What Bread-and-Butter Car Would You Put In Your Garage?

"pauljones" (pauljones) 10/17/2013 at 16:25 • Filed to: None

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We all like to hate on bread-and-butter cars like the Malibu, but the truth is, many people, including enthusiasts, wind up with one. Which would you put in your garage>

I'd go with a 2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu.

Yes, there are better-looking and dynamically better cars out there, particularly with the advent of the new Ford Fusion and Mazda6. But the prior Malibu was actually a pretty damn good car for its class - it was reasonably quick, handled better than almost anything else in its class at the time it was introduced, and it was subtly handsome. It finally showed the world that GM could make a good car if they actually got off there asses and tried.

But more than anything else, I just immediately felt comfortable the instant I sat in one - and listen you me - that makes an absolutely unbelievable difference in how much you like a car. It was nothing special, fancy, or even all that impressive, but when I sat in it, it just worked. Few other cars that I've sat in could say that they gave me such a positive first impression, and I've driven cars costing three or four times as much.

For that reason alone, I've come to be particularly fond of the 2008-2012 Malibu.

What about you? What bread-and-butter car would you put in your garage?

dogisbadob > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:26

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Well I already have a third-gen Camry (actually an ES300), which is the best car ever made. No garage though :p

Nibby > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:27

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Definitely 2013 Fusion. Does it count if it's already there?

CalzoneGolem > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:29

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Uh, I've got a Model A parked in my garage .... does that count?

Nibbles > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:29

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I'd also choose the '08-'12 Malibu. For the exact same reasons you posted.

pauljones > CalzoneGolem 10/17/2013 at 16:30

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YES.

pauljones > Nibby 10/17/2013 at 16:31

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That counts double.

Milky > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:31

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Sorry, but I'll keep rockin' hipster shit 'til the day I die. This is Oppo after all.

pauljones > dogisbadob 10/17/2013 at 16:32

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You know, those were actually real comfortable commuter cars. I liked the ES300 and the later ES330 a lot more than I generally tend to admit.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:32

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I have an 07 Milan in the garage.

I think it fits the category.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CalzoneGolem 10/17/2013 at 16:32

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Giving it's part S10? I think it counts lol

RMudkips > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:33

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More a Japanese import "bring the bacon" work truck, but eh. In the event I'm cheating this...

Am I still cheating?

At this point I shouldn't be allowed to own a car.

pauljones > Milky 10/17/2013 at 16:34

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Ah, hipsters. They are great for their initial entertainment value, but they get annoying pretty damn fast given their immensely narrow and judgmental mindsets. I frequently feel as if the only reason they exist is to provide counter-balance to the Tea Party dipshits out there.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:34

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Does a stock panther count?

Slave2anMG > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:34

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An Accord with a V6...

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:35

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I quite like the new Accord Sports.

I hear they're a return to form for Honda, in that they aren't horrid to drive and even a little fun when hustled around a bend.

It's also not a bad car to look at, and one can get a 6-speed manual. I don't have to deal with a ton of gridlock, so driving a stick everyday isn't a burden.

pauljones > RMudkips 10/17/2013 at 16:36

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Not cheating at all. I see no reason why a van or truck can't be counted here.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:38

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If I were to go with your 08-12 era, I'd rather have the Fusion originating out of '10, just more my cup of tea, plus available nav (if you can find one, haha). I recently thought about getting a Sport model. But ended up with the SHO for not that much more money.

What would I put in the garage? A '10 Lincoln MKZ. Also not that much more than a Fusion out of the same year. If '13 is on the table I'd probably look at the Fusion. Tunes from Livernois can wake up the 2.0EB, significantly.

Lol, as for the Malibu, they showed the world they could do it, right up until they got to the rear end of that thing.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:39

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03 camry, comfortable ride, it stops like it should, good gas mileage, incognito, and built prof. /thread

Milky > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:40

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Now I feel stupid ... so I'll clarify, I'm not a real life hipster. I just don't want to ever spend money on a car and just blend in. Personal preference, but I'm staying away from midsize family sedans.

pauljones > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 10/17/2013 at 16:41

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No limitations on era; that was just the one I thought of first. I'm impressed that you were able to drive off in a SHO for little more than a Fusion Sport, though. That's a win, right there.

pauljones > Milky 10/17/2013 at 16:41

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The post wasn't intended to be limited to midsize sedans - trucks, vans, etc. can all be daily, bread-and-butter cars, too.

El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:42

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Buying used.

Buying new.

Ignore that, seriously.

EL_ULY > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:43

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LOL that was beautiful

davedave1111 > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:43

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It's not so much a model as a specific car I have in mind. A friend of mine's parents bought a top of the range Honda Shuttle new, specced to the max because it was a company car - now fifteen years old or so.

