What do you require in a DD?

"midengineer" (midengineer) 01/16/2014 at 14:30 • Filed to: None

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The cool thing about our passion is that there is an incredible amount of variety. We have an abundance of different options at our disposal. Generally the daily driver is the car that one spends the most time in; I'm sure for plenty of us its the only car we own (myself included).I want to know, what do you look for in a DD? Are there certain things that you have to have? Other attributes that you can't have? Whatever your standards/requirements are, I want to know them. Body style, mileage, safety, powerplant, whatever.

Makoyouidiot > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:31

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Comfort, a bit of sportiness, and a good radio.

Agrajag > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:32

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To not be a K-car.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:33

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RWD with a V8.

Preferably a front bench seat.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:33

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If I can't be bothered to get out of bed to drive it in the morning, it's not daily driver worthy.

Storz > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:35

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I've driven a lot of different cars as daily drivers, had an E30 with no heat/radio/AC/cruise control a 4.10 LSD and no mufflers to speak of that I drove around on shaved R-comp tires for about 6 months. Fun but not really a great daily though I made it work.

timateo81 > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:35

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In particular order:

0) A/C

1) Reliability

2) Lifetime cost of ownership

3) Does it family/dog/baby comfortably?

4) Bluetooth

5) ???

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:36

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A clear feeling of involvement with what the car is doing.

The rest is largely optional.

spanfucker retire bitch > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:37

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It has to be reliable, get good fuel economy, not bore me to tears and be able to hold my friends/groceries/assorted cargo when necessary. Oh, and it has to be either FWD or AWD.

I'm quite happy with my Mazda3.

gt6xxer > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:38

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I'm easy. All I need is:

1) Legal road operation, no outstanding safety issues

2) Retains all vital fluids

3) Able to merge into 65 mph roads on an uphill ramp at a reasonable speed*

*Not a low compression, non-turbo, 4000 lb, 160hp Volvo 850.

Casper > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:39

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My general requirements are simple:

Defroster.

RWD.

Good performance.

I want to drive it every day.

Fun.

Street legal enough...

The last point usually rules out a lot of cars simply because they are unpleasant feeling or boring.

Nothing > timateo81 01/16/2014 at 14:39

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This. My "fun" requirements go to the project car, which I'll DD in the spring and summer months. It's not as comfy as the truck, so it's nice to be able to choose.

CalzoneGolem > timateo81 01/16/2014 at 14:39

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I agree with this list. I'd like to substitute 4 with "Rear window wiper" and 5 with "Remote locks"

Pixel > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:40

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Require?

-Reliable enough I don't lose my job & am able to visit friends/run errands without hassle.

-Tires, steering & brakes that work well enough I feel safe driving it.

-Functional heat, wipers, & turn signals, no air or water leaks that make it miserable to be in in bad weather.

-Quiet enough I don't end up with a headache or deaf after driving it.

There is lots more I would like, but that is the minimum requirements.

RazoE > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:41

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Reliability and a manual tranny. That's it.

After DD'ing a turbo charged monster with no safety features, the only thing I hated about it was worrying if it would start.

Boxer_4 > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:42

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1) horizontally opposed engine.

That's all I need. Maybe reliability, too.

jariten1781 > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:43

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Seats at least 3, always starts and drives. That's about all I require.

I have lots of preferences though.

duurtlang > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:44

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Reliability

Cost (fuel/tax/insurance/maintenance)

Fun to drive

comfortable on the highway

Some practicality

I also require some style and something uncommon. I also like a car that makes me turn my head after I've just parked it.

Result: I daily drive a French coupe that was built in Italy and which will turn 14 this year. I've owned it for 16 months now, and it has treated me even better than expected.

STAGGERED-6 > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:48

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It's really a phase of life decision. In college being broke it was whatever gets you there in one piece. Starting out it was more of a beige economy mindset. Now that I'm established, I chose to sacrifice economy for fun but comfortable. I split daily driving between my r32 and ram. In a perfect world where money and practicality aren't considerations we'd all figure out how to fit a cup holder and an iPod dock into a group B rally car. One can still dream.

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > gt6xxer 01/16/2014 at 14:49

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160hp non-turbo 850? Tell me where to find an N/A 850 that makes 160hp lol.

Orange Exige > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 14:49

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The main requirement I have is that it's gotta be a manual. Oh and decently reliable too - I'd like to, ya know, drive it.

Ideally, it'd be small and nimble and RWD.
Other people are talking about required AC... I don't need that - as long as the heat work and it's got blowers, then I'm fine.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/16/2014 at 14:53

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Here's the list I made of wants/needs for the last car I bought:

- RWD or AWD

- manual transmission

- great steering feel and handling

- 250+ hp

- four doors (or at minimum, four seats)

- lighter the better

It's a "Porch-uh" > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 15:03

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Needs to easily fit my kids in the back for the few times they go in my car (so it has to have 4 doors).

Needs to put a smile on my face when I drive it (good acceleration over handling since I'm not carving the canyons on my way to work).

