[jmg]

The lease on my daily driver i3 ends in April. I've LOVED owning this car, in fact, it's my 3rd one! It's a convenient hatchback, RWD, light, quick and it doesn't look like every other car out there. IMHO it's special.

Now I'm looking for something just as quirky, fun, and unique that won't break the bank, but still fits certain criteria as a daily driver:

Seats 4
Somewhat convenient
Less than $30k new or used
Reasonably reliable - I have other cars for when this car needs service, but at the same time, I don't want to be stranded everywhere I go

I'm looking for the OUT-OF-THE-BOX suggestions, so post up/show off your unique dd!

Some of my ideas so far:
C55 AMG
MKVI Golf R
VW CC
Cadillac CTS


EDIT:

Okay, my budget is now $40k and I've added these to the list:

VW MKVII GTI with Performance Pack
VW MKVII Golf R
Civic Type R
BMW G01 X3 M40i

Thoughts?

[Germanauto]

If you don't mind me asking, what's wrong with the M4 as a DD? If you work within OC it sounds perfect.

I'd imagine some sort of Golf GTI/R, Civic Si, WRX type vehicle would fit your budget.

[dgoldenz]

Ferrari FF is about the most unique "daily driver" out there, absolutely love this thing. I've been using it every day while my Macan is in the shop getting a driveshaft replacement. Thought about selling because the market is so hot but I just can't do it, the car is way too awesome.

4 seats, can actually fit adult humans in the back comfortably
V12 NA engine, sounds unbelievable with aftermarket exhaust, tons of power
Easy to get in and out of
Very comfortable, great seating position. Probably the most comfortable exotic there is.
Still one of the best looking "unique" cars ever made IMO
Did I mention the V12 engine? It has a V12 engine.

[W///]

^Pretty sure that's over $30k

OP, I'm kind of on the same boat, but I think with $30k new, there's just not too much that I'm interested out there. I thought about a used midsized truck as I find them super useful, but at the end of the day, I decided to hold off and spread daily duties between all my current cars.

I'll jump on an electric DD when the time comes.

P.S. Above your budget, but a base Kia EV6 with credits would be interesting IMHO. Kind of like a much bigger I3 to me.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

If you don't mind me asking, what's wrong with the M4 as a DD? If you work within OC it sounds perfect.

I'd imagine some sort of Golf GTI/R, Civic Si, WRX type vehicle would fit your budget.

Nothing wrong with it at all! However, I will be modifying it to be a track/weekend car and there are some places I would not drive it simply because it will be too low, the brakes will be too loud, or I simply don't want to worry about parking it.

GTI 6MT is looking pretty attractive.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by dgoldenz

Ferrari FF is about the most unique "daily driver" out there, absolutely love this thing. I've been using it every day while my Macan is in the shop getting a driveshaft replacement. Thought about selling because the market is so hot but I just can't do it, the car is way too awesome.

4 seats, can actually fit adult humans in the back comfortably
V12 NA engine, sounds unbelievable with aftermarket exhaust, tons of power
Easy to get in and out of
Very comfortable, great seating position. Probably the most comfortable exotic there is.
Still one of the best looking "unique" cars ever made IMO
Did I mention the V12 engine? It has a V12 engine.

Yes, actually a buddy of mine drives the absolute piss out of his FF as a daily driver! While it's $120k over my budget, this is the type of DD I can get behind!

[jmg]

Originally Posted by W///

^Pretty sure that's over $30k

OP, I'm kind of on the same boat, but I think with $30k new, there's just not too much that I'm interested out there. I thought about a used midsized truck as I find them super useful, but at the end of the day, I decided to hold off and spread daily duties between all my current cars.

I'll jump on an electric DD when the time comes.

P.S. Above your budget, but a base Kia EV6 with credits would be interesting IMHO. Kind of like a much bigger I3 to me.

It is a horrible time to buy any car, agreed, trying to spread DD duties to my other cars is actually a consideration, and I wouldn't mind taking my time to find the perfectly specced and priced used car and be down to 3 cars in the meantime.

I almost forgot about the FED credits, maybe I'll expand my search to new EVs. I honestly can't see the value proposition of any car other than what I have gotten with my past 3 discounted and subsidized i3's though!

[M3WC]

Ioniq 5 would be a good successor to your i3. 303 mile range, unique styling(Golf-like).

$36k with tax credit.

[dgoldenz]

Originally Posted by jmg

Yes, actually a buddy of mine drives the absolute piss out of his FF as a daily driver! While it's $120k over my budget, this is the type of DD I can get behind!

Your buddy sounds like a smart man. Value just keeps going up too, so it's like getting paid to drive it. Probably worth $40k more than I paid for it 7 months ago, which is absurd but I'm not complaining.

[dgoldenz]

The Wrangler 4xe is a pretty cool/unique daily driver that can be leased really cheap due to the $7500 tax credit and dealers offering cars for 5-6% under invoice price. Should work out to around $350-450/month with $0 drive off, cheaper than a payment on a $30k car and will hold value well because it's a Wrangler. Lots of info on the leasehackr forum about deals on these. I almost got one but went for the 392 instead.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by dgoldenz

The Wrangler 4xe is a pretty cool/unique daily driver that can be leased really cheap due to the $7500 tax credit and dealers offering cars for 5-6% under invoice price. Should work out to around $350-450/month with $0 drive off, cheaper than a payment on a $30k car and will hold value well because it's a Wrangler. Lots of info on the leasehackr forum about deals on these. I almost got one but went for the 392 instead.

