Philos-oppo-cal question

Kinja'd!!! by "themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
Published 08/15/2017 at 20:35

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STARS: 1


Denizens of oppo, I ask you a deeply personal question - how many compromises for performance will you tolerate in a daily driver? Or to put it another way - how much racecar do you want in the car you MUST have ready to go all day, every day?

Before you answer, know that it isn’t about being right or wrong, since everyone has different tastes and limits. Personally, I can’t do a stripped interior anymore and I need some degree of sound deadening and a bit more compliance to my suspension. I don’t even like aftermarket exhausts. Performance cars off the lot are just fine, but I don’t think I will ever daily a car with coil overs again. Hot hatchbacks and stock miatas are my minimum of civility that I need on a daily basis.

Howabout the rest of you?


Replies (36)

Kinja'd!!! "CB" (jrcb)
08/15/2017 at 20:40, STARS: 1

I want it to be able to get out of its way and avoid problems. I can live without a manual or RWD. I don’t need a racecar (proven by the fact that I current drive an Elantra GT).

Kinja'd!!! "19JRC99" (19jrc99)
08/15/2017 at 20:40, STARS: 1

I must have a radio. I could deal with loud exhaust, a clutch, and no A/C (though the last one sucks to deal with IMO)

Kinja'd!!! "TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
08/15/2017 at 20:41, STARS: 2

It can’t rattle my teeth out over bumps, suspension can’t squeak, can’t make some awful droning noise at highway speeds, interior needs to still be there and be somewhat comfortable, brakes need to still work when cold and not squeal like a stabbed pig. Basically it needs to be able to do date night without drawing any complaints.

Kinja'd!!! "DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
08/15/2017 at 20:48, STARS: 1

I can’t really say, because I’ve never done any extensive modifications. But I don’t think I would like a loud exhaust, never been a fan of it. I can enjoy it on occasion, but I know it would piss me off on a daily.

Convertibles. I never roll the windows down if I don’t have too, so I don’t think I’d like that.

Needs to have either a usable trunk or a usable back seat, even being single w/o kids that’s a necessity.  

Kinja'd!!! "E90M3" (e90m3)
08/15/2017 at 20:51, STARS: 0

Considering the E92 is my first true DD, I can say I can’t live with out AC and a decent stereo. That said one thing I really love about my M3 is it does everything, not just fast.

Kinja'd!!! "Sovande" (sovande)
08/15/2017 at 20:53, STARS: 2

My daily is loud, lowered and tuned. It’s still comfortable, however. I draw the line at coilovers.

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!! "macanamera" (macanamera)
08/15/2017 at 20:54, STARS: 2

I’ll bite a stick and pinch the throttle cable between my toes as long as it has 2000 horsepower and sounds like a Saturn V

Kinja'd!!! "Elumerere" (elumerere)
08/15/2017 at 21:01, STARS: 2

Regarding that I daily a 996 (6MT, MY ‘99) in the biggest city in the US, I can attest to this:
Every drive I exit the car with delight, even if traffic has been a bitch, uphill slow-crawling, idiots checking phones and streets with lots of potholes in them.

It makes the act of driving enjoyable, every time.

Granted, my AC works fantastic, the exhaust is not too loud, and I can haul quite a lot in it (including a surfboard). So yeah, go for the sexy car.

Kinja'd!!! "sony1492" (sony1492)
08/15/2017 at 21:02, STARS: 0

I was daily-ing a a car doing around 600-800 miles per week a total of at least 6 months. The following relevant things done to it.

Very racy, Racing clutch(supposedly rated for 600hp)

11lb flywheel

Coilovers

No interior besides a dash(no door handles, some if the center console)

No AC

No sound deadening(all of it was chiseled off or torn out)

HUGE exhaust leak from the manifold and the exhaust ended under the rear axle.

I was seriously considering a second gen Prius because it’s quite and it has an interior. That’s how I feel about that.

Kinja'd!!! "atfsgeoff" (atfsgeoff)
08/15/2017 at 21:02, STARS: 0

I daily a 143 horsepower motorcycle so I’m probably the wrong guy to ask.

Kinja'd!!! "themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
08/15/2017 at 21:03, STARS: 0

That’s a good standard - be able to do date night without complaints

Kinja'd!!! "themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
08/15/2017 at 21:03, STARS: 0

Hello Jeremy Clarkson, glad to hear you recovered!

Kinja'd!!! "That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
08/15/2017 at 21:03, STARS: 1

When I was younger I would DD a top fuel dragster if thats what I was into at the time, just zero fucks given. Since I became an old man, I’ve come to realize that my personal situation requires two cars if one of them is to be an enthusiast vehicle...I like to separate my DD from my toy.

That said, if I was going single car, the exhaust can’t be crazy loud. It has to ride okay, I need power windows/locks/AC, and a radio. Thats about it.

Kinja'd!!! "themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
08/15/2017 at 21:04, STARS: 0

I’m fine without a radio but I don’t think I could do loud exhaust. Even more than no A/C. I like quiet interiors.

Kinja'd!!! "themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
08/15/2017 at 21:05, STARS: 0

You drive my dream daily. Though I might go a few years or maybe even a generation newer. I’d like that to be my next car.

