Am I crazy? Honest feedback wanted

[williamset]

How does the 5BW do as a daily driver? Nearly all the 2-3 year old 5BWs have very low miles. This makes me think they aren't as livable as I'm hoping.

Background....

I have a 2023 Volvo V60 Polestar wagon. It's got 455 HP and Ohlin coilovers....all from the factory. It's a very special car that was made in low numbers and I really do love it. However, it is a plug in hybrid with an automatic transmission. I also have a new Bronco 4dr soft top and a manual transmission. Bronco has been fun on the weekends but isn't a good daily. I drive 12-14k miles per year.

I have been salivating over a 5BW. I am considering replacing the Volvo with a 5BW manual trans. I'd drive the 5BW most of the year and save Bronco for winter (might need to get hard top...).

Is this a bad idea?

 

[Dreezy]

I've been driving my 6 speed as a daily for 2 years. 19k miles on it. Includes a 3k mile road trip to LV for the F1 GP. Best daily I've ever had.

Take my kid to school in it. Drive it to the office. Drive it to get groceries. Pick up clients for lunch. Take it to the golf course. Take it out at nights and put the hurting on the hellcats. Take it to the cars and coffee. You name it. I have a dedicated set of winter tires, has done surprisingly well.

Just phenomenal all around.

 

[USMC1911]

IMO it would totally depend on the daily driving I do. I travel I5 every day with a ton of stop and go traffic. The manual for me would make that a deal killer. What makes the Bronco not a good daily?

 

[ZoomieZoom55]

yes, you are crazy; trust me im a doctor.

 

[Champale]

It's flipping incredible in every scenario from commuting in traffic to longer freeway trips. Then its really fun on backroads, too, in ways that you can't really comprehend until you get comfortable and start pushing it.

 

[williamset]

IMO it would totally depend on the daily driving I do. I travel I5 every day with a ton of stop and go traffic. The manual for me would make that a deal killer. What makes the Bronco not a good daily?

Bronco is a soft top on 35" tires. It's loud and rides rough. It's awesome for cruising around town with the top down in nice weather and incredible offroad (obviously). High speed and long distance driving stinks.

The responses are making me want a 5BW even more!

 

[Likuid]

Mine only has 13k miles, but I don't drive it in the winter and I work from home, so don't need to put a lot of miles on it.

 

[CaddyTrack]

I'm at approx. 34k miles. I bought the car under the assumption I would be driving in a rotation of vehicles. I would (and still do) look in the box of keys, and ponder momentarily.....and almost always grab the Blue key. I.....fucking......love......this.....car. If I win the lottery I will buy 5 more and a house and garage to store them in, and maybe a 4bw.

 

[dizz81]

I DD'd my BW for a year. 150 miles a day 4 days a week. I was filling it up every other day.

I wouldn't have changed anything. I probably would have gotten another car to swap between them (out of necessity, not because I didn't want to drive the BW).

I just made up my mind I was going to be spending a lot on gas (living in SOCAL). So I was prepared for that.

I'd still have the car if it wasn't for a financial emergency.

I've been keeping my eye on the used market, I don't like the 2025's, IF the right one comes around (right options), I will most likely pick up another one.

 

[KatyTxCT5V]

I have 22 5BW and it has 1,761 miles. It turns 3yrs old soon. I love the car and it takes restraint from wanting to get silly with it and in trouble. Time and choices are my problem. I try to drive it “when I can.” I wouldn’t be afraid of low mileage cars, except if they were trouble cars that were traded. Try to get all the history you can and some good warranty just in case.

I work from home (no office commute) and travel allot, globally. I will not drive the 5BW or my Z06 to the airport. I drive my 22 GMC AT4 for that duty.

I also have a 16C7 Z06, which has low miles too (3,016). I love it and enjoy driving it as well.

So, that’s what I mean when I say “choices” for me with the little time I have available to drive anything. I love all my vehicles or I wouldn’t have them. Each satisfy in different ways when they are driven.

