Daily Driving A Classic Car: Which Cars Are Best For Everyday Use
About this episode
Exploring the world of daily driving classic cars, this episode dives into which vintage models are best suited for everyday use. Hosts Vic, the GM Guru, and Dylan share personal experiences with their classic rides, discussing reliability, comfort, and the unique character of older vehicles. They debate the merits of various models, including the Porsche 996, BMW 2002, and Alfa Romeo Milano, while also highlighting the importance of parts availability and maintenance. The conversation is filled with humor and camaraderie, making it a relatable listen for anyone considering a classic car as a daily driver.
The GM Guru returns along with mainstay Dylan to discuss what makes a good daily driver. We get into a list of classic cars that check all the daily driving boxes. Can Justin beat Dylan in guessing which vintage daily drivers made it on the list? Why the BMW M coupe clown shoe is undervalued.
Toyota man
"Yeah, he's like a Toyota man."
A 'Toyota man' is someone who really likes Toyota cars. Toyota is famous for making cars that last a long time and don't break down often.
The term 'Toyota man' typically refers to someone who is a fan of Toyota vehicles, often appreciating their reliability and practicality. Toyota is known for producing dependable cars that require less maintenance compared to other brands.
Alfa Romeo Milano
"...But then I get in my 87, Alpha Romeo Milano, which is technically two years older than my 89 Spider,"
The Alfa Romeo Milano is a classic car from the 1980s that is known for its unique look and fun driving feel. It's a compact car that many enthusiasts appreciate.
The Alfa Romeo Milano, also known as the 75 in some markets, is a compact executive car produced in the 1980s. It is known for its distinctive styling and rear-wheel-drive layout, offering a sporty driving experience.
Porsche 911
"What did you think of the 996, 911 that you drove today? My 996, 911. It was a much, much better experience."
The Porsche 911 (996) is a version of the famous Porsche sports car made between 1999 and 2004. It's recognized for its unique look and great driving experience.
The Porsche 911 (996) is a generation of the iconic 911 sports car produced from 1999 to 2004. It is known for its distinctive design and performance, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts and daily drivers alike.
PDK
"Both PDKs, both just regular 911s, which I mean, still a cool car, but nothing crazy."
PDK is a type of transmission used in some Porsche cars that helps change gears quickly and smoothly, making the car feel more responsive.
PDK stands for Porsche Doppelkupplung, which is Porsche's dual-clutch transmission system. It allows for faster gear changes and improved performance compared to traditional automatic transmissions.
turbocharged
"So it was a .1991, cause then they became turbocharged in the .2s."
A turbocharged engine has a special device called a turbocharger that helps it produce more power. This makes the car faster and more efficient.
Turbocharged engines use a turbocharger to force more air into the combustion chamber, allowing for more fuel to be burned and resulting in increased power output. This technology enhances performance and efficiency.
grand tour
"...not grand tour enough, I guess. I guess I always considered it a grand tour in my head. But it rode more like a pure sports car."
A grand tour is a type of car made for long trips, offering both comfort and speed. It's different from a sports car, which focuses more on performance and handling.
A grand tour, or grand touring car, is designed for high-speed and long-distance driving, combining performance with comfort. These cars typically have spacious interiors and are equipped for long journeys, unlike pure sports cars that prioritize performance over comfort.
clutch
"The clutch and shifter, now this is my first time driving a stick Porsche..."
The clutch is a part of a car that helps you change gears when driving a manual transmission. It lets you disconnect the engine from the wheels temporarily.
The clutch is a mechanical device that engages and disengages the engine from the transmission, allowing the driver to change gears in a manual transmission vehicle.
Porsche Boxster
"...irst time driving a stick Porsche besides an old Boxster, but felt really good."
drive by wire
"...Are those drive by wire or are they cable?"
Drive by wire means that instead of using a physical cable to connect the gas pedal to the engine, it uses electronic signals. This can make the car respond better when you press the gas pedal.