This is actually right up my alley. Totally out of the box and unique. I'd love driving these with the doors and roof off to the grocery store!

On that note, I work from home, so my DD is simply doing errands and going to the gym/lunch/dinner etc. So maybe my practicality isn't such an important criteria. It just needs to fit 4 people.

[Run Silent]

For your budget of $30,000 or less - you cannot go wrong with my daily driver. I drive a 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Veloce Sport Q4 with a JB4 tune. Roughly 315hp and I've clocked a 4.8 sec 0-60 on draggy more than once. Looks fantastic too. I bought mine last year with 38k miles on it for about $27K.

[happyjack]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

For your budget of $30,000 or less - you cannot go wrong with my daily driver. I drive a 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Veloce Sport Q4 with a JB4 tune. Roughly 315hp and I've clocked a 4.8 sec 0-60 on draggy more than once. Looks fantastic too. I bought mine last year with 38k miles on it for about $27K.

these thing are great to look at. how's reliability and maintenance been? how many miles have you clocked?

[Sedoy]

You need a roof box on that b.tch ASAP...

Originally Posted by dgoldenz

Ferrari FF is about the most unique "daily driver" out there, absolutely love this thing. I've been using it every day while my Macan is in the shop getting a driveshaft replacement. Thought about selling because the market is so hot but I just can't do it, the car is way too awesome.

4 seats, can actually fit adult humans in the back comfortably
V12 NA engine, sounds unbelievable with aftermarket exhaust, tons of power
Easy to get in and out of
Very comfortable, great seating position. Probably the most comfortable exotic there is.
Still one of the best looking "unique" cars ever made IMO
Did I mention the V12 engine? It has a V12 engine.

[Humdizzle]

under 30k i'd be looking at a new 86 (if you can find one) or a civic si. if you want an auto then the golf r is very nice and offers a dct. veloster N has a DCT too but ehh that interior is a little too plasticky. For EVs there is the e-golf and mini cooper se.

i've been thinking of moving from my civic to a 2017 e-golf

my old weekend and DD combo lol it got to be a little too harsh. the 86's nvh was just too high for daily highway use.

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by happyjack

these thing are great to look at. how's reliability and maintenance been? how many miles have you clocked?

I've got just shy of 50k miles on it now.

It's been a perfect driver with no issues. It's my favorite car to drive and I take it way more often than the 4C or the i8.

I would 100% recommend it to anyone. The 2017 models were a little finicky, but apparently 2018 and up are solid.

Def get the sport pack though - I've had a base model as a loaner before and it's no where near as nice.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

under 30k i'd be looking at a new 86 (if you can find one) or a civic si. if you want an auto then the golf r is very nice and offers a dct. veloster N has a DCT too but ehh that interior is a little too plasticky. For EVs there is the e-golf and mini cooper se.

i've been thinking of moving from my civic to a 2017 e-golf

my old weekend and DD combo lol it got to be a little too harsh. the 86's nvh was just too high for daily highway use.

e-Golf added to my list. I didn't mention it but I already have a 2011 Civic (non-SI) as a beater. It's fine as a beater, but I'd like something a little more interesting as a daily.

[AlexFL]

is this the ultimate flex thread? Mazda on Monday, Bimmer on Wednesday, Lambo on Friday, 918 Weissach on Sunday. Tuesday and Thursday are for tennis, golf and infinity pool. Saturday family day.

[dgoldenz]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

is this the ultimate flex thread? Mazda on Monday, Bimmer on Wednesday, Lambo on Friday, 918 Weissach on Sunday. Tuesday and Thursday are for tennis, golf and infinity pool. Saturday family day.

My 918 is in the shop sorry. FF 7 days a week.

[RugbyBro]

For under 30k you really can’t go wrong with the tried and true Mazda3. Looks great, drives great, great gas mileage, tons of cargo space (hatch back), easy on the wallet, and has my absolute favorite red metallic paint of any car I’ve ever seen (the sight of soul crystal red beeming under the CA sun at Sonoma last year is etched into my brain)

[Darth One]

If you want a quirky unique people-hauling DD in that price range, may i recommend a slammed and body-kitted Honda Odyssey?

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by jmg

I'm looking for the OUT-OF-THE-BOX suggestions, so post up/show off your unique dd!

Some of my ideas so far:
C55 AMG
MKVI Golf R
VW CC
Cadillac CTS

Nice list, although not really "out-of-the-box." The C55 is probably the most out-of-the-box purely because they sold them in small numbers, but to most people will just be another C-Class.

I agree with the post above of the Ioniq5, a great choice and unique styling that is cool and quirky, albeit likely a bit above budget. If you want a successor to your i3, a Mazda MX-30 EV will be very similar (same rear hinged style doors, recycle themed interior, low range, etc.). If you want a truck maybe a Hyundai Santa Cruz? Certainly very quirky.