They've got the money to have other cars, so it was never really used for urban driving. But they live in town, and didn't do that much motorway driving either. It's got about 50k on the clock, almost all motorway miles, and has never missed a service or wanted for a penny spent.

Even with the advances over the last decade-and-a-half, there are few better cars to get in and do a thousand miles non-stop than that thing - and none for less than lots of money.

Volvosaurus-Rex > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:45

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Blink once if they are holding you hostage in the Detroit office, twice for the GM proving grounds.

EL_ULY > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:46

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new: V6 of course :]

old: does this count? V8 of course :]

yes i went there with Camry, my brother has one and i like that sense in driving it knowing i can beat its ass for years, have fun pushing it, and like Toyotas of old, not give me shit like all the old German cars i own or have owned

pauljones > Volvosaurus-Rex 10/17/2013 at 16:47

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No, the sign that I'm being held hostage is when I'm drinking a Bud Light Lime.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:48

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Haha yeah, I traded in some miles, but traded up to significantly more car, haha.

I was looking at Fusion Sports and Lincoln MKZ's at around 30,000 miles maybe, the SHO had 44,000 when I bought it.

Milky > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:48

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My mistake ... I see other peoples comments now too.

In that case, Dodge Ram, preferably diesel (either one). Its nothing I WANT to own but but I like it. Good looks, interior, ride, and that Cummins.

Textured Soy Protein > El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! 10/17/2013 at 16:49

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I had an '06 MS6. Horrible seats, and way too much rust for that new of a car.

I like Mazda but unfortunately I would be hard pressed to recommend a 1st-gen 6 to anyone.

Makoyouidiot > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:49

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I bought a Dart. We love it, although I could do with more power and less turbo lag.

pauljones > Makoyouidiot 10/17/2013 at 16:51

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I'm hoping and praying for as SRT version. One of my favorite cars on the face of the planet is the SRT4 Neon. The SRT4 Caliber was a disappointment, but I feel they have some potential magic on their hands with the Dart.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:51

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Haha how about continent?
I wouldn't mind a Falcon or a Mondeo, haha.

Textured Soy Protein > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:52

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Laugh all you want at its ugliness, but the Crosstour is a pretty nifty vehicle. I checked one out and it's comfy, roomy, and has tons of cargo space, and AWD for the winter. You can lower it using Acura TL suspension bits.

I would get a 2011 at the newest because Honda decided to add more ugly wannabe-trucky styling elements in 2012. That's just too much ugly for me.

Hooker > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:53

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I would buy a 2014 Malibu. Before you crucify me, drive one. It's better in most every way to the previous generation, looks halfway decent from most angles and drives very well. It's not a sports car but it's composed and the interior is high quality.

* flame suit on*

pauljones > Hooker 10/17/2013 at 16:54

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I'm not going to crucify you. After all, I was the one that said I'd choose a 2008-2012 Malibu. I really didn't like the 2013 Malibu, but I like the changes they've made to the 2014 Malibu, and look forward to giving it a try.

Volvosaurus-Rex > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:55

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Is that bud light lime in your hand?

I would have any other car than the Bu.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 16:56

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I'd get a 2014 Impala and then accidentally total 3 Corvettes when I back up.

pauljones > Volvosaurus-Rex 10/17/2013 at 16:57

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This? No. This is a PBR.

Different tastes, which is why I asked the question in the first place. Rather than criticize a car, suggest what you would take and why, or let it be.

Don't hate, participate.

Redd, the RX-7 that could > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 17:15

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Mazda6 in red

Hooker > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 17:16

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Indeed. I really like it. Granted, I would miss the manual but I would get over it. It's time for me to get a big boy car and I like the GM stuff. I'd buy a Regal but it's outside of my range. Also, the 'crucify' comment wasn't so much for you but everyone else. every time I say something nice about it someone just has to tell me how horrible it is. Apologies for implying that you would crucify. Get to a dealer, they are a marked improvement. I drove a 13 Malibu LTZ back to back with a 14 1LT and it was a huge difference. In addition to that, it's got one of the best stop/start systems I have ever seen.

RMudkips > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 17:17

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Especially a JDM van that can't be imported here. I've loved Hiaces for some strange reason, and I can't really see why.

Boxer_4 > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 17:27

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Your experience with the 08-12 Malibu sounds completely different and much better than my previous experience with them. When I drove one, the steering felt extremely light and too disconnected, while the brakes felt almost non-existent. Our 99 Camry LE felt like a BMW in comparison. However, the build quality was pretty good for a GM product at the time (but not as good as our Camry). The only real redeeming quality I found was the LZ4 V6, which put out good power. I must add that the Malibu I drove was a drivers' ed vehicle with 30,000 miles, but I imagine those were a hard 30,000 miles.

