and mundane. My vote goes to the Honda Accord. They're ubiquitous and offer little within the realm of an exciting and/or invigorating driving experience. While it's a practical and reliable vehicle, one might have presumed that the Accord could/should have inherited some sort of performance pedigree from the Honda racing program. In retrospect, perhaps Honda opted to save that criteria for the Acura NSX.

There are probably other makes/models that would qualify as the most boring or dull automobile but the Honda Accord IMO takes first prize. Some of our acquaintances who drive them also seem to meet that particular characteristic.

SDRider · 30 January 2018, 06:51 AM

Toyota Prius... hands down.

Abdullah71601 · 30 January 2018, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDRider

Toyota Prius... hands down.

Yaris is worse. I’ve had both.

gettocard · 30 January 2018, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Yaris is worse. I’ve had both.

Don’t tell me man ! Driving a Yaris hybrid now and wife won’t give me back my old Prius I gave her when the baby was born,think about how desperate I am. I am a big Toyota enthusiast but the Yaris is a total mess up. I should stop buying a new bicycle every year and get rid of that car...

SDRider · 30 January 2018, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Yaris is worse. I’ve had both.

Hmm, I haven't driven that model.

Camry is pretty boring too but it makes up for what it lacks in driving dynamics by being fairly well equipped and comfortable if you get the higher end models.

BristolCavendish · 30 January 2018, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDRider

Camry is pretty boring too...

The Camry in some ways has replaced those mid-1980s era Oldsmobiles as full-size boring (except that Camrys are not strictly limited to elderly drivers).

Comparatively speaking, the Nissan Maxima is an enjoyable car to drive. We rented one last year.

pickettt · 30 January 2018, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

The Camry in some ways has replaced those mid-1980s era Oldsmobiles as full-size boring (except that Camrys are not strictly limited to elderly drivers).

Damn. Did you just compare an Oldsmobile to a Toyota
I'm not gonna get all bent out of shape about it , but......damn.

SearChart · 30 January 2018, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Yaris is worse. I’ve had both.

Hahaha yes.
I did 180kp/h downhill on the autobahn once, in a 2003 semi auto Yaris. That is the most afraid I've ever been...

Ruud Van Driver · 30 January 2018, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

My mom's 2012 Hyundai i20, it is quite dreadful.

Mrs Van D has a 2015 diesel. Cars don't generally blow her skirt up but it does what she wants it to do (start first time every time; up and down the M25 to and from Heathrow Airport on a mouthful of fuel) .But man, it's boring. She's changing it in June and I'm hoping she goes for something a bit more, um, entertaining.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cop414

Used to own one of these, AMC Pacer, yep I admit it. Was like driving an aquarium on wheels.

When I was a kid, I used to think those Pacers were so cool. I guess I was messed up in the head even as a child

bobroberts · 2 February 2018, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDRider

Toyota Prius... hands down.

Absolutely and I drive one.

Coffes4closers · 3 February 2018, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDRider

Toyota Prius... hands down.

2nd that

BadBlue · 3 February 2018, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDRider

Toyota Prius... hands down.

driven by drivers that are afraid of their own shadow and like driving 20 mph below the speed limit

Raypep · 5 February 2018, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDRider

Toyota Prius... hands down.

Dito.

or the new BMW X1 (sorry if anyone has one)

joeychitwood · 30 January 2018, 07:03 AM

My wife's first car. A 1974 AMC Gremlin. It was embarrassing to be seen in that thing.

pickettt · 30 January 2018, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

My wife's first car. A 1974 AMC Gremlin. It was embarrassing to be seen in that thing.

It's my understanding that Gremlin carburetors had restrictor plates installed for economy purposes during the time. With those restrictor plates removed, those Gremlins were rumoured to be hell on wheels. Though, you still didn't want to be seen in one.

BristolCavendish · 30 January 2018, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny83

Although they are good cars, everytime I have owned a Subaru I get bored real quick and flip it.

Subaru's are strictly utilitarian vehicles and relatively well-made/safe. We're on a two-year lease program and keep coming back (on #3 now). Our only experience is with the Outback model.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickettt

Damn. Did you just compare an Oldsmobile to a Toyota
I'm not gonna get all bent out of shape about it , but......damn.

In regards to Oldsmobile vs Toyota. Not from the quality standpoint but more from the easily perceived reserved/non-confrontational driver persona (regardless of age differentials). It has nothing to do with any lifestyle/political leanings, more along the lines of an overgeneralized observation on my part. Like how many dynamic Camry owners/drivers do you know of? Of course NASCAR is an exception.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickettt

It's my understanding that Gremlin carburetors had restrictor plates installed for economy purposes during the time. With those restrictor plates removed, those Gremlins were rumoured to be hell on wheels. Though, you still didn't want to be seen in one.

Back in the late 1980s, a neighborhood kid had a '72 Gremlin and he did something to enhance its overall performance. His 'exhibition' style of reckless driving was akin to today's side-show drivers and he had a 304/V-8 engine in his.

Today he is a forty-something father of two who vehemently denies any connection to this adolescent automotive activity.

