The daily drivers
 

This is for those of you who don't use your Boxsters every day. What is your other car(s)?

I've had my IS300 for almost 4 years and 60k miles. It's been a great car and seems to just get better with age.
Extremely fun and tossable, more reliable that I thought possible (my previous cars were two high-strung VWs), and is incredibly cheap to own. Nothing breaks or wears out on these things...

http://ericfilcoff.com/pictures/is300_36.jpg

I own a poorly treated yet rock solid indestructible honda civic '97 to complement the box.

However, I have been considering selling both cars and getting an '04 or '05 IS300...they seem really cheap to buy and very cheap to own

If you're considering one, I'll give you the downsides (if these even matter to you):

-Gas mileage - if you're nice, you can manage 22 city. Normal, fun driving nets about 18.
-If you have to deal with snow, you'll want dedicated snow tires.
-Don't get leather. Get the escaine package (synthetic suede). My seats still look brand new, and they don't stain or fade. The leather wears quickly.
-personal preference, sure, but the automatic suits the car better than the somewhat crappy manual.

'04-'05 are good years. If you want an LSD (you do), check in to the year availability. I know that it was not available on certain 05 models (manuals, I think).

Mazda CX7.
It's been great and I pack the miles on. It will be 2 years old in August (hell, next month already) and it's about to turn 75k miles.
It had one issue with a variable valve timing module that was replaced with an updated version under waranty, even though I was 5k over.
Very much fun to drive, especially for a crossover SUV. All my buds grab crap inside when I toss it into corner or go screaming onto an off-ramp with it! :cheers:
I guess they're used to that Nissan or Lexus luxo-crap. Mazda does indeed take their zoom-zoom and "Soul of a sportscar" stuff really seriously.
It could me more quiet, but thats a weight compromise. The Bose Surround stereo upgrade is worth the cost. It's great. So is the Grand Touring package that includes nice, long lasting leather.
The 2.3 turbo, while requiring high test, gets 24 mpg, unless you're playing, and is very versatile with the standard 6spd Aisin tiptronic.
All in all a very well designed and very versatile and comfortable vehicle that's also fun to drive.
Check them out if you're in the market.
Did I mention Mazda is a great customer? :D
Seriously, a nice car. :cool:

My Daily Driver is a 1999 Porsche Boxster! :D
It's fun to drive, gets about the same mileage an your average V8 american sedan, looks great, and has been more reliable than I expected. It also has incredible storage space, especially with a RTS. It is also winter capable, and has never let me down in the snow, or hauling my skis up a mountain.

(I know you asked about non Boxster DD's, but I couldn't resist because the Boxster is such a fantastic DD. Especially because Boxster's that are driven often are less likely to have problems.) :cheers:

I've been told that often, by knowledgable folks. I make a point to drive mine at least once and usually twice weekly.
It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it! :D

The company I work for provides me a vehicle so that is what I drive as a daily driver. 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4x4. I admit I abuse the thing. I drive it pretty hard and it has only been washed twice since I got in Jan of '05. I have put over 138,000 miles on it in a little over 3 years conducting inspections at my different districts. The company takes care of all routine maintenance and it has not required any unscheduled repairs. I think that is actually pretty good.

Company Car
2007 Eddie Bauer Explorer 4X4 with V8.

1990 Nissan pickup with 214k on the clock. Beat up and dirty, nobody fools with it either parked nor on the freeways.

1998 ranger stepside, 31" tires, lift kit purchased but not installed... 115k miles, runs awesome, 20mpg, and no one bothers it (leave it unlocked and windows down usually)

will be adding an 07 altima to the stable in 6 weeks :)

1997 Mercedes S500

147k miles and has never given any problems.

-22 city is bad. My box beats that and its an old tip. What do you get highway?

