Top 5 Cheap Classic Cars / Vintage Vehicles as Daily Drivers

Let me know your thoughts about this list, which includes various makes and models from over the years.

[drippinglass]

I miss the days of buying a $500 car that you could get a few years out of. At least you could til the early 00’s. The cash for clunckers killed off many.

[robertgruver]

Last year i bought a 2000 Lincoln Town Car as a summer / weekend driver. I paid $3700 with 105, 000 miles, a tune up and fluid changes. I've put 13, 000 miles on it and i have to say, it is one if the best cars i've owned. It's been absolutely reliable, comfortable, and wonderful to drive. It reminds me of the 70's Fords and Mercuries my parents owned, except more comfortable with better gas mileage. I would buy another panther platform in a heartbeat.

[Miami]

I am so sick of new car prices. When my lease is up, I am not getting another new car. I am going to buy two or three classic sedans instead. I have plenty of room to keep them at my house. And thanks to Adam in his channel, I will have the knowledge to fulfill this dream. Huge fan of yours. Thank you so much.

[tombrown]

All very good choices. I've often wondered how many of these affordable drivers were taken off the road through the "Cash for Clunkers" program. I know it really messed up the used car market.

[gianmariavolonte]

As a retired Ford mechanic, I can agree with you on the 1973-78 LTD/Grand Marquis were very reliable cars. Most that came through are dealership were regular maintenance or rebuilding the not so good Autolite carburetors. The 351M/400 did have a block casting issue in the 1978 (I think) model year. It was caught but not soon enough, so quite a few went out the door. One other thing with the 98-2011 Panther platform. If you live in the salt belt, make sure the steering shaft is inspected. They were prone to corrosion and steering would be difficult with a lot of clunking noise. In some cases they would break and the driver would be in deep sh*t. Some models were recalled for this issue but better safe than sorry, have it inspected.

[leroygolden]

Picked up a 2006 Town Car for $7k with 75k miles. Most comfortable ride ever. The only car I’ve ever had that gets compliments from strangers.

[johnfloore]

Absolutely agree on the Ford panther platform cars. I have 2 currently and hopefully will never be without one in "my fleet." Not indestructible, but close and oh so easy (and cheap) to fix if anything goes wrong. Peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.

[davidgenie-cizl]

Took my 66 Bug on a 300 mile Christmas road trip, got a lot of looks. 29 mpg at 65 to 70 mph most of way. It can go a bit faster, but it gets buzzy above 70, and it needs the slow lane with the trucks on the steep upgrades. Loads of fun.

[rightlanehog]

Adam, I am so happy to see the Panther Platform is finally getting some respect on this channel. When are you going to add a couple to your fleet?🤔 😉😁

[brianlaurance]

Still daily driving a 1997 Buick Park Avenue Ultra and my wife's 2005 Buick LeSabre. I love these cars, and, as long as there are good examples still available, I'll always look for a Buick with the 3800 V6.

[TeeroyHammermill]

I daily drove a 1993 Fleetwood for around 8 years. Chevrolet's 5.7 TBI V8 (LO5) is on par with the 3800 for reliability and service life. Fuel mileage was surprisingly good in the Cadillac with 2.56 rear end and overdrive transmission.

[tristankelsey]

It's hard to believe $5k-6k is considered cheap for a car td. Plus good luck finding a drivable vehicle from the 70s that's not falling apart. At least here in the northeast. I would love to daily drive any one of these cars!

[jakereal]

EVERY word here is spot on! I own a 66 Toronado that I daily drove from 98-2000 and I can tell you its an absolute BEAST in the snow! Nothing holds it back, I nick named it the "Bull Dozer" LOL I also know people whom have the RWD GM cars Adam mentioned and they drove them 200-300K miles, i worked for Buick 1985-6 when these FWD Buicks came out and again SPOT ON. YES the early ones had teething issues but the last few years were great cars. THe RWD Big Fords of late 90s-2000s were also great as mentioned. I own a similar one in regards to engine, a 97 Mark Vlll with now drum rolll 348, 000 miles and it still runs and drives great. GRanted its a "hotter" version 4.6 with DOHC / 32 Valves VS the SOHC 4.6 found in theCVs and Marquis/Town cars but that 4.6 in its day one awards and is a stellar engine and loved by all!

[sdc]

I have been driving for 52 years and it always amazes me when a new car comes out that we never know if it will be a great car until 10-20 years later. I agree with your list. And that 3.8 GM engine is one of the best GM ever put out.I would pick it over many of the V6's today due to durability and mpg.

[KDoyle]

The most fuel efficient engine in a 1972-1978 LTD is the engine you did not mention -- the 351W. I had two of them and they both did better than 20 MPG on a trip. On the 1977 and up downsized full-size GM cars, beware of the ones with the TH200 Chevette transmission.

[michaelsullivan]

Great list, Adam!

I can vouch for the Ford Panthers. I’ve been driving Crown Vics as daily drivers for 20 years now. Usually pic them up with 90K miles, and drive them for another 100K before selling and getting a newer one. Absolutely trouble free. Just regular service. I can’t say enough good things about these cars!

[weegeemike]

I agree with your list 100%. The Bucik 3800 cars and the Vic/Marquis are typically what i recommend for people looking for cheap reliable transportation. However a lot of younger people (under 30) see these cars as lame grandpa cars and are embarassed by their looks so they pick up used BMWs or etc and they always come back to me complaining when they break down...if they would have just gotten over the grandpa status of those other cars theyd be way happier and have more money in their wallets but i guess they gotta learn somehow.

[Porschedriver]

My sister had a Pontiac with the 3800. Great car and not outlandish. We cruised 80mph down to Mexico comfortably and securely.

[DSP]

A great list, Adam! The only downside to running some of these wonderful cars on a daily basis is the gas mileage, which you did touch on. I think that's an important thing to know, especially if the owner lives in a hilly environment. While my '73 Marquis 429 can easily get 15-18 MPG on a flat freeway, around San Francisco the MPG was a solid 6.

[jeffstonecipher]

All great choices. Having owned most of these vehicles I always try to steer people towards the Buicks, my 04 Lesabre Limited is just an awesome, easy to love machine -they even tow surprisingly well. Park Avenues were also stellar vehicles for the money (had a 2000 years ago). Always wanted a 03-05 Ultra -but they are getting harder to find, even the "base" Park Aves seem to get picked over first -but there are still a lot of Lesabre around, which I just highly recommend. Mine even came with tire pressure monitoring, a nice Bose stereo, heated seats, rain sensing wipers and a heads up display! They're out there🙂 Good coverage Adam!