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What Classic Would Be Your Daily Driver?
In a perfect world, you would only need one vehicle for everything you do. Or perhaps not, as the beauty of our society is that many of us can have the luxury of multiple vehicles to address multiple needs. Usually, in this instance, a “daily driver” takes care of our basic transportation requirements—the kind of stuff that a collector vehicle either couldn’t or shouldn’t undertake, for whatever reason. That thinking gives classics short shrift, however—sure, daily drivers (or dailies) serve a purpose, but surely there are classic vehicles that fit the, too.
Again, the definition of classic comes into question. Just like our last question, any and all interpretations are permitted/encouraged. Depending on where you live and what zip codes you visit, the daily driver you choose should reflect those constraints. I generally stick to the 25-year rule as my threshold, just like the U.S. does for importing cars from other countries.
Speaking of the 25-year rule, the Japanese Kei truck found a loyal following thanks to their utility and age. These little rigs are practical, wildly efficient, offer good ride and handling at lower speeds, and have a unique style for a daily-driven vehicle. But I have reservations about considering this as a daily driver for large swathes of America. There are more comfortable and safer alternatives that do not require importation or issues with vehicle registration.
My recommendation? I am leaning towards vehicles that embody the best of today and yesterday as a daily driver in the year 2025. I’m being deliberately vague because there are many, many, oh-so-many classic vehicles produced from the mid-80s to the early 2000s that embody this philosophy.
These vehicles were designed and manufactured using modern technology. (Or at least technology that is the foundation for modern technology.) You might not garner any attention at the Walmart parking lot or a local car show, but the occasional compliment will be kinda delightful, an added perk to driving a fun old vehicle with the right amount of creature comforts and performance to be used regularly.
For the most part, reliability made great strides in this era, so “classic” doesn’t have to mean fussy electrics or unobtainium parts. If you are handy with small repairs and love a specific brand, go ahead and buy that E36 3-series BMW you’ve always wanted. Or, if you need a bit less effort to keep an older car on the road, get a more durable Toyota Camry or a Buick LeSabre with easier-to-source parts, and enlist a local mechanic to keep it running.
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No matter what you pick, a daily driver that comes from a previous decade will likely have an audience. So let’s hash it out in the comments, what classic would be your daily driver?
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I daily drove an ’84 El Camino for about a year, and my only complaint was that it didn’t have overdrive. It was easy to maintain, comfortable, and cool.
I’d like one of my SHOs back. One of the red ones. Am DDing an ES350 2007 Lexus now–think it fits the description. Excellent build quality with 175K on the clock, runs like a watch and looks like new. Do miss the Park Ave Ultra that was the predecessor. A couch on wheels. Got my license in its spiritual predecessor a ’70 black Deuce-and a Quarter many moons ago.
I agree that a ’90’s era car is the best mix of good running gear and not too much tech to break. First gen ABS is about it.
If I only get one vehicle to suit as many needs as possible, it’s gotta be a pick-up truck. Four doors are allowed here so I can haul some passengers, and if the back seat folds away for groceries or the dog, that’s cool. I want V8 power and A/C for towing and trips. If you require 25 years old to meet requirements, I’m guessing a 2000 Dakota SLT would be my pick.
I daily drove my NA6 Miata for 16 years, and while the car itself was fairly reliable and usable for my needs, it became very stressful to drive something that small (and that I cared for that much) in modern SoCal traffic. I was always worried that another driver would destroy it.
Now my daily is an ‘02 Z71 Suburban. Not a classic yet, but I definitely enjoy using it for everyday driving. I’m just not bothered by very much behind the its wheel. Traffic, poor road surfaces, suboptimal weather, bad drivers — meh, not that big a deal. I don’t even worry about shopping carts.
I would use any of my classics as daily driver, and I have sometimes for weeks at a time. The only restriction would be no snow, salt, or being left alone in a dark parking lot. My cars are all reliable. Some have EFI, some do not. All have HEI ignition. The front suspensions have all been rebuilt and aligned for radials. You just need to be a little more careful driving because you do not modern safety features such as passenger mirrors. My 68 Deville convertible is fine driving anywhere , the AC is just a little weak.
Putting additional positive caster into old vehicles makes a huge difference. Finding a good alignment shop that understands the principles of old vs new and NOT to set old vehicles to the original specs is a challenge.
I have 6 with 5 on the road, and I try to rotate thru them fairly regularly, so daily driver really doesn’t accurately describe any of them. The one I drive the most is my ’12 1 Series. My ’72 F350 makes it into the rotation a lot more than I thought it would, but with low gears and no overdrive it’s kept to the back roads
I want my old ’61 Econoline back.
Oldsmobile last gen sedans: Intrigues, Auroras, and Aleros for the win!
In retrospect my daily drivers have followed a fairly logical progression. VW Beetle=Young and dollar challenged. Olds Cutlass, Buick Century=newly married, still young and dollar challenged. Chevy Caprice Estate wagon, Buick Estate Wagon=Four children. Ford Explorer = Family car, Children now driving, performance not needed, sturdiness essential. Buick Roadmaster=Luxury, performance and style, kids on their own. Porsche Cayenne S.= Retired, performance, fearless winters, luxury, still active.
My daily driver is a vehicle I love, a 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser FZJ80. I have other vehicles that are much newer, but the LC is my go to.
Mercury Marauder IS my daily driver.
Bad ass, rare, bullet proof.
I’ve had many classic BMWs but for a fun car to drive that is perfect for daily life it’s hard to beat the VW GTI
My 67 VW convertible would be welcomed back with open arms.
I’d like my 1994 Chrysler LHS back. Comfortable, roomy, great gas mileage. Great in any weather.
Since I don’t actually drive much a first generation VW Scirocco like I had in the 80s would be fine. If I drove more a Citroen CX or XM to waft me along in hydropneumatic bliss.
Luxury coupes have always appealed to me so how about a late 80s/early 90s Lincoln Mark Vll LSC? Sporty, classy, elegant, and can carry some of your friends.