-I do deal with snow and I made a year in upstate NY with lousy all seasons on a civic. I may brave a VA winter with all seasons on a boxster...so I am fearless

-I probably won't be able to hunt down a faux suede interior, but I will be very mindful of its condition and protect it like hell

-I prefer sticking with autos....and I am not worried about an LSD. I normally drive like a grandma. (I once got 29 MPG highway on an 01 tip-box)

Weather is my controller over which car I drive. I have a 2008 Mazda3-5 which is quite peppy. I think the Boxster gets driven more. 4-6 times a week during summer and 1-2 times a week during winter. It is bad to let them sit!
Chris

Highway mileage is about 26-27 going around 72mph. Not terrible. I manage about 31 in the Boxster at 75mph (manual).

Good luck with all-seasons on the IS. It's surprisingly incompetent in the snow with the wrong tires. Mine came with a decent set of A/S tires (Conti premiere contact), and at full tread depth, I got stuck in 2" of snow. Put on some Blizzaks and it is unstoppable, even in the 13" we had a couple of years ago.
The LSD does have benefits aside from handling - snow traction is one such benefit. Keep that in mind. The flip side is that with both rear wheels getting power, it tends to be tail happy if provoked, wet or dry. Very easily controlled oversteer is fun though.

The escaine is more common than you might think, so it may be somewhat easy to find one.

Good luck! If you haven't already, check out my.is for more information. There are some helpful people over there.

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Now a question for the Boxster DDs- I have no problem driving it every day (I usually get it out 3 -4 times a week anyway), but what do you do about parking? This is my first convertible, and I've heard both to leave the top down and to leave the top up... what do you all recommend?

I wouldn't really call it a daily driver, but I have a 1993 Jeep Grand Wagoneer that I drive exclusively in the winter and when I need to haul something. I bought it right after I bought the Box and didn't want to park it on the street in Washington DC. It's as ugly as it was cheap ($1200 on Craigslist) and uses more gas than my boat, but as a faithful beater it's pretty solid.

I'm looking at Subaru WRX or STI to replace it when it finally dies, but until then I'm driving around in a wooden jeep :barf:

http://devansky.com/eric/cars/jeep/PA200086.JPG

I have a 97 Lexus ES300. Bulletproof.

Samson, even with a red clip I always put the top up. Unless, I can see the car from wherever I am going. I feel the safest with the hardtop on, but I enjoy topless summer driving to much. :cheers:

Hang on to it for another three or four years and you won't be saying this.

My DD is a 95 Lexus LS400 with 132k on it and the climate control unit went out on it this afternoon. $1200 at the dealer ($200 if I put in a salvaged one myself this weekend).

Lexus cars tend to have front control arm issues after 90k.

I'd really like to trade the old beast for an 07 BMW 335i, but the market hammered me this year.

My daily driver is (or was) an '03 Ford Excursion. I've calculated 8 MPG city and a tank costs me only $190. My last daily driver was a red Jaguar XK coupe with all the XKR options (wheels, etc). The box is more to my liking.

Here's a clone of my last daily driver (XK)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/85000/...red_jag300.jpg

97' Honda Elite......85-90mpg,nuff said.

http://bike4u2.com/2002%20HONDA%20ELITE%2080.jpg

I've put soo many damn miles on it the past two weeks,the more I put on it,the better it seems to run. Only issue I've had with it was the exhaust rattling itself to death. $180 later I'm back to tearing up the road.

$5/week to get to work,gym & school,insurance is $140/year. What else could I ask for?

IMO you should really make your box your DD...8mpg is unacceptable

That's one of the good things about the IS- I wouldn't call it a "real" Lexus. It doesn't have much luxury, so there isn't much to break. If my climate control unit breaks, a new (used) one is about $40. It's not quite as nice as the one in an LS, to say the least.
It has 103k total on it right now, and if a control arm busing or something has an issue, that's fine. It'll be the first mechanical failure that the car will have. The only items that have been replaced are wear-related: the timing belt and the brake pads.

