Oldest everyday car?
Discussion
I’m forever reading on here how seemingly everyone has some sort of sports car for fun and an EV for everyday driving.
We recently sold most of our cars - mini countryman, Mercedes c class S204, Land Rover discovery 4, and bought a vw touran for my wife.
I say sold most of the cars because I retained my 31 year old BMW 520i E34. This is now my everyday car, and it made me think does anyone else here use something older everyday? I don’t really care that it doesn’t have apple car play, or remote central locking. It has air con but it doesn’t work (although the point is it’s there so it could work if I fix it). It has “accidental” Bluetooth (I call it accidental as if I have my phone plugged into the aux port of the stereo it will play phone calls through the car’s speakers and the mic is good enough to pick my voice up clearly)
Plus it now looks a bit smarter thanks to a partial respray. Being an exec car of the 90s and indeed a bmw of the 90s it’s posh enough and solid enough that it doesn’t feel tinny or look too tragic…
We recently sold most of our cars - mini countryman, Mercedes c class S204, Land Rover discovery 4, and bought a vw touran for my wife.
I say sold most of the cars because I retained my 31 year old BMW 520i E34. This is now my everyday car, and it made me think does anyone else here use something older everyday? I don’t really care that it doesn’t have apple car play, or remote central locking. It has air con but it doesn’t work (although the point is it’s there so it could work if I fix it). It has “accidental” Bluetooth (I call it accidental as if I have my phone plugged into the aux port of the stereo it will play phone calls through the car’s speakers and the mic is good enough to pick my voice up clearly)
Plus it now looks a bit smarter thanks to a partial respray. Being an exec car of the 90s and indeed a bmw of the 90s it’s posh enough and solid enough that it doesn’t feel tinny or look too tragic…
Peak car! They were all new once and the majority were expected to provide everyday service, so why shouldn't that continue with some careful maintenance? For instance between 2018-2022 I used a 1985 944 as my only car with minimal issues, if you don't count the four (!) people who crashed into it.
No stranger to the concept as recently sold my van which left me with my 1996 P38 as my only working car, which has spent a month commuting without a hitch! Now supplanted by an econobox (relatively speaking) aka a 2000 9-3 Aero. Just spent a fair wedge getting it through an MOT but expect to be repaid with sterling service as have covered all the bases re: known weak points.
No stranger to the concept as recently sold my van which left me with my 1996 P38 as my only working car, which has spent a month commuting without a hitch! Now supplanted by an econobox (relatively speaking) aka a 2000 9-3 Aero. Just spent a fair wedge getting it through an MOT but expect to be repaid with sterling service as have covered all the bases re: known weak points.
I think 90s cars are about peak for a daily.
But for analogue driving, you want the 70s.
My current daily - it s a 1979 (though this model launched in 1973) and the idea is what you spend on fuel, you save on lack of road tax, classic insurance etc.
It’s simple, built to last, easy to repair at roadside with basic tools, parts are cheap and arrive within a couple of days, and they just keep on going.
Only works if you don’t do loads of miles but the smiles per mile is high.
But for analogue driving, you want the 70s.
My current daily - it s a 1979 (though this model launched in 1973) and the idea is what you spend on fuel, you save on lack of road tax, classic insurance etc.
It’s simple, built to last, easy to repair at roadside with basic tools, parts are cheap and arrive within a couple of days, and they just keep on going.
Only works if you don’t do loads of miles but the smiles per mile is high.
Edited by FNG on Saturday 3rd October 21:27
FNG said:
I think 90s cars are about peak for a daily.
But for analogue driving, you want the 70s.
My current daily - it s a 1979 (though this model launched in 1973) and the idea is what you spend on fuel, you save on lack of road tax, classic insurance etc.
It s simple, built to last, easy to repair at roadside with basic tools, parts are cheap and arrive within a couple of days, and they just keep on going.
Only works if you don t do loads of miles but the smiles per mile is high.
I know what you mean - in 2009, when it was 38 years old, I did 20,000 miles in a year in my triumph 2000But for analogue driving, you want the 70s.
My current daily - it s a 1979 (though this model launched in 1973) and the idea is what you spend on fuel, you save on lack of road tax, classic insurance etc.
It s simple, built to last, easy to repair at roadside with basic tools, parts are cheap and arrive within a couple of days, and they just keep on going.
Only works if you don t do loads of miles but the smiles per mile is high.
Edited by FNG on Saturday 3rd October 21:27
FNG said:
I think 90s cars are about peak for a daily.
But for analogue driving, you want the 70s.
My current daily - it s a 1979 (though this model launched in 1973) and the idea is what you spend on fuel, you save on lack of road tax, classic insurance etc.
It s simple, built to last, easy to repair at roadside with basic tools, parts are cheap and arrive within a couple of days, and they just keep on going.
Only works if you don t do loads of miles but the smiles per mile is high.
Very cool. Friend of mine daily-drives a 1955 Ford 100E and when it's broken uses a 1960s bicycle.But for analogue driving, you want the 70s.
My current daily - it s a 1979 (though this model launched in 1973) and the idea is what you spend on fuel, you save on lack of road tax, classic insurance etc.
It s simple, built to last, easy to repair at roadside with basic tools, parts are cheap and arrive within a couple of days, and they just keep on going.
Only works if you don t do loads of miles but the smiles per mile is high.
Edited by FNG on Saturday 3rd October 21:27
FNG said:
I think 90s cars are about peak for a daily.
But for analogue driving, you want the 70s.
My current daily - it s a 1979 (though this model launched in 1973) and the idea is what you spend on fuel, you save on lack of road tax, classic insurance etc.
It s simple, built to last, easy to repair at roadside with basic tools, parts are cheap and arrive within a couple of days, and they just keep on going.
