Best Daily Driver

Daily driver in bay area traffic that is reasonably priced and relatively bullet proof maintenancewise: 911 variation, probably Turbo and with PDK or tiptronic for preownedand if you don't mind automatics. If you need more utility E63 AMG

 

Assuming you are asking to solve a personal quandary?

Best is entirely subjective. What car do you have for that duty now? What do you like about it? What do you dislike? What was the car you owned previously that you enjoyed the most (from a DD standpoint)? What kind of duty will this car see (freeway commutes, or inner city)? What cars are you considering now? Do they embody the most positive characteristics, and as few of the negative as possible - based on the above answers?

For example, around town I like something small, narrow, upright seating, good sightlines, lots of torque for it's size, good feedback from the steering, and as with all things car, for me it must come with a manual transmission. I like the extra control. These qualities let me nips around in tight spots.

But that may not be what you value. So make a list of likes and dislikes based on your previous ownership, and see if that doesn't lead you to the right choice for you.

 

BMW 650i?

Kai

 

2003 Audi RS6!!!

 

+1

 

I'll be the guy who picks the "reliability and practicality" car. Civic hybrid... with carpool lane stickers. For me - it saves 30 minutes each day of freeway traffic. Stop and go in a sports car is a lot less fun than flying by in a hybrid. I have the very unpractical and unreliable (british!) car for the weekend

I would have never considered a hybrid if it weren't for the stickers, but it's actually a pretty good car. Not the fastest - but getting 50mpg is pretty awesome. I'm not a huge fan of the prius styling, and that was my only other option. The civic actually looks like a normal car - and lays low with our friendly patrol cars.

Anyways the markup for the used stickered cars was pretty big when I bought mine last summer - about $5k more. Well worth it.

 

One more for the RS6. Real easy to drive quickly. It tended to plow quite a bit, but if you knew that was coming, you could properly account for it. I'm not sure the guy I sold mine to still has his, but he's local and I could give him a call if you're interested.

The E63s are very thirsty. If you don't mind filling up a few times a week, it's not a problem. They go through rear tires quickly too.

I had a Quattroporte that was wonderful as a daily driver. It was a big car, but it could easily haul more than one person, groceries, all kinds of stuff in the trunk, and if you wanted to take a spirited drive out in the back roads, it could hold its own and then some. It was very comfortable too.

 

I think I would go with a new M3 with DCT.

 

My '91 BMW 318is with over 200K miles on it that I sold about a year ago. It got 27mpg when gas was $4 a gallon, drove like a go-kart, had a decent radio and could carry 4 passengers. I considered that it was worth nothing, so I didn't care about where I parked or when I got hit with sand or pebbles on the freeway. I replaced it with a 325Ci that gets 24 mpg, has even more power, is much quieter, has a Harman Kardon sound system, cruise control, is still under warranty and all the services are free. However, I now have to worry about the paint and it goes through tires about twice as fast. I would not get the sport package next time around, as it's even more rigid than my Ferrari...a little too much road feel for a DD.

 

Has BMW resolved the lag in clutch uptake when entering a corner?

Utterly terrifying the first time I encountered it. Brake and downshift coming up to corner, enter the corner gently squeezing the gas and nothing happens, squeeze more, nothing happens, car is coasting at this point, squeeze hard, then suddenly the clutch decides to wake up and engage, rocketing you out of the corner, in danger of a tank slapper if the stability control is off. Some people suggest this is the software fix that prevents them from stalling under hard braking - an earlier problem.

Applies only to the DCT of course.

 

Gobs of power. Rides like a GT. Elegance, luxury.

I drive 60 miles every day from San Jose to Santa Cruz. I average 22.4 mpg.

I think it's a love it or hate it look. Very few on the road. Plenty of room for my 7 year old.

Kai

 

Not sure. If Kirby sees this thread maybe he can chime in as I believe his M3 has the DCT.

 

If Quattroporte is a consideration, I would include the new Porsche Panamera in the discussion. Looks a lot better in person than it does in pictures. Lots of room in front seats, rear seats, but a modest boot. Available in all basic, S, and turbo variations, and with PDK as well.

M3 is a great overall enthusiast car, if a smaller car is what you are looking for. Get DCT though.

 

Joe, unfortunately was not able 2 drive one. I did hear Porsche invited people 2 drive it during the northamerican debut of the panamera during car week at Monterey. I'm sure someone on F-chat was able 2 drive one and can chime in. I sat in it and played around with it, Seemed like a pretty nice car, much better looking in person.

 

I drove and liked the car better than the 599, it is different though, but offers a great overall balance; the size shrinks and amazes, power is well balanced and comfort is sublimel. This car is a winner.... big time. The PDK trounces (and obsoletes?) the F1, but you can verify that, for yourself, in the California and the upcoming 458 Italia.

It will be the sedan of choice, or at least a standard of comparison. if you don't need the "extra" seat in the rear. The QP is still a better looking car, but underperforms and falls short in fit and finish.

The negativity about the looks (from pictures) disappears when you study it in the flesh.

I didn't expect to like this car, but came away very impressed.

 

2008 sti
Bike Racks
Groceries
and damn fast when you need it in the turns.

 

Having owned and quickly sold a new 2007 Quattroporte Auto, I'd say it is probably the best looking 4 door on the market (perhaps ever), but I would not buy another one. If you must, then I suggest you wait a year and buy the current 2009/10 model year, as they have fixed a number of issues with the console, seating position, and other small things. You'll save 50K+ on sticker by buying a slightly used one.

Although it is a long car, it is not much bigger inside than a 5-series BMW, IMHO. Panamera feels much roomier inside, as a comparison.

Mypersonal commuting choice would be a Cayman S Tiptronic. I find it to be a little bit smarter thought out than the 911. Less engaging, perhaps, but who wants an engaging car in stop-and-go traffic on a crowded freeway?

 

The Cayman S with PDK was deemed by Motortrend's staff and Randy Pobst to be the best driver's car. Hence a DD is a car that you drive daily so why wouldn't the best driver's car be the best DD. The advantage of a Cayman S is that you can use it on any paved roads city or racetracks without need to modify or upgrade any systems. It also has enough room to carry groceries and another person.

 

For me, Audi A8---decent gas mileage, fast, and super comfy--makes the daily commute a little better

 

Audi R8, I agree. Luxurious, comfortable, quiet with the windows rolled up, great ergonomics, unusual and attractive looks – just a great DD. Oh, and then it’s a great sports car too.
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I love my E92 M3
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