Can a super daily car replace a supercar?

[Abtj]

Has anyone found anything you're genuinely happy with that's sufficiently good that you don't wish you were in your 'special' car?

I have to drive 20 odd thousand miles a year for work, and i have kids and dogs so weekends are pretty busy. I've been and had a look at a Lusso but I'm kidding myself that i could make that work. And so I remain with an electric and overly large SUV - miles of soleless driving!

To even this out I've been toying with adding a 488 or 720 to my two weekend cars but I know that like the other two, I wont really get around to using it. I'll just have another very nice car that I barely use.

So what are peoples solutions to this first world predicament? 20 odd thousand work miles, kids, dogs..... The only thing i can think of is an RS6 performance or a Taycan Turismo. I've tried a few of the big SUVs and I definitely don't want another.

What do you do?

[garystoybox]

Good question……
I think my three cars cover all eventualities for me. An ultimate daily all rounder (Taycan ST GTS), city runabout for tight parking an nipping about the doors (wife’s Mini electric) and Supercar with some practicality (can fit in 2 sets of golf clubs- 812 SF).
The Taycan with its 4 wheel steer and epic performance and usability covers 99% of my wants and needs- I could really do without the other two. Can’t think of a better all round car (assuming can charge at home and not very regularly banging in 400+ miles per day).

[AB]

Agree with that. My do everything car is a Taycan Turbo S, it's comfortable, quick, refined, comfortable etc.

Don't do too many marathon drives but on the odd occasion working in a charge isn't a pain.

I think you'd be pretty happy with an RS6 that said.

[samoht]

I don't think a supercar-matching estate exists (in terms of actual driving thrills).

The only thing apart from the Lusso that springs to mind is the BMW M5 CS, which apparently is as good or better than the best supercars to drive, but has four seats and a big boot. But it's only a 4-door saloon. The new M5 will come as a touring, but the jury's out on a 2.5 tonne hybrid tank matching its predecessor's thrill of driving.

The E63 AMG estate is now 4WD and is potentially slightly better balanced than the RS6 and maybe thus sharper handling.


As others wiser than I have said, the important thing is to identify the 'use case' the car will fulfil, otherwise as you say it'll sit idle. Why couldn't a Lusso or M5 do some of the 20k business miles you mention? Or even a 720 or 488? Are there some family outings that could manage with something smaller than an SUV? After all, families managed with much smaller cars in the past. But obviously it all depends on you and your individual situation, and to some extent your and your family's priorities.

[ANOpax]

Why can’t you make the Lusso work?
In my experience, the FF is one of the few ‘do everything’ supercars out there so I’d expect the Lusso to be similar.

[DeejRC]

All my “special” cars have been used as daily drivers. In the TVRs case that meant I *had* to buy a 2nd car for when they didn’t want to work!
As I recall the Integrale was so expensive to run to work that it made taking the train look reasonable!
I put nearly 60,000 miles on the 4C running her across the country over 4 yrs and the F12 had 11,000 miles added in 9months.
I’m terribly dull at the moment and use a Macan Turbo for the same job. On the plus side at least it isn’t a white/gray/crayon Taycan, which is basically the done well himself middle class man version of a Zafira.

[MDL111]

my first thought was FF/Lusso (mine is my daily) - but you discounted that.
I guess a Purosangue is out of budget (it certainly is for me).
If I needed 4 doors, I think I would buy an M5 CS (as mentioned above). And before that was launched, I would have considered an E39 M5 and an old model Quattroporte GTS (I guess both too old) - neither one would be a replacement for a 2-seater though imo, more a case of having something less boring for daily duty.
I do have a soft spot for some of those high-powered Brabus cars, but that is more the kid in me than me thinking they are actually good to drive (and I live in Germany, so I could actually use all that power if I fancied it).

[belfry]

OP, why are you saying the Lusso won’t work?