Gotta love those Gen Xers who eventually matured and moved on.

SDRider · 30 January 2018, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Subaru's are strictly utilitarian vehicles and relatively well-made/safe. We're on a two-year lease program and keep coming back (on #3 now). Our only experience is with the Outback model.

I had a Subaru Forester rental for about a week after my car was rear ended and I hated everything about that miserable pile of junk. It felt like a tin can with rock hard seats and a bouncy ride. If you lived in the mountains at the end of a two mile long dirt road it would probably be the perfect car but living in SoCal with a 30 mile commute it was rubbish.

BristolCavendish · 30 January 2018, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDRider

I had a Subaru Forester rental for about a week after my car was rear ended and I hated everything about that miserable pile of junk. It felt like a tin can with rock hard seats and a bouncy ride. If you lived in the mountains at the end of a two mile long dirt road it would probably be the perfect car but living in SoCal with a 30 mile commute it was rubbish.

The Forrester is kind of a mini-SUV and a compromise of sorts. The Outback has a longer wheelbase and is more substantial in terms of overall weight and size although the Forrester is lightly taller. Chances are you would have preferred the Outback over the Forrester.

superstarmar · 3 February 2018, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

My wife's first car. A 1974 AMC Gremlin. It was embarrassing to be seen in that thing.

Right ... ???

Or a Pinto ....maybe even a Yugo...

SearChart · 30 January 2018, 07:03 AM

My mom's 2012 Hyundai i20, it is quite dreadful.

DJ TT 2002 · 30 January 2018, 07:04 AM

I had a 4 door low end Ford Escort when I was in grad school in Philadelphia
I think the word boring was on the title

But nobody stole it.
Nobody broke in to take the AM radio, either
All in all, a decent center city car.

GradyPhilpott · 30 January 2018, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Getting back to the most boring and mundane. My vote goes for the Honda Accord. They're ubiquitous and offer little within the realm of an exciting and/or invigorating driving experience. While it's a practical and reliable vehicle, one might have presumed that the Accord could/should have inherited some sort of performance pedigree from the Honda racing program.

I tell you what. If you took a ride with me in my 2013 Honda Accord 2.4L DOHC, iVTEC, 6MT, you'd eat those words.

It's the man behind the wheel that provides the excitement, although a little muscle under the hood doesn't hurt.

You really should stick to topics you have some experience with, but why start now, right?

Abdullah71601 · 30 January 2018, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I tell you what. If you took a ride with me in my 2013 Honda Accord 2.4L DOHC, iVTEC, 6MT, you'd eat those words.

It's the man behind the wheel that provides the excitement, although a little muscle under the hood doesn't hurt.

You really should stick to topics you have some experience with, but why start now, right?

I’ve rented a few Accords. They are not boring to drive. They might not be a Corvette, but are orders of magnitude more fun than a Yaris.

BristolCavendish · 30 January 2018, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I tell you what. If you took a ride with me in my 2013 Honda Accord 2.4L DOHC, iVTEC, 6MT, you'd eat those words.

It's the man behind the wheel that provides the excitement, although a little muscle under the hood doesn't hurt.

You really should stick to topics you have some experience with, but why start now, right?

OK. I will take your insights and recommendation under advisement.

BTW, my frame of reference was in regards to the common Accord SE as I am not familiar with your particular model. On the other hand, I have driven an earlier V-6 model and it wasn't anything to write home about. The stock suspension was a bit on the soft side but then again, the Accord wasn't designed for grand touring. In all fairness, it does make for a decent vacation rental or 'about-town' car.

But hey, it's not just me. Here's a 'world view' opinion from an automotive journalist who also includes the Toyota Corolla in the same boring league. As a matter of fact, he has it tied with the 'basic' model Accord.

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/nzl9mp3/

Wcdhtwn · 30 January 2018, 07:48 AM

My first car: AMC Concord. My second car: Ford Escort. My third car: Ford Escort( replacing the first Escort- wreck). I had to borrow a very base Toyota minivan the past week, ugh. Horrible to drive and not remotely cool to be seen in.

I’ll second the support for Accords. Had a V-6 VTEC, 2005-ish. Very good power, fully loaded, good combo of comfort and sporty ride, surprisingly nice car, especially for the $$. If you look deeper the Accord has benefitted from Honda’s racing pedigree. Of all he cars I’ve owned, Mercedes, Lexus, I’d be hard pressed not to buy another Accord if choosing between them. The 2018 is supposed to be terrific, if I remember correctly it has a turbo.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wesley Crusher · 30 January 2018, 07:49 AM

Anything Korean.

I rented a Hyundai SUV some years ago and not only was the design overly bland and the fit/finish was poor, the engine damn near imploded as I was driving up the grapevine.

Eyedoc_RSH · 3 February 2018, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Anything Korean.

I rented a Hyundai SUV some years ago and not only was the design overly bland and the fit/finish was poor, the engine damn near imploded as I was driving up the grapevine.

Even a Kia Stinger GT ?

