daily driver

[tjtucker]

I searched but i really didn't find anything.

Do any of you actually use your Pro Touring cars as a full time daily driver? Say 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year
I'm thinking it could be possible if you set it with one of the new LS2 or LS6 motors & a 5 or 6 speed.

Thanks TJ

[ill steez]

I personally don't, but I have a good friend that used to drive his 69' camaro with an LT-1 as his primary vehicle... the car has since bcome much more extreme and not as practical, but it's definitly possible.

[vyking67]

i often thought about the same thing .... but must if not the 95% of all of the PT cars are in a constent state of developement or change. and as a result all of those people have other transportation .. once the cars are finished i cant recall of anyone making the decision to drive them all the time ... far too many years and dollars have pssed by to risk the car then..

[Bill Howell]

My car is not a daily driver as I am a contractor and it is really hard to haul 2X4s in the goat. However, it does get great mileage and the odometer shows 10265 miles after three years of driving. Depending on how nice you make your car and where you would actually park for work, etc, driving it as a dd is a good idea. Just don't go crazy with all the chrome, etc as it would get to be a pita if you actually used the car for what it was intended.....lol

[rogue]

I could easily daily drive my 69, but why would I want to. It gets horrible mileage, has no AC, is loud as all hell and gets way too much attention for mundane things like grocery runs and picking up the drycleaning.

Sometimes its just to just "jump in and go" and not have to worry about what you're driving.

Thats what a daily is all about imo.

[BA.]

I drove mine daily when I was younger and before it was totaled, and I fully intend to drive it a lot when it ever comes back from being painted.

Like you said, with an LS-type motor and A/C and a good suspension, why wouldn't I want to enjoy the fruits of my labor and money? We're not running a museum here.

[stealth71]

Only problem I see is insurance. Getting an agreed value policy on a daily drive would be tough and expensive.

[Chad-1stGen]

I don't have an agreed value policy just for that reason. I take on the extra risk of a "normal" policy so I can drive my car whenever and however I want. My Harley is my daily driver but last year I drove the Camaro for errands and work quite a bit.

[Magntik]

DD, kinda depends on what part of the country you live in , IMO.
In Iowa, we get sometime in late March till sometime in October where I would consider my '67 Firebird as my primary vehicle. October thru March, she hides till the weather gets warmer and the snow is gone, West Coast and Southwest don't have the same problems. Not sure I would get 10,000 miles in say 6 months, but I put on my fair share of "hard" miles. As far as being loud, rough and terrible on the gas mileage... who cares that's part of the attraction and where I'm at it's only 6 months a years, damn it.

[tjtucker]

All thanks for the replies.

The real reason I posted was because I'm getting close to purchasing a new car. In about 8 months I will be giving my car to my nephew. So I have kinda started pre-shoping. I'm not sure if I want something new 1 or 3 series BMW, older M3, year or so old Vette.

I have run the numbers and just about any car you buy it's going to go down 4,500 to 6,000 a year (Truck, Vette, BMW, Honda, Toyota) if you buy the car new and trade it back to a dealer.
I was thinking if you can purchase a "good" restored Pro Tourning with the right color, options and stance you should be able to do much better. Such as the red 67 for sale on the board right now for 30K. (I don't think you can come close to building that car for 30K unless you are a professional shop and you do it on your own time and you don't include your labor).

Anyway here's my thinking buy the 67 for 30K drive it 30,000 miles or 3 years and have a blast doing it take extra good care of the car and sell for around 22,500.00 or 23,000.00 or you can buy a Bullit Mustang for 33,000 drive it 3 years and sell it for 15,000 to 17,000 or just like I did buy a fully loaded 2005 King Ranch for 30,750.00 or 34% off list price drive it for 3 years put on 29,555 miles and sell it for 17,500 to 18,500.00 current dealer trade in offers.

TJ





Does

[skatinjay27]

tyler from ats drives his 68 every day to and from work.

[Taylor1969]

If you are buying a true daily driver what is wrong with a $6000 Toyota Corolla?

[tjtucker]

I guess I work hard to have things I enjoy.
Who wants to drive a $6000 Toyota Corolla everyday?

TJ

[rogue]

I guess I work hard to have things I enjoy.
Who wants to drive a $6000 Toyota Corolla everyday?

TJ

who wants to drive a 30k camaro that garnishes a massive amount of attention every stop you make when all you needed to do was pickup a gallon of milk? I could daily drive both my classics but there is no way in hell I would... Far too much hassle.

Even "die hard" guys who daily drive their cars still have an easy, car they can just get in and go...

[rogue]

Anyway here's my thinking buy the 67 for 30K drive it 30,000 miles or 3 years and have a blast doing it take extra good care of the car and sell for around 22,500.00 or 23,000.00

um....

[ssx]

I drove both a 67' Camaro RS/SS and a 66' Nova H/T as my primary vehicles to and from work for about a year each. Both cars were nice cars. Insurance is more expensive and it required me to do a lot more maintence, especially after driving in the rain etc. It was worth it though. I currently drive a new Tundra, but when I get me next car, it will be a driver again for sure.

[Josh69]

I would buy the Toyota or cheaper equivalent and the Camaro. That way in 3 years the Camaro is worth the same or more than you paid, and the Toyota is still worth $3K. Net could come out even, and you have a great toy to use on most days the weather is nice and you want that special feeling. If it's raining, and you are running errands and shopping at places with busy parking lots, drive the Toyota.

I could drive my '69 Firebird to work daily, as I've done a few times since recently getting it on the road. But I've got too much blood, sweat, tears and money into it to watch it take that kind of beating. I'll drive it plenty, and to work a few times a week in the summer. I have a '97 Silverado that is paid for, and a '00 Infiniti that is paid for for daily abuse. My friends think I'm nuts, spending $30K+ to rebuild an old car and not having a new BMW instead...but my priorites are different, and I'm not upside down in anything....unlike most others I know.

[Z06killinSBF]

I was driving the Mustang daily up to about 6 months ago when I scored the Contour. It is really nice just to jump in and go. I don't worry about parking in BFE or if it'll start everytime. I'm not extra careful everywhere I go.

[shmoov69]

IMO, just too many hassles with old cars compared to new ones. I would like to drive my 58 wagon everyday, and could for the most part, but it is definatley more of a PITA than my F250, so therefore I don't. Just the little things to me though.

[tjtucker]

Again thanks for the replies.
If I'm hearing some of you right even the restored cars with the LS6, LS2, newer 5 & 6 speeds do not get very good gas mileage and are PITAs? I figured they would be like a newer 2001-2002 Camaro or GTO once you put the motors, trans, steering boxes and update wheels, brakes and tires. I guess I need to find someone local and take a ride. Maybe I expected to much from an older car when I rode with the DSE guys.
As far as a daily driver I would split the driving time with other cars I have. As far as drawing attention I guess I'm different I don't want to be one of 10s of 1000s. As far as a weekend car I have this





I would make this a couple a days a week car if it had windows and was water proof.

Again thanks for you replies

TJ