by "Poor_Sh" (ar4x)
Published 11/25/2017 at 19:12
by "Poor_Sh" (ar4x)
Published 11/25/2017 at 19:12
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STARS: 0
Question: What is your biggest limiting factor for being able to daily drive a car?
Now I know what website this is and you’ll all DD a wooden bed frame with an I6 where 2 cylinders don’t fire with a bicycle helmet for safety... but what would really grind your gears?
In looking to upgrade next year, I’m looking at a lot of cars with relatively small ground clearance which worries me in RI and in an apartment complex with speed bumps. So that could be a no-go since I have to use them every time I drive. I can’t control how many places would be tough to drive a low car unlike some of the other obstacles I could think of. Also, I know a lot of you don’t have such aversions to cars with known reliability issues, but I’m unfortunately not great with a wrench (on cars) I only have one car so it has to hold up.
Anybody else?
"ranwhenparked" (ranwhenparked)
11/25/2017 at 19:26, STARS: 0
Reliability and weather protection, basically. My daily driver in high school was a 30+ year old Beetle and I currently drive a 30+ year old Town Car not daily, but pretty frequently and often on long trips. I don’t believe in owning a car unless you are willing to keep it maintained in a good enough condition to reliably cross the country if you decided to.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/25/2017 at 19:27, STARS: 4
My Miata is currently a hair lower than most competitive track builds, so yeah speed bumps are always an issue. If you have good suspension where you can stiffen up the compression and rebound it’s much less of an issue, though you’ll still have to drive very slowly and carefully. It’s the narrow speedbumps that suck.
As to what I need in a DD? Something fun to drive. Something that can be the highlight of my day when things aren’t going great. Everything else is secondary to the fun factor. I can live with the harnesses that take forever to get in and adjusted, I can live with the cramped interior, the lack of rearward visibility, the non-functional speedometer, no AC, weak defrost, tight race buckets, terrible cabin storage space, rediculously loud engine.... It’s just got to be fun. That’s why I daily my Miata even though I have a a massive Subaru Outback that most people would probably pick any day of the week!
"Chuckles" (chucklesw37)
11/25/2017 at 19:30, STARS: 0
It needs to be able to keep me from getting rained on, so no motorcycles for me. It also needs to be able to handle Pennsylvania’s lousy roads. I have no interest in lowered cars or other modifications that destroy ride quality, so that isn’t really something I even consciously think about. I used my 94 Miata as a DD for a while and it served me well. Now I daily a Fiat 500 and save the Miata for fun drives like today.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
11/25/2017 at 19:34, STARS: 1
its gotta be exciting. ddrive is a solid 30 miles. reliability is nice, but completly necessary. so long as i can fix just about most problems on the side of the road with rocks, sticks, and some basic hand tools. its within the limits....
this was the last daily. it has a smallblock chevy, and manual everything(trans, brakes, steering). it has dailied for 8 years solid. little bit thirsty at 8mpg, but everywhere that you go is a solid adventure. i just cannot drive an appliance after owning it.......
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
11/25/2017 at 19:38, STARS: 0
Well, my car currently has NO options...no ABS, no Traction control, no cruise, no A/C, no power anything, no remote keyless. I’m fine with all of that, so....:P
"Spanfeller is a twat" (theaspiringengineer)
11/25/2017 at 19:43, STARS: 0
If a car doesn’t have air-conditioning, isn’t quiet and has shoddy reliability I can’t daily it.
I only need two of the following though
An automatic transmission
An aux cord
An ease over speedhumps
Good acceleration
I know... I’m spoiled....
"LongbowMkII" (longbowmkii)
11/25/2017 at 19:45, STARS: 1
those are big block mpg numbers
"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
11/25/2017 at 19:51, STARS: 0
Space for at least 2 decently sized bags without using the passenger seat. And ability to go over speed bumps. Aux cord and comfort not necessarily needed.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
11/25/2017 at 19:53, STARS: 0
Probably how stiff the suspension is and weather protection. I think I could daily something that doesn’t have A/C, but it’s at least gotta have heat and keep the rain out.
