What's the best "daily driver" vehicle you've owned?
Discussion
I dislike the term “daily driver”, as it sounds a bit YouTubey but as a practical ie decent boot/4+ seats, manageable running costs, reliable and comfortable car that is good to drive but doesn’t have to be the ultimate driver’s car, and that you can use every day, what is the best car that you have owned?
I have owned a number of different “types” of car from different manufacturers and although by no means they have been the favourite cars that I have owned, I reluctantly have to say that my Volkswagen Golfs have been the best all-rounders. I have owned several ranging from a mk2 GTi 8v to a mk4 Golf 2.0 GTI to a couple of mk5 TDIs (a 1.9 and a 2.0) and currently a mk7 TSI Estate. There was also a Corrado VR6 along the way if that counts. All but the mk4 and the VR6 have been reliable, solidly built, economical, decent to drive and easy to live with. I have owned and driven other cars in the class (Astra/Civic/Corolla etc) but the Golfs have easily been the best, making it a bit of a “go to” choice for me. Granted, the Ford Focus has run it close as a choice every time, being almost as good, if not the equal of the Golf and in the case of the mk4, had I bought a mk1 Focus instead, I think that I would have bought the better car. No more Focuses any more though and having looked at mk8 Golfs, I really don’t see them as a step forward from the mk7, so I really don’t know what my next daily driver will be. I could easily reel off 10 “fun” cars that I would love to own but they’re all either too old/impractical/expensive to run/expensive to be viable “daily driver” vehicles, so picking a good all-rounder is a lot harder.
A newer mk7 GTI/R would be faster/”better” but ultimately less comfortable/too similar? I have owned and enjoyed older BMWs/Mercedes (E30 3-Series and W202 C-Class) and thought at the time that I would like to try a more modern BMW/Mercedes but I’m not sure if where we are at currently is “peak” BMW/Mercedes. I’ve also never owned an Audi (not overly impressed with the FWD A3s/A4s that I have driven but a quattro-equipped Audi has some appeal and should retain some of the easy to live with usability of the Golf) or a Ford or a Hyundai/Kia or a Volvo or a Land Rover or an Alfa Romeo. All have some appeal.
So, from your own experience, what is the best “daily driver” vehicle that you have owned and what made it the best?
I have owned a number of different “types” of car from different manufacturers and although by no means they have been the favourite cars that I have owned, I reluctantly have to say that my Volkswagen Golfs have been the best all-rounders. I have owned several ranging from a mk2 GTi 8v to a mk4 Golf 2.0 GTI to a couple of mk5 TDIs (a 1.9 and a 2.0) and currently a mk7 TSI Estate. There was also a Corrado VR6 along the way if that counts. All but the mk4 and the VR6 have been reliable, solidly built, economical, decent to drive and easy to live with. I have owned and driven other cars in the class (Astra/Civic/Corolla etc) but the Golfs have easily been the best, making it a bit of a “go to” choice for me. Granted, the Ford Focus has run it close as a choice every time, being almost as good, if not the equal of the Golf and in the case of the mk4, had I bought a mk1 Focus instead, I think that I would have bought the better car. No more Focuses any more though and having looked at mk8 Golfs, I really don’t see them as a step forward from the mk7, so I really don’t know what my next daily driver will be. I could easily reel off 10 “fun” cars that I would love to own but they’re all either too old/impractical/expensive to run/expensive to be viable “daily driver” vehicles, so picking a good all-rounder is a lot harder.
A newer mk7 GTI/R would be faster/”better” but ultimately less comfortable/too similar? I have owned and enjoyed older BMWs/Mercedes (E30 3-Series and W202 C-Class) and thought at the time that I would like to try a more modern BMW/Mercedes but I’m not sure if where we are at currently is “peak” BMW/Mercedes. I’ve also never owned an Audi (not overly impressed with the FWD A3s/A4s that I have driven but a quattro-equipped Audi has some appeal and should retain some of the easy to live with usability of the Golf) or a Ford or a Hyundai/Kia or a Volvo or a Land Rover or an Alfa Romeo. All have some appeal.
So, from your own experience, what is the best “daily driver” vehicle that you have owned and what made it the best?
My mk2 TT TDI (I know, I know) but I flattened the back seats and took the parcel shelf out and used it for Argos runs, dog carrying and any other bulky stuff. Was capable in bad weather being Quattro with all season tyres on and did everything I needed. Would get 45mpg which was ideal when I was doing 250+ miles a week. Only got rid when the bill for repairs was getting silly and I was under the car more than I was in it lol
This was my best daily driver. Someone offered me good $$ for it so I took it. Regret selling whenever I think about it...although as we then went and moved 3k miles away it would have made life more difficult when moving.
Can have the kids car seats across the back row with tons of space (no need to worry about the kids kicking the back of my seat). Dog can go at the kids' feet or in the bed. Suspension is great. Power is loads of fun. Can drag a boat, car trailer, cargo trailer - whatever you need.
I keep threatening to buy another - just waiting for them to open the order book for 2024. I think I wouldn't have the ram bar next time as it stops you having a tonneau cover.
Can have the kids car seats across the back row with tons of space (no need to worry about the kids kicking the back of my seat). Dog can go at the kids' feet or in the bed. Suspension is great. Power is loads of fun. Can drag a boat, car trailer, cargo trailer - whatever you need.
I keep threatening to buy another - just waiting for them to open the order book for 2024. I think I wouldn't have the ram bar next time as it stops you having a tonneau cover.