Only works if you don t do loads of miles but the smiles per mile is high.
I think you mean smiles per gallon But for analogue driving, you want the 70s.
My current daily - it s a 1979 (though this model launched in 1973) and the idea is what you spend on fuel, you save on lack of road tax, classic insurance etc.
It s simple, built to last, easy to repair at roadside with basic tools, parts are cheap and arrive within a couple of days, and they just keep on going.
Only works if you don t do loads of miles but the smiles per mile is high.
Edited by FNG on Saturday 3rd October 21:27
2002 for me.
I have been daily driving a 2001 Rover 75 for 5 years and 45k miles.
Lovely, comfy place to be on the commute. V6 smooth as silk if a bit thirsty and not actually suited to my sub/urban commute at all. Rubbish on tax (£450 ish) but my PCP payment is, of course, £0!
Interesting experiment in reliability and patience. I’ve had a few problems in that time but mostly consumables, exhaust, brakes etc as expected. Small rad leak after nearly 40c in France, then air con o ring leak. Can’t really chuck much blame at Longbridge over that after 20+ years. Parts availability absolutely no problem.
Bigger issues:
1. I had an intermittent coolant temp sensor failure that flummoxed the car’s brain. Fully broke down twice with that before I worked out what it was, disconnected the sensor and drove home from Aberystwyth to Pontefract with the fan running because the car didn’t know its own temp. Better to have ‘failed’ than intermittently work. New sensor and no problem since.
2. The KV6s have a well known problem for coolant leaks in the ‘v.’ Much fun removal of inlet manifolds to get to it. Done that job thrice. The key is some random little plastic clips that brace the thermostat and pipework against the engine. I did say I’d sell it if it went again, but maybe it’s now been long enough…
3. Had the clutch go without warning only 10 ish miles from home. Just about limped it back. Decided to use a mobile Rover specialist but there was a 6 week wait. Did mean the whole job (clutch, slave, master) was done for £600.
But no bings, bongs, touch screens or driver aids. If you’re happy to see it as a hobby, and probably have the luxury of other cars if needed, it’s still a much more interesting way to get about. It’s the oldest car in the works car park and gets lots of positive comments. We’re off to France in it for the third time over Christmas.
A nice place to be:
Less so:
Lovely, comfy place to be on the commute. V6 smooth as silk if a bit thirsty and not actually suited to my sub/urban commute at all. Rubbish on tax (£450 ish) but my PCP payment is, of course, £0!
Interesting experiment in reliability and patience. I’ve had a few problems in that time but mostly consumables, exhaust, brakes etc as expected. Small rad leak after nearly 40c in France, then air con o ring leak. Can’t really chuck much blame at Longbridge over that after 20+ years. Parts availability absolutely no problem.
Bigger issues:
1. I had an intermittent coolant temp sensor failure that flummoxed the car’s brain. Fully broke down twice with that before I worked out what it was, disconnected the sensor and drove home from Aberystwyth to Pontefract with the fan running because the car didn’t know its own temp. Better to have ‘failed’ than intermittently work. New sensor and no problem since.
2. The KV6s have a well known problem for coolant leaks in the ‘v.’ Much fun removal of inlet manifolds to get to it. Done that job thrice. The key is some random little plastic clips that brace the thermostat and pipework against the engine. I did say I’d sell it if it went again, but maybe it’s now been long enough…
3. Had the clutch go without warning only 10 ish miles from home. Just about limped it back. Decided to use a mobile Rover specialist but there was a 6 week wait. Did mean the whole job (clutch, slave, master) was done for £600.
But no bings, bongs, touch screens or driver aids. If you’re happy to see it as a hobby, and probably have the luxury of other cars if needed, it’s still a much more interesting way to get about. It’s the oldest car in the works car park and gets lots of positive comments. We’re off to France in it for the third time over Christmas.
A nice place to be:
Less so:
I run a 1992 730i which shares daily duties with my 2006 A4 Avant. If I need to go into London or move dirty stuff then it's the Audi as it's ULEZ compliant. When I want more comfort it's the BMW. I have another couple of cars too and I don't have a commute so I really don't drive many miles in any car!
Not sure it counts as I have 2 daily cars and 1 toy one, but the older daily is a 2007 Mercedes SLK280 (3 litre V6) and I love it. Bought it in February to enjoy the roof down on nice days and use it all the time including for work meets. Much easier to park in small places than my Ranger Wildtrak pick-up. No way to connect an iPod though so I rotate my old CD's in it alongside using the radio. No nav' either but my phone does that.
37 here:
In 3 and a bit years I've driven it 32k miles.
My wifes car is 25, daughters is 23, and the newest car in my extended family is 17.
Aside from company cars (which i specifically gave up a few years ago as they were getting increasingly boring) the newest car I've ever owned was I think 10 years old at the time.
I always feel a bit bemused when people say they need a new car because theirs is 'getting on a bit' at say 8 years old or ~ 100k
In 3 and a bit years I've driven it 32k miles.
My wifes car is 25, daughters is 23, and the newest car in my extended family is 17.
Aside from company cars (which i specifically gave up a few years ago as they were getting increasingly boring) the newest car I've ever owned was I think 10 years old at the time.
I always feel a bit bemused when people say they need a new car because theirs is 'getting on a bit' at say 8 years old or ~ 100k
I ran my 1981 VW T25 as a daily for three months last summer.when my DS3 was off the road for an airbag recall.
Over the years I have run older dailies. 2004 Smart Roadster at 17 years old and a 1991 mx5 at 22 years old. A few breakdowns over the years but usually just electrics doing odd things that don't stop me.....
Over the years I have run older dailies. 2004 Smart Roadster at 17 years old and a 1991 mx5 at 22 years old. A few breakdowns over the years but usually just electrics doing odd things that don't stop me.....
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