Five best classic cars for daily driving…including ultra-reliable Toyota & £7k VW
ONE of the biggest griped that classic cars owners have is that they often can’t rely on their beloved motors for daily driving.
Vehicles of a finer vintage can be a bit fiddly and require a fair bit of tinkering just to get them on the road.
And even once you start cruising the country lanes, you may well find yourself stuck on the side of the road with the bonnet up if you’re journey is more than a few hours.
That being said, there are a few particularly hardy models that stand the test of time and measure up against modern equivalents for high-mileage motorists.
The experts at Road and Track compiled a list of the top five classics that are ideal for the daily drive even in 2024.
Saab 900
Model years: 1978-98
Example price: 1993 900 with 84,475 miles for £4,000
Swedish carmaker Saab went bust in 2011 after a few rocky financial years.
But back in the ’90s, the manufacturer was a regular sight on European streets.
The 900 was based on the earlier 99 model, with a slightly longer front end.
It has gained a reputation for reliability and can still be had for surprisingly cheap.
However, there are very few still out there on the market so options are a little limited.
Mercedes E-Class
Model years: 1991-98
Example price: 1997 S-Class with 100,000 miles for £3,950
Even to this day, the E-Class is the epitome of a luxury executive car.
But with modern examples starting from £92,000, it comes at quite a premium.
Instead, for less than £4,000 you could get a ’90s-era model with the “bulletproof” W140 engine.
While the mod cons are a bit basic by today’s standards, it makes up for it in retro charm, with a real time-warp of an interior.
Porsche 911
Model years: 1964-98
Example price: 1998 911 with 104,566 miles for £15,995
Clocking in as one of the more expensive options on the list, the 911s immense popularity and iconic status means that models of this era can sell for upwards of £90,000.
But it makes the grade on affordability because there are still a few in good condition for under £20,000 providing immense value for money.
Plus, one of the benefits of Porsche‘s resistance to change the model’s design is the large catchment in terms of model years, with 911s retaining much of the same qualities for reliability and practicality for over 30 years.
Just be aware that parts for older versions can be expensive and tricky to source given the age of the model.
Toyota Land Cruiser
Model years: 1951-97
Example price: 1997 Land Cruiser with 130,000 miles for £5,499
Ask any car fan about the Toyota Land Cruiser and the first thing they tell you will be how great of a car it is.
The second thing they tell you will then most likely be about the insane durability and reliability of the model.
There’s a reason it has been used by armies and adventurers around the world to tackle the harshest of climates.
The cheaper ones will tend to have high mileages, but this really isn’t something to worry about unless there are signs of some severe off-roading.
And if you’re willing to shell out closer to £15,000, you’ll get one that’ll likely last you for years and years to come.
VW Golf GTI
Model years: 1974-90
Example price: 1988 Golf GTI with 130,000 miles for £7,000
The Golf GTI is a legend of the classic car world and for good reason.
The hot hatch version of the beloved Golf is still on sale today along with its less sporty variant.
Its beauty lay in the fact that it provided power and performance for a fraction of the price of a sports car and made driving fast truly accessible.
Thankfully, the model really stands up over time and can handle long hauls with ease despite its age.