SURVEY (unofficial) - Thoughts on the best vintage DAILY driver; must withstand LA/OC/SD Traffic

[Bmachine]

LA/OC/SD traffic? That means automatic with excellent, reliable AC.

You don't say anything about size requirements. One person? Just going to work and back? Need to carry lots of stuff?
If you want to stay with BMW, and unless you need a lot of room, a '90 or later e30 would fit that bill perfectly.

 

[Alice Couper]

1987-1991 ('88 is sweet spot, IMO) Porsche 928 w/ Automatic.

What?! An automatic?! If this is not your only classic, you will get plenty of shifting action on your other cars and as a DD, you can't beat it.
The S4 variant with the updated styling of the front and rear still looks thoroughly modern and relevant. I love the design, inside and out. A rocketship. Manly spoiler... Always wanted one.
The support via online forums is on par with this group, or even better in some areas. *Every* mystery on that car has been elucidated by the Rennlist 928 community.
Great parts support from Porsche and the aftermarket and very rewarding to wrench on as you fix it once and it's done for a while.
AC that works well; plus you can run it through a car wash without much compunction.
And a very nice car with under 80K miles can be had for ~20K in a wide variety of colors and interiors. Every month tehre are a few on BaT.

Not my car but mine is just like it:

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Also helpful if you have a Trig mid-term tomorrow and you need to evade Guido the Killer Pimp.
"Porsche. There is no substitute." --Joel Goodson

 

[JayWltrs]

Good candidate, but it violates my Fla car rule-the last of my rules I’ve failed to break.

BMW E30 Wagon

1993 316i 5-speed touring, M40 engine, 100k miles, factory cloth sport seats! Interior is mint! New black headliner, rust free deck lid, Hella smiley headlights with city lights, euro rear fog light,

dallas.craigslist.org

 

[JFENG]

LA traffic = Automatic transmission.
LA heat = strong A/C, which means GM, Toyota, Mercedes. My X5 A/C pales in comparison to my wifes ML350
LA Drivers = good bumpers
LA gas prices = high mpg
LA Distracted drivers = Fiamm air horns
LA road quality = 70 profile tires and 'comfort' suspension calibration

And when you want to actually enjoy driving on the weekends, that's when you take out one of your classics .. cars that require your focus and engagement to drive well.

 

[dave v. in nc]

I second that emotion.

 

[Arde]

BMW e36 318i hands down.

Better fuel economy, maybe get a Datsun B210.

 

[adawil2002]

1985-1987 round headlight 4-door Toyota Land Cruiser.
1992 Chevy Suburban
E36 M3, though not a vintage car.
2004-2010 X3 6-speed manual

 

[Bwana]

e39 without a doubt. Either a 535 or a 540 with an automatic 5-speed. I just rolled over 229,000 miles on mine and it still looks good and doesn't use a teaspoon of oil between changes. Deals with Texas heat in stop and go traffic, comfy with a good stereo. Mine has the "Sport" package which is the brakes and suspension of an M5. They are on Bring-a-Trailer all the time.

https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2018/12/10/2003-bmw-e39-530i-best-daily-driver