The 16C7 Z06 & 22 5BW have never seen rain for example and I refuse to drive if a chance of bad weather. I figure one day I will enjoy the LT4 twins when I retire in the future and they will be “like new” condition for me to enjoy for many miles to come.

 

[dribs15]

Almost 39k miles since 7/2/22.
Daily to work. Driving the ksnowballs. Locally. Dirty kids after baseball and soccer. Jersey shore, Philly, Poconos, Maryland. Nice dinners with the wife. Square set up with Vredesteins for the Winter and love driving in our occasional snowfalls. Flying around by myself on back roads (and main roads) whenever I can.

... did I miss anything?

 

[RDATLTE]

Almost 39k miles since 7/2/22.
Daily to work. Driving the ksnowballs. Locally. Dirty kids after baseball and soccer. Jersey shore, Philly, Poconos, Maryland. Nice dinners with the wife. Square set up with Vredesteins for the Winter and love driving in our occasional snowfalls. Flying around by myself on back roads (and main roads) whenever I can.

... did I miss anything?

Back seat review?

 

[jbawden]

It's not the most practical or even close to the "best" daily, but that isn't because of ride, NVH, or any other suffering it offers. IMHO its not a great daily because of the operational costs (brakes, tires, fuel, etc) and how the miles diminish the value of a somewhat special car. My '23 has 5k miles not because it sucks, but because I bought it as my forever car and wanted to extend the enjoyment for the rest of my what I presume to be at least an average length life...dang, I just started freaking out about how many years that might be...she's going DD status tomorrow!

 

[dribs15]

Back seat review?

Actually, I could give you a front seat one

 

[dribs15]

yes, you are crazy; trust me im a doctor.

Hey Doc... you think you could help me?

 

[CBH]

With the manual its still the best DD ever. I'll never understand how anyone complains about a clutch when driving in traffic. Its always superior to a slush box in all driving situations. Honestly, a stick is even better for traffic 'cuz you're always in the right gear (or could/should be) to shoot the gaps in traffic.

But it does drink the fuel in the city. Just be prepared for frequent gas stops and you're set for a great daily experience.

 

[hawk02]

OP, your location states Ohio. The 5BW as a daily driver will depend on what part of the state you live in. If it’s northeast Ohio, which receives a lot of lake-effect snow during the winter, I would shy away from the BW as a daily driver. Deep snow plus a 670 HP rear-wheel-drive car is not a good combination—even with winter tires.

On the other hand, if you live more centrally in the state like I do and only get about 30 inches of snow in the winter, the BW is more suited as a daily driver. You’re still going to need winter or all-season tires, though. From my experience, the PS4Ss are okay down to about 35 degrees.

 

[Roadhawk]

With the manual its still the best DD ever. I'll never understand how anyone complains about a clutch when driving in traffic. Its always superior to a slush box in all driving situations. Honestly, a stick is even better for traffic 'cuz you're always in the right gear (or could/should be) to shoot the gaps in traffic.

This is my feeling as well. Using the clutch I can always precisely control the car in any situation (without having to ride the brakes). I can creep along at the slowest of speeds....or launch when necessary. Using clutch and shifter always keeps me more engaged as a driver,,,,more aware....and this is a good thing.

 

[Finally-a-V]

So many great comments and opinions here that are dead on and I think most are very accurate.

The only thing I would add regarding low miles (mine's a 2022 with ~7500 miles) is I think many are like Corvettes. They don't go out much, people bought one as a fair well to the V8, weekend car, Vette alternative, etc. I wouldn't be too concerned pending research.

The other thing is, I'd like to buy one lower equipped with around 10-20K miles and that would be the DD. Something you could tear up and not care about stone chips and other idiots.

 

[pmsteinm]

I would argue the whole point of cars like this (and the M5, RS7, and former E63) is that you get top tier performance and luxury with every day usability. I daily drove my 09 manual V for 14 years and everything I've read indicates the 5BW is better in every way.