What would be a good classic daily driver???, if such a thing exist Options

[turboman808]

Kinda toying with the idea of getting something really cool to drive daily. I think front drive is probably best for me and it's got to be able to run thru the winter.

I was thinking an original mini of some sort. Any other rides I might look at or just a completely of the wall idea???

[lapuwali]

Original Minis are generally very LOUD. They have little to no sound insulation, and you usually have to rev the snot out of them to get any speed. If you have to travel any distance on the highway, pretty much forget it. With a 998 engine, they're barely good for 60mph. With a 1275, they'll do 70-80, but you need to install a gearbox with tall final drive gearing to get it to cruise decently at all. They require a good deal more day to day maintenance than a Honda, like greasing the suspension every 6000-7000 miles.

I had two, a '63 850 and a '64 998 (later engine). Neat cars, and if all you generally intend to drive on is surface streets, they can be great. They're unreasonably expensive for what they are these days. They rust badly, have little ground clearance, and ineffective heaters (when they have a heater at all, neither of mine did).

I've driven nothing but 25-40 year old cars daily for a number of years now. Someday, I'll have at least one of them restored to the point where it doesn't leak in the rain, and starts all the time, isn't loud, is nearly as fast as a current Hyundai, and doesn't need me to constantly fix yet another minor thing. It can get old.

I'd consider something Swedish, like a Volvo 122 or a P1800, or a SAAB 99 or a Sonnett, for regular NYC winter duty. The Volvos are rwd, though.

Maybe an early GTI or Scirocco.

80s Audi Quattro Coupe?