Do You Really Need a Dedicated Daily Driver?

Season 1 Episode 4

Alright folks, Josh here, and this week on the DPV podcast it’s all about daily drivers(DDs) -Do you actually need a dedicated daily driver? Or can you just drive your project rig? Well let me tell you, I’ve had my share of experiences with DDs, some good, some…well, let’s just say they make for good stories.

Personally, I’m a firm believer in having a dedicated daily driver. Sure, it might seem like an extra expense, but think about it: better gas mileage (a must these days!), creature comforts(gotta have those heated seats!), and insurance isn’t too killer. Plus, it gives you the freedom to really tear into your project car without the stress of needing it to get to work on Monday.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Josh, you’ve driven some interesting project cars as dailies.” And you’d be right. My first car was a 1969 Chevy Impala that was completely ran into the ground but a blast to drive. Next was a Nissan 720 pick-up that the previous owner had laid on its side a few times. It had so many quirks and absolutely no power, but it got me into wheeling. And then the biggest project daily driver, Big Red, my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ.

The thing is, sometimes having your project car as your only car does light a fire under your butt. I remember those weekend thrash sessions getting the Grand Cherokee ready? “Gotta drive this pile to work on Monday!” was my mantra. It definitely pushes you to get stuff done.

But here’s the thing, life changes. Now, with kids and a wife, reliability is king. I can inconvenience myself, no problem. But stranding my family? Not an option. Plus, work’s a thing. I work nights, and the last thing I want is to call my wife at 3 AM because my square-body decided to take a nap on the side of the road. Not a good look, trust me.

So, what makes a good DD in my book? Well, a Crown Vic is always a solid choice according to Alex(I would have to agree although I’m not a Ford guy). But if you’re not into full-size land yachts, a four-cylinder with a manual is a classic for a reason. Great gas mileage, and they’re usually pretty reliable. Don’t even sleep on Kias! I had one, and parts were dirt cheap. And that thing was surprisingly easy to work on.

A few other things to consider: your commute. A short hop to work is different than a hundred-mile round trip. Comfort matters too, especially on long drives. And, of course, budget. We talked about the $2,000-$3,000 range for a good used DD, but sometimes that money might be better spent making your project car more reliable. It’s a balancing act.

Weather is a big one too. Where I live, we get all four seasons, including snow. The Spectra wasn’t the best in the white stuff. So, if you live in a snowy area, you might need something with four-wheel drive. And if you’ve got kids, think about space, safety, and ease of getting car seats in and out. Trust me, a two-door with a car seat is an absolute PITA!!!

We covered a lot of ground on the podcast, so check it out for the full discussion. And let us know what your DD situation is. Are you rocking a beater with a heater? Or do you have something a little more luxurious? Hit us up in the comments! And while you’re at it, like, share, and subscribe! We’ve got merch too – t-shirts and hats on the website, and you can email us for sweatshirts and stickers. Alright, that’s all from me. Wheel it, Wreck it, Wrench it Repeat!