I think having track like stiff suspension is stupid for a street car. Doesn’t have to ride like a Cadillac, but I don’t get those people who have their car so lowered it scrapes on driveways and rocks the car around on somewhat decent roads.
Also needs to be relatively practical. Not necessarily how the OEM intended for it to be used, but I should be able to fit 6 people or some furniture in it, in a pinch.
"Nick Has an Exocet" (nickallain)
11/25/2017 at 19:54, STARS: 0
Anything super complicated. I have a ‘11 Lancer Ralliart. It’s a fantastic car but I’ve been dailying the Miata because I have 3 fluid changes (trans, transfer, and diff) that need to be done on the lancer. It’s testing my patience.
"Nerd-Vol" (Nerd-Vol)
11/25/2017 at 19:56, STARS: 1
Something reasonably fun and reliable. I don’t want to deal with the headache of a car that I cannot trust.
"JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t" (jawzx2)
11/25/2017 at 20:01, STARS: 1
Suspension comfort. Seriously. I have DD’d a motorcycle... in the winter (OK, not all winter, but in the cold and wind and sometimes snow when i planned poorly...) . but the roads in Vermont are so awful, that my major limiting factor (beyond reliability that allows me reasonable assurance I will get where I’m going most of the time without a beak-down) is suspension comfort. My ass can only take so much. Almost everything else is up for sacrifice. Even lack of heat and weather protection can be countered with appropriate clothing... and bluetooth headphones work in helmets to remedy lack of radio... you can cross speed bumps at an angle, drive extra slow in the snow... carry a jump pack and a can of starting fluid (Did I mention it was a carburated motorcycle?), but if your ass is constantly in pain and your fillings are falling out it’s no good.
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
11/25/2017 at 20:10, STARS: 0
reliability and size - Tahoes/pickups are cool, but they are a pain in butt in low/tight parking garages
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
11/25/2017 at 20:14, STARS: 1
smallblock, but with a whole lot of heart.......
with 3:73 gears, downright peppy.
"Sovande" (sovande)
11/25/2017 at 20:15, STARS: 1
Small block numbers with smog heads and a big rear end. It’s not as though a big heavy square pickup is exactly sporting cutting edge aerodynamics either.
"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
11/25/2017 at 20:18, STARS: 0
I think Die-Trying hits it with reliability. For it to be a daily driver, I have to be able to drive it any day, unless it’s pre-scheduled maintenance. Safety is also somewhat of a concern. I’m a dad of two young kids, and I’d like to be alive for them. If something was particularly sketchy safety wise, I’d pass. Also, if anything is particularly loud and droning. I like my hearing, and I’d like to keep it as well.
That said, I’d still love to drive an LMP car. Although preferably an electrified version that still looks about the same.
"LongbowMkII" (longbowmkii)
11/25/2017 at 20:40, STARS: 1
brb, searching for c/10s
"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
11/25/2017 at 20:46, STARS: 0
I don’t really have any DD limit... I would totally DD a Caterham. Then again I can work from home as much as I want so if it rains I can choose not to take my car. Only thing that grinds my gear with cars is those that don’t work or almost never work...
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
11/25/2017 at 21:04, STARS: 1
i have helped out the engine some what.....its got small chamber aluminum heads, BIG roller cam, roller lifters. i just have the engine painted up, so that nobody gives it a second look. really comes alive at up around 2500, or just around 50 in high gear..... she just thirsty....
"Imports only" (marcb5555)
11/25/2017 at 21:41, STARS: 0
Lowering cars do not destroy its ride quality
"Imports only" (marcb5555)
11/25/2017 at 21:43, STARS: 1
Same. I can’t DD anything without air conditioning or an aux cord
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
11/25/2017 at 21:59, STARS: 0
The three things I really can’t handle. 1 an ugly interior. 2 not having a roof. 3 cars with only two pedals.
If a car has an aesthetically pleasing interior, a water tight roof, and manual transmission, I’m down. Oh and a heater is necessary September- April, at least a defroster.
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
11/25/2017 at 21:59, STARS: 0
I’ve become a soft-ass.
