Daily driver; how do you do it?

[NotBenny]

I don't really have hard and fast rules as to how I choose a daily driver, I typically just get whatever appeals to me most at the time. My daily drivers have been as follows: regularly hatchback, regular hatchback, hot hatch, diesel motorway mile muncher, regularly hatchback, hot hatchback, SUV/4x4.

[Zarco]

Can't beat a regularly hatchback.

[PomBstard]

I don’t have the time to just go for a drive so just in case I’ve got the chance of some enjoyment on any road, the daily has to be fun as well as spacious, reliable and comfortable...



...and then there’s a car for more fun in the garage...



Couldn’t do shed-plus-fun-car - would drive me nuts to be on an enjoyable road without a decent tool for the job, even if that tool is a compromise.

[mrtwisty]

My 'daily' at the moment (to save fuel and maintenance money to spend on the toys) is an old 1.4 Corolla. Faultlessly reliable, cheap as chips, comfortable, no parking worries etc. etc......Its bloody horrible. So I've been using the '89 Supra 3.0 Turbo instead. Its probably getting late teens mpg around town.

It's worth it purely for the pop-up headlights.

It's either that or the Elan. In which I get soaked every time it rains.

Am I doing this right?

Edited by mrtwisty on Friday 29th November 23:04

[J4CKO]

V8 Merc was a better daily than I6 BMW, cant compare the engines, the BMW one is good but the Merc V8 was sublime, parking the bloody thing was an issue though, it was huge.

[jamiem555]

Mine is a Mk3 Focus ST-3. It’s a 16 plate, had it since new. I only did 14k until January this year. A change of job and a combination of commute and Airbnb in Aberdeen means I’ve done 12k since then. Did a few weeks of 180 miles a day. Perth to Aberdeen. Not the cheapest but definitely a comfy car. Can be fun when needed and reasonably economical.

[Plate spinner]

Battered, practical estate, cheap, auto daily driver with something fun, manual and open top in the garage works best for me.

[Pericoloso]

Zarco said:

Can't beat a regularly hatchback.

I prefer the occasional version.....

[98elise]

Jaguar steve said:

I'm fond of simple utility cars that I don't give a toss about. If they're a bit scruffy and battered I become even more fond of them

My current daily is a 11 year old Skoda Roomster diesel that I do about 20k miles a year in. Easy 65MPG and it's reliable and comfortable.

My other car is a even older XJ8 that does perhaps a tenth of the annual mileage of the Roomster and which I haven't driven since the middle of September.

I'm the same.

I have a real soft spot for cars that just do the job of moving people and stuff with no frills.

[generationx]

Giulia Quadrifoglio. Can’t think of a nicer place to be in the short commute I have.

It gets regular “proper” exercise too...

[thebestlittlecivicintheworld]

Tickle said:

Aygo for my daily, small round trip to the station.

Needs decent heaters, small, reliable and something that I don't mind leaving without wondering is it gets a door ding or similar. It's pretty perfect for the short, uneventful journey. £20 tax and £150 insurance make it the perfect tool for the job.

...also makes the weekend car feel rapid!

Am I the only person that likes the Aygos engine note? Great cars.

[thebestlittlecivicintheworld]

I’m thinking of getting a shed next, after leasing for 12 years.

Mazda rx8....

[rayyan171]

Whatever suits the situation. Both cars are daily driven, the X5 being a diesel is used for longer journeys, the Audi being a petrol is used for the shorter journeys. I think the Audi gets worse MPG than the X5 doing short drives, but the short drives would affect the X5, they are cars that have to be driven hard to be running sweet. Also when many people are being carried the extra space is much more comfortable, the A6 is a big car but the X5 is simply bigger. Audi is more comfortable overall, X5 is surprisingly more confidence inspiring, but the Audi actually performs sublimely on the motorway, engine is whisper silent.

[Obison]

2 cars in the household, my daily is a 2006 e90 330i, 20mpg on the commute, its winding country lanes and i love it, despite the economy.
Wifes car, 2002 honda crv auto, also 20mpg (big tyres) but does everything we can throw at it, faultlessly, and has done for years. We will run it until it dies.
I see no other cars that fill the roles of these 2 any better.

[Tyre Tread]

Doing a 20k a year commute so wanted something comfortable, nice place top be, fairly easy on fuel but with a bit of oomph when needed. Oh, and reliable.

After looking at lots of options I bought a low-ish mileage 10 year old Lexus IS250. Paid top money for a car in top condition but no regrets.

Genuine 40mpg on motorway at sensible speeds on cruise control and a very quiet and comfortable place to be.

Enough oomph for most occasions and apart from servicing (mostly done myself) has only needed 2 headlamp bulbs and an oxygen sensor.

Covered over 50K miles in 2 years and still love it.

Depreciation over 2 years and 50K miles is around £4K

[Hackney]

Here’s every car I’ve owned. Once I got out of company cars (the second time) even though I’ve often done high mileage I’ve had to have something a little bit interesting. There’s been some compromise eg due to kids or company conditions of opting out. I couldn’t do dull. Even my Focus, which is a ‘get something cheap for a couple of years to get into an AMG or RS6) couldn’t be boring.
VW Golf N First car
Ford Escort Company car
Peugeot 306 Company car
Nisan Primera 1.6 company car
Fiat Uno
Alfa Romeo 146 1.7
Ford Mondeo L501LGK company car
Honda Civic TypeR
Honda S2000
Alfa 156 2.5v6
Alfa 156 GTA
VW Passat Estate W8 Manual
BMW M135i
Saab 9-3 Turbo X
VW Golf R Estate
Ford Focus ST 250

Edited by Hackney on Saturday 30th November 21:35

[jimPH]

I work overseas so don't need a daily. However, my grandad died and I ended up with his Mazda 2 and it's just been a fantastic car for the school run and general run about. Can't knock a small hatchback!

[SidewaysSi]

I have a Forester STI as a family holdall. Alongside is an old modified E36 BMW coupe. Wife has a Nissan Note Auto which is pretty good for what it is.

Also have a Caterham and modded Elise which get used as much as possible.

Problem is I use the tube to get to work and think I need a station stter so contemplating getting an old Citroen C1 or similar.

6 cars is a bit nuts when I take the train to work but I think I have a car for most occassions..

[jimPH]

SidewaysSi said:

I have a Forester STI as a family holdall. Alongside is an old modified E36 BMW coupe. Wife has a Nissan Note Auto which is pretty good for what it is.

Also have a Caterham and modded Elise which get used as much as possible.

Problem is I use the tube to get to work and think I need a station stter so contemplating getting an old Citroen C1 or similar.

6 cars is a bit nuts when I take the train to work but I think I have a car for most occassions..

Why would you want another shi77er? You've got plenty

[jp-sr71]

For the last 3 years a C6 RS6.

Stage 2'ed...not that I think that makes much difference to anything.

It's ruinous.