Which of these would you enjoy driving more as a daily?

[300bhp/ton]

BMW e46 323/325i manual

EDIT: Typo, should have said e46, not 36!

Toyota MR2 MK2 GT 2.0 n/a


MINI Cooper S R53




They can all be had for a similar budget, the BMW the cheapest and the MINI the most expensive, but similar ball park price.


They all claim to do similar mpg and have similar'ish performance.


Overall, which do you think would be the most fun to drive daily, offer the most hassle free motoring and the lowest total running costs.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Tuesday 6th October 12:53

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Tuesday 6th October 14:04

[HustleRussell]

300bhp/ton said:

BMW e36 323/352i manual

Definitely 5.2 litre E36.

300bhp/ton said:

Overall, which do you think would be the most fun to drive daily, offer the most hassle free motoring and the lowest total running costs.

Is this one question or three?

[SHutchinson]

There's another option. Have you considered the 1976 Chevrolet Caprice? Specifically, the coupe, because it's a bit sportier looking.

[krisdelta]

Mini cooper S, assuming engine in good health - reliable, brisk rollerskate. Would be my choice for reliable daily motoring.

[smithyithy]

Mini

[Carfield]

Surely a Fox body Mustang would be better than any of those?

[castex]

Definitely the BMW. That straight six.

[RB Will]

My vote goes MINI. Much easier and more fun to throw around than the other 2 and has a decent interior, supercharger also makes a nice noise and easier to get a bit of power from if you want.
Also have many more to choose from and they wont be rusty yet like the other 2.

No too hard to get over 40mpg from it on a run, generally about 27mpg on a spirited drive.
Parts are not the cheapest though so try to find one that doesnt need brakes, gearbox or exhaust doing.

[SirSquidalot]

Mini's are a hoot! That would be my choice.

[kambites]

Probably the BMW, although I'd have a mk3 MR2 over any of them which is probably also similar money.

[Leins]

The Mini for me (biased). But they do like a drink

[0llie]

Biased, but R53. Love mine, it's not going anywhere. Although don't think they're cheap to run/maintain, they aren't!

I did have an E36 323i for a bit, but I didn't fall in love with it. Lovely engine, but really needed more power, and wasn't huge fun to drive as standard.

Edited by 0llie on Tuesday 6th October 13:11

[Dannbodge]

E36 but would need LSD and suspension overhaul

[SonicShadow]

I'll take an MR2 Turbo for similar money to a decent R53 Mini.

[HustleRussell]

How about not being a sheep and buying something at least 25 years old with a gigantic thirsty underpowered engine?

[Triumph Man]

325i saloon for me please!

[300bhp/ton]

HustleRussell said:

How about not being a sheep and buying something at least 25 years old with a gigantic thirsty underpowered engine?

Sounds great. But I need something that I can afford to do 15,000 miles commuting in a year, while also doing the best part of 10,000 miles a year social driving, usually in one of my three V8 powered cars or my turbocharged Impreza.

If you are willing to help out with a bit of petrol money, then most definitely!

[rallycross]

SHutchinson said:

There's another option. Have you considered the 1976 Chevrolet Caprice? Specifically, the coupe, because it's a bit sportier looking.

What about a smart roadster ( the sporty version that keeps TVR's behind)!

[WinstonWolf]

300bhp/ton said:

BMW e36 323/325i manual


Toyota MR2 MK2 GT 2.0 n/a


MINI Cooper S R53




They can all be had for a similar budget, the BMW the cheapest and the MINI the most expensive, but similar ball park price.


They all claim to do similar mpg and have similar'ish performance.


Overall, which do you think would be the most fun to drive daily, offer the most hassle free motoring and the lowest total running costs.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Tuesday 6th October 12:53

Have you considered the Ford F-150?

[rohrl]

I'll take a mid-80s Buick Skylark please.