Too old for something sporty

[Parisien]

Sod the rest of them, buy what you fancy, enjoy it and then buy something else fancier still!

[garylythgoe]

I don't think any of the cars you've listed are 'too young' for you.

My pops is 62, and he absolutely loved driving my DC2 Type-R, S2000, and now my C63.

I'd say the only one he wouldn't have owned for the image was the DC2, which I agree with.

A TT, S2000 or 350Z in nicely kept standard trim, will be fine for you. Enjoy it while you can sir!

[300bhp/ton]

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.

Or maybe just man up a bit and realise being so vane to care what others may thing, has to one of the most stupid things you could possibly do in your entire life.




EDIT:

Maybe I was a bit harsh above, but seriously, why care what others might think. It won't be doing any harm to anyone, so why not!

[BoRED S2upid]

Nothing wrong with a 350z at any age.

I saw one old boy trying to get out of his Elise once with the roof up he crawled out on hands and feet so maybe avoid something that extreme.

[garylythgoe]

300bhp/ton said:

Or maybe just man up a bit and realise being so vane to care what others may thing, has to one of the most stupid things you could possibly do in your entire life.




EDIT:

Maybe I was a bit harsh above, but seriously, why care what others might think. It won't be doing any harm to anyone, so why not!

Jesus wept, I don't post on here a lot, but you seem to pop up everywhere getting a lot of peoples' backs up. Chill out!

I know many people that have 'manned up', but still like to seek experiences/advice off of others, and use it as a yard stick.

[Quintaint]

Go for it. I'm 67 with a MR2 that I track. Not always the slowest on track either. Only problems are getting in and out and having to stop every lap for a whizz.

Thinking of getting a Caterham next...

[JohnMcL]

Having read through what posters drive and at what age I'm embarrassed to say I'm 75 and building a Gardener Douglas T70. http://www.gdcars.com/cars/t70-moda/

There's a lady in our village, older than me, who stops by to check progress because she wants a ride. OP, you can NEVER be too old. Just enjoy.

[Blib]

What other people think of me is none of my business. Buy what the hell you want.

[garylythgoe]

JohnMcL said:

Having read through what posters drive and at what age I'm embarrassed to say I'm 75 and building a Gardener Douglas T70. http://www.gdcars.com/cars/t70-moda/

There's a lady in our village, older than me, who stops by to check progress because she wants a ride. OP, you can NEVER be too old. Just enjoy.

Have you got a build thread?!

[dbdb]

garylythgoe said:

JohnMcL said:

Having read through what posters drive and at what age I'm embarrassed to say I'm 75 and building a Gardener Douglas T70. http://www.gdcars.com/cars/t70-moda/

There's a lady in our village, older than me, who stops by to check progress because she wants a ride. OP, you can NEVER be too old. Just enjoy.

Have you got a build thread?!

I would like to see the build thread for this!

[dbdb]

Being a car enthusiast isn't an age based thing - if you want a sports car then get one. You won't look silly in it.

[groundhog]

I am leaning towards a TT as I have always wanted one. I think they have been through the hairdresser car stage and still look good. Is the 180 quattro underpowered ?, as I had a Leon cupra with the same engine which seemed pretty quick.any other suggestions would be appreciated, thanks

[Bennet]

I honestly never imagined I was sharing these forums with many 60+ year olds, never mind 70+.

[Riley Blue]

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.

62....? You'll soon be middle aged! I'm 65, just had treatment for prostate cancer and now I'm awaiting a heart pacemaker. After several VAG diesels I fancied a change of direction (a 'midlife crisis' if you like) and would have bought a TT or similar last year but arithritis means low cars are 'out' - so I bought an A8, 4.2 litres of petrol heaven.

You're never too old - never! Do it!

[kuro]

I had the same thoughts when I was looking at a weekend car but I just went for it in the end.

When I first picked up my mx5 I wondered if I had done the right thing but after the drive back home over dartmoor with the roof down I never looked back.

You get the odd remark about mid life crisis etc but I really dont give a st what other people think now, I'm the one having fun in a car I can just drive for the hell of it.

You only live once so just do it.

[Big Rumbly]

Bennet said:

I honestly never imagined I was sharing these forums with many 60+ year olds, never mind 70+.

Some of us were young in the old days when we started on here

[groundhog]

The plus side is I got to own and drive hard a lot of cars in period such as capri's, Rs 2000's, delta integrale's, ginetta g15's, etc which today most people seem to just polish and never drive to their full potential.

[300bhp/ton]

groundhog said:

I am leaning towards a TT as I have always wanted one. I think they have been through the hairdresser car stage and still look good. Is the 180 quattro underpowered ?, as I had a Leon cupra with the same engine which seemed pretty quick.any other suggestions would be appreciated, thanks

I was never a fan of the TT, but I honestly think it has weathered well and arguably looks better today than when it was new. It certainly looks a lot nicer than the current incarnation of the model.

As for the 180. Well I'm not sure on prices, but if a 225 isn't really any more money, then I suspect they would be worth going for.

That said, the 180 isn't really a slow car and will be more than quick enough to be entertaining. But if you are the sort of person who thinks you'd want more power or want to mod, then getting the low output one doesn't really make sense.


As for alternatives. Guess it depends what you are after. The TT while looking great, isn't really what many would call a true "sporting" car. Remember it literally is a hatchback (a Golf) in a pretty frock. And will drive like it. And sadly that era of Golf wasn't known for it's driving dynamics.

The TT can certainly be capable and fast. But I think for total driver enjoyment they lag behind some of the others. So it really depends what kind of a driver you are and what sort of thrills you are after.


Do you have a budget in mind? As it's hard to suggest alternatives otherwise.


That said, have you maybe considered a BMW Z3? This is another car which I've really grown to like (or love rather). And I'd have not given them a 2nd look when new. But I think the styling has matured very well and they look a bit like a modern AC Ace/Cobra, with the long bonnet and short rounded rump.

They also drive a damn sight better than the internet suggests too. A bit heavy, so more sporting grand tourer than out and out sports car. But fun none the less. And with a nice range of engine too, although I'd probably avoid the 1.9

[dbdb]

The 2.8 litre Z3 is a really nice car.

[groundhog]

Budget was around £5000, thanks