I’ve daily-driven an 86 Golf diesel with no exhaust system (let me tell you, with no turbo, that gets fucking loud ), no AC, manual steering, manual transmission with sloppy linkage, crank windows, and not much else... because I had to.
Shit, I daily drove a 99.5 Golf TDI with no heat, manual transmission with sloppy linkage, crank windows, and not much else working, to keep my Miata out of the salt. No heat. In Ohio winters. (Granted, even when I hadn’t bypassed the heater core, the damn thing wasn’t even starting to get warm until I was already at work...)
I’ve gotten used to keyless entry, push-button start, Bluetooth, auto-up/down windows, and even a very smooth automatic transmission, though, to the point that the Miata (which had the same feature set as my Golf, plus power windows, but everything worked, and the manual was the opposite of sloppy) ended up sitting. Then again, part of that was simply getting 22 MPG on my commute was not acceptable to me, even though I could perfectly afford it.
I guess I’ll see how much the Honda Helix gets ridden next year...
"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
11/25/2017 at 22:10, STARS: 0
In my perfect world, the answer would be comfort. However as a college kid I currently have to put fuel economy and reliability at the top of the list.
"Sovande" (sovande)
11/25/2017 at 22:27, STARS: 1
My El Camino has a Goodwrench 350/290 with headers and true duals. Stock heads with an L82 cam. I just rebuilt the Edelbrock 1406 and got it dialed in. I have a TH350 transmission so it’s not quite as fun as it could be. It will get after it though. Mileage, when I pay attention, is somewhere around 12 mpgs on the highway and far less around town. With 29" rear tires and 3.08 rear end I can cruise at 60 at about 2200 rpms.
Heads and a different cam are next. Probably go with Vortecs or something similar since they are cheap and plentiful.
Cool looking truck!
"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11)
11/25/2017 at 22:36, STARS: 0
I only have one car, so it’s gotta be everything. Comfortable, high quality, fun, quick, fuel efficient, reliable, and practical. It’s a hard role to fill but my TSX fills that position well.
"Your boy, BJR" (jerseyshoreben)
11/26/2017 at 00:45, STARS: 0
“Does it make me look like at least 3 different types of criminal?”
"CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)" (ccpbb)
11/26/2017 at 01:08, STARS: 0
Road noise/interior noise at a minimum, back support, and non-drone-y highway driving.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
11/26/2017 at 23:07, STARS: 1
yeah, those vortecs would be money well spent. get some minor machine work done to allow for more lift out of those heads, do a little bit of research to find out where those heads peak out flow wise(somewhere near/under .550), and get yourself a cam with the lift there abouts. find one that works in your cruising rpm range, and you could really make that camino pay attention......
thanks, the truck is currently in line to have some attention. its getting a shortening( going from longbed frame to shortbed frame). it also needs some body attention. had an accident back at the end of july, that took it off the road. have had it long enough, that i dont have the heart to just give up on it....
"Sovande" (sovande)
11/27/2017 at 08:23, STARS: 1
Yeah, when I got the Elco it was running pretty crappy. Carb was tuned just to run, vac advance wasn’t working, distributor advance was out of whack, etc. I had never worked on a small block or a carbed car before so the learning curve was steep. I had a lot to learn. I finally got it dialed in the other day and added a AFR gauge to fine tune which is a nice addition. At this point it is running really well and has a surprising amount of power. I swapped in a new transmission mount this weekend and also dialed in the kickdown, which makes a huge difference in available power. All it really makes me want to do is add more. Though at this point I can roll into a burnout, which I couldn’t do when I got the car.
I am going to move on to the interior next - new gauge panel and new seats are the first two changes. I have a set of Volvo seats which should add to the comfort factor.
I think I remember a post about your truck getting wrecked. Hope you get it back up and running soon.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
11/27/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 0
yeah, once you have managed to get all the advances and kickdowns dialed in, they have plenty of get up and run, a whole lot of seat of the pants feel to it.
the truck is on the back burner for the moment, i have another FEW irons in the fire, but it is on the will happen list.....