A V12 Ferrari with 4 seats and a hatchback for the dogs sounds perfect.

[Bispal]

Daily cars have never worked for me, in 30 years of owning cars I don't think that moniker works.

I chose cars for a purpose, ATM for me I have 4 cars for 4 purposes (will be different for others):-

1. Special car
2. Touring car
3. Classic car
4. Utility car

Any of the above can be my 'daily' depending on my mood and circumstance. If its nice and sunny I will take the touring car (718 Spyder) If I know where I'm parking and the roads are nice I will take the 675LT, If I am seeing clients I will take the MX5. For anything else I take the 2005 Subaru Forester (base model), if I can't be bothered with hassle.

The idea of having an RS6, Urus or FF as a 'daily' car just does not appeal to me. The closer in performance a 'daily' is to my supercar / special car the more it would lose its appeal. I like contrasts. having a heavy, wide, valuable, jealousy inducing car to drive to the shops and gym and park in multi storey car parks is just too much stress for me. Where to park it, will it get scratched, will I get unwanted attention?

You have to not give a ***k what anyone thinks to pull it off. But I have never been happier driving round 50% of the time in my £1,600 old Subaru and not caring two hoots about it. The other 50%, when I use the others, they feel all the more special for it. And I have owned the Forester almost 4 years now and not get bored of it (and its never let me down), its more fun than other cars I have 'tried' as daily cars such as a Cayenne Turbo, BMW 330i, RS4 Avant & Audi S5 sportback (dullest car I ever owned and perfect 'daily' material)

If limited by a budget I would always buy the most expensive supercar I could and a £2k run around for when I am not using it. £2k gets you some amazing, fun, usable cars and you can change often if you like and there is no depreciation. Although my Subaru has never let me down some people always want a new car with warranty, in that case I would lease a Dacia Duster. I expect many people wont be able to live with that for egotistic reasons but it works for me.

[andymc]

Taycan Turbo here as well, 650S for the weekends

[maura]

Bispal said:

Daily cars have never worked for me, in 30 years of owning cars I don't think that moniker works.

I chose cars for a purpose, ATM for me I have 4 cars for 4 purposes (will be different for others):-

1. Special car
2. Touring car
3. Classic car
4. Utility car

Any of the above can be my 'daily' depending on my mood and circumstance. If its nice and sunny I will take the touring car (718 Spyder) If I know where I'm parking and the roads are nice I will take the 675LT, If I am seeing clients I will take the MX5. For anything else I take the 2005 Subaru Forester (base model), if I can't be bothered with hassle.

The idea of having an RS6, Urus or FF as a 'daily' car just does not appeal to me. The closer in performance a 'daily' is to my supercar / special car the more it would lose its appeal. I like contrasts. having a heavy, wide, valuable, jealousy inducing car to drive to the shops and gym and park in multi storey car parks is just too much stress for me. Where to park it, will it get scratched, will I get unwanted attention?

You have to not give a ***k what anyone thinks to pull it off. But I have never been happier driving round 50% of the time in my £1,600 old Subaru and not caring two hoots about it. The other 50%, when I use the others, they feel all the more special for it. And I have owned the Forester almost 4 years now and not get bored of it (and its never let me down), its more fun than other cars I have 'tried' as daily cars such as a Cayenne Turbo, BMW 330i, RS4 Avant & Audi S5 sportback (dullest car I ever owned and perfect 'daily' material)

If limited by a budget I would always buy the most expensive supercar I could and a £2k run around for when I am not using it. £2k gets you some amazing, fun, usable cars and you can change often if you like and there is no depreciation. Although my Subaru has never let me down some people always want a new car with warranty, in that case I would lease a Dacia Duster. I expect many people wont be able to live with that for egotistic reasons but it works for me.

+1

[andrew]

maura said:

Bispal said:

Daily cars have never worked for me, in 30 years of owning cars I don't think that moniker works.