I’ve had a load of contenders for this but I’m finding it hard to see past our old BMW E39 528i. If you discount the eventual terminal corrosion it seemed to be a car without any vice. I’ve definitely had more exciting cars but that is the only one that I’ve never really found anything to criticise.
My 2017 Skoda Octavia vRS estate. 2 litre diesel. Averaging 58mpg since I bought it 13000 miles ago. Comfy, fast when I need it to be, plenty toys but not too much in the way of things that interfere with driving.
In 2nd place (vehicle now long since dead) would be the Corsavan 1.7 DI I ran for a couple of years. Motoring couldn't be cheaper than in that shed. I might've been able to eek out another year or 2 from it if I hadn't repeatedly used it for disposing of rubble from a garage build which knackered the rear suspension and rear floor.
In 2nd place (vehicle now long since dead) would be the Corsavan 1.7 DI I ran for a couple of years. Motoring couldn't be cheaper than in that shed. I might've been able to eek out another year or 2 from it if I hadn't repeatedly used it for disposing of rubble from a garage build which knackered the rear suspension and rear floor.
WRX in an I’ll-fitting suit…
…fairly sure I’d never have sold it if we hadn’t outgrown it. Fun, reliable, well-built, spacious - just not quite spacious enough.
However it’s replacement is currently a very close second…
Very spacious, excellent ride/handling combo for everyday, fast. Is a bit thirsty though.
…fairly sure I’d never have sold it if we hadn’t outgrown it. Fun, reliable, well-built, spacious - just not quite spacious enough.
However it’s replacement is currently a very close second…
Very spacious, excellent ride/handling combo for everyday, fast. Is a bit thirsty though.
I'm struggling to part ways with my car - Leon Cupra estate. Mapped to 360hp, it's a Golf R engine with the VAQ diff from the GTI, has space for 5 + luggage (or a mountain bike and a tip run), fits in any parking space, can do over 45mpg on an economy run, cheap to insure and service, and so far, pretty reliable as well. I gambled and bought the cheapest one available in the country, with no service history, owe nothing on it, and it bottomed out on depreciation some time ago. The diamond cut alloys are corroded to hell but they are still round so do the job of letting the car move around, it has a few parking dents so don't really mind where I park it, and the interior is scuffed up so I'm not bothered about keeping it protected.
Any other car would be more expensive to buy/run, too big/small, need to be parked in safe spaces, too shouty, etc. I've had it over 3 years which is the longest I've kept any car, and no matter how much I look around just can't part with it. I upgraded the head unit to the 8 inch one and got a wireless CarPlay adapter, feels just like newer version of the car which would have cost £10k more. Great car would fully recommend.
Any other car would be more expensive to buy/run, too big/small, need to be parked in safe spaces, too shouty, etc. I've had it over 3 years which is the longest I've kept any car, and no matter how much I look around just can't part with it. I upgraded the head unit to the 8 inch one and got a wireless CarPlay adapter, feels just like newer version of the car which would have cost £10k more. Great car would fully recommend.
For a long time I only owned one car at a time, and my 2000 Seat Leon Cupra did the job pretty well, except with the rear seats folded there was a step up from the boot floor.
My BMW E46 325ti Compact worked pretty well too and the floor was flat, but as I was getting older so were the people I gave lifts to and 3 doors was a bit limiting.
My 123d worked better as it had 4 doors, but luckily I sold that before diesel became a no-no for visiting relatives in a London Borough!
I currently have a BMW E90 330i that is the best to drive and has more room inside so it's my favourite yet. And as it has the split/fold rear seats I can get a full set of wheels in it OK - although I probably should have bought a 130i!
My BMW E46 325ti Compact worked pretty well too and the floor was flat, but as I was getting older so were the people I gave lifts to and 3 doors was a bit limiting.
My 123d worked better as it had 4 doors, but luckily I sold that before diesel became a no-no for visiting relatives in a London Borough!
I currently have a BMW E90 330i that is the best to drive and has more room inside so it's my favourite yet. And as it has the split/fold rear seats I can get a full set of wheels in it OK - although I probably should have bought a 130i!
My old E90 320d. Took it from 60k miles to 130k miles in my ownership without much problems. Good 50+ mpg on my normal commute and 60+ mpg on a run. Wasn't going to set the world alight with performance or handling but was adequate for me. A set of winter wheels allowed me to drive it all year round.
Soon realised that I didn't need such high levels of practicality so swapped it for a 2.0 tsi scirocco which looks a bit more chic, has great boot space and not bad to throw around.
Soon realised that I didn't need such high levels of practicality so swapped it for a 2.0 tsi scirocco which looks a bit more chic, has great boot space and not bad to throw around.
We've had a few. I don't really give a stuff about fuel consumption if a car's reliable, so our 2 Galant V6 estates, the Lexus IS250 and IS300 Sportcross have to take the honours. A mention should go the the IS-F. I don't suppose work Ford Connect's really count, but my most recent one is genuinely a great place to spend time in, nothing like any other van I've had, and very good on fuel as a bonus.
I had to laugh at the OP suggesting his Corrado VR6, I loved mine dearly as a driver's car, but there's no way on God's green earth it was reliable enough to have been a daily driver.
I had to laugh at the OP suggesting his Corrado VR6, I loved mine dearly as a driver's car, but there's no way on God's green earth it was reliable enough to have been a daily driver.
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