Too old for something sporty
Discussion
When I bought my S2000 and went to my first driving meet, I thought I would be meeting up with a load of 25-35 year olds out for a sunday morning blast.
How wrong was I.
Not about the sunday morning blast, the other driver's were definitely quick and driving at a very good pace. I think I was the only person there without a full head of grey hair. The thing that I found with the S2000 is that the average age of an owner is much higher than say an EP3 civic type R or Integra type R.
In summary, if you think you are getting on a bit and are worried about getting an S2000 then don't be as there are several older owners of that particular car. The only thing I would say is an S2000 that you get for £5k will be very likely to need some work doing to it or high mileage, a budget of £8k would get you a better example.
How wrong was I.
Not about the sunday morning blast, the other driver's were definitely quick and driving at a very good pace. I think I was the only person there without a full head of grey hair. The thing that I found with the S2000 is that the average age of an owner is much higher than say an EP3 civic type R or Integra type R.
In summary, if you think you are getting on a bit and are worried about getting an S2000 then don't be as there are several older owners of that particular car. The only thing I would say is an S2000 that you get for £5k will be very likely to need some work doing to it or high mileage, a budget of £8k would get you a better example.
I'm nearly 50 and have a disability but, when I'm behind the wheel of my old BM, I'm a fully fit 20 something with a smile on my face so who cares what anyone else thinks? (admittedly I can feel a bit of a tit clambering out over the roll cage, when I stop for fuel, but I can live with that) 
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
What about something a bit different like this?
Plenty of enjoyment to be had!
What about something a bit different like this?
Plenty of enjoyment to be had!
Quintaint said:
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...
Do it! I'm a couple of years older than you and love my Westie, Duratec 200bhp and the most motoring fun you can have for sensible money. Need to be a bit agile to get in and out mind.Thinking of getting a Caterham next...
Oh and I've also got a CBR600RR for when the Westie feels a bit sluggish
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
The quattro in the TT is part-time I believe so for the most part it should feel very similar