Drive by wire is a technology that replaces traditional mechanical linkages between the accelerator pedal and the engine with electronic controls. This allows for more precise throttle response and can improve performance and efficiency.
Jeep Wranglers
"... they went from air cooled to water cooled. Like Wranglers, like Wrangler buyers. Yeah, it's kind of like t..."
Audi
"very few Audis, especially manuals."
Audi is a luxury car brand from Germany that makes high-quality vehicles known for their performance and technology.
Audi is a premium automobile manufacturer from Germany, recognized for its luxury vehicles and advanced technology, including Quattro all-wheel drive.
coilovers
"No coil overs or any crazy sticky tires or anything that kind of like dilutes that experience that Porsche designed the car to feel like."
Coilovers are special parts of a car's suspension that help control how the car rides and handles. They can be adjusted to make the car sit higher or lower, which can improve performance.
Coilovers are a type of suspension system that combines a coil spring and shock absorber into a single unit, allowing for adjustable ride height and improved handling. They are popular in performance and racing applications.
project car
"...you could chip away at and maybe more of like a project car, but it's still got the bones."
A project car is a car that you buy to fix up or improve over time. It's usually not in great shape when you get it, but you work on it to make it better.
A project car is a vehicle that requires restoration or modification work, often undertaken by enthusiasts looking to improve its performance or aesthetics. These cars can be a labor of love and are typically not in perfect condition when purchased.
Ford Mustang
"...like drag races and they're in like, you know, like a old like 95 Mustang versus 95 Camaro or whatever, you know?"
The 1995 Mustang is a classic American sports car known for its powerful engines and sporty look. It was popular in the 90s and is still loved by car fans today.
The 1995 Ford Mustang is part of the fourth generation of the Mustang, known for its sporty design and performance. It was available with various engine options, including V6 and V8 variants, appealing to a wide range of enthusiasts.
Chevrolet Camaro
"...like drag races and they're in like, you know, like a old like 95 Mustang versus 95 Camaro or whatever, you know?"
The 1995 Camaro is another classic American muscle car that was known for its speed and sporty design. It often competed with the Ford Mustang in the 90s and remains a favorite among car enthusiasts.
The 1995 Chevrolet Camaro is part of the fourth generation of the Camaro, known for its performance and aggressive styling. It was available with a variety of engines, including V6 and V8 options, making it a strong competitor to the Mustang.
Porsche 991
"...wants a 991 that looks like a Boxster. And I feel like that's like mainly why the values are kept down..."
The Porsche 991 is a version of the Porsche 911 that was made from 2011 to 2019. It has a more modern design and better technology compared to older models.
The Porsche 991 is the internal designation for the 911 model produced from 2011 to 2019. It represents a significant evolution in design and technology from the previous generation, the 997, and is known for its improved performance and features.
lane departure
"So safety, like lane departure, blind spot monitor, a lot of Toyota is pretty much safety sense 3.0."
Lane departure systems help keep you in your lane while driving. If you start to drift without signaling, the system will warn you to steer back into your lane.
Lane departure systems are safety features that alert drivers when they unintentionally drift out of their lane. They often use cameras and sensors to monitor lane markings on the road.
blind spot monitor
"So safety, like lane departure, blind spot monitor, a lot of Toyota is pretty much safety sense 3.0."
Blind spot monitors help you see cars that are in areas you can't easily see while driving. If there's a car in your blind spot, the system will warn you so you can change lanes safely.
A blind spot monitor is a safety feature that detects vehicles in the driver's blind spots and alerts them, typically through visual or audible warnings. This helps prevent accidents during lane changes.
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0
"a lot of Toyota is pretty much safety sense 3.0. All these features come standard, right?"
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is a set of safety features in Toyota cars that helps keep drivers safe. It includes things like alerts for when you might hit something and helps you stay in your lane.
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is a suite of advanced safety features designed to enhance driver awareness and mitigate collisions. It includes technologies like pre-collision systems, lane departure alerts, and adaptive cruise control.
gas mileage
"But at the same time, you want a car that's good on gas, you want a car that's not too expensive to own, right?"
