What Is It About A Vehicle That Makes A GREAT Daily Driver For YOU?

As automotive enthusiasts, I tend to think that our audience is harder to appeal to. That's because you demand more from an automobile. Not only is it a source of transportation but it is also a source of happiness.

That said, we still need them to take care of the rough and tumble daily commute.

For me, I think of tackling the problem in terms of a fleet. You have ONE car to take care of the luxury function, you have another car to take care of giving you a smile and you have another car that's meant for track duty. Others believe in blurring the lines so that they can mix luxury with a sporty feel.

Take, for example, my dear friend who is a BMW M3 fiend. He has one for himself and one for his wife. He texted me today with a simple message:

"Ya know, I could daily drive an E36 M3 for the rest of my life. It's the perfect car"

While I appreciate my comrade's enthusiasm for his blue and white M, I think I'd want something of the automatic and luxury persuasion to take care of my DD duty.

So, I have to ask: WHAT is it about a vehicle that makes it a GREAT daily driver for YOU?

MDarringer - 5/13/2016 8:27:26 AM

+1 Boost

I have two daily drivers, one for in town and one for out of town. I travel out of town 2-3 days a week. My out of town car is a Fusion 2.5 and it is perfect. It's unobtrusive, sufficient power, great MPG, and much more refined than a $24K vehicle should be. It's a great car.

TomM - 5/13/2016 10:18:26 AM

+3 Boost

Surprisingly - my daily driver is also a Ford Fusion - although it is a Hybrid and it is a company car. I average about 41MPG - but I would say that the the CVT is the worst. As you know - I recently bought a Chrysler Mini-Van for a Vacation vehicle (I am a camper) - and I must say it was far better for that job than my old Suburban was. I get 30-31 mpg on the highway - and it is a great utility vehicle for my purposes now. Then I have two Luxury Vehicles - a brand new Cadillac CT6 (Primarily my mom's car - but she puts almost 1500 miles on in a year) - and my Mercedes S-600. While I still work on track cars and rebuild transmissions for them - I am old enough to know that I am too old to drive them anymore

TheSteve - 5/13/2016 11:23:24 AM

0 Boost

I rented a Ford fusion for a week in Ireland. I was very impressed by that car! You definitely get you money's worth, and then some.

atc98092 - 5/13/2016 8:31:55 AM

+1 Boost

Watching the MPG display keep clicking towards and reaching 50 is fun. So is that low speed torque that you can only get from a diesel or electric motor. Smooth, comfortable ride that isn't squishy in the corners. Quality audio.

Any time I travel and have to get a rental car, I miss my Passat. If VW buys it back, I really don't know what I'll replace it with.

PUGPROUD - 5/13/2016 10:09:40 AM

0 Boost

For me its confidence inducing handling combined with a smooth ride.

klipprand - 5/13/2016 10:31:37 AM

+1 Boost

I live in the Midwest (MO) so it has to be fun to drive (sporty) but stil give me that foul weather confidence. Could be snow, ice or high water. Some of the new SUV/CUV's are really starting to hit the fun to drive arena. e.g. Porsche Macan

TheSteve - 5/13/2016 11:21:57 AM

0 Boost

I drive a 2015 Audi Q5 3.0 TDI (diesel). What makes it a great daily driver for me:
- Comfortable ergonomics, roomy, easy ingress and egress (I'm 6'2" 195 lbs)
- Comfortable ride, yet close to a "sporty" sedan. Very car-like drive!
- Great feel (steering could be less boosted, though).
- Great for hauling stuff. I took a new full-size barbecue home in the back.
- Brisk acceleration (0-60mph in 6.4 sec). Easy to pass, even when going uphill on the highway.
- Crazy fuel economy if driven gently (35.75 MPG (US gallons) across 15,000 miles, best tank: 51.8 MPG across 528 miles... REAL MPG, not indicated).
- Quattro AWD is awesome in the snow! Handling is first-rate on low-traction roads.
- Love the styling, inside and out.

Some stuff does suck, though:
- Dieselgate (enough said)
- MMI (Audi's computer-screen based user interface). It's downright primitive if you don't get the Uber-expensive Navigation package.

wileyz - 5/13/2016 12:39:07 PM

+1 Boost

Seriously, a Ferrari photo for an article on daily driver.. Lexus GS F is mine and I love it...grill and all.

HenryN - 5/13/2016 3:00:55 PM

+1 Boost

Contrary to conventional wisdom to use a cheap car for commute, I prefer a premium/luxury car. If one spends an hour or more driving daily, comfort and performance should be at top the list of features for a commuter car.
- Comfort (ride quality, in-car features, ...) allows you to relax while in traffic, reduces road fatigue, ...
- Performance gives occasional adrenaline boosts when the road opens up, helps prevent accidents, ... powerful cars are safe in the right hands.

MDarringer - 5/13/2016 5:36:19 PM

0 Boost

If I had to pay for my long distance car I would probably get one of the new Continentals and enjoy the features. The Fusion is 100% free and is surprisingly comfortable. No road fatigue and not exactly devoid of in-car features either.

bperlow - 5/13/2016 4:46:21 PM

+1 Boost

I really like my 07 GTI. Had it since new. The car has great visibility, handles well, has an APR and 3" downpipe, so its substantially quicker than stock. Heck I was able to fit a 6 ft banquet table in the car. Granted I had to move the front seat forward. Still this car can haul a good amount, easy to park, good performance, decent mileage, good ride quality- not too soft or rock hard. Im actually thinking of eventually getting a Golf-R to replace it. If you are willing to concede sexy styling and "coolness" factor, the GTI is hard to beat.

iamdabest1 - 5/13/2016 7:40:00 PM

+2 Boost

My M4 is a great daily driver. 200 miles per tank, 14 mpg's , yeah, i still love it.