Kinja'd!!! "RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire" (ricerocketeer2)
08/15/2017 at 21:06, STARS: 0

It depends on the commute too. The main road to work has been destroyed by subway construction, so if I was forced to actually drive there I’d want something with big bouncy tires and a lot of suspension travel.

Kinja'd!!! "TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
08/15/2017 at 21:06, STARS: 0

My car is currently iffy on that front as the AC still doesn’t work properly after putting a new compressor in it. I don’t personally care because I prefer to hear the wonderful noises my car makes on the outside over the droning you get with the windows closed but I have gotten some complaints from friends.

Kinja'd!!! "themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
08/15/2017 at 21:10, STARS: 0

You drive my nightmare....

I traded in a FiST for a FoST and that slight improvement in ride quality and interior comfort is soooooo noticeable and appreciated

Kinja'd!!! "TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
08/15/2017 at 21:11, STARS: 0

I had the choice of a WRX or ans STi. I picked the former. The latter was just too bone-rattling to make a good daily driver for me. Now that I have an Outback to go with my WRX, I’m never disappointed. Some days I get to zip through traffic, other days it’s a comfy cruise.

Kinja'd!!! "ranwhenparked" (ranwhenparked)
08/15/2017 at 21:13, STARS: 1

I buy pretty much exclusively for comfort and style, with enough power to pass easily and get out of trouble (preferably naturally aspirated and low revs).

So, to answer, not many.

Basically, I bought a Challenger only because they don’t make Cordobas anymore.

Kinja'd!!! "gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
08/15/2017 at 21:18, STARS: 0

#1 reliabiliy.

#2cheap

so beige it is. That way I can save and spend money on weekend toys.

Kinja'd!!! "themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
08/15/2017 at 21:20, STARS: 0

But what about that rich, Corinthian leather?

Kinja'd!!! "themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
08/15/2017 at 21:21, STARS: 0

Do you ride it to work in the rain?

Kinja'd!!! "themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
08/15/2017 at 21:21, STARS: 0

This is an agreeable take.

Kinja'd!!! "sony1492" (sony1492)
08/15/2017 at 21:30, STARS: 0

I’m in too deep to back out now, or I wouldve

Kinja'd!!! "Elumerere" (elumerere)
08/15/2017 at 21:31, STARS: 0

I understand the desire to go a few years newer. As the 997 is very similar to the 996, aside from cosmetics.

Do know, however, that my ‘99 996 has the LSD, no PSM (just a simple TC that’s very good and can be shut off with one button click), an actual cable throttle, sport suspension and plenty of power if you drive it above 3.5k rpm, and a full leather interior in red with sport seats.
And honestly, I prefer the 996 interior (as long as it’s full leather) to the 997, as it seems too crowded. Vs. the 996 being almost spartan, reduced, it let’s you concentrate on the driving. Plus it’s quite a bit lighter than the 993 and still lighter than the 997.

And prices are ridiculously good these days.

Kinja'd!!! "19JRC99" (19jrc99)
08/15/2017 at 22:26, STARS: 0

I like a quiet interior, but..well.... a good sounding engine can make up for anything to me.

Kinja'd!!! "atfsgeoff" (atfsgeoff)
08/15/2017 at 22:40, STARS: 0

Usually, yes

Kinja'd!!! "themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
08/15/2017 at 22:43, STARS: 0

I am still iffy on riding my 33hp KLR in the rain. I am not yet looking to change this behavior. Perhaps someday down the line, I will, but for now I am a fair weather rider.

I doff my cap to thee, for having the testicular fortitude to straddle an amount of horsepower that can only be described as “Ri-fucking-diculous” in wet weather.

Kinja'd!!! "atfsgeoff" (atfsgeoff)
08/15/2017 at 22:56, STARS: 0

You know what they say, she only goes as fast as your right hand lets it! Also, motorcycles are surprisingly resistant to hydroplaning due to their rounded tire profile.

Kinja'd!!! "themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
08/15/2017 at 23:05, STARS: 0

I blame the somehow already dry rotted front tire despite it only being 3 years old at most and the rear tire being worthless in all conditions. Like, I want this tire as a pallbearer at my funeral because it has done nothing but excel at letting me down. My front is the stock dunlop 606 and the rear is a shinko 705. The bike is a 2015 model year bike and the front tire has massive dry rot cracks in it already.

Kinja'd!!! "sony1492" (sony1492)
08/15/2017 at 23:23, STARS: 0

.

Kinja'd!!! "thatsmr" (thatsmr)
08/16/2017 at 00:02, STARS: 0

After years of sports cars, kiddos change things. Find the best Avalon, Azera, or Lacrosse in the middle of your budget. Ample power, quiet and comfortable. If budget low, get a v6 Camry or Accord, super low an Impala or v6 Sonata. Appliance only? 4c Camry Accord or Sonata

Kinja'd!!! "atfsgeoff" (atfsgeoff)
08/16/2017 at 00:50, STARS: 0

Is it stored in direct sunlight? That’s a big contributor to early dryrot

Kinja'd!!! "themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce)
08/16/2017 at 01:39, STARS: 0

No clue how it was stored before I got it. I bought it at a dealership and I have a bike cover that always goes on after rides

Kinja'd!!! "random001" (random001)
08/16/2017 at 06:43, STARS: 0

I mean, I settled for FWD because it was fun. And Convertible. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a FWD car. A while. A long while.