Daily driver?

I'm currently looking to purchase my first speedster. I've never driven one before and was hoping to get some feedback from those of you who have what I can expect in terms of handling and reliability and which company offers the best of both. Also do you think this could be a daily driver if I'm only driving to and from work?

Ian:

use the "Search" function at the bottom of the main "Forum" page - there's been countless pages written on all that you ask.

As far as one of these cars as a daily driver?? They are definitely NOT as daily-driverable as, say, a Mazda Miata and I would only consider it if you live in Southern California or a like-climate, and then you'll need that very rare Speedster accessory, Air Conditioning. Heat in these cars is often an iffy proposition, with a few exceptions.

Good luck!

gn

Ian, I live in the north-east and my speedster is a daily driver...as long as the day is above 60 degrees , dry roads ,and not a hint of rain for the next 24 hours. I've driven it with the top up only once , and hope to never do it again. If we get 50 or so days like that a year we're lucky. It's a daily driver on those days anyway.
Gordon is right, a Miata is a daily driver,but in my opinion, not as much fun...Go drive one. They are definately not a fit for everyone. Good luck! Al

Great cars but definitely not daily drivers if you live in a rainy place. Like some others have said, if you live in dry areas it's a perfect car but you'll need A/C.

Hey Ian. I had the same questions as you when I first considered buying a speedster. It's been almost three years now and my speedster has served as my daily driver everyday since then. I live in Miami, FL so cold weather is not a concern. I am forced to drive my car in the rain and it is not ideal. But the sunny days more than make up for it. As far as reliability, like Gordon said, it depends on the comparison. Theses cars are reliable but will require tinkering. That was something I knew I would enjoy so I took the plunge. And I don't regret it for one minute! Be sure to do a lot of reading and searching on this site. There is a tremendous amount of knowledge amongst the members.

Ian, where are you? There will be a Speedster Owner not too far away to whet your appetite.

San Jose, Ca

Go to Morro Bay this weekend. Every kind of replica speedy will be there. I think that in San Jose a speedster replica could be a daily driver/ commuter car. A lot depends on your temperament and expectations. I know people that ride bicycles to work in Florida heat, humidity, thunder storms etc. I think they are crazy, but they seem to like it. Come to Morro Bay, I will give you a ride and let you drive my car. See Morro Bay info under Events.

IAN
BRING A CHECK AND U CAN DRIVE MINE HOME

Ian, Gerd's car is awesome. Do yourself a favor and look at it in Morro Bay before you make any decisions. I don't think Gerd spared many options on his JPS build.

Gerd's car is a sexy beast.

By the way Ian, when you talk to Gerd, his name is pronounced "Jared"... I really embarassed myself last year by pronouncing his name phonetically... Apparently GERD when prounounced phonetically is doctor short hand for "Gastroentestinal Erosive Reflux Diseae" or something like that... Just thought I'd save you the embarassment!

angela (doh!)

It's Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease - not much fun (unlike Gerd, I hear).

MY EXWIFE SAID I GAVE HER GERD.
ANGELA U GOING THIS YEAR?

Gerd this GERD.. See you tomorrow..

Speedster "D"

P.S. I do not think Angela is coming out this year...

Not going.... I'll miss all ya all. But I am going to autocross my 911. The tech guys at the auto cross gave the big fat hairy NO - IN FACT HELL NO to me autocrossing the spyder...

angela

What didn't they like about the Spyder, Angela?

Angela, I thought the reason you weren't going is that you had some horsey event with your kids? So now the truth come out, you're going to play with your internal combustion horseys....

At least I have a real excuse, one cat that had a stroke and the other cat's kidneys are failing. Not much fun around here

Angela -

Those tech inspection guys took one look underneath the hood of that Spyder and realized that you could easily open a can of "Whup-Ass" on anyone else on the course. They were too afraid of gettting their asses handed to them by some red-headed female driver!!! That's why the Spyder didn't pass tech.

Missed ya at Morro Bay!

Ian,
I am in San Jose. Email me.
-=theron