GT350R as daily driver

[chitlins37]

I bought a Focus ST to be my DD. Too many miles in my commute. As much fun as the R is to drive it is an awful ride on sucky N. VA roadways (my opinion). Once I get it back from paint protection will drive it every now and then, track it a bit eventually. No rush bc I plan on keeping it forever...long live the VooDoo!

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[tdzee]

I have a biased perspective on the good OP question. Looks like he has decided to go for it, so good for him. I hope his deal works out. Finding Rs is hard. :cheers:

I have the luxury of owning several cars, so my decision tends to be purpose based. If the OPs context was whether an R model is a good DD when you do not have other vehicles, my answer would be no. As much as I love my R, I would not want to use it for DD for the various reasons already cited. If it is a second car, then my answer would be yes, do it (if you got elec pkg, which I did not). However, I must assume the context of his question was one car (cuz you don't DD a second car). I bought a base R for track use only, so i don't care about the street concerns.

I hope you get it home safely soon and post a bunch of photos for us. :ford:

 

[Kurac]

I wouldn't DD an R. A HC or ZL1 would be a much more comfortable ride, IMHO. There are days I drive home from work and just need to relax in comfort and zone out. An R is not about zoning out, but demands full attention. Just my opinion, of course, and I drive an hour commute each way.

 

[cking]

The car is no fun over rutted uneven patched roads, now cruising down nice multi lane highway in 6th cruise control on its fine, but it's not a car you lay your arm on door and put two fingers on the wheel.

 

[AutoX R]

Comfort wise I like the R as a daily driver. I daily an Evo X MR and R's suspension is much more compliant than the stock Bilsteins on the Evo. That together with the electronic package makes the R seem like a luxury car in comparison.

I do have reservations about parking it in random parking lots unattended, and it would be a lousy winter car. Depending on your commute and your area I think you could easily drive it every day, but I would worry about it too much.

 

[machsmith]

I feel the same. The R on normal mode feels good. Not too bouncy or stiff. As far as tramming... It's not bad at all. If roads are decent you can have 1 hand with coffee cup and one hand in wheel. It's the roads that are all tore up that are throwing the car all over.

 

[oldmachguy]

HR606 - as a DD

Well, FWIW, I've put the first 50 miles on HR606, which I intend to DD. I was a little worried about just how well suited it would be for a DD. But, it's apparently all a matter of point of view.

155,000 miles on a dropped, very stiffly sprung '04 Mach 1 makes the R feel like a Cadillac. No kidding. What a joy. And it handles better than the Mach.

Life's good.

 

[Etchhead]

Well, FWIW, I've put the first 50 miles on HR606, which I intend to DD. I was a little worried about just how well suited it would be for a DD. But, it's apparently all a matter of point of view.

155,000 miles on a dropped, very stiffly sprung '04 Mach 1 makes the R feel like a Cadillac. No kidding. What a joy. And it handles better than the Mach.

Life's good.

Agree, this car is soooo much better than my P Turbos. The ride, smooth power, amenities, sound, and even the front ground clearance! I will at some point install the rear seat kit for kids, but what a car!!!

 

[stanglife]

I feel the same. The R on normal mode feels good. Not too bouncy or stiff. As far as tramming... It's not bad at all. If roads are decent you can have 1 hand with coffee cup and one hand in wheel. It's the roads that are all tore up that are throwing the car all over.

Drove mine to work twice this week....maybe again tomorrow... Just over 4k miles. I swapped the tires to PS4S last month, mainly to be able to sell the SC2s for a reasonable price before I destroyed them just driving around town.

Point is, anyone considering DDing the R, will probably put a more reasonable tire on it - and the tramlining disappears except for the most extreme ruts, which even a camry will follow, to some degree.

Been a joy to drive.

 

[stanglife]

The car is no fun over rutted uneven patched roads, now cruising down nice multi lane highway in 6th cruise control on its fine, but it's not a car you lay your arm on door and put two fingers on the wheel.

Someone that drives like that shouldn't be driving a sportscar, anyway, IMO.

 

[Etchhead]

Drove mine to work twice this week....maybe again tomorrow... Just over 4k miles. I swapped the tires to PS4S last month, mainly to be able to sell the SC2s for a reasonable price before I destroyed them just driving around town.

Point is, anyone considering DDing the R, will probably put a more reasonable tire on it - and the tramlining disappears except for the most extreme ruts, which even a camry will follow, to some degree.

Been a joy to drive.

Yah tramlining on rutted roads is exciting and hope my new MP4S (305/325) help in street duty. Getting them installed tomorrow on N4S wheels but won't mount in car for a few weeks.

 

[oldmachguy]

Yah tramlining on rutted roads is exciting and hope my new MP4S (305/325) help in street duty. Getting them installed tomorrow on N4S wheels but won't mount in car for a few weeks.

I've got the identical setup stacked in the garage ready to go on. But . . . not yet.

 

[cobra4ever]

I DD a Focus ST - I don't sacrifice too much fun on my daily commute and hopefully lower the probability of something bad happening to the R

 

[MrCincinnati]

I don't DD mine because we share a commute, but when I drive in solo on occassion I love taking the R.

That said - I don't have the front splitter on - and won't be putting it on unless I'm at the track - other than aesthetics it's kinda pointless at *cough* legal *cough* street speeds.

 

[Zitrosounds]

Drove mine to work twice this week....maybe again tomorrow... Just over 4k miles. I swapped the tires to PS4S last month, mainly to be able to sell the SC2s for a reasonable price before I destroyed them just driving around town.

Point is, anyone considering DDing the R, will probably put a more reasonable tire on it - and the tramlining disappears except for the most extreme ruts, which even a camry will follow, to some degree.

Been a joy to drive.

Let me know when you decide to sell the SC2's.

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