Page 1 of 1

Dive Vehicles

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:28 pm
by YellowEye
Howdy Folks
My current car is looking a little sad these days. Its a 2003 VW passat wagon, which has served me very well for diving, but it is starting to break down. Unfortunately they don't make them anymore or I'd probably get another.

Anybody have any cars these days that they love for diving? I prefer something which can easily fit 2 divers + 2 huge cameras, with a nice big trunk and reasonable gas mileage and cost. I was thinking of maybe getting something 5 years old used... no sense getting a new car only to put salty dive gear in it!

Thanks!
:popcorn:

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 6:32 pm
by Jeff Pack
why not go SUV?

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 6:37 pm
by Scubie Doo
My Ford Flex was awesome to dive out of. I also like my Subaru Outback. But I love my Tacoma :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 7:36 pm
by GearHead
How about a pickup truck with an extended cab? Put a lid on the bed for security, and the gate is your changing bench.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 8:27 pm
by Penopolypants
I to love my Tacoma for diving, but have to admit it doesn't get the greatest gas mileage. So if you want a divemobile/commutemobile it may not be your best option.

Before the Tacoma I dove out of a Subaru Outback and would buy one in a heartbeat if I were in the market for another car. Crazy good reliability, AWD, and it's amazing what you can fit in them.

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:13 pm
by dlh
Look in to a Toyota Rav4. Great small SUV , decent milage, available 4 wheel drive. I leased one for 3 years and nearly bought it at end of lease but jumped up to a Highlander. (Also a good option)

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:23 pm
by Scubie Doo
Roll with this Eric. Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:25 pm
by theonly_JT
Wellll the WRX hatchback is a pretty nice car, a little more fun to drive than an Outback if you ask me. But im young and biased. :supz:

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:55 pm
by Penopolypants
theonly_JT wrote:Wellll the WRX hatchback is a pretty nice car, a little more fun to drive than an Outback if you ask me. But im young and biased. :supz:
Mr. Pants has one, it is a fun car to drive! But the turbo really tanks the gas mileage. His is still going strong though, 15 years after he bought it.

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 7:30 pm
by jmartel
A pickup truck with a locking cover is probably your best bet. But if you don't want a pickup, a midsized SUV. I use a Forester which does a pretty darn good job of it as well. Tanks fit perfectly on the floor in the back seat (can get 4 in there). My wife and I both dive out of rubbermaid totes and we can fit all our gear in. Occasionally I take 2 camera rigs with me.

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:26 pm
by Jeremy
Low mileage Honda Element imo

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 8:50 pm
by YellowEye
Thanks for the input guys. I'm still looking. I really liked how my Passat could hold 6 tanks laying down in the back, without even folding seats down. That seems hard to match, unless you go pickup truck. Anybody know if any of the small SUV's or other wagons fit that bill?

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:17 pm
by Jeff Pack
I can carry all my tech gear, (Bail Outs, RB, extra tanks, all my support gear, scooter) in my Hyundai Santa Fe.

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:33 pm
by dlh
Note that with an SUV even if you can only lay 4 tanks flat on the bed, you can pile everything 4 feet to the ceiling. You have a LOT more cubic feet of storage in a mini SUV than you can get in a sedan. Example with all seats in passenger layout: Passat 10cf, Rav4 38cf

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 9:12 am
by fmerkel
Scubaroo Outback or Forester.

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 7:55 am
by Norris
Recently got a 2017 Ford Escape with the added rubber mat option in the back. Lots of room easy to transition from diving to passenger. The car is great too!

Re: Dive Vehicles

Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:08 am
by ScubaJess
Scubie Doo wrote:Roll with this Eric. Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This is so Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
I hope you guys are having a blast in CALI!

Hey YE,
Now every car I see on the road I'm examining the trunk size to see how many tanks it can hold!