I chose cars for a purpose, ATM for me I have 4 cars for 4 purposes (will be different for others):-

1. Special car
2. Touring car
3. Classic car
4. Utility car

Any of the above can be my 'daily' depending on my mood and circumstance. If its nice and sunny I will take the touring car (718 Spyder) If I know where I'm parking and the roads are nice I will take the 675LT, If I am seeing clients I will take the MX5. For anything else I take the 2005 Subaru Forester (base model), if I can't be bothered with hassle.

The idea of having an RS6, Urus or FF as a 'daily' car just does not appeal to me. The closer in performance a 'daily' is to my supercar / special car the more it would lose its appeal. I like contrasts. having a heavy, wide, valuable, jealousy inducing car to drive to the shops and gym and park in multi storey car parks is just too much stress for me. Where to park it, will it get scratched, will I get unwanted attention?

You have to not give a ***k what anyone thinks to pull it off. But I have never been happier driving round 50% of the time in my £1,600 old Subaru and not caring two hoots about it. The other 50%, when I use the others, they feel all the more special for it. And I have owned the Forester almost 4 years now and not get bored of it (and its never let me down), its more fun than other cars I have 'tried' as daily cars such as a Cayenne Turbo, BMW 330i, RS4 Avant & Audi S5 sportback (dullest car I ever owned and perfect 'daily' material)

If limited by a budget I would always buy the most expensive supercar I could and a £2k run around for when I am not using it. £2k gets you some amazing, fun, usable cars and you can change often if you like and there is no depreciation. Although my Subaru has never let me down some people always want a new car with warranty, in that case I would lease a Dacia Duster. I expect many people wont be able to live with that for egotistic reasons but it works for me.

+1

there's lots i agree with here
i use the mini for work/shops/pub and the lambo purely for fun
my wife has a convertible, and we've just added a bmw for mile munching

[Aquamarine]

Abtj said:

What do you do?

I would have thought your requirements fall dead centre in the Porsche market.

[ANOpax]

Aquamarine said:

I would have thought your requirements fall dead centre in the Porsche market.

Although Porsche makes a super daily, it can't replace a supercar.

Edited by ANOpax on Wednesday 23 October 13:07

[Abtj]

Thanks for replies; all very helpful – really interested to see what others have done and why. I’ve read threads like this before and always cringe when people offer sound advice and the original poster spends their time arguing against it. So I’m really not trying to doing that, but to answer/clarify a few points that are prudent:

First, I have to knock up 20 odd thousand miles – which is quite a lot when you’re doing it. Turning up in my 911 and R8 before that (which is by no means exotic) has raised significant eyebrows at work (I employ people and see clients). Should it matter? No. Does it in real life? In my position, yes.

Second, I live in the sticks, there’s no pavement for miles in either direction so that means muddy road, muddy dogs, muddy kids and awful roads. The closest road markings are a mile away! So to answer the question of the lusso again – the dogs won’t fit but I’m not sure I really want to trash one or any other true exotic. I’ve seen plenty of pics of people using their car for the tip run – if they are doing that daily then well played but rural living is not the same for me.

Third, an M5/super saloon appeals but doesn’t fit dogs in the boot. If I can’t get the dogs in I end up with another required car class (utility) and buy another old pick up (which I did for last few years) – so even more cars

Accepting the above explains why I’ve spent most of my time in a Model 3 or a big SUV (or old pick up). This reality is pretty dull and so I want to get the maximum pleasure out of the time I am at the wheel. I think I need to try out an RS6 and Taycan (or any alternatives people can think of?) and accept that whilst it’s clearly no supercar it’s the most viable fun given my position.

I’m sorry, I’ve answered my own question

[BlackTails]

This brief has to me full fat Range Rover written all over it, but if you’ve tried that and don’t like it, don’t really know where you go from there.

