Owning a classic car doesn’t necessarily mean you have to keep it in a garage and only bring it out on special occasions. If you’re unable to afford to keep two cars or prefer not to risk the waiting time on the roads, a reasonably priced classic vehicle might be a great option for your daily use. Many of the more affordable youngtimers from the 1980s and 1990s can strike an ideal balance of safety, usability and comfort that makes them more than suitable as a daily driver. Whether that be for driving to and from work or for the odd trip across the country, these cars can offer the traditional character and feel of an older automobile but still deliver the comfort and reliability you need for daily use.

All the other great classics are getting more expensive too, but if you look for simpler mechanical arrangements and more usable styling there are still plenty of bargains about. Having less complex engineering can reduce the cost of purchase as well as the cost of running the car day-to-day. Whether you go for a European middleweight saloon, a fine old British car, a Japanese benchmark or an old German workhorse, there is something for every budget. The trick is to get a car that’s not just characterful, but also capable of regular use, and a vintage, reliable daily driver can turn a supermarket run into a minor adventure while costing no more than a typical boring car.

1. Alfa Romeo 164

Driving a classic doesn’t get much more affordable or practical than an Alfa Romeo 164, especially if you’re after a more serious saloon and one you plan to use regularly. The 164 is related to the Fiat Croma, Saab 9000 and Lancia Thema, and the 164 was penned by Pininfarina with galvanised panels to protect the bodywork from the rigours of daily winter motoring. Despite the simplistic 164’s age, it doesn’t demand huge financial outlays to get on the road prices can be found in the region of £2000 making it an ideal choice for a classic that can be used rather than neglected.

What Makes the Alfa 164 Stand Out:

• Related to three European saloons
• Styled by Pininfarina
• Galvanised body panels resist deterioration
• Twin-spark 2.0-litre engine
• Cloverleaf produces 230bhp

9 Why the Alfa Romeo 164 proves that an old-time, high-performance saloon doesn’t have to stay in the garage The galvanised build gives the Alfa Romeo 164 significant advantages if you plan on using it more often than most would in poor weather, while the saloon’s practicality makes using it day-to-day more straightforward. The standard twin-spark 2.0-litre engine provides the front-wheel-drive chassis with enough energy to reliably provide high-level daily transport with the kind of lively driving that makes an Alfa Romeo special. Buyers wanting substantially more performance can opt for the 24v Cloverleaf which develops 230bhp and hits 155mph, but this will come at the expense of more fuel consumption. With cars at circa 2,000 having survived, the 164 still offers an accessible way into European car club ownership combining low entry levels, mechanical ease and fun performance without being your second modern vehicle.

2. Lotus Excel

From a different part of the Lotus stable comes the Excel, a contender for the best daily classic motoring car, possessing real sports car qualities with the added bonus of a 2+2 seating layout. Perhaps under-appreciated in Lotus’ 1980s range, the Excel’s standard all-alloy 2.2-litre engine the same as in the base S3 Esprit ensures a connection with one of Lotus’ more renowned models. While the glass fibre bodywork resists the elements, the Excel also remains fairly easily accessible.

Why the Lotus Excel Deserves Attention:

• Uses an all-alloy 2.2-litre engine
• Shares engine with S3 Esprit
• Practical 2+2 seating arrangement
• Durable glass fibre bodywork
• 50:50 weight distribution

The Excel can work very well for those seeking a conventional sports car but who don’t want to lose all practicality either. An extra pair of seats means the Excel can even be used as a family runaround sometimes, which makes it more flexible than the typical two-seater sports machine. The 2+2 bodywork and a fairly modest 2.2 engine (same as that fitted to the S3 Esprit) means that it retains a mechanical link to Lotus’ performance roots, while the glass fibre bodywork is remarkably resistant to the elements, which is handy since road use is definitely part of the plan.

3. Saab 900

The Saab 900 is a combination of quirky styling, unconventional engineering, everyday practicality and robustness – all packaged in a form that should meet the harshest conditions. Introduced in 1978, it remained in production until 1993 and was the last true product of Trollhttan before the marriage with General Motors saw the brand’s character altered beyond recognition. Built on an extended Saab 99 chassis, the 900 was the culmination of a philosophical design brief to ensure the car could cope with Scandinavian winters; compact, strong doors, staggered wheels and robust safety features all combine to give the 900 an excellent reputation for occupant protection.

Saab 900 Features Worth Knowing:

• Produced from 1978 to 1993
• Based on Saab 99
• Engine sits above gearbox
• Designed for harsh winters
• Turbo models deliver strong torque

In some ways, the Saab 900 was one of the oddest of classic daily drivers. The longitudinal engine was tilted at 45 degrees and the gearbox laid immediately below it, an unusual layout for a car that set it apart from most rivals. Developed to take Scandinavian weather and conditions in its stride, the Saab 900’s high standard of build quality, thick doors and safety innovations were as much a reflection of its DNA as its quirky drivetrain.

