A Classic as Daily Driver

E30 M3 or E34 M5

 

Both of those would work and I love BMW, well at least the older ones. Another option might be a classic mustang even if you have to add an aftermarket AC unit. Every time I see one in the DC area, I think I should drive one for a DD.

MB

 

Pick up an E34 Alpina if available? More unique than M5s, great build quality, old but modern enough.

 

Perhaps Alfa GTV? High cool factor

 

+1M!

 

You can probably adapt a good air conditioning unit to an old classic. Any old classic, pretty much. I love the alfa GTV's and I also love the BMW E9 Coupés. I currently drive a 635csi which is not exactly a classic, but it's got it's charm. I hope to "upgrade" to one of the aforementioned cars at some point. Perhaps a Lancia Fulvia, if I can find one for sale...

 

Hit up Junglistluder on Fchat here. He is really into the old but not too old BMW's...he can give you some valuable insight on the E30/E28/34 BMW's...
MB

 

Ferrari 456? Cheap V-12 4 Seats

 

Sorry guys, old cars are just that, old cars. They don't provide nearly the same level of reliability or creature comforts that we've come to expect in modern cars.

Prior to electronic ignitions you had to replace points every 3,000 miles. The oil change interval was the same, so if you drove the car 12,000 miles a year you were doing 4 tune ups a year. Carb maintenance wasn't as bad, but there were always things going wrong with these cars.

Never mind that the A/C and vent systems weren't nearly as well done in those days, not even close.

I'm not saying that you can't use an older car for a daily driver, but the amount of maintenance that you are going to have to put into it to keep it running is a lot more than what people expect today.

Nowadays, seals are better, things don't leak or wear out as often, rubber parts are much better, and cars in general are a lot better engineered. Air conditioning systems cool and heat far better, and don't break down nearly as frequently.

You will get better service out of a newer car and if you put a few bucks into things like tires and wheels, and probabl upgrade the shocks and springs or bars, you will have something that is faster, more reliable, just as much fun to drive, and a lot less expensive in the long run than any 25 or 30 year old car. Yes, it won't be as unique, but the PITA you get for the unique aspects of an old car just aren't worth it for a daily driver unless you do the maintenance yourself, and just enjoy wrenching on old cars (that got old for me a long time ago).

If you jack up the vin plate and go through it entirely, putting in new seals, interior, and all the parts needed to make it a reliable car, you will spend two or three times the amount that you would just buying something newer.

Older cars like you are talking about here are better kept as sunny day and weekend cars and not used as daily drivers. That way the amount of enjoyment versus the maintenance is in a better balance.

 

I still use a 1996 Porsche 993 Targa as my daily driver. It has 130,000 miles now - I had a valve job and clutch done at about 90,000.

The AC is fine for Dallas, so long as you do not park it outside all day in the sun.

 

I have a 1996 993 C4S. It's a wonderful mix of classic and modern.

There are very few things like it.

Matt

 

The end of a breed after 30<> years. My stepson has a 997, but I would not trade him for any amount of money.

 

My father had a 1996 993 Carrera 2 for a few years, and it was a spectacular car. A proper 911, maybe the last one (the 993 series)... The 993 Turbo is my Testarossa/Countach poster car. I still dream about it... What can I say, I'm young...

 

I now drive a '91 944 as my daily. It's somewhere in the classic/modern mix. Starts up reliably. The maintenance schedule is more than a Toyota, less than a carbed/distributor car. AC is good, will (I think) be better when I have it looked at this spring. And, well, since it's a cabrio, the A/C can be a little weak.

I'd say go for it. Nothing really bad can come of your classic car experiment.

But one word of advice: have a back-up plan. A 20+ year-old car may be reliable, but when it comes time for a fix, you may find yourself waiting a few days for parts.

 

The only thing I know that could fill your bill would be an excellent W116.

 

You should be trolling bringatrailer on a daily basis. lots of possibilities there.....

 

I agree with this gentleman.

I own a 2013 M3 but to be honest I liked my 2002 Tii or my first M3 better. The m3 was one of the first offered, 1990 give or take not sure of the year only 192 hp but great for a driver person.

As someone posted I would go for an older M3 or M5. I would not go to old but they are awesome cars to drive

Good luck

Lee

 

I have a e34 535i/5 as a daily driver right now and it works flawlessly. I drive 6-700 miles a week without a problem. Just find one that has been babied and it will run forever. Also consider a e32 735i/5.

 

Other than the 90s Porsches and for better AC, an old Benz would be my choice. I have soft spots for the W123 wagons, 90s 500E partially built by Porsche, and 80s 2.3-16 Cosworths.

 

Those are the facts.

 

If you leave them completely original, that is.

One can put a discrete Vintage Air kit in anything.

 

I like the older Bimmers and Benzs, but as a safety geek I wouldn't want an older car with no airbags and older crash technology as a daily driver. There's just too many 4000lb+ SUV's out there with distracted drivers. As much as I like an e30 or 964 Porsche, I wouldn't want to be t-boned by a Suburban in one.

 

I can speak from experience here, my daily driver is a 70 Ford Torino Cobra. If the Cobra is in the shop, my daily driver is an 85 Countach. If they are both in the shop, I stay home.

I don't own any other car besides these 2 cars.

I don't like the styling of modern cars much. They all look the same.

My suggestion would be to have a mechanic type guy swing by your house once or twice a month and just check up on your cars and do some maintenance. This can avoid problems before they start. And get AAA gold plan, 3 free tows a year. If it breaks down, just tow it home and have your guy come fix it. Expect a few breakdowns and dont worry about it when it happens. It's all part of the fun.

The AC can be added to any car, Leno has some AC system he is always talking about for old cars.

This old car lifestyle really has its drawbacks, but ya just gotta try not to worry about it. It's more fun than driving a honda, even tho the honda is way more reliable.