What makes a good DD / primary vehicle

[DierwulfBL]

Commute: Tues/Thurs 90 miles each way, MWF 20 miles each way
Annual Mileage: Odometer/speedometer broken, estimated 35k
Back Road / Highway / B2B&City: 20% / 75% / 5%

Handling / Ride Comfort: Handling is superior here because lets face it that 10mph turn in a 55 is way more fun at the speed limit than the suggested speed, adjustable damping is real nice too

Power: considering my current car has the best p:w ratio of anything ive had(130ps/~2000lbs) you'd prolly understand that i dont know what "real power" is, so this is not high on my list of priorities

Size: Small/Tiny cars are crucial i get myself out of predicaments on the interstates simply by having such a small car that i can fit anywhere anytime. Car brakes super fast, accelerates good enough(except up hills lol). Parallel parking is also hilarious in a crx even without power steering, i can fit anywhere

2 vs 4 doors: 2 seater hatchback seems to be ok, 97% of the time I'm by myself driving, and noone wants to be caught dead riding in my rice rocket so we take their car lol

Fuel Economy: Never drove a car with less than 30mpg, current car gets 40-45mpg so this is of highest priority to me, especially now with the high gas prices (I commute long distances)

Automatic vs Manual: Learned on manual, they get better gas mileage, more fun, more choice, the list goes on. I drove all summer in stop and go with stage 2 ACT on a cable clutch and never once thought it was a pain, its just second nature now I suppose

Looks: Used to be very important to me (see CNT MGNT), grew up a lil and realized I don't really care, hence why i drive a snot green crx with ZR1 fenders(it came that way) ROFL rice on

[Steve85]

Commute 50 miles each way, Route 50 from Winchester to Chantilly
Mostly highway, then city stop-n-go for about 7-8 miles.

Handling Ride/Comfort: I think the Integra has a great mix of the two. ItÔÇÖs not harsh and itÔÇÖs good enough to have fun at speeds that arenÔÇÖt simply retarded to be doing on a public road. Leather seats were a must and were the difference between getting a civic and an Integra. Has to have a reasonable stereo. I added an HD radio with front aux input, a 25watt amp and 8" sub. No license plate rattle, just more music.

Power: ItÔÇÖs as fast as the minivan in front of me and faster than the school bus behind. It has just enough power to get over the mountain at 70mph with the AC on.

Size/Doors: I should have gotten a 4 door version. The few times my kids ride in the car itÔÇÖs OK, but no way would I have a two door if I was the one doing drop off/pick-up. I make it work, bigger would be better.

Fuel Economy: Important with the long commute and I get about 31mpg. Next car will likely be a hybrid for HOV and FE advantages. I will wait until a new car is needed. When my commute was 16 miles, I didn't care and really liked having an extended cab pickup.

Auto/Manual: Manual. ItÔÇÖs a feather-light clutch, IÔÇÖm only stop-n-go for a short time and with little power to begin with I like the flexibility and predictability. Sometimes I wish it was automatic but not often.

Looks: Somewhat important. I wouldnÔÇÖt buy a car that got 12mpg because it looks better, but I would sacrifice 2-3mpg for something that looks better to me. I am lowering the car a bit and putting some cheap but effective wheels on it. I have to look at it too.

Ideally though...If someone makes a TDI Hybrid Minivan/SUV with 250+ft/lbs of torque and gets 35mpg, I will buy it and drive it everyday. If I can get the same mileage and more utility, staying with a small car makes no sense.

[NTIman]

Commute: only 15 miles through some nice back roads to work. Every other weekend, though, I make a trip from Winchester to Richmond on I-66, rt. 17, and I-95

Handling Ride/Comfort: The Corolla is ok with both, not spectacular though, its not any worse than my focus in either of these categories, it moves through the turns halfway decent, and isn't uncomfortable on a 6 hours drive. I could never have a car that you think you're going to flip when you turn slightly, but a harsh ride sucks equally.

Power: Certainly not a race car, but the car will get out of its own way. My theory is that its not that my car is underpowered, but a lot of others are overpowered.

Size/Doors: Great, I'm not a big person, but at work we've piled 4 or 5 guys in a corolla to go to lunch, and its not uncomfortable.

Fuel Economy: Best point about the car, 38-40 on the highway typically. I haven't had a car with less than 30 mpg highway, and i don't plan to any time soon. Driving when I please > driving when i can afford it.

Auto/Manual: Manual all the way. I agree with Rex, and as much as traffic sucks sometimes, I deal. Plus I see a lot more automatic transmissions break than I do manuals(but then again, a lot more are sold with autos too)

Looks: Not gonna buy an ugly car unless I'm forced to. There are too many choices to go with something i'll hate.

All in all though, a small car that is reliable, cheap to maintain, gets good mileage, and is at least somewhat fun to drive is where its at.