Question to those of you with a "daily" and a "toy"

[Howard-]

Am I alone in wanting a daily driver that's interesting/decent as an all round package - performance/comfort/toys/handling/etc instead of just bland and cheap to run, alongside a more "focussed"/special weekend fun car?

Just bought an ST220 to replace my Accord - the MX5 is a whole load more fun to drive obviously, and is still faster and infinitely sharper-handling, but I wanted something that could at least provide some enjoyment when I'm not in the '5 (And the V6 engine note... )!


What's everyone's thoughts/opinions on the subject of having more than one car?


Sorry, too many forward slashes there!

[Matt UK]

Ooh, deffo two cars for me - horses for courses.

I want my daily to be a big, quiet, comfy, auto barge. And I want my weekender to be small, noisy, light and manual.

[AREA]

Yes, you have to have more than one car. In fact as a rough rule of thumb always plan to have one more car than you currently have.

[RSGulp]

I'm with you.

Daily driver is a Mk5 Golf R32. Great for long, comfortable motorway cruising to get me to a meeting on time and feeling fresh, and transforms into masses of fun on the A roads on the way home after a long day with clients.

The weekend 'toy' is a Porsche 964 RS Lightweight. Completely in a league of it's own.

[Ladvr6]

It mainly a fuel issue for me and the miles I do. The harshness of my toy would probably wear thin pretty quickly on the daily commute.

[speedtwelve]

You're not alone. I've done the two car thing for years, and can't bring myself to drive a bland-o-matic daily car. In the past I've had a Golf VR6 & Mk1 Eunos Roadster S-Spec as my 'sensible' drive to work cars. Currently I've an Alfa 156 Veloce; the sensible part of my head kept saying that my 70 mile round trip commute which is 70% dual-carriageway only required some sheddy barge-tastic diesel-powered thing, but I just can't do it. I like having some performance on the DC section of the drive. There are a few roundabouts en route, and I like the 4 seconds of driver involvement each one provides if you have a half-decent handling car.

I did try the one-car-fits-all route last year, with a Honda S2000, but found it too much of a compromise, and not hardcore enough for the all round petrolhead experience that having a daily-driver and weekend nutmobile can provide. I sometimes think I'm a lightweight girl's blouse for only having a 4.0l V8 TVR as a fun car, instead of a Blackbird-engined Westfield or something

[bigdods]

AREA said:

In fact as a rough rule of thumb always plan to have one more car than you currently have.

I'm not allowed to buy any more. Apparently 3 cars are enough....

In answer to the OP - big luxo barge for weekday cruising. When I'm spending 4+ hours a day on business I want it as quiet as it can be, cruise, auto and plenty of toys. So I have an Omega 3.0 Elite. For sunny days when a hoon is required its the TVR. For those odd shopping trips into town the Golf V5 is a good compromise . Its reasonably pokey but can fit in a small parking space.

I wanted to add a lotus esprit but had nothing left to bargain with. TVR cost me a fitted kitchen and you can only have 1 of them.

[Road Pest]

AREA said:

Yes, you have to have more than one car. In fact as a rough rule of thumb always plan to have one more car than you currently have.

That is a timeless statement. Should be emblazened over the top of the classifieds.

[matc]

I thought you had to own at least two cars to be eligible for PH membership?!

[Sway]

bigdods said:

I wanted to add a lotus esprit but had nothing left to bargain with. TVR cost me a fitted kitchen and you can only have 1 of them.

New spa bathroom?

You can thank me by taking me out in the Lotus!

[Ry_B]

I would love two cars but it's just not feasible (2 car taxes, 2 MOT's, 2 insurances - I pay around £1600 as it is for just the one car etc etc etc) so instead I got a car that does the daily drive and entertains enough when requried to do so.

[Huff]

Matt UK said:

Ooh, deffo two cars for me - horses for courses.

I want my daily to be a big, quiet, comfy, auto barge. And I want my weekender to be small, noisy, light and manual.

MM-mm. I now have an E34 540 and a Fisher Fury R1.

Job done

[jmorgan]

Had to get another when I got fed up with the aural hammering for 3 hours, 15mpg and 3000 out of a set of rears.

Nice whilst it lasted but not the best option with mine.

[steve_r]

I did the sensible daily driver for a year or two.. a volvo s60. I realised it was taking a little piece of my soul each time i drove it.

Now have an e39 M5 daily and an M400 for the weekends.. bliss..

until one of them blows up

[steve_r]

I did the sensible daily driver for a year or two.. a volvo s60. I realised it was taking a little piece of my soul each time i drove it.

Now have an e39 M5 daily and an M400 for the weekends.. bliss..

until one of them blows up

[Gafferjim]

Since my *Financial Manager* and I divorced, I found that I could spend money on what I wanted, not curtains, carpets, shoes and silly stuff like that, so along with the daily driver I've accumulated: 3 other 4 wheel toys (2 are 4x4's) and 2 motorcycle toys. It becomes a bit of a shuffle when I want the one at the back of the garage! I'd probably have others if there was more room on the drive!

[Jasandjules]

Daily car needs to be able to carry a dog. The Toy on the other hand does not, but does need to have a V8 minimum and get from 0-62 in sub five seconds....

[OnTheOverrun]

Howard- said:

Am I alone in wanting a daily driver that's interesting/decent as an all round package - performance/comfort/toys/handling/etc instead of just bland and cheap to run, alongside a more "focussed"/special weekend fun car?

I'm with you on the interesting daily driver - I currently run a Mazda 6 MPS as my daily business car because I would die of boredom having some anaemic diesel box to live in everyday just to save a few quid. I also have a faster, sexier weekend car and a local snotter for carrying the dog and generally anything dirty.

[Howard-]

So glad I'm not alone, but then this is PistonHeads after all

Like the guy above said, having a car that is comfy all year round and yet quick on motorways/DCs and fun in the corners/roundabouts when necessary is great.. And you can still wake up on a Sunday morning and go for a hoon in the even-more-fun car

[KelWedge]

This is sad,
But yes must have more than one car

Me

Car 1, Car to take me to work 30 miles each way so must have good MPG (35!) my Honda civic country roads early< late times, so Auto helps! had many years now 1995 I paid £1500 spent not much added 90K Miles
Car 2, Keep better half happy in comfort, and long trips 2.6 Vauxhall Omega (Auto) electric everthing etc, drive 400 miles get out fresh (done that today) MPG 25 or 30 today! lots of miles owe me nothing,
Car 3, TVR Wedge, (Not Auto) Smile Grim have fun, MPG who cares, spent lots, and will do for ever until the Son gets it when I kick the bucket.