Gas mileage tells you how far a car can go on a certain amount of gas. The higher the number, the better the car is at using fuel efficiently.
Gas mileage refers to the distance a vehicle can travel per unit of fuel, typically measured in miles per gallon (MPG). Higher gas mileage indicates better fuel efficiency, which can lower overall fuel costs.
vintage cars
"...Car enthusiasts gravitate towards vintage cars because we like the character..."
Vintage cars are older cars that people love for their unique style and history. They often remind us of a different time and have features that modern cars don't have.
Vintage cars are typically defined as vehicles that are at least 20 to 30 years old, often appreciated for their classic design, mechanical simplicity, and historical significance. Enthusiasts are drawn to them for their unique character and nostalgic appeal.
hydraulic steering
"...The steering is hydraulic, right? It feels analog..."
Hydraulic steering helps you steer the car more easily by using fluid pressure. It makes turning the wheel feel smoother and less heavy than in older cars without this system.
Hydraulic steering refers to a system that uses hydraulic fluid to assist in steering the vehicle, making it easier to turn the wheel. This technology provides a smoother and more responsive steering feel compared to manual systems.
Geo Storm
"I know you daily your GeoStorm, which is what year? 93."
The Geo Storm is a small car made by Geo, a brand from General Motors. It was popular in the early 90s for its sporty look.
The Geo Storm is a compact car produced by the Geo brand, which was a division of General Motors. It was known for its sporty design and was available in coupe and hatchback versions.
parts availability
"For me, comfort and parts availability, I feel like are huge if you're going to daily a classic car. Because things are just going to break by age."
Parts availability means how easy it is to find replacement pieces for a car. For older cars, it can be hard to get the parts you need, which can make fixing them more challenging.
Parts availability refers to the ease with which replacement parts for a vehicle can be obtained. This is particularly important for classic cars, as older models may have components that are no longer in production, making repairs difficult and costly.
vintage daily driver
"So you want a car, a vintage daily driver that it might always have little annoyances, but it will always fire up and get you from point A to point B."
A vintage daily driver is an old car that you use every day. It might have some issues, but it should still work well enough to take you where you need to go.
A vintage daily driver refers to an older car that is used regularly for everyday transportation. These cars may not be in perfect condition but are reliable enough to get the owner from one place to another.
Optima battery
"Like an Optima battery or something that you're not going to-"
Optima batteries are a brand of car batteries that are known for being very reliable. They are often used in cars that need a strong battery, especially older or performance cars.
Optima is a brand known for its high-performance automotive batteries, particularly popular among car enthusiasts for their reliability and durability. They are often used in performance and vintage cars due to their ability to withstand deep cycling and provide strong starting power.
parasitic drain
"because a lot of vintage cars have a parasitic drain."
Parasitic drain happens when parts of a car use battery power even when the car is off, which can lead to a dead battery if the car isn't driven for a while. It's a common problem in older cars.
Parasitic drain refers to the phenomenon where a vehicle's battery is slowly discharged by electrical components that continue to draw power even when the car is turned off. This can be a common issue in vintage cars due to outdated electrical systems.
Geo
"...even like a small cult following, I'll just say like my GEO for instance, there's a Facebook group with maybe 7,000 people in it worldwide."
Geo was a car brand that made small, affordable cars. They were known for being cheap to buy and good on gas.
Geo was a brand of small cars produced by General Motors, known for their affordability and compact size. Models like the Geo Metro became popular for their fuel efficiency and low cost of ownership.
Buick
"...I had a second car. I couldn't imagine if that was like my only car and Buick is still down by the way."
Buick is a car brand from the United States that makes comfortable and stylish cars. It's part of a larger company called General Motors.
Buick is an American automobile brand known for its luxury vehicles and is a division of General Motors. It has a long history of producing comfortable and well-equipped cars.
Alfa Romeo Spider
"...bers on like, like my Twin Cam and my Alfa Romeo Spider, that that car sounds completely different with ..."