My E39 M5 seems to fit the bill. Doesn't handle as great as my E60 did, but puts much more of smile on my face when I mash the skinny pedal on the right.

gmctavish needs more space > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 15:10

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1) Good on gas

2) Ability to highway

3) RWD/Manual

4) Reliability

5) Good stereo

A working blower would be nice too…..but the sunroof works, so that helps

cazzyodo > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 15:10

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Currently in flux so TBD at a later date...

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANT ANYMORE!!!!

gmctavish needs more space > gmctavish needs more space 01/16/2014 at 15:13

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Oh and preferably German or Swedish

Montalvo > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 15:13

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I would prefer a sedan or coupe with leather and heated seats, at least 250 HP and lb-ft, a nav system while nice isn't really necessary since my phone does a better job. I would prefer it to be below 100,000 miles if possible and it needs to have side impact airbags and have abs. In terms of engines if it is a 4 cyl I would prefer if it is boosted other wise I would like a 6 or 8 cyl NA.

Burt > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 15:14

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A/C

Reliability

Good seats

Looks good (according to me and no one else)

Stupidru > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 15:18

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1) AWD

2) Manual trans

3) 200+ HP

4) Practicality (wagon or hatchback. No pickups)

5) 20+ mpg

6) Sunroof

7) Must be quiet and comfortable on the highway

8) Must be somewhat competitive in AutoX

9) Must have supportive mod community

10) Must be fairly reliablle

11) I must be able to do at least 75% of all of the required maintenance

Now the fun part: Pick which vehicles I'm considering

Sn210 > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 15:23

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This time around I wanted:
Manual
250+hp
4 door
Heated mirrors
Dual zone AC
Variable Intermittent wipers
Stereo controls on the wheel
Aux input

RazoE > Stupidru 01/16/2014 at 15:32

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Sounds like a bug-eye WRX or a Volvo 870R

Stupidru > RazoE 01/16/2014 at 15:36

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I'm driving a Bugeye wagon (non-wrx) right now, but my next car is either a Legacy GT wagon, a 08+ WRX hatchback, a V70R, or a Golf R

RazoE > Stupidru 01/16/2014 at 15:39

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I knew it!

Sorry, I meant V70R also, I don't even know if they made an 870R

gt6xxer > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 01/16/2014 at 15:58

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From Wikipedia:

2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 lb·ft (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm

SAE CERTIFIED CRANK HP BRAH

Seriously, that car was dastardly slow.

dogisbadob > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 16:02

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Cupholders, a sunroof, good gas mileage, aftermarket support, and easy to work on and cheap parts.

thebigbossyboss > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 16:06

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1) manual

2) I must be able to purchase it with cash.

3) No suv's or trucks. I like trucks, I just don't want one.

gt6xxer > 04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. 01/16/2014 at 16:07

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Actually, it was the weight figure that I exaggerated. Apparently the car weighed about 3,300 lb. But it sure felt like 4,000 lb.

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > gt6xxer 01/16/2014 at 16:11

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It looks like 4,000lb so I'm a bit shocked it's only 3,300.

That's why I think every 850 Wagon needs an IRS swap and nice 5.0 V8 under the hood.

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > gt6xxer 01/16/2014 at 16:24

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Forget the 850s were actually the beloved 5-cylinders unlike the 7/900s. NOWWW it makes more sense.

CPT Speedbump > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 17:35

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A manual transmission, fun/enjoyable to drive..tires, a running engine, a windshield... er... yeah :)

midengineer > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 01/16/2014 at 18:23

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Pretty much sums it up for me too!

midengineer > Burt 01/16/2014 at 18:26

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I definitely agree with this, my only addition would have to be a manual, I can't go without that level of engagement. That said, my commute rarely has severe congestion.

midengineer > cazzyodo 01/16/2014 at 18:26

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Get one of everything?

midengineer > STAGGERED-6 01/16/2014 at 18:28

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Although I have 'only' one car at the moment, in the future I would really love to have a few cars to cycle through each day. One can dream.

midengineer > spanfucker retire bitch 01/16/2014 at 18:28

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No RWD eh? Definitely a unique decision.

Jedidiah > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 19:22

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In order,

1) RWD

2) Easy Maintenance

3) Comfy Seats

4) Coke Bottle Styling

5) V8 or I6

spanfucker retire bitch > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 20:44

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Definitely not for a DD in the snow bet. Winter tires help, but not as much as winter tires on a FWD or AWD compared to a RWD. All things being equal, the first two will always control and perform better.

cazzyodo > midengineer 01/16/2014 at 21:06

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BUY ALL THE THINGS!

midengineer > It's a "Porch-uh" 01/16/2014 at 22:41

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Well your kids sure are lucky, haha.

Burt > midengineer 01/17/2014 at 11:23

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I can agree with that, I would much prefer a manual as well, however I currently DD an automatic, so I couldn't really say I had to have a manual.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > midengineer 01/25/2014 at 16:04

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Well in a few months I plan to look for a car that will certainly be my only car, so it will be a DD. Here is my list:

Manual

20+ mpg

not beige

preferably a hatchback for practicality

less than 100k miles