Too old for something sporty

[groundhog]

I have been thinking of getting something sporty for the weekend etc for a while now but whenever I start looking for a car I like, I think I might look a dick in it as I am trucking on now.I have thought about Audi TT mk1 225, Nissan 250z and Honda s2000, but I always shy away from buying for the above reasons.
Perhaps I need a wolf in sheep's clothing, any suggestions anyone, I have about £5000 to spend but I don't want something that is going to cost a fortune to own, thanks in advance for any help.

[lostkiwi]

groundhog said:

I have been thinking of getting something sporty for the weekend etc for a while now but whenever I start looking for a car I like, I think I might look a dick in it as I am trucking on now.I have thought about Audi TT mk1 225, Nissan 250z and Honda s2000, but I always shy away from buying for the above reasons.
Perhaps I need a wolf in sheep's clothing, any suggestions anyone, I have about £5000 to spend but I don't want something that is going to cost a fortune to own, thanks in advance for any help.

Why bother about what others think? You'll never see or meet 99% of them again.
Buy what you like, like what you buy. Its pretty easy.
(FWIW my daily drive is a Smart so I'm happy to practise what I preach).

[Paul_M3]

Firstly, you only get one life so just get something that makes you happy.

Secondly, I think a 350Z or S2000 are the types of cars that are driven by people of all ages and don't really have a stigma attached.

Audi TTs, Porsches etc would probably be worse in that respect.

[swisstoni]

The worlds most desirable cars are generally owned by old geezers anyway. Doesn't seem to bother them.

[Iva Barchetta]

Can we ask how old you are ?

I'm over 50 and probably look a right lemon in my little convertible.
Do I care !....

[bigkeeko]

There's a mature woman lives at the edge of town and I pass her house (and car) every day on the way to work.

She has an Angela Rippon type look and still looks very attractive for her 60+ age. She drives a 350z and I reckon it suits her. I wouldn't get too wrapped up in the age thing.

[delta0]

It is normally older people that buy sports cars as they can't afford them when they are younger.

[groundhog]

I am 62 and have always been a petrolhead. I had a mx5 about 5 years ago and my daughters thought it was my midlife crisis car .An M3 would be perfect but way over my budget.

[otolith]

I find that the older I get, the less of a damn I give what anyone else thinks. You've got 20 years on me, by the time I am your age I expect to have decided that pants are optional in public

Start wearing purple.

[RegMolehusband]

groundhog said:

I am 62 and have always been a petrolhead. I had a mx5 about 5 years ago and my daughters thought it was my midlife crisis car .An M3 would be perfect but way over my budget.

I'm the same age as you and have a Caterham that's a touch quicker than an R500, oh and a Honda S2000 for sunny bimbling about. Just do it

[Big Rumbly]

groundhog said:

I am 62 and have always been a petrolhead. I had a mx5 about 5 years ago and my daughters thought it was my midlife crisis car .An M3 would be perfect but way over my budget.

I'm 61 3/4 and drive Boxter, Alfa, and Huge Bike, who cares, Do what YOU want. As someone said, you only live once.

[HughG]

Agree with others that it isn't worth worrying what others think. S2000 or 350Z both perfectly acceptable no matter what age anyway.

[JonoG81]

Test drive them all (if possible), buy which ever car you like most, and don't give a about what anybody else thinks.

[drivin_me_nuts]

Jeez, i'm approaching 50 and just about to hobble into an Ultima... and there's a PHer I know with a McLaren 650s who is positively ancient.

Don't worry about it, Just enjoy it.

[PTF]

I was at my local honda bike dealer last summer. I was admiring a very tidy honda blackbird as i walked in. Outside were a bunch of people having a cuppa at the burger van. I popped over to say hello and to ask whose bike the blackbird was.

An old fella chirped up. He looked late-60s, possibly 70 to me.

We got talking and it turned out he was in his mid-80s. He was still fit enough and competent enough to handle a 180+mph crotch rocket.

Thoroughly nice chap and it seemed that having a bike helped to keep him feeling young.

I'm sure the same is true of sporty cars.

Failing that, start buying beige clothing, get yourself something sensible, and fade away...

[berlintaxi]

OP

1) You wouldn't look a dick in any of the cars you listed.

2) Why would you care what others think?

[berlintaxi]

OP

1) You wouldn't look a dick in any of the cars you listed.

2) Why would you care what others think?

[alpha channel]

I'll second the comments about the 350z and S2000, there's an old chap (60+ easy) around my way that I occasionally see in his 350z, first thing that goes through my mind is 'you lucky sod'.

[vx220]

I think most people would prefer to see a sporty car driven by an "old" guy than to see it driven by someone wearing the matching branded clothing for that car!

Just make sure you drop the top if it's a convertible, at every possible opportunity!

As said, forget everyone else's opinion, I even play up to the "mid-life crisis" comments...

[stuartdenton]

Hi What are you worrying about I am 71 and have a Mercedes slk 55amg. Had a VW Golf GTI ED30 previously just seems natural to buy what I want and can afford. Also keeps the son in laws ammused.