There are things we all would prefer not to admit to others, and the boring vehicles appreciated by automotive enthusiasts might be high on that list. Just the same, while there are things we should not blast over the internet, we think boring vehicles should get more publicity. So that’s precisely what I did with the latest question for Our Two Cents. The answers might surprise you, but you might even like these boring vehicles, too!
So let’s see how members of Hagerty Media answer the following question: What “boring” vehicle gets you way more excited than it should?
All-Trac or Wagovan?
“Sajeev, it feels like you were thinking specifically of me with this question! I’m actually NOT going to go with a minivan this time. While these choices are kind of the same vehicle, I can’t choose between a Honda Civic “Wagovan” with real-time 4WD, and a Toyota Corolla All-Trac Wagon.
Just look at them: So wonderfully boring and awesome all at the same time! But the OG 4×4 Mazda MPV gets an honorable mention as well. Any time I travel to a dry western state, these are the first three vehicles I search for on Facebook Marketplace. Give me weird AWD wagons/vans or give me death! — Ben Woodworth
Trucks, And More Trucks
“For me, the answer is just about any pickup truck. I haven’t owned one myself till recently, so if a pickup was in my life in borrowed form, it was because I needed it to do something. And, as an inveterate putterer, I like doing things. Pickups mean project progress or towing something fun somewhere, usually to go fast on a track. They are my favorite ‘boring’ vehicle.” — Eddy Eckart
All About That ‘Stiva Life!
“I once wrote that the Ford Festiva is an Icon of Performance and Perseverance, and I stand by that statement. I only drove one example in high school, but I absolutely loved it. I couldn’t tell anyone, because liking such an ‘undesirable’ little car is tantamount to a betrayal of all things American car enthusiasts are supposed to like. (I was already doing that with cars like Project Valentino, so I kept my mouth shut.)
That all ends today, as a Festiva LX (with the five-speed manual) is a vehicle that generates an unhealthy amount of excitement in my soul. I want one pretty badly, and I think I can move stuff around in my garage to make room for one, too!” — Sajeev Mehta
The Terminally Underrated Malibu
“For me it’s the final Chevy Malibu. There’s not a bad line on the body (Agreed!—SM), a solid structure, excellent packaging, efficient engines, and a cool interior design. The one I tested at Car and Driver back in 2016 weighed 3159 lbs, just 250lbs more than a Honda S2000 and 150 lbs less than a Camry.
I would like to see another automaker achieve that with a car that size and that price. The Malibu is hands down my favorite rental car.” — Aaron Robinson
Fit For A King?
“Honda Fit. In the same vein as the Civic wagon, but there is even more packaging mastery at play here. These cars are so boring on paper. They never made more than 130 horsepower. In the U.K., where it’s known as the Jazz, it has a reputation for being an old lady’s car.
But spend time in one and it immediately becomes clear how ruthless and brilliant Honda was in engineering the thing—comfortable space for four passengers (five in a pinch), a nice-sized trunk for the subcompact class, rides well, and nothing rattles or feels hatefully cheap. There is a wonderful cupholder to the left of the steering wheel. Because of clever fuel tank placement, it’s possible to fold and maneuver the second row in funky ways to accommodate tall cargo. Visibility is excellent. Fuel efficiency is somewhere between 35 and 40 mpg on the highway and about 30 in the city.
Did I mention they were super cheap? And what about the fact that the early cars steered and handled like a modern-day CRX? And shifting the five-speed gearbox engenders raw delight from the user? As the Fit freaks say, ‘FIT IS GO!’” — Eric Weiner
Jimny for me!
“Suzuki Jimny: I’m sure it’s as stiff as the old Samurai, but it looks rugged without resorting to overbearing balloon tires and lift kits. — Larry Webster
South Of The Border Specials
“I live about six hours from the Texas/Mexico border, so Houston isn’t exactly a border town. But it’s close enough that every six weeks or so, I’ll see a car with Mexican license plates. It’s almost always some bland European hatchback or small sedan. If you’re not paying attention or aren’t a car nerd, it usually blends in well enough with all the Honda Civics and Mazda3s out there, too.
They’re often a make and/or model that doesn’t sell in the U.S. (Currently there’s a Toyota Raize visiting one of my neighbors here in Houston. —SM) Which means it’s foreign and, in a way, kinda exotic. I’ve gotten plenty of confused parking lot looks after stopping in my tracks and walking a lap or two around Renault Clios, Volkswagen Ventos, Peugeot 206s, etc.” — Andrew Newton
Ready For The LSS Swap
“I’ve always had a soft spot for the 1990s Oldsmobile LSS. That car really straddles the line between boring and interesting. I had a 1998 Olds 88 and it was a neat car, the 3800 Series II was so damn reliable, had plenty of pep and torque (although the torque steer was atrocious) and it was really comfortable.
The styling was just as beige as the paint and upholstery of my car. Imagine how cool it’d be to have a grandpa cruiser with a supercharged 3800 under the hood! Man, the torque steer would be even worse than my car, but 240 HP is not bad. Sort of an octogenarian’s sleeper, and I’m here for it.” — Greg Ingold