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Midlife crisis style...new car time

Many of the cars you guys are mentioning in this thread just are not mid-life crisis cars to me. They are just cars any joe-smoe has and are just not head turners. It would be like someone wanting to become a rebel biker and picks up a ninja 250. A Mid-life crisis car to me has to be a impractical car whether it be not having a top, only being a 2 seater, not having to real trunk, etc. something that says "I know its not practical and I dont care" a mustang, mini, and many other cars mentioned just dont fit the bill.
 
I appreciate everyone's advice and opinions....that's why I posted...:cool


I've considered older German, I know they are great handling, sweet drivers cars. But again, I don't want to get into higher mileaged cars, and more importantly, higher maintenance costs associated with said cars. They simply cost more to own, that's a fact. Still cool as hell, and if I had the means and the where with all, I'd be all over them. Have always loved some BMW/Mercedes/Porsche goodness.

Going new Mustang is a consideration, except that the new v6 doesn't make the same output as the 4.6 v8, either on the numbers or on the ears. :cool I did drive the new 5.0, and while very cool, it's out of my range.

I'm capped at 25. That's it. So going to 27, 28 etc isn't going to happen. Initially when I started I was trying to go 17-20, but 25 is doable.


All the others, the Lotus for example, really aren't good for anything but driving, and that's not practical for my sole means of transportation/daily needs. I couldn't even put my bike in that thing...lol....I've always dug them a lot, and someday if I have disposable income to spare then maybe a 2nd "weekend" car would be more realistic.


It's really a matter of finding just the right mix of practicality, something sporty that I can run up to a trackday or two, and fun while driving around town.....while being reliable and not killing me in fuel costs.


It's a tough find, but I've been researching the hell out of a lot of things. Insurance costs, maintenance costs, fuel, safety, fun factor, practical daily life factor, you name it.....
 
Many of the cars you guys are mentioning in this thread just are not mid-life crisis cars to me. They are just cars any joe-smoe has and are just not head turners. It would be like someone wanting to become a rebel biker and picks up a ninja 250. A Mid-life crisis car to me has to be a impractical car whether it be not having a top, only being a 2 seater, not having to real trunk, etc. something that says "I know its not practical and I dont care" a mustang, mini, and many other cars mentioned just dont fit the bill.

Perhaps it was a bit of a misnomer to label this thread with "midlife crisis".....it was a bit tongue in cheek (although I am technically mid life now) but it's more about owning my first car, and finding something that fits the description I mentioned above....it's a car that has to do more than one thing for me. That I can afford. That won't need a lot of attention in the garage.
 
I'd try to make a Lotus my daily car, if I could fit in one. I do drive my Z3 a far amount, especially when the weather is nice like this.

Hardly a mid life crisis car though since the older 4cyl Z3 is dirt cheap right now. I ought to pick up the supercharger that is on Craigslist.
 
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holy shit - that was my first car. 16 years old. out on some backroads. went into a 10mph hairpin at 60. spun out and went 360 7 or 8 times. came within a hair of going over a cliff and killing myself. loved that car.

Mine as well! First car was a 1973 124 Spider. Except when I lost control in a tight turn, instead of spinning, I ran it up a tree and rolled it. :laughing
 
Going new Mustang is a consideration, except that the new v6 doesn't make the same output as the 4.6 v8, either on the numbers or on the ears. :cool I did drive the new 5.0, and while very cool, it's out of my range.

Actually that new V6 is pretty much right there (305hp, 0-60 in the low 5s, and 1/4 mile in high 13s) with the old 4.6 V8. But I'll give you the sound though. And V6 Mustang really isn't much of a mid life crisis kinda car.

If you want the quintessential mid life crisis car, there's always a used Corvette for $25k. Could get a C5 or even a C6 for that kind of money. Easy maintainence, fast as hell, big trunk, and gets over 30mpg on the freeway.
 
this will get you laid.
 

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Actually that new V6 is pretty much right there (305hp, 0-60 in the low 5s, and 1/4 mile in high 13s) with the old 4.6 V8. But I'll give you the sound though. And V6 Mustang really isn't much of a mid life crisis kinda car.

If you want the quintessential mid life crisis car, there's always a used Corvette for $25k. Could get a C5 or even a C6 for that kind of money. Easy maintainence, fast as hell, big trunk, and gets over 30mpg on the freeway.


*hhmmmmmm...............

:cool:cool


I didn't realize they did that good on fuel.....aren't they expensive to replace parts on? Insurance?
 
Do you have kids? If so, and I assume you can do some wrenching, an older 'simple' german car would be fun to own--and something fun to work on with your kids... Like an E30 M3. Far less than 25K, and you can put away a few K for parts purchase.
 
*hhmmmmmm...............

:cool:cool


I didn't realize they did that good on fuel.....aren't they expensive to replace parts on? Insurance?

Insurance on Corvettes is typically cheaper than Mustangs and Camaros. Kinda like how Ducatis have cheaper rates than GSXR/CBR/R bikes.

Parts can be expensive, but if you were looking at anything German, I wouldn't think it's an issue. But, I'd say they're a bit more reliable than German stuff.

The practicality of a Corvette is totally there if you're not in need of a back seat. The trunk on the C5 and C6 is so ridiculously big for a purpose built sports car. A shitload of groceries? Easy. You and a buddy want to play 18 holes? Hell, not only is there room for two loaded golf bags, but maybe some luggage too. Plus it does get fantastic mileage for what it is. If you were considering a Mustang with a 4.6, then you'll be amazed at what the 'Vette can do with 18 gallons of gas.
 
Insurance on Corvettes is typically cheaper than Mustangs and Camaros. Kinda like how Ducatis have cheaper rates than GSXR/CBR/R bikes.

Parts can be expensive, but if you were looking at anything German, I wouldn't think it's an issue. But, I'd say they're a bit more reliable than German stuff.

The practicality of a Corvette is totally there if you're not in need of a back seat. The trunk on the C5 and C6 is so ridiculously big for a purpose built sports car. A shitload of groceries? Easy. You and a buddy want to play 18 holes? Hell, not only is there room for two loaded golf bags, but maybe some luggage too. Plus it does get fantastic mileage for what it is. If you were considering a Mustang with a 4.6, then you'll be amazed at what the 'Vette can do with 18 gallons of gas.

I've owned three C5 Corvettes. Great cars for the price.
 
The cars you're considering and the ones folks are recommending are all over the place. This tells me you need test drive a few of them. It's all about what speaks to you and what is the most fun. That may be a mini for the handling, and it may be a mustang for the stomp, or a 50s econoline for the look and the noise, but they're completely different experiences and no one here can tell you what gives you the biggest grin.

That said, I already know my midlife crisis will be an featherweight roadster - ariel atom, caterham or whatever exists 10-15 years from now when I have said crisis.
 
Better-it attracts young women who dress 50's pinup style. You don't even need to hit high speeds to get a good scare on in a 60 year old rattletrap. No heat-get closer babe.

Oh look-we broke down!
 
From personal experience I would stay away from anything with Enkei rpf-1's. I had one shatter and I ended up losing control and totaling my car because of those crappy light weight low pressure cast wheels.

But it DOES have an included shaved clam. Lulz
 
Better-it attracts young women who dress 50's pinup style. You don't even need to hit high speeds to get a good scare on in a 60 year old rattletrap. No heat-get closer babe.

Oh look-we broke down!

Yep! Mine has a bench seat with belt for cozy time while driving!
 
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