Discussion
I’m considering a more interesting daily driver now that I work from home 4 days a week and only drive 5k a year, my wife drives our main car 2017 Audi A3.
I’m tempted by a modern classic. But is this a foolish idea as the cars are 20 years old plus. I have a budget of 8-10k so would have plenty of cash saved for repairs. I’m thinking…
Alfa 916 GTV/Spider 2 litre.
Audi TT Mk1 225
Or my other option is something newer..
Abarth 595 series 4.
I’d be interested if anyone uses a modern classic as a daily and your thoughts.
I’m tempted by a modern classic. But is this a foolish idea as the cars are 20 years old plus. I have a budget of 8-10k so would have plenty of cash saved for repairs. I’m thinking…
Alfa 916 GTV/Spider 2 litre.
Audi TT Mk1 225
Or my other option is something newer..
Abarth 595 series 4.
I’d be interested if anyone uses a modern classic as a daily and your thoughts.
Given you have another car in the household which is fairly modern and reliable on that basis, you could afford to run an older car as your daily.
My daily car is a 17 year old Saab, has 146k on it and hasn't been a problem being used in a similar manner to your habits OP. Few more miles as I do regular-ish trips up and down from Gloucestershire to Surrey and back but only 8k a year.
Not saying buy a Saab but I think a 20 year old car is still relatively modern in many senses.
My daily car is a 17 year old Saab, has 146k on it and hasn't been a problem being used in a similar manner to your habits OP. Few more miles as I do regular-ish trips up and down from Gloucestershire to Surrey and back but only 8k a year.
Not saying buy a Saab but I think a 20 year old car is still relatively modern in many senses.
I recently sold a mid 90s merc, in 9 yrs 40k it always got me home except once. Even then a local garage had us back on the road in 24hrs.
Sometimes spares would take a day or two, preplanned maintenance mitigated inconvenience.
All mod cons, radio, radial tyres, interia reel seat belts, A/C, decent heater/demister, wipers, abs, pas, leccy windows, what more do you need?
It's important to have spare parts availability, be enthusiastic, and or have a good relationship with a garage. Loads of online help available from forums and you tube. Americans love uploading info so helps if it's a model that has a following stateside.
Sometimes spares would take a day or two, preplanned maintenance mitigated inconvenience.
All mod cons, radio, radial tyres, interia reel seat belts, A/C, decent heater/demister, wipers, abs, pas, leccy windows, what more do you need?
It's important to have spare parts availability, be enthusiastic, and or have a good relationship with a garage. Loads of online help available from forums and you tube. Americans love uploading info so helps if it's a model that has a following stateside.
I think most modern classics are upto the job of being a daily. We aren't talking cars from the 60's-80's anymore that need constant maintenance. I daily a 2003 MR2, currently average 12k per annum and that will be Increasing to 15k this year and aside from routine servicing, it hasn't needed a thing.
One of these may be worth adding to the list, especially if you enjoy a good handling car that doesn't have too much power.
One of these may be worth adding to the list, especially if you enjoy a good handling car that doesn't have too much power.
Depends what you intend to use the car for.
If handling and agility is what you want you could get a very good Clio 182 or a 306 GTI-6, for example. Not so nice inside though.
Or for wafting about, a merc SL or jag XK8/R, even a Maserati 3200/4200. These are much more special to own but of course more risky.
Lots inbetween, Alfa GTV was a good shout, especially a V6.
A 350z is good too I think, coupe or convertible.
Think about spares availability too.
If handling and agility is what you want you could get a very good Clio 182 or a 306 GTI-6, for example. Not so nice inside though.
Or for wafting about, a merc SL or jag XK8/R, even a Maserati 3200/4200. These are much more special to own but of course more risky.
Lots inbetween, Alfa GTV was a good shout, especially a V6.
A 350z is good too I think, coupe or convertible.
Think about spares availability too.
Deets74 said:
I’m considering a more interesting daily driver now that I work from home 4 days a week and only drive 5k a year, my wife drives our main car 2017 Audi A3.
