在这里Garage Dreams, we are all about classic cars.
More specifically, we are all about preserving the history of classic cars. Our goal is to try and ensure that the great vehicles of yesteryear live on in the hearts and minds of the motoring public (especially as we enter an era of increasingly bland, boring cars).
As such, we seek to answer our readers’ questions about classic motoring.
One of the most common questions we get asked is“what is the best classic car for daily use?”.
Readers want to know what classic cars they can buy that are going to provide a high level of usability and durability (by classic standards). If you’re going to daily a classic, then you want to make sure it actually does what you need it to do.
在最近的一篇文章中，我们讨论了您是否可以并且应该每天驾驶经典汽车。如果您还没有阅读该文章，那么我们建议您这样做这里.
In that piece we go into more detail on the pros and cons of daily use of classic cars.
Ultimately, our opinion is that if your budget and storage space can stretch to it, you are probably better off getting a more modern, “mundane” car for day to day driving (something like a Toyota Camry, Honda Accord etc) and then having a fun classic for the weekend and occasional use. This is what we do ourselves.
The advantage of this approach is that you get to enjoy the superior reliability, safety and creature comforts of a modern car, along with the fun of a nice classic that you won’t have to put too many miles on.
但是，如果您只想每天可以开车一辆车，那么在本文中，我们介绍了一些最佳选择。
请注意，我们的编辑团队总部位于日本和新西兰；因此，我们更多地关注日本和欧洲的经典（在我们的本地市场中具有不错的可用性），而不是美国汽车，而美国在美国以外很难找到。
In fact, we would greatly appreciate any suggestions by our American readers as to what a good “domestic” daily driver classic is. Feel free to leave a comment with your pick of the best American classic daily drivers. If we can get some good suggestions, then we will look to add them in to this article.
另请注意，我们主要是在研究“现代”经典（1990年后），因为这是基于我们的Web分析和评论，这是对我们和我们的读者最感兴趣的汽车时代。但是，我们也看过一些较旧的汽车。
Now, let’s get started with our list of the best classic cars for daily use.
Table of Contents
最佳跑车 - MX-5/Miata
No discussion of classic cars could be complete without reference to the Mazda MX-5/Miata/Eunos.
In fact, many claim that“ Miata永远是答案”.
If you don’t need more than two seats in your daily driver, then we reckon a Miata/MX-5 must be your first port of call. Those who say that Miata is always the answer really do have a good point, there isn’t much out there that comes close.
The MX-5/Miata is one of the most successful sports cars of all time in terms of units sold, and has built up a loyal following across the world due to its legendary combination of drivability, reliability and availability.
Excluding the current generation, you’ve also got three great generations of car to pick from (NA, NB and NC) all with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. The first generation, NA, is the true classic but there are good arguments for looking at the later generations as well.
Regardless of which generation and specific model you buy, you are going to get yourself into one of the greatest sports cars of all time. Not the fastest, not the most luxurious, but certainly one of the best in terms of total package.
Pros
- Miata is always the answer
- Fairly economical on fuel
- 通常可靠；很容易处理（尤其是早期的型号）
- 高度零件可用性
- Nothing beats taking the roof off and enjoying the wind in your hair on a warm summer’s evening.
- 对于MX-5/Miatas来说，对年轻的驾驶员来说很有趣，但驾驶不太强大。
- 如果您想更快地走，mod潜力
Cons
- Lack of space; only two seats and small boot. Not ideal for dog owners, small families, NBA league players etc.
- Poor safety features, especially on earlier models that may lack airbags and other things we take for granted these days.
- Earlier models are not the most powerful; perhaps not the best choice for freeway driving.
View our Mazda MX-5/Miata buyer’s guide herefor more information on the various generations of this car and how to find and purchase a great example. This guide covers every generation of the MX-5/Miata.
As we said above, if space isn’t a concern (or the lack of safety gear) then you’d be hard pressed to find a better car for the money than Mazda’s most enduring sports car.
Best Hot Hatchback – Golf GTI
如果您正在寻找一辆既实用又有趣的日常驾驶经典汽车，那么很难超越热掀背车的起源，即高尔夫GTI。
现在跨越了八代，高尔夫GTI铭牌是热掀背车的代名词。
At Garage Dreams we think that the current “sweet spot” for Golf GTIs is probably the MK5.
MK1和2 GTIS太老了，价格攀升（它们本身就是一辆出色的汽车，但牙齿却有点长）。
MK3 & 4 GTIs are definitely entering “modern classic” territory but were generally not that well regarded in their time.
MK6 is seen by many to be an awkward generation; considered by some to be an inferior drive to the MK5, and much less reliable than the MK7 that replaced it.
However, MK5 is a good option because it was – in some respects – the “rebirth” of the Golf GTI after the disappointment of the MK4.
MK5 Golf GTIs have many of the modern conveniences that you would want and expect for daily use, but also are great to drive and have a fairly strong reputation for reliability as well as good aftermarket and third party parts support.
MK5也是DSG变速箱可用的第一个高尔夫GTI，如果您想在想“放下头发”并获得一些乐趣时，可以手动转移，这是一个不错的选择。
虽然我们喜欢GLOLD GTI的所有一代（当然，比其他人都多），但我们确实认为，就现代日常驾驶员而言，MK5很难击败。
Pros
- 在直线速度和处理方面稳定的性能
- 出色的实用性；高尔夫GTI确实是一种“做”的汽车
- Good safety by modern classic standards
- Decent reliability and parts support
- DSG provides a good alternative to manual if you want the convenience of automatic for cruising and around-town driving
- 可能是游戏中最好的全能球员之一
- Some interesting special models available in certain markets, e.g. 30th anniversary and Pirelli editions
- Fairly economical on gas
Cons
- 不是最快/最令人兴奋的热舱口
- Can be expensive to fix when it goes wrong due to higher level of complexity
- Might not be old enough for some to consider it a classic
Click here to read our full MK5 Golf GTI buyer’s guide and history. This guide will help you to find a great example of this popular car.