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So, one vote to leave the top up. That's what I'm leaning towards... any others?

A 2003 Jeep Liberty. It has been extremely problem free with no costs other than maintenance.

http://homepage.mac.com/doug_schweig...a/PB020018.jpg

http://transit.toronto.on.ca/bus/rou...o-06-22-03.jpg

That's what I take to/back from work. My box is almost daily driven(probably 3-4 days a week). I just run my errands another day if weather is bad. :)

Your Lexus is nealry 14 yrs old. I don't think replaceing the CC is out of line considering.

A 1993 Ford Ranger with 125K. The last 8 years only replaced battery, fan belt, and two rear tires. I never worry where I park.

04 G35 Coupe 6MT 44k miles on it now.

Old pic before the drop & 06 headlight swap:
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...T-1/9421-1.jpg

Also drive my Jeep in the winter & at the drag strip:

Here is a vid of a burnout :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0Iq3MrewQs

10 year old Jeep Grand Cherokee...and the picture tells why. I work mainly from my home, so the truck still doesn't have many miles on it. Notice the two Porsches in the garage under their covers.

Smart move. Horses for courses.

2000 Toyota 4runner limited 205,000 miles
2002 Toyota Sequoia limited 165,000 miles

No problems ever! You can't kill a Toyota (unless your wife never changes the oil- 1996 4runner limited RIP)

My daily driver is my '08 Boxster. I use it for work so I get to write off about half of my mileage on it. Can't beat that!

If you can put or have an office in your home, you can write off everymile except pleasure use, unless you can justify that also, like meet someone while you're using the car or even call someone work related while you're driving. Just keep records. I keep a log book in my DD and my box.

I wonder if every time I drive my car I check my e-mail on my blackberry if I could write it off as mileage? I doubt the IRS would go for it.

1996 Acura TL 2.5
 

5-Cylinders baby!
http://www.986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11839

Boring as can be but carefree to drive... It's loaded and everything works (driver's window is slow though),
and the original A/C is arctic -which is very important in Texas!

http://www.kryzak.com/storage/986-tl2.jpg

I have the six cylinder version of that car. It was a great car.

During the school year, I drive my two youngest kids to school in the morning, so no boxster (have to admit, I have squeezed them in the front seat a few times).
So I drive a 2004, Jaguar XJR with a smaller pully on the supercharger. Go it up to about 430 horsepower. A wonderful car and so far, no problems.

During the summer, I let the Jag rest and use my 2000 Boxster as my DD.

Two completely different types of cars and loving both of them.

Eric :

[QUOTE=Jeph]5-Cylinders baby!
http://www.986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11839

Boring as can be but carefree to drive... It's loaded and everything works (driver's window is slow though),
and the original A/C is arctic -which is very important in Texas!

I had an '01 3.2 CL Type S. What a fine automobile! One of my all time favorites.
Mazda North America never cared what I drove, but in '04 I started doing business with Mazda-Japan. We had a meeting in March and I was asked, very pointedly, in the meeting - "So, Kurt-san, how is your ACURA running?"
I got the point..........in less than a week I was a proud RX8 owner!! :D :D
No problem, everyone at Mazda is wonderful to do business with.

I have a 03 BMW X5 for the bad weather day duties when my wife is out of town, she travels 3 months out of the year.

The other 9 months of the year I drive the 99 Boxster or my MGB.
Before the BMW the Boxster was my daily car and the MGB was my Sunday car, and most of the year thats how it works out.

Love the B!!!!!!!! I had a 67 red B with wire wheels back in 69. Great little car, terrible electronics and radio though. Top took 20 minutes to put on.

Good stuff.

Daily driver
 

I use a 2008 Prius for commuting to work, etc. Occasionally use a 2001 Lexus IS300. I bought it new, but now my fiance is using it. Though recently she has driven the Prius a couple of times and seems to like (more than the IS300). The Prius does have a more comfortable ride than the IS300.