Lets try Lexus hs250

droptopman · 30 January 2018, 08:26 AM

Wife had a nice series 5 Prius that actually was not bad to drive at all. Not much performance but with the upgraded wheel and tire package it rode relatively quiet and smooth for a smaller car and the interior was fairly comfortable. We drove that thing to So Cal and AZ several times and back for golf trips.

They gave me a Yaris for a courtesy car once when I took her Prius in for service. I was like courtersey....I am 6' 3" Total POS to drive. My staff laughed at me

I looked like a cartoon character stuffed into a car 4 sizes to small.

MrTwi · 30 January 2018, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Now what in your opinion qualifies as the most mundane and/or dull car to drive or own?

Anything with an automatic transmission. Appliances.

Valenciawatchrepair · 30 January 2018, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTwi

Anything with an automatic transmission. Appliances.

Ouch, that rules out A LOT. Even modified automatics too? I've seen some pretty crazy 4 speed auto vehicles from the 90's that were far from boring. lol. Some even FWD.

30 January 2018, 06:49 AM	#1
BristolCavendish Banned Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: United States Posts: 1,864	The Most Boring Car to Drive/Own There are a lot of threads in Open Discussion about cool and expensive high-performance automobiles. Now what in your opinion qualifies as the most mundane and/or dull car to drive or own? 'Back in the day' (pre-family obligations/responsibilities), Mrs. BC and I owned 3 cars. We had an 850i for weekend excursions + a Volvo 240 DL for everyday use and my F-250 4x4 work truck. We are now down to a Subaru Outback and my old truck (250,000+ miles). Looking back, the 240 DL was an incredibly dull car to drive but very reliable. Underpowered yet built like a tank, one always felt safe in it and the chances were pretty good that no one would ever take the time or effort to steal it. Comparatively, the 850i was in a league of its own but expensive to maintain and insure + there was always some jackass handing out door dings in the parking lot. Getting back to the most boring and mundane. My vote goes to the Honda Accord. They're ubiquitous and offer little within the realm of an exciting and/or invigorating driving experience. While it's a practical and reliable vehicle, one might have presumed that the Accord could/should have inherited some sort of performance pedigree from the Honda racing program. In retrospect, perhaps Honda opted to save that criteria for the Acura NSX. There are probably other makes/models that would qualify as the most boring or dull automobile but the Honda Accord IMO takes first prize. Some of our acquaintances who drive them also seem to meet that particular characteristic.

30 January 2018, 08:26 AM	#28
droptopman "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Real Name: Mark Location: Washington State Watch: SUBS and GMT's! Posts: 9,664	Wife had a nice series 5 Prius that actually was not bad to drive at all. Not much performance but with the upgraded wheel and tire package it rode relatively quiet and smooth for a smaller car and the interior was fairly comfortable. We drove that thing to So Cal and AZ several times and back for golf trips. They gave me a Yaris for a courtesy car once when I took her Prius in for service. I was like courtersey....I am 6' 3" Total POS to drive. My staff laughed at me I looked like a cartoon character stuffed into a car 4 sizes to small. __________________ Judge Smails: Ty, what did you shoot today? Ty: Oh, Judge, I don't keep score. Judge Smails: Then how do you measure yourself with other golfers? Ty: By height.

30 January 2018, 06:51 AM	#2
SDRider Banned Join Date: May 2017 Real Name: Julian Location: San Diego, CA Watch: Rolex 116613LB Posts: 1,908	Toyota Prius... hands down.

30 January 2018, 07:03 AM	#14
joeychitwood "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Way Up North USA Watch: Rolexes & Tudors Posts: 6,361	My wife's first car. A 1974 AMC Gremlin. It was embarrassing to be seen in that thing.

30 January 2018, 07:04 AM	#21
DJ TT 2002 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Hollywood 1950 Posts: 4,103	I had a 4 door low end Ford Escort when I was in grad school in Philadelphia I think the word boring was on the title But nobody stole it. Nobody broke in to take the AM radio, either All in all, a decent center city car.

30 January 2018, 07:48 AM	#25
Wcdhtwn "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Houston Watch: SkyD, SD43, GMT2 Posts: 5,061	My first car: AMC Concord. My second car: Ford Escort. My third car: Ford Escort( replacing the first Escort- wreck). I had to borrow a very base Toyota minivan the past week, ugh. Horrible to drive and not remotely cool to be seen in. I’ll second the support for Accords. Had a V-6 VTEC, 2005-ish. Very good power, fully loaded, good combo of comfort and sporty ride, surprisingly nice car, especially for the $$. If you look deeper the Accord has benefitted from Honda’s racing pedigree. Of all he cars I’ve owned, Mercedes, Lexus, I’d be hard pressed not to buy another Accord if choosing between them. The 2018 is supposed to be terrific, if I remember correctly it has a turbo. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

30 January 2018, 07:49 AM	#26
Wesley Crusher "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Wes Location: Holosuite Posts: 6,345	Anything Korean. I rented a Hyundai SUV some years ago and not only was the design overly bland and the fit/finish was poor, the engine damn near imploded as I was driving up the grapevine.

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