Personally, I would probably end up with a Subaru Legacy if I was looking at sedans. All of the Legacy generations are quite nice, with decent interiors, good handling, and great versatility. The current generation Legacy 3.6R Limited is the most comfortable relatively inexpensive car I have sat in so far, and would be my choice. That 3.6 liter flat six only adds to this package with its great power and sound.

If I was looking at wagons (which would be my choice over sedans), my choice would be the Outback 3.6R Limited. Pretty much the same as the Legacy as mentioned before, just with more cargo space. The raised suspension could be nice in certain circumstances, but it is also quite easy to lower them back down to Legacy height.

SpeedSix > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 17:30

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Mercedes-Benz W114/W115

SpeedSix > Redd, the RX-7 that could 10/17/2013 at 17:30

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Yep, my second choice.

duurtlang > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 17:50

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When looking at new cars I'd pick this. I drove one today and was impressed. Sure, I'd prefer a performance version, but it was nice with a modest engine as well. Like you said, it gave a good first impression and it delivered when I delved into it. Mostly the interior and how it drives, I'm not totally convinced by the exterior just yet. I'm not that easily impressed as one of its competitors I recently drove failed in most things. It was the Opel Astra which, in a slightly altered form, you might know as the Buick Verano. That gave me a poor first impression and while sitting in it and driving it, it confirmed my initial poor impression.

edit: New generation of the previously lackluster Peugeot 308.

Volvosaurus-Rex > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 17:57

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Jetta sportwagen. Because manual diesel wagon.

If I couldn't have that, I would take the Mazda 6 (new) or an accord v6.

Does that count?

fhrblig > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 19:06

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I am open to nearly every genre of car or truck, so I don't tend to hate much. In fact, I've already owned several bread-and-butter cars (Chevrolet Celebrity, Mercury Sable, Oldsmobile Alero, etc.) and had no regrets.
Of the newest cars, I think it would be a toss up between the Ford Fusion and the Hyundai Sonata. If I'm going used, I might go with either the Malibu you mentioned or a Ford Taurus from 2000-current.

Leadfoot866 > pauljones 10/17/2013 at 19:41

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Supposedly, according to MotorTrend anyways, Chrysler is working on one. However, nothing has been verified.

It's been theorized so far that it will likely come with a turbo 2.0L like the ST Focus. Candidates are the engine from the Alfa Romeo 4C or, more likely, a turbo version of the standard Tigershark, possibly pushing about 300 hp. It will probably be FWD, though AWD might be a possibility.

http://www.motortrend.com/future/future_…

Again, these are just the rumors/theories being thrown around as Chrysler hasn't released any details...


Personally, I'm a wagon/hatchback person. Currently I have a '12 Focus SE hatch. It's a great car, but it could use a little more kick under the hood. I thought about trading it in for a '13 ST, but realistically I can't afford one until the '12 is completely paid for or I get a raise at work.

However, I have a thing against turbo engines, mainly turbo lag. I don't like it how I put my foot down on the go pedal and for a second or two there's NOTHING. While the ST engine doesn't have much lag and can still move the car along even without the turbo, it's still noticeable and did drive me a bit insane when I test drove it. Equally, my brother has a '13 Dart Limited with the 1.4T. The turbo lag is the one thing I didn't like about his car.

Yes, it might be a bit of an irrational hatred. I'm an odd person. If I had to do forced induction on a car, it would be with a supercharger. That said, I too like the way the Dart looks and would like to have a GT with the 2.4L as a track toy or long-distance cruiser (the Focus hatch would remain my daily as it's a great city car). Maybe supercharge that?

Dann > pauljones 10/18/2013 at 05:48

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Likely:

Or, if I were to buy a domestic...

Dann > RMudkips 10/18/2013 at 05:53

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I don't envy you not having them in the US.
They're our most common MPV taxi, and seriously.. worst.

RMudkips > Dann 10/18/2013 at 16:27

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You mean as taxis, or overall? I see them a lot in Asia, and from what I see it seems to be a popular option for workhorse vans, not exactly a decent taxi.

Dann > RMudkips 10/19/2013 at 00:20

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They're fine as a workhorse van - cavernous, utilitarian, big door apertures. However, as a commuter or people mover, they're terrible - uncomfortable, cramped and sparse.
I'd sooner have a SsangYong Stavic (half-joke, but somewhat popular as a MPV taxi here) to move people en masse, or pretty much anything else that wasn't originally designed to be a load hauler and plonk seats in the back as an afterthought.
Granted, the Hiace carries 12 people (and from a taxi owner/operator's POV thats probably the most appealing aspect), and the Stavic 7, I guess its a matter of needs and wants, and where to draw a line.