One of the problems that accompanies an unhealthy interest in cars is the amount of time spent perusing classifieds and speculating about potential fun car purchases. There are always several rattling around in my head…accompanied by the rationalisations needed to justify them (I find it’s best to have these ready and waiting just in case the right car pops up somewhere). With a world of possibilities just a few ill-advised taps away, it can certainly border on the pathological. One option is to set yourself a challenge and go hunting for the best vehicular solution, I think this reduces the risk of things getting out of hand because you can solve the challenge without necessarily buying the car! If you’re not sure what I mean, today’s example might help…

The tax free daily challenge:

• Budget £10,000

• 1982 or earlier

• Must handle a daily commute with ease

• Child friendly rear seats

• Running costs can’t be silly (open to interpretation!)

Every year more cars become eligible as they pass the 40 year mark and become road tax (and MOT) exempt in the UK. Now that cars from the early 80s are in this bracket, the choice of convincing answers to this challenge is much wider…dependable vehicles with reliable fuel injection are now being given classic car status. It’s never been easier to drive something fun all year round and not pay a penny in road tax (or VED as it’s formally called). We’re hoping nobody in government cottons on to this any time soon.

Rest assured, here at the PP we’ve given this challenge due consideration and we’re not short of potential answers. Whilst we’re usually biased in the direction of old snotters we don’t think we’ve been led astray on this occasion, see what you make of our choice…

And our answer is …🥁

1982 Porsche 944

It’s a brand new entrant to the over 40 club that’s certainly become more appreciated in recent years…a 2+2 transaxle equipped with pop-up headlights and (later in life) the largest capacity four cylinder engine in production. We’re very much limited to the original 2.5 litre cars for this challenge (the short-lived 944S didn’t arrive until ’87 and the larger capacity variants followed), but that really isn’t a problem. The earliest cars are the lightest and feel sprightlier than the circa 8 second 0-60 numbers normally quoted suggest, and in a few years the fruitier 944’s will hopefully get in the club too.

Whilst the engine is essentially derived from half of the all-alloy V8 found in the 928, the chassis has humbler origins in the 924 (originally a joint project between Volkswagen and Porsche). The dash in the pre-’85 cars is basically the same as a 924’s, the interior overall is very much of the period and the soundtrack is definitively four cylinder. None of this bothers us in the least, it’s all just part of the car’s identity. Whilst the driving experience is by no means that of a modern day sports car (for a start the visibility is so much better than anything today), I don’t think you’d ever guess it was 40 years old from behind the wheel (provided you couldn’t see the interior!). The chassis fundamentals are superbly competent. It is a noticeably more sophisticated vehicle than a 924, giving it just the right balance of comfort and sensory involvement for a classic daily.

Robust drivetrain, reasonable fuel economy, cheap classic car insurance, easily sourced consumables, simple servicing, good cars around in budget…check to all the above. Admittedly there are some old car issues, cracked dashboards and time consuming clutch replacements for instance, they’re also certainly not immune to corrosion. As 40 year old £10k daily drivers go though, assuming you want to keep pace with modern traffic, we can’t think of much that’s easier to live with and keep going, and certainly nothing we’d rather drive.

We’re liable to give you another answer tomorrow but there it is, early 944 for us.

How did we do? Maybe you’re not one for Germanic four bangers…in which case we quite understand. We suspect the options available to our international readers will result in some very different choices which we’d love to hear. Head to our Facebook page to share your answers!A