Volkswagen Vanagon
"... So I know like if a car has rear drums, like my Vanagon has rear drums, and like it's not that noticeabl..."
Porsche Taycan
"...e most recent car that blew his mind is a Porsche Taycan. And then I told him is electric and he got sad...."
Jaguar Xjs
"... Absolutely. I agree 100%. As long as it's not a Jaguar XJS. You had one? No, but I've done a bunch of resea..."
Ford Explorer
"... popped in my head, but the SUV blowing up to the Explorer. Yeah. Why didn't it blow up with the XJ? It kin..."
Jeep Grand Wagoneer
"... blow up with the XJ? It kind of blew up with the Grand Wagoneer as like a family SUV. I would say would be like ..."
Chevrolet S10 Blazer
"...int. You could even argue the same thing for the S10 Blazer because I believe that came before the Explorer t..."
Nissan Leaf
"...mom. Front and rear? I'm pretty sure it had rear leaf springs. I'm not sure about front. No, front, I'm..."
Toyota Ae86
"... agree with, but let's talk about it. So like the AE86, 84 to 89, by the way, is a generation. This car..."
Toyota MR2
"...way, is a generation. This car is now a classic. MR2. Yes. MR2. So the first gen, the little wedgie on..."
Mazda Miata
"... than 25 years old, it qualifies as a true and a Miata. Yes. 90 to 97. 97. I thought those were 89. They..."
Volkswagen Golfs
"So this is a Radwood era car. You'd probably see one of these at Radwood for sure. Like you've seen like you might see one on the street. Is it a Golf's not your style? And he said a coupe. Yeah. Are we able to ask? But they're pretty rare. Are we able to ask"
Porsche 944
"...? Yes. Oh, interesting. Okay. I was going to say 944. Okay. That would have been a good guess. That's ..."
Mercedes-Benz SL
"...ind of the GT car is kind of what it's a Mercedes SL. Is it a sedan? No, they're cruisers. Coops, oka..."
Datsun 240Z
"...n, you should win this one. Oh, it's a S30 Datsun 240Z. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. That gave it away right..."
Mercedes-Benz Sclass
"Yeah, but I didn't. You said W140. You know what that is. He might not. Okay. Well, then I know. Then it's an S-Class. There you go. Yeah, my bad. Sorry. Were they called the S-Class that early? That was the first generation of that, right? Not necessarily. Well, this is a difficult question"
Mercedes-Benz 190E
"...t still looks like money. It doesn't look like a 190E. Exactly. Yeah. I feel like Mercedes for the long..."
Toyota Crown
"...orolla? I'm going to say like Panther Chassis or Crown Vic? 886? 886? No. Well, maybe I'll give this one..."
Toyota Land Cruiser
"...tion Toyota. Correct. You can buy it. Oh, is it a Land Cruiser? Yes. I wasn't going to close with the 886. Toyo..."
Jeep Cherokee
"...king about it earlier today on the podcast. Jeep Cherokee? No, we already said it. Yeah. Yeah. That was al..."
Toyota Tundra
"...n affiliate with a million mile car, besides the Tundra, which is another Toyota product. Yeah."
Toyota T100
"... million miles. But like the early 90s, it was a T100. Yeah, I wasn't talking about early 90s."
Acura Rl Acura
"...rst Japanese challenger to be clear. Because the RL Acura never really competed. Acura's never really comp..."
Nissan 300Zx
"...use I know you hate interior rattles. Like on my 300ZX, the whole dash rattled. And that's fair because..."
Maserati Gran Turismo
"...le don't associate the Alfa Romeo 4C with like a Maserati Gran Turismo, you know, it's not like that."
Maserati Ghibli
"No, the Gran Turismo's. But, but like, okay, a Ghibli, right? They're just reliable."
Infiniti M3 Convertible
"... M3 manual coupe is worth just as much as an E46 M3 convertible manual. So it's still a manual, but if it's a co..."
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