[Abtj]

DeejRC said:

All my “special” cars have been used as daily drivers. In the TVRs case that meant I *had* to buy a 2nd car for when they didn’t want to work!
As I recall the Integrale was so expensive to run to work that it made taking the train look reasonable!
I put nearly 60,000 miles on the 4C running her across the country over 4 yrs and the F12 had 11,000 miles added in 9months.
I’m terribly dull at the moment and use a Macan Turbo for the same job. On the plus side at least it isn’t a white/gray/crayon Taycan, which is basically the done well himself middle class man version of a Zafira.

I’ve read your amusing postings on your cars daily use many times and doff my hat to you – well played for using your cars as you do and long may you continue. Can I ask tho, how much of your time is multiple occupancy, with shopping, work stuff etc? I can't see how you can't trash them!

[Abtj]

Bispal said:

Daily cars have never worked for me, in 30 years of owning cars I don't think that moniker works.

I chose cars for a purpose, ATM for me I have 4 cars for 4 purposes (will be different for others):-

1. Special car
2. Touring car
3. Classic car
4. Utility car

Any of the above can be my 'daily' depending on my mood and circumstance. If its nice and sunny I will take the touring car (718 Spyder) If I know where I'm parking and the roads are nice I will take the 675LT, If I am seeing clients I will take the MX5. For anything else I take the 2005 Subaru Forester (base model), if I can't be bothered with hassle.

The idea of having an RS6, Urus or FF as a 'daily' car just does not appeal to me. The closer in performance a 'daily' is to my supercar / special car the more it would lose its appeal. I like contrasts. having a heavy, wide, valuable, jealousy inducing car to drive to the shops and gym and park in multi storey car parks is just too much stress for me. Where to park it, will it get scratched, will I get unwanted attention?

You have to not give a ***k what anyone thinks to pull it off. But I have never been happier driving round 50% of the time in my £1,600 old Subaru and not caring two hoots about it. The other 50%, when I use the others, they feel all the more special for it. And I have owned the Forester almost 4 years now and not get bored of it (and its never let me down), its more fun than other cars I have 'tried' as daily cars such as a Cayenne Turbo, BMW 330i, RS4 Avant & Audi S5 sportback (dullest car I ever owned and perfect 'daily' material)

If limited by a budget I would always buy the most expensive supercar I could and a £2k run around for when I am not using it. £2k gets you some amazing, fun, usable cars and you can change often if you like and there is no depreciation. Although my Subaru has never let me down some people always want a new car with warranty, in that case I would lease a Dacia Duster. I expect many people wont be able to live with that for egotistic reasons but it works for me.

Thanks for this. Nothing wrong with a Dacia- one of the plans I had was to change the SUV to a Jogger.

Food for thought tho, perhaps I just need to go all out for the 720/488 first and then see if owning that causes me to change how i see the world!

[Bispal]

Abtj said:

Thanks for replies; all very helpful – really interested to see what others have done and why. I’ve read threads like this before and always cringe when people offer sound advice and the original poster spends their time arguing against it. So I’m really not trying to doing that, but to answer/clarify a few points that are prudent:

First, I have to knock up 20 odd thousand miles – which is quite a lot when you’re doing it. Turning up in my 911 and R8 before that (which is by no means exotic) has raised significant eyebrows at work (I employ people and see clients). Should it matter? No. Does it in real life? In my position, yes.

Second, I live in the sticks, there’s no pavement for miles in either direction so that means muddy road, muddy dogs, muddy kids and awful roads. The closest road markings are a mile away! So to answer the question of the lusso again – the dogs won’t fit but I’m not sure I really want to trash one or any other true exotic. I’ve seen plenty of pics of people using their car for the tip run – if they are doing that daily then well played but rural living is not the same for me.

