Who uses their classic Buick as a daily driver? Any experience with reliabilty, snow, gas mileage, etc would be appreciated. I am kicking around the idea of grabbing one up for this purpose.
Gregg, Welcome aboard! There are only a handful of us that use our Buicks as a true daily driver. I am one of them. In the summer, I drive my '69 Special to work every day. However this is a "special" car to me and I don't want it to rust, so as soon as the snow starts flying I take it off the road until spring. Snow is not a problem, but salt/sand is! I drove this car through winters until about 1994-5 (I have owned it since '86), and it was a fantastic car in the winter. A posi rearend can make things tricky, but if you know how to control it then I prefer posi. In the winter, I drive a different (but very similar) '69 Special. This one is my "beater" and I don't care if it rots out in a few years. It has a 250-I6, 2-speed transmission, and a non-posi rearend. Soon I will be installing an overdrive tranny (200R4), as soon as I figure out the TV cable assembly. Gas mileage is about 14-15 in the "summer" car (with an EFI 455), and about 19-20 in the "winter" car. With the OD tranny I am hoping for 23 - 25 MPG (and the ability to exceed 70 MPH on the freeway so I don't get run over by everyone else doing 80 - 85). The 250 I6 is AMAZINGLY reliable, the valvecover hasn't been off the car in it's 35 year lifespan. Starts every singe time! The 455 is a hi-po engine, and things happen to it because of all the extra doodads that I've installed. But if you stick to a stock drivetrain, it won't be a problem. The downside, of course, is rust. If you truly want to drive through the winter, don't expect it to last very long! Otherwise, it's highly recommended. By the way, I commute 100+ miles every day. -Bob Cunningham
hi Gregg 3 years ago my '89 Lincoln Mark VII puked so I decided to drive the '68 SportWagon - seeing how it was registered and insured. I drove it for 8 months including winter. Also, It was used to move my then Fiancee (now wife) into our new house as well as moving the contents of a rented 2 car garage into the new houses garage space which included ALOT of 68/69 parts (hows 5 hoods sound ?? ou: ) Its like any other car - you want to go into using it as a daily driver with it being in top operating condition if you dont like getting stranded. Aside from not having ABS in the winter, its no big deal. I never had a problem with the Sporty in those 8 months
I don't drive the toys in the winter. Heck, I haven't gotten to in the summer much lately either... Best winter car I ever had tho was a 68 Sportwagon. That thing was like a tank; it went anywhere. Never got stuck, always started. I miss that car!!!
I got mine with the intent of using it as a daily driver. It gets about 20 mpg. I love it. It is not "show quality" but is in very good shape. If you are going to drive it all the time, be sure to get a car that already has some flaws, otherwise it can become a little hard on the nerves worrying when it will get that dreaded first dink. Park at the end of the parking lots. Walking a little farther is good for you and your car. Reliability is dependent on how it's maintained, serviced, driven, etc. Be nice to it, take care of problems as soon as possible, before it becomes a cause for another problem. If you can work on it confidently on your own....great, if not, get references before taking it to a mechanic. There are a lot of ignorant people out there claiming mechanic status. Get the factory manuals (for you or your mechanic to use) This is just some of the stuff I was told when I was deciding to buy my '62 Skylark, and it all sounded good to me.
Unfortunately I get about 10 mpg, but it needs a new carb and lots of work. It has been very reliable, and when something does break on a car this age, its easy to fix on the road. Also, there isn't a lot to go wrong. Mine is a convertible, but the heater really cranks - never cold in that car. As far as driving in snow, it has been wonderful. The weight helps, and although the 'Larks aren't built for road courses, I think they handle quite well for a vehicle of their size and age. I hit a few large and deep slushy areas on the freeway last year and didn't even fishtail, whereas my old Toyota's would have pushed themselves off the road. (Of course, knowing how to drive helps too.) Although I certainly don't want to slide into something, I feel safe with a lot of metal between myself and anything I may hit. The gas mileage is a big downside, though. For daily driving you probably want to make sure you have (or converted to) power disc brakes and a modern stereo. Another reliability point - since they are old, some major components are probably ready for a change,and that can create large projects. The best part, though, is going in style.
