If there could only be one car

They say that there was only one kind of dog millions of years ago. It was kinda like a husky: pretty versatile, could survive in a wide range of climates, and hunt a variety of foods. People bred all of the variations we have today, many of which would not survive in the wild. So if everyone disappeared from the planet, there would eventually be one dog again.  The little purse dogs would die out, the hairless ones would freeze, the very large ones would starve, and you would be left with a variation of the husky again. 

So what is the car version of that? What would it be if aliens forced us to have just one personal vehicle for commuting, family vacations, auto racing, taxis, etc.? 

My gut reaction is the Mercedes E-Class Wagon. What do you think?  

E63 AMG wagon would be at the top of my list, although I'd also have to consider my current 958.2 Cayenne Turbo S too...

That AMG wagon is pretty perfect.

And, I admit, I recently found myself wondering what they’re currently fetching....

Uh, Miata? 

Saw an rs6 wagon yesterday and thought along these lines. 

Do they seat 7 like a minivan?  Because if not, they're not big enough for my fam...

My immediate thought is a slightly lifted minivan of some sort.

Jeep trackhawk seems like a good bet to me

jimbob_racing said:

Uh, Miata? 

 

Yup.  That way, everybody can drive.  Large family?  Convoy!

You can throw stones at me but the Ford Flex Ecoboost. Reasonably economical, easy to load seven people into, still has room for the dogs in the back. AWD, nice stereo and reasonable affordable. They are unicorns through. The non turbo is more then enough for anybody and if they made a hybrid they would still  be able to sell them by the bushel. 

After everything else has died off, it'll be something powered by either a Chrysler slant six, a Ford 300 inline six, or a GM 3800. 

jimbob_racing said:

Uh, Miata? 

 

Miata wagon.

In reply to Colin Wood :

Um, yes please!

In reply to prowlerjc :

I was going to suggest a '78 Chevrolet Suburban.  

You beat me to it!  

A euro muscle wagen would seem to check the apex-species skillset, but wouldn't the associated maintenance rigor and engineering quirks be akin to hip dysplasia and problematic anal glands?

I'm biased, but the answer is a Mk7 Golf R Wagon. It's an almost perfect mix of performance, practicality, and reliability. Not as fast or exotic as the uber wagons, but much easier and cheaper to maintain. It's only flaw is not being available in the US, but you can get most of the way there with an Alltrack or GSW. Mine hauls my two kids and their stuff and hauls ass in equal measure. 
 

DancesWithCurves said:

A euro muscle wagen would seem to check the apex-species skillset, but wouldn't the associated maintenance rigor and engineering quirks be akin to hip dysplasia and problematic anal glands?

I think you might have run with that analogy just a bit too far.

DancesWithCurves said:

A euro muscle wagen would seem to check the apex-species skillset, but wouldn't the associated maintenance rigor and engineering quirks be akin to hip dysplasia and problematic anal glands?

Perhaps a Japanese sporty wagon with a turbo 1JZ or RB?

I think it needs to carry a 4x8 sheet of plywood , AWD , unbreakable  5 speed auto trans , Toyota quality Hybrid 

I would think a Chevy AstroVan would be a good design start.

In reply to californiamilleghia :

Current Toyota Hybrid Sienna AWD minivan?  Seems like a good choice. 36 mpg!

I wonder if there is a way to increase towing capacity to closer to 5k

Uncle Tony has the solution.

In reply to John Welsh :

This was immediately my first thought. 

Civic hybrid is a close second. I'm still awaiting Honda to realize how many Elements they'd sell if they brought it back with that powertrain. 

AWD Hybrid Maverick. Ask me how I know!

I'm partial to the Mazda3 hatch myself.

Yes with all wheel drive and the turbo.

I was telling someone at the Dayton Cars and Coffee this morning, that my GR Corolla has real back seats, they fold down for good storage (my 50gal Husky costume bin fits - sideways!), it's fun at autocross and will likely be at a rallycross someday.  My dog would probably like it (even if less headroom than the Crosstrek).

I think I own my choice of "if only one car".