4. Toyota MR2

The MR2 offers a great package of reliable Japanese engineering, precise and predictable handling, and reasonable daily usability. Dubbed Japan’s Fiat X1/9 by the press, the MR2 offers rust-free living, more power, and much greater reliability, than its tiny foreign contemporaries, such as the Mazda MX5. The Lotus-sourced chassis provides a taut, balanced feel to the driving experience, giving even mundane journeys a little driving pleasure, while the keen-revving 16v 1.6 engine further defines the car, encouraging the driver to spin beyond 7000rpm with its lively character.

The MR2’s Everyday Strengths:

• Inspired by Fiat X1/9
• Lotus-tuned chassis
• High-revving 1.6-litre engine
• Engine revs beyond 7000rpm
• Practical rear boot space

It’s a true-blue sports car that also manages to be usable in the real world. The mid-engined layout and Lotus-derived chassis mean it is supremely composed and balanced in the corners and coupled with a highly strung 1.6-litre 16v engine its good fun when you’re just going about your day. It likes to go beyond 7000rpm so it makes a bit of noise for its normal working day, and while it’s a fairly compact sports car, the Mk2 W20 version of the Toyota also has the real virtue of a boot behind the mid-mounted engine bay (which is large enough for a week’s shopping list) making it far more practical than you might think. When you add the fact that it’s generally less prone to rot, more powerful and reliable than the Mazda MX5 cited in the article it’s a far more compelling package.

5. Mercedes 190

The Mercedes 190 is a more refined alternative to the BMW E30 3-Series, yet it offers all the solid, well-engineered reliability you expect from a Mercedes. This delightful small saloon can be an ideal daily driver or entry level classic, especially with the more affordable fuel injected 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine fitted. There is everything from the painfully slow ex-taxi non-turbo diesel variants to the Cosworth enhanced 16v versions that command a huge premium, but the 2.0 litre petrol model is well placed in the middle ground. Knowing that it carries the ‘E’ designation you can be assured it is quick enough to comfortably keep up with fast moving motorway traffic, something worth considering if you plan to use it as your daily driver, yet it has the build quality and engineering to not be overly expensive to keep on the road.

Why The Mercedes 190 Works:

• Refined alternative to E30
• Tough and reliable construction
• Fuel-injected 2.0-litre engine
• Keeps pace with highway traffic
• Solid engineering reduces upkeep

For those wanting a bit of old world character but not prepared to compromise on daily practicality, the 190 makes a lot of sense. Small and refined, the 190 is very good looking and has a nice character all of it’s own, yet also tough enough to make an everyday car. Of the range, the fuel injected 2.0 litre four is the one that makes the most logical sense, sitting conveniently in the middle between the ex-taxi non-turbo diesels that, despite being featureless, were agonisingly slow, and the Ferrari bashing Cosworth-tweaked 16v cars that are now ludicrously expensive. The 2.0 litre ‘E’ makes enough power to keep pace with current highway traffic levels without crossing over into the costly world of high-performance models, and it’s simple, well proven engineering means it’ll be an easy and possibly cheap to own classic.

6. Jaguar XJ-S

If your Jaguar XJ-S strikes you as a little scary for a normal use daily driver, then it’s OK, because the 3.6 straight-six is much more drivable. If you value driving quality as well as looking the part as a daily driver, then straight six XJ-S offers the same exclusivity as the eight but is much more reasonable to run, in any case while still retaining the Jaguar presence we all love. Elegance, comfort and a pair of body styles, coupé for the stylist and a cabriolet for the open-air lover, make the XJ-S very usable as a daily driver.

Making The XJ-S More Manageable:

• Avoids the V12’s fuel appetite
• Uses a 3.6-litre straight-six
• Available as coupé
• Cabriolet body style available
• Good examples cost £10,000-£15,000

For any prospective owner looking for a daily driver that wears a Jaguar badge, the 3.6-litre XJ-S straight-six singlehandedly alters the equation. You needn’t be concerned with outrunning the V12’s ravenous fuel consumption as the six can be a more realistic alternative for everyday mileage, while still being familiar XJ-S fare and offering a choice of coup or cabriolet. The straight-six also has the rare benefit of offering a manual gearbox, bringing an additional driving aspect to the XJ-S.

7. MGB GT

The MGB GT provides the quintessential British sports car image with the added benefit of the ‘hardtop’ giving better protection from the elements than the open top MGB Roadster. Replacing the open two-seater in 1965 after the same period of time in production (three years), the MGB GT has a rear hatchback covering the seats and front end which offers better shelter and comfort. The powertrain remains identical 90bhp 1.8-litre B-series engine found in the Roadster and though the added weight of the GT pushes back the sprint performance in relation to the Roadster, the engine still remains reliable and durable whilst maintenance is simple and cheap and the sub-£10k prices for the later rubber bumper models means it can be an entry-level model for a new enthusiast who wants to run it every day and for something with a little more ‘classic’ style.

