What is the best all round daily?

[DLowe]

Other than the hideous fuel consumption I do like my touareg.

As comfy as a range rover, none of the build quality issues...... so far

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[Scottie]

Is it more an on paper box ticker though? I wonder.

I did think that and will try one at some point, from 65 plate LCI onwards though people like EVO give them very good reviews, and i've found EVO reviews match my opinions.

Both the Focus ST and Golf R are odd ones, can't believe people make estates that can not tow, an unpractical practical car??

[Mark]

How many people realistically tow? I guess they decided it was a worth while sacrifice? A midsize car is never going to be a good tow car anyway, if thats a requirement people buy 4x4s or larger cars.

[green_rs13]

exactly, if you wanted to tow then you would get a mondeo estate as they can tow 2 tonne.

[Jonny Wilkinson]

I had a tow hitch on my old Impreza and it was great for towing a motorcycle trailer or a small box trailer for taking crap to the tip.

I once used it to tow a 4-wheel trailer with a Cossie on the back and it was, quite frankly, scary !

I did miss the hitch though when I got the newer version of the Subaru that couldn't be fitted with a towbar....because of the exhaust.

[Mark]

It does seem exhausts get priority these days

[mattvaughan180]

How about this then??
you don’t see many about and with a w8 engine very unique if you can get your head around it being a Passat but 35,000 miles for £6,000 seems good value

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F113388635481


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[Scottie]

And on the subject of not practical practical cars how can you not have at least a space saver. BMW please tell me how the fook you manage to include a spare wheel on the Z3 a tiny 2 seater roadster, yet you can't find any fooking space for it in an estate car!!

[Actual_Ben_Taylor]

Runflats... Started to be fitted as standard by BMW from around 2003.

[arry]

Runflats... Started to be fitted as standard by BMW from around 2003.

Around the time ride quality died and morons started driving round on permanently flat tyres.

[sideways14a]

Runflats + msport suspension = just walk.

[Scottie]

Runflats + msport suspension = just walk.

I have commuted in an sx with 10/8 coilovers, with a solid mounted subframe, rose jointed suspension and race seat. Surely it can not be worse than that ?!?

[Mark]

Its not about space, its about cost and weight saving

[skyshack]

200SX S13 lowered 25mm.

Style. Lower than a 911.
Reasonable pace, on par with DB5.
Seats 2 + 3 teens.
Open the hatch, drop the back seat, sling a gents racing bike in the back.
Open the hatch sling a folding put-u-up bed in the boot.
Open the hatch, drop the seat, fold the front seat and insert a 3m length of whatever it is from B&Q/Wickes, copper tube, gutter, curtain pole it's taken them all, pass footwell to driver's rear corner of boot.

Cost £1400 and £150 got a 2nd one for spares (blown gasket, knocking, 20 ft yellow chalk). Easy for DIY fix as no stupid body control electronics. Fit an Aldi USB/SD card/CD/radio.

[Scottie]

WHilst I can't disagree my s13 was a great daily and very practical 20 years ago alas real world issues such as rust, crash protection and a 74 year old rear seat passenger rule it out now. The fastback shape is very practical though.

[Chriscooke]

The s13 is a cool car but it in no way makes a great daily, most on this list are faster, more economical, more practical, more comfortable.
As a weekend or fun car they are brilliant however.

[Jonny Wilkinson]

A standard S13 is a nice daily with good economy (38 mpg on a run) and very comfortable if there are only one or two of you. You can fit a tow bar (if you can find one) and they are very practical for flat pack furniture and runs to the tip.

However, they do take work to keep them roadworthy and they are not all that fast as standard. 0-60 is around 6.5 seconds.

....and they're not new.

[Scottie]

The fastback shape has made a bit of a comeback in recent years, the 4 series 5 door is surprisingly practical and roomy. Fastbacks are far better than boots

[skyshack]

Except no one makes a practical sporting 3 door fastback 2+2-3 around 50" high. The last Celica 190bhp is just a shade faster but doesn't have a usable flat boot floor with the seats folded. There's a big silly lump of plastic with compartments hiding the fuel tank. Hyundai coupes were over 52" and the 2.7L V6 is about 1 sec slower 0-60 mph.

All "fastback" saloons are 54" high or more. Sleek they ain't. Pagoda bonnets and creased wings to hide the horror of their bulk. Look OK parked next to a SUV but then I roll up. Yes my glass line is lower than door handles of the F32.


I give you the rot. I have had to park the "high days and holidays" one this month. Braked hard for an oncoming bus in middle of road, ABS triggered and something went crack. Made nasty cracking sounds at every turn of the wheel or braking. Lucky I was in sight of home. Bottom of front section of main chassis rail is the same, not too sure why the ARB mount didn't rip out too. This is just rocking it back and forth by the door frame.

Plan A2 is resurrect the 2 tone "donor, which was bought for £150. It was short of 2L of mud that was passed off as coolant, knocking big end and 10 ft of yellow chalk. This is about 2 years earlier than plan A1.

[Scottie]

I guess the reason no one makes them any more is because no one is buying. People seem to want more practicality from a daily nowadays, the market has moved on. Then for weekend or track they want more focused, so it's either a hot hatch as the only car or a two car solution.

The height of newer cars bothers me less than the weight of them, although the GT86 is a good effort.