Best Sedan – Lexus LS400/Toyota Celsior
Looking for the best comfortable cruiser classic for daily use and don’t mind too much about poor fuel economy (“gas mileage” to our American friends)?
If so, then the Lexus LS400 is one of your best bets.
Although there were many comfortable cruising sedans to come from Japan in the 1990s (such as the Nissan Cima, Mazda Sentia, Honda Legend etc) the Lexus LS400 – also sold in other markets as the Toyota Celsior – has to be your best bet.
This car was a game changer when it was new, and still holds up incredibly well today.
雷克萨斯LS400是真正将雷克萨斯带到美国现场的车辆（尽管公平地说，这也是第一个雷克萨斯车）。
It was the genesis of a generation of Lexus buyers, and cemented the “L” badge as something to be desired.
Even the rapper Notorious BIG boasted in one of his rhymes of “The Lexus LS, four and a half” of which he was so proud (nobody thought to remind him at the time that the Lexus LS400 actually came with Toyota’s four litre 1UZ-FE … allowances have to be made for artistic licence).
The LS400 is famed for generally being an extremely reliable and well-built vehicle, and also luxuriously comfortable – even by today’s standards.
When Cadillac engineers disassembled a 1990 Lexus LS400, they came to the shocking conclusion that they simply could not build such a well-engineered and produced vehicle at any cost (much less a competitive price point). That is to say that the Lexus LS400 was so good, competitors couldn’t even replicate it if they wanted to.
If your idea of a great daily driver classic car is a comfortable, quick (in a straight line) sedan that can easily seat four adults in luxury, then the LS400 is your best bet. There are few classic cars we would rather munch away at motorway miles in.
The LS430 and LS460 that came afterwards are great cars in their own right – and more modern of course – but somehow failed to capture the magic of the LS400.
Pros
- Legendary Lexus reliability – it’s not uncommon to see these with absolute Star Trek mileages
- The 1UZ-FE is one of the greatest V8 engines ever produced
- Still fairly quick in a straight line
- 听起来不错
- Comfortable and luxurious
- Relatively safe compared to classics of the era
- Practical and spacious; a great road trip vehicle
Cons
- 口渴的气体——这可能是一个问题如果你a lot of miles, especially in stop-start. This car was built for 90s oil and gas prices!
- If things do go wrong, then expect large bills as these were complicated vehicles
- Not the most exciting drive in terms of dynamics/handling
我们正在致力于一个买方th指南e Lexus LS400, so stay tuned for that.
Best Wagon/Family Car – Volvo 850R
We firmly believe that very little is cooler than a fast wagon. In a world of bland SUVs, wagons stand out as the thinking man’s choice for family transportation. Any wagon is automatically cooler than an SUV, and doubly so if the wagon is fast.
最终的快速旅行车是什么？
In our opinion (from a classic car perspective) that award has to go to the Volvo 850R.
虽然货车像奥迪（Audi）的RS阵容一样更快，但沃尔沃（Volvo）的“车轮上的盒子”是一种传奇，永恒的设计，是典型的车站旅行车。
If the 850R was good enough for James May to drive across Africa in a Top Gear special, then it’s good enough for us:
850R结合了可用的性能，疯狂的实用性水平（真是令人惊讶的是，您可以在其中之一中适应多少），并为其年龄的稳固安全性以及低调的，永不遗忘的斯堪的纳维亚设计。
您如何对参加巡回汽车锦标赛并赢得比赛的旅行车说不？
实际上，这是这位作家的梦想经典 - 但是在新西兰发现一个人说起来容易做起来难。
If you can’t find an 850R, there were also the 850 T5 and 850 T5-R to look out for as well.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Practical and spacious – there was even a seven seater option for larger families, and other nice features like built-in booster seats
- 不错的直线速度（尤其是在手动装饰中）
- 沃尔沃安全 - 至少与年龄相似的车辆相比
- IT’S A FAST WAGON WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?
Cons
- Getting fairly long in the tooth now
- Relatively rare cars; you may find it hard to locate a good example
- 不是世界上最好的汽车
- 当他们出错时修复可能很昂贵
- Not particularly economical
Go here to check out our Volvo 850 T5/T5-R/850R buyer’s guide and historyfor more information on this legendary vehicle.
Conclusion – What Is The Best Classic Car For Daily Use?
Picking a classic car for daily drive usage isn’t the easiest process.
No matter what you pick, you are going to have to compromise in some regards.
However, in this article we have covered four great options for classic cars that are usable every day.
当然，我们可以提出的其他建议（甚至数百个），但我们希望您在本文中找到选择的选择是开始购买旅程的有用起点。我们完全意识到，您每天都可以购买和使用的BMW，梅赛德斯，本田等所有礼貌，但我们必须从某个地方开始。
我们试图挑选大多数市场上可用的汽车，而不是在美国找不到的JDM汽车（JDM每日经典的一个例子就是欧洲卷议；带有recaro座椅和高速vtec发动机）。
If you have any suggestions you’d like to make, then feel free to leave a comment below. We are always open to updating and modifying this list over time, as there are so many great options out there for classics with solid potential for regular use.
我们总是欢迎任何积极和消极的反馈，并尽最大努力及时做出回应。