Why The MGB GT Makes Sense:

• Launched in 1965
• Closed hatchback body
• Durable 90bhp engine
• Accessible mechanical components
• Later models cost less

You’ll love the MGB GT if you’re after the looks and vibe of a classic British sports car but don’t want to spend every time you go out in the rain sitting exposed to the elements. The hatchback body of the GT provides a more rounded package for driver and passenger while the proven 90bhp 1.8-litre B-series engine is robust and simple, so routine maintenance jobs are not difficult. The added mass of the GT chassis makes for slightly less spirited acceleration, but at least you’ll be bringing up the rear at every drag race.

8. Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk2

The Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk2 is also tough enough to shine outside of weekend-only classic duties and make a practical daily driver. Countless 80s hot hatchbacks are now traditionally parked in garages to prevent early corrosion, but the MK2 Golf GTi has the robustness to be a decent workhorse. Its Bosch-fed 1.8-litre engine blends good punch with excellent economy, so it can be a comfortable, enjoyable runabout without significantly raising running costs.

What Makes The Mk2 GTi Practical:

• Sturdy construction for daily use
• Bosch-injected 1.8-litre engine
• Punchy everyday performance
• Impressive fuel efficiency
• Five-door layout available

The Golf GTi Mk2 ticks all the boxes for those wanting a proper fun hatchback with enough space and comfort to ferry around the family or to work every day. These all make the MK2 GTi an ideal second car, giving you the thrills of a hot hatchback but with all the much-needed practicality. Unlike most of the performance cars of the 1980s, which have now been relegated to Sunday drives or occasional drives, the Golf is the sort of car that can still do the daily grind without breaking a sweat, in large part because of its tough build quality. The Bosch injected 1.8-litre engine still offers a tasty punch of power that, combined with the impressive fuel economy, makes the Mk2 Golf a car that can be driven every day without giving up some of the driving fun you’d expect from a true classic hot hatch.

9. Porsche 924

The Porsche 924 has grown from a somewhat ‘over-priced’ sports car into an entry-level classic Zuffenhausen car, now increasingly accessible to a wider range of enthusiasts. The simple 2.0-litre provides the easiest and most cost-effective entry point for many would-be collectors, avoiding the need to carry out the more expensive work on later 924S and 944s, where a fault-prone balance-shaft belt is an expensive replacement. The cheap 2.0-litre, combined with sharp and communicative steering, makes for a very effective handling package as far as driving through corners is concerned.

The 924’s Daily-Driver Advantages:

• Accessible classic Porsche ownership
• Straightforward 2.0-litre engine
• Balanced transaxle layout
• Sharp, communicative steering
• Spacious rear hatch area

The handling of the 2.0 makes it an engaging car to drive, but the fact that the car is the 2.0 meaning it does not need the costly balance-shaft belt replacements of a 924S or 944 makes it a much more accessible and practical classic sports-car ownership prospect. The transaxle layout ensures excellent handling balance, while the keen and communicative steering makes a trip to the corner more exciting. However, the 924 is not only a driver’s car: the immense rear hatch and wide, flat, feel-good boot space means that the 924 can be very useful for general usage, far better than most sports cars when you are just getting about doing chores. This mix of sports-car driving involvement mixed with everyday practicality means that the 2.0 is quite unique in terms of available classics: it can give you the Porsche driving feel and confidence with everyday practicality.

10. BMW 525e

Classic sharknose styling, silky six-cylinder powertrain and all the running costs critical to lower-end expenditure are the highlights of the BMW 525e. The ‘e’ in the name refers to Eta and denotes a long-stroke 2.7litre six that BMW designed specifically for maximum fuel efficiency at reduced revs. Consequently, the BMW 525e has a different kind of feel compared to the BMW models designed for high performance as the emphasis is on relaxing, economical motoring.

Why The BMW 525e Stands Out:

• Classic sharknose BMW styling
• Long-stroke 2.7-litre engine
• Designed for fuel efficiency
• Four-speed ZF automatic gearbox
• Nearly 40mpg on relaxed drives

The 525e in many respects takes a more laid-back approach to traditional performance motoring by bringing together six-cylinder smoothness and economy. The ‘eta’ badge is applied to the long-stroke 2.7-litre version of the unit developed for gentle, low-revving duty. Matched with a four-speed ZF automatic gearbox, it can achieve close to 40mpg when driven sensibly, offering fantastic economy for a petrol engine whilst keeping the smoothness of a six-cylinder powertrain.