1991 Buick RoadmasterImage: Buick
As we pointed out the other day, being a dad really is a state of mind. There’s more to it than simply having a kid.
This same sort of thinking applies to cars. Dad cars exist, but it’s about more than just having a couple of LATCH points and an engine. There’s no fixed criteria, it’s a situation where you know one when you see one. We recently asked Jalopnik readers what they thought were the most dad-coded cars. These were their answers.
A version of this article originally appeared on Jalopnik.
Image: Pontiac
For my dad it was a 2009 Pontiac G8 GT, four doors for the family and eight cylinders for the man-child in us all. Pretty sure it was a classic mini midlife crisis type thing with two kids in high school and two kids in college. A compromise on practicality and performance. Still has it and still very fun to drive, even 130,000 miles later. He does regret not getting the GXP as they’re much more collectable these days.
Suggested by: drumgineer
Image: Honda
A 300 hp Honda Odyssey has to be mentioned. Scotch-garded seats, a vaccum cleaner installed in the back, and the universal remotely operated sliding doors has to be the most dad car ever.
Not a tachometer in sight. SEVENTEEN cupholders. No 3rd pedal even as an option.
Not quite 300 hp — the Odyssey has a 3.5-liter 280 hp V6 — but pretty close. I get what he’s saying.
Suggested by: Luiz Fernando Lima Abdala via Facebook
Image: Pontiac
Slightly upscale from the neighbors’ Chevies, Plymouths and Fords, but not so much to be the subject of gossip at the ladies’ weekly canasta game. More importantly, it doesn’t draw unwanted attention from the boss in the corner office.
Large enough to drive the guys and their clubs to the golf course on Saturday (but if Bill doesn’t shut-up about his new driver, you’re gonna shove it up his all) -AND- your wife, your 2.5 kids and grandmom to church on Sunday.
Suggested by: Earthbound Misfit I
Image: Subaru
There’s a reason most trucks are sold with 4 doors now. Dads, all dad mobiles. All my vehicles have 2 or 2+2 doors, had a kiddo, so I went with a Subaru WRX for my dad-mobile. Needed something relatively inexpensive, new, quick and not boring, able to fit the family comfortable, AWD for ski trips, and most importantly a proper 6spd manual transmission.
Suggested by: Eric Donaldson via Facebook
Image: Chevrolet
The dad-vehicle of my childhood.
The kids have spent more time riding in the bed than in the cab.
The space behind the seat is filled with emergency oil and fluids, a rusty 20 foot chain, and 3 flashlights, all with dead batteries.
Every replacement part for it gets bought at a place that also sells lawn mowers.
Interior smells like sawdust and work boots.
Radio presets are a mishmash of Country stations and classic rock, and there’s a Steve Earle Cassette stuck in the dash.
Cupholders permanently stained from spilled coffee.
2 old skoal cans filled with replacement fuses in the glove box.
There are tools in the glove box, and gloves in the tool box.
There’s also more money in the tools in that box than what the truck is worth.
Suggested by: H4llelujah
Image: Cadillac
CTS-V Wagon. Awesomely cool car yes, but admit it, you’re somebody’s father aren’t you.
Suggested by: OutForARip
Image: Toyota
For me personally, it’s the Toyota Tacoma. But that’s only because my entire life, my dad always had a Toyota pickup truck. Always. He passed in 2019 and I got his 2013 Tacoma and I will have that truck until it disintegrates (or I do). I daily an EV6 GT. But I will run the Tacoma up to work once or twice a week and we use it for kayaking and outdoor stuff and Home Depot/dump runs. So to me, it just says “Dad”.
Suggested by: TenOfDiamonds
Image: Dodge
The Hellcat specifically, for when you want a Charger or Challenger, but need room for like 3 hockey bags.
Suggested by: Maymar
Image: Chevrolet
I feel like GM LWB big boys like Suburbans, Yukons, etc. are the ultimate dad-coded car, at least for those dads who like the idea of a vehicle that can carry three kids, grandma, grandpa, and a week’s worth of luggage on road trips or a load of Home Depot supplies despite being driven solo and without cargo 99.9% of the time. The same goys for other big boys like the Navigator and Grand Wagoneer.
Suggested by: oddseth
Image: Chevrolet
The “I’m a dad who just made his last court-ordered child support payment” car.
Suggested by: Gin and Panic
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