I use mine as a daily driver and i love it, makes my ride home more fun. just last week while driving home i had a '66mustang pull next to me and reeved his engine at me (probably a 289) so i went along with him, so after i did mine, he did his again and it turned off....:laugh: that made my ride home more pleasent, and it relieved some stress from work. BUICKs!!! Reliefs stress...that's my story and i'm sticking to it. :TU: :TU: :TU: Daily Driver :TU: :TU: :TU:
I've been using GSs for daily drivers for the past 3 years. The first two were GS455s, and now i have a couple GS350s that I use. I park in a parking garage when I'm at school so I don't have too much to worry about dings (big parking spaces). I'm extra careful to miss rush hour traffic, and take low-traffic routes home. Basicly just be overly cautious and you should be fine. Always park in corner spots or next to curbs in the parking lot when you can. I always try to protect at least one side of the car, if not both. I've had a few mechanical problems, so make sure you have friends who are willing to help you out with a ride to the autoparts store now and then when you need it. If you drive a car in good mechanical shape, then you have less to worry about. I get about 12 mpg with a mix of about 1/2 highway 1/2 city (downtown). They were used for daily drivers 30 years ago and did just fine, so as long as you find something in sound mechanical shape, you should have no problems. If you choose to buy a project car, then you know what you are getting yourself into. :TU:
My LeSabre was my only car for 5 years while I was in high school and college. I drove it into the ground. By the time I was done with it, I was glad to have it out of my hair. The motor was extremely tired and I knew the time was coming to rebuild. Although I was extremely disheartened to see it go, I was relieved at the same time. Early this year, I found a very solid 71 Centurion convertible that was in CA. I had a Buick friend go take a look at it....seemed like a good deal, so I took it. Today, I couldn't be happier. But I don't like to drive it in anything but good weather. First of all, because the top seals still leak! But most of all, I would like to keep it clean. I'll drive it if I have to....or if I want to go pounce on a ricer with the top down:bglasses: 71,000 original miles, and I can still see the hone marks in the cylinder walls. VERY strong motor - which was my main bearing for buying the car. Paint is presentable...it's white which makes it better I see this car as part of my life for a long time....and it will get plenty of road time with going to national an regional events!
'67 Riviera daily driver My Beautifull Buick is a daily driver, and I truly enjoy it. here in california, cas being as costly as it is, it sucks economically, but it makes up for it in many different ways, the feel of the car when your cruising at 80 and it seems like its barely going 30. PLUS! a stock classic Buick can :stmad: blow away any cheap car made today! i like the show cars, but these cars are made for driving, it takes away from the appeal of having them around! i say get it and drive it, then break it and build it faster than its ever been before!
Daily driver I used my car as a daily driver a few years back. It wasn't bad. It started up pretty consistently (in warm weather) and got about 12 mpg in the city. Still, parking it outside on the street was a pain (especially for a convertible), and traction in the wet was iffy. Still, a definitely blast. Highly recommended.
My convertible is my daily driver. Parked on a city street, sits in traffic, rain, shine, half the year. Drive to work, play, whatever. I didn't build the engine to be fuel efficient. If fuel economy is any type of concern, look elesewhere for a driver. Reliability is what you build into a car 30+ years old. Either buy one with solid mechanicals, or make the car reliable. I save money with my fuel inefficient old car. It's paid for, no car payments. Costs less for insurance.
I haven't been able to swing the wife in this direction yet - I'm workin on it. Any suggestions on how to convince her?
I drive my two '65s to work at least once a week each from April-November. They sit outside too. Then I drive them everywhere in the summer, in all weather...I commute 100 miles round trip to work. (I'm a teacher) The pride of my fleet is my daily driver Escort though...p
I drive my 1971 Skylark everyday, and even in the winters. I have owned the car for 6 years and this is my third one. My very first was a '72 back when I was in high school. I originally bought this car and started to turn it into a dragster, but the practicality of that was not feasible. I am slowly undoing the changes I made and started focusing on a dependable, efficient, fun car to drive. Because of the 455 and the 12 bolt Chevy (sorry guys) 3.42 posi it is a bear in the winter here in Colorado Springs. But hopefully the new wheel and tires will give me back some traction. This car is not as fuel efficient as I want, but it is the sacrifice for the power I think. There are ways to improve it, fuel injection, overdrive, etc. I have always felt that if I do reliable repairs and try to improve the system I am working on, then overall the car becomes more reliable. This car does not break down much, but it does have quirks that I am chasing. Plus you have to realize that the car is 32 years old and still on the road. I hope this info can help someone considering a Buick as a daily driver.
The green 67 is most qualified to be called my daily driver, but I drive them all, all the time. Sometimes all 3 in one day. One in the morning One after lunch One at night :Brow:
LOL :laugh: If you saw them up close, you wouldn't be so jealous anymore. Well... except for maybe the green 67. It's a pretty nice unmolested original. :gt:
