Originally Posted by MadCityCyclist

I'm a Brompton man so I can't tell you about the Dahon brand specifically, but here's my two cents on your description and idea:

1) For a 1.5 mile commute from the free parking spot it would work great, assuming you don't have many hills. Keep in mind, however, that the bikes with smaller wheels fold up into a smaller space when compact, but they travel slower than a regular bike. Much slower. You could probably fit a folder with 20" wheels in your trunk and be able to get to work a little faster. I also find myself paying a lot of attention to the roads, because the 16 inch wheels can easily fall into a small rut or really bang up against the backside of a pothole, so the condition of the road you ride on should play a factor in your purchase decision.
2) Where will the bike be stored at work? A folder with 16 inch wheels should be able to fit under a desk, a 20 incher might or might not. Will the bike be folded and carried on an elevator? Also keep in mind that if you are planning to lock up the bike outside, most folding bikes have a-typical frames that don't always work that well with a single U lock.
3) The smaller folders often have proprietary bags that can carry the bike when folded. I use mine when entering a business that objects to me carrying in a folded bike just because they have a "no bikes indoors" policy. When it is in the bag, it just looks like a piece of luggage.
4) How much do you plan on using the bike elsewhere? For me, folding bikes became addictive. I first got one to put in the trunk of my car when traveling so I could ride at remote destinations. Now, I take my folding bike everywhere...literally...I never have to lock it up and it never gets scratched in a bike rack because I simply fold it up and carry it inside with me. If I go shopping I either put the folded bike in the shopping cart or use the bike itself as a shopping cart (it's a Brompton-specific feature). By the way, it's a total chick magnet. To do that you'll want one of the smaller folding bikes, the bikes with 20 inch wheels will be a little too big.
5) If the bike is only to be used for the 1.5 mile commute from free parking and there's no hills, you might want to consider a single speed. Less maintenance, less weight, less cost (generally speaking) and in some cases a smaller size when folded.