Daring, popular, cool -- about right! (8)
I believe the answer is:
intrepid
'daring' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'popular cool about right' is the wordplay.
'popular' becomes 'in'.
'cool about right' becomes 'trepid' (I've seen this in other clues).
'in'+'trepid'='INTREPID'
(Other definitions for intrepid that I've seen before include "Undaunted" , "Audacious" , "Fearless, adventurous" , "I printed this way, being daring" , "Novel" .)