Third, an M5/super saloon appeals but doesn’t fit dogs in the boot. If I can’t get the dogs in I end up with another required car class (utility) and buy another old pick up (which I did for last few years) – so even more cars

Accepting the above explains why I’ve spent most of my time in a Model 3 or a big SUV (or old pick up). This reality is pretty dull and so I want to get the maximum pleasure out of the time I am at the wheel. I think I need to try out an RS6 and Taycan (or any alternatives people can think of?) and accept that whilst it’s clearly no supercar it’s the most viable fun given my position.

I’m sorry, I’ve answered my own question

I actually think my method works for you. You wont find a car that can negotiate farm tracks, visit clients & be fun to drive on country lanes and comfortable with 20k motorway miles in one car (Its not a Range Rover either) . You have to split them or you compromise. An RS6 is absolutely zero fun, there is nothing joyous about it at all. They are just fast, large & occasionally comfortable. You need to drive your supercar when you can and get something lesser for other duties.

Last year I did 20k miles split between a 986 Boxster, I bought for summer use, and the Forester PLUS the miles in the McLaren and others. The Forester does regular 600 mile drives from Surrey to Lancashire and back the same day with no issues in comfort and it can properly go off road and as its worthless you can throw any crap / dogs / kids / bikes in it you want. I appreciate not everyone has the balls to drive an old grotty car. I was amazed how often I used the 986, 14k miles in total, was my go to car. But seems to me you are trying to find that elusive one car does all and it doesn't exist without compromises.

[DeejRC]

Abtj said:

DeejRC said:

All my “special” cars have been used as daily drivers. In the TVRs case that meant I *had* to buy a 2nd car for when they didn’t want to work!
As I recall the Integrale was so expensive to run to work that it made taking the train look reasonable!
I put nearly 60,000 miles on the 4C running her across the country over 4 yrs and the F12 had 11,000 miles added in 9months.
I’m terribly dull at the moment and use a Macan Turbo for the same job. On the plus side at least it isn’t a white/gray/crayon Taycan, which is basically the done well himself middle class man version of a Zafira.

I’ve read your amusing postings on your cars daily use many times and doff my hat to you – well played for using your cars as you do and long may you continue. Can I ask tho, how much of your time is multiple occupancy, with shopping, work stuff etc? I can't see how you can't trash them!

Fairly little, it’s usually me alone, schlepping across from the farm in Devon to central and southern England. Or me alone when I do the shopping run - adding the wife to shopping = adding twice the cost, twice the faff and half the stuff I actually want to get.

Define “trash”? I mean, the Sagaris was on and off the trailer to the dealer for various reasons of not working, usually cooling related.
The MG was written off when a fuel tanker hit me head on.
The Integrale was off the road for 6months due to the unobtanium that was the rear valence. In fact all Integrales in the UK that need rear bumpers now use a mould from mine thanks to Tanc.
The 4C had the suspension rebuilt and replaced. Oh and she was only serviced by Ben and Jamie at Alfaworks, across to Stevenage.
The F12 was ok I got in and out of that without losing any money and figured that was a take the win job with the amount of miles.
The Macan has eaten tyres more than any other vehicle in existence over the last 2 yrs and she has had 35/40k miles put on her. She does at least get used properly in everywhere and we use it as our multiple ppl car.
The last SLK was largely ruined last yr when some gentleman decided to act as a sleeping policemen on the M5.
We do try to use the little Yaris as much as possible as the local farm roads Devon runabout, but the MiL has a habit of avoiding stones on the road by driving into hedges and ditches. So that spent a month or two off the road last yr aswell…

The Hilux is pretty indestructible though

Oh and the 328 trashed me rather than the other way round. Ruined my ankles that one did driving it to and from Zurich. I did enjoy parking it next to the MDs 911 though and him not having a clue who it was
I got away with the F12 for 6months until I gave the system manager a lift to the pub and he went inside and blurted it out. We had Italian customers with us, so that worked out brilliantly
A previous client used to refer to the 4C as the pasta rocket, to which I said he was paying for it so he could call it what he liked.

Edited by DeejRC on Wednesday 23 October 18:04