My DD is an 06' Chevy Cobalt SS (the supercharged version). Pathetic sounding I know, but it fits my needs perfectly. I travel all over the eastern half of the country and it has never let me down. I pack about 250 pounds of luggage and equipment and still get 32+ MPG (31 with 10% ethanol) even with the factory stage 2 upgrade with larger injectors. The factory seats are CRAP (there was a Recaro option but my car didn't come with it) so I upgraded to some very nice Corbeau leather seats. I have even had it on the track and it makes a FINE little track toy (for a FWD anyway). Insurance is surprisingly cheap, and it is very easy to service.

 

My biggest beef as a DD is lack of space for family and lack of storage space for shopping. Oh..yeah..also rough ride for NY/NJ streets.

 

I have 2007 E350 4matic. I traded in the a 2001 CLK 430. I wanted something with more room, and a more useful in the winter. But I do miss my V8. I only have about a 10 mile drive to work, so milage is not an issue. I am thinking about a 2011 Infiniti M, Lexus GS , or BMW. But I will have to choose between the V8 and the AWD in most brands. Not that the AWD is all that important, but changing to snow tires is a pain.

 

No I didn't. You're reaching. I said I don't drive a prius for any ideological "Save the world" reasons. I drive it solely for the reason that it gets good gas mileage since I put over 20,000 miles per year on it. I drive my 911 for fun, not to work so it can sit in a parking lot all day.

I fully believe the "Life is too short" concept. That's why there is a porsche in my garage. I don't give a crap what strangers think. But as a business owner in a small comunity, I do give a crap what my customers think and, to a lesser degree, what my employees think, especially in the current economy.

 

Axxlrod, I know what you are saying about perception from customers, I drive my Porsche to work most days, however I park it on the across the street on the road, instead of it in our private lot.

 

yrralis1..this post is just what the doctor ordered for me as I ponder over my DD.

Mine: 911C4S. Hers: MINI S cabrio. Costco/Walmart trips:Toyota Sienna.
My 9 and 11 yr old love the snug fit of both our cars back seats and family trips to Seattle in the winter is in the 911 and summer in the topless MINI (absolute blast). Now for my daily driver: My round trip commute: 6.3 miles. Not concerned about door dings, vandalism etc as the doctors parking lot is limited access area and I'm getting the entire car clearbra'd this week @ Metropolitan just for that curvy rear concern on the C4s that U raised. However parking lot is not covered and is a magnet for dust. Eastern Washington can get really hot in the summer time with temps in the 100's quite consistently. Although I completely agree with Stevepow's post and that is the very main reason I switched over from my prior DD, the MB E350 4matic to a 911, I still cannot imagine using the car for a less than 5 minute commute (each way) only to then expose the interior to the elements all day long in the summer (I do not have tinted windows). After reading a few posts here about all the gunk accumulation in the oil attributed to short (less than 20 minute) trips in freezing temps, I now have something else to worry about on the 911 in the winter time.

So spring/fall 911 will be the DD, peak of Summer/Winter it will be the Sienna. Gosh in the Sienna it feels like the driver's seat is in eastern standard time and the rear end is in PST. The other day was a very tough day at work (several complex procedures on 85 + age patients which pose a unique challenge). At the end of the day my butt hit the natural grey leather, my sides cocooned in the adaptive seats and then when I turned on the ignition, all the ordeal that I endured earlier in the day was well rewarded. Now I can't imagine that I would feel the same in the Sienna. But I really cannot justify another car in the household (like a used BMW 3 series or a Mazda Speed 3)...or can I ??

 

My old DD was my GX470. I recently traded it in the new Lexus 250h hybrid sedan. I have to say I love it. It is big enough for my dogs to ride in, gets gas mileage at 35 MPG on REGULAR gas and I think it looks good. I can drive it anywhere, not worrying about parking. The power is alot less than the 911, but it is very nimble on the highway. I do drive the 911 about 250 miles a week, sometimes to work and on the weekends. When it gets, warmer, I'll split the driving between the 2 cars. I am hoping Lexus will bring its' new premium hybrid hatch to the US next year and I'll trade the sedan on that. It supposedly drives like a regular sports car. Anyway, I am happy with my recent purchase, although it was recalled for a brake software upgrade, the money I am saving per tank is about 1/4 of what I was paying for the truck.

 

Customer OK but employees. Judging from my own experience employees are going to think what they want anyway. I stopped caring a long time ago.

 

I have two criteria:

1. I want it, and
2. I can rationalize it.

My rationalizations include fun, relief from the occasional bad day at work (days that end in "y"), cost per mile is affordable for me, can be driven all year in our climate, and things like that. Current DD is my 2007 997S purchased new now has 52k miles and is in its third winter.

 

Here are my criteria:
* 4 seats ('cause of kids)
* Fun to drive

I wish my criteria were just simply:
* practical (i.e. inexpensive, safe & eco-friendly)

Maybe I'll grow up one day

 

I switch off between the C4S and the C63.

Based on your criteria:
1) Easy to park - No
2) Space (if needed) - Yes
3) Some level of performance - Must
4) Safety --decent crash test data --if possible - Yes
5) Comfortable - Yes
6) Reliable - Yes
7) Reasonable to insure - Yes
6) Decent resale potential - Dont care
7) Electronics - Bluetooth, Sirius/XM, NAV

 

My DD is a 2005 C230 Sport kompressor. Here is why I love it:

* Last of Mercedes supercharged 4 bangers. Has more torque than their base 6cyl.
* Gets 32mpg on the highway but put your foot in it and it scoots...
* Sport suspension and brakes
* Sport looks
* Automatic
* 4 doors
* Nav and other luxury items
* Maintenance interval is long (though expensive)

 

MY DD is a 2007 Mazdaspeed 3; quite the little rocket if you don't mind a bit of torque steer.

1) Easy to park - Yes
2) Space (if needed) - Yes; the hatch with seats down holds plenty
3) Some level of performance - Absolutely
4) Safety --decent crash test data --if possible - Yup
5) Comfortable - Yes; seats are very supportive
6) Reliable - TBD; so far so good.
7) Reasonable to insure - Kinda. Actually pay less for '09 C2S - go figure
8) decent resale potential - Probably not in this case. While price drops quick, its liable to stabilize since they are too many produced, or not that many on the road here in KY.

My owns personal add-on would be:
9) Not afraid to let it get dirty, or stay dirty for a little while. Especially, during winter.
10) Willing to park between other vehicles; not always an end spot or as my wife would say, "don't need a shuttle to get to the store entrance".
11) Willing to park it overnight at a hotel

I'm sure others have some of their own quirks, or perhaps its just me

 

My daily is a Mini Cooper. Its doesn't get any easier to park, affordable insurance/gas/ with a decent resale even with miles and its a fun car to drive just not very fast 0-60. The main thing I love about it is to just run out to the grocery store its so small you really can park it in pretty much any space and not worry about getting dinged.

As for the family hauler/wife's car we went with the Jag XF supercharged. Its got plenty of room for the 5 of us with every creature comfort for the occasional long haul. And with the 400+ hp I don't mind driving the family around

 

My dd is a 2010 2-wheel drive Toyota Tacoma single cab... roll up windows and all. 18k OTD. Love it!