I’m tempted by a modern classic. But is this a foolish idea as the cars are 20 years old plus. I have a budget of 8-10k so would have plenty of cash saved for repairs. I’m thinking…
Alfa 916 GTV/Spider 2 litre.
Audi TT Mk1 225
Or my other option is something newer..
Abarth 595 series 4.
I’d be interested if anyone uses a modern classic as a daily and your thoughts.
There are lots of modern classics that can take regular daily usage & with a change of headunit or adapter you can have all the connectivity you're used to.I’m tempted by a modern classic. But is this a foolish idea as the cars are 20 years old plus. I have a budget of 8-10k so would have plenty of cash saved for repairs. I’m thinking…
Alfa 916 GTV/Spider 2 litre.
Audi TT Mk1 225
Or my other option is something newer..
Abarth 595 series 4.
I’d be interested if anyone uses a modern classic as a daily and your thoughts.
R32:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410024...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412067...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406070...
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Prodrive Brera:
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GTV, but do your check for rust:
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370Z:
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2.7 Boxster:
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Z3M:
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Z4 35i:
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124 Lusso S, more modern but a good car:
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S2000:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401295...
SLK350:
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4.2 XKR:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411035...
5.0 XK:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411176...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408102...
I've just been through exactly the same thought process!
My O/H drives a 2011 F25 BMW X3 20d. At the time of buying, this was as old as we were willing to go.
I had a 2017 Toyota GT86 & a 17 year-old motorbike, but figured I had no real need for the GT86, given that I don't drive much during the week anymore and my O/H cannot stand being a passenger in it with me driving
.
I sold the GT86 and quickly began looking for a much cheaper replacement.
I've now bought at 2005 545i, which is great and ticked V8 off of my list, but not necessarily what I would recommend to most people in this position as it is still pretty 'normal' for a 2nd car.
If I can give ONE PIECE OF ADVICE it would be to buy something that is comprimised in your favour.
This might be a very short period in your life in which you can justify having a second car for fun! Buy the older car that you want, or buy the less comfortable car, that you wouldn't tolerate daily, buy the car car that drinks fuel at a ridiculous rate, buy the car that might have expensive problems!
What I mean is, buy something that you couldn't drive every day as your only car, and take advantage of your situation.
Now is your time to run a V8, or a modified fast road car, or an old E30, that you wouldn't want to put huge mileage on!
If I was making the decision again, I'd have probably bought something a generation older.
Cheers,
Callum
My O/H drives a 2011 F25 BMW X3 20d. At the time of buying, this was as old as we were willing to go.
I had a 2017 Toyota GT86 & a 17 year-old motorbike, but figured I had no real need for the GT86, given that I don't drive much during the week anymore and my O/H cannot stand being a passenger in it with me driving
.I sold the GT86 and quickly began looking for a much cheaper replacement.
I've now bought at 2005 545i, which is great and ticked V8 off of my list, but not necessarily what I would recommend to most people in this position as it is still pretty 'normal' for a 2nd car.
If I can give ONE PIECE OF ADVICE it would be to buy something that is comprimised in your favour.
This might be a very short period in your life in which you can justify having a second car for fun! Buy the older car that you want, or buy the less comfortable car, that you wouldn't tolerate daily, buy the car car that drinks fuel at a ridiculous rate, buy the car that might have expensive problems!
What I mean is, buy something that you couldn't drive every day as your only car, and take advantage of your situation.
Now is your time to run a V8, or a modified fast road car, or an old E30, that you wouldn't want to put huge mileage on!
If I was making the decision again, I'd have probably bought something a generation older.
Cheers,
Callum
My daily is a 2005 BMW 330i and is a great car - it just does everything so well.
I've had a few issues in the 5+ years I've had it, but as it isn't depreciating I figure I'm still ahead. I'm not sure I'd want to daily anything much older. An E46 might be better looking, but most of them are getting a bit crusty now.
I've had a few issues in the 5+ years I've had it, but as it isn't depreciating I figure I'm still ahead. I'm not sure I'd want to daily anything much older. An E46 might be better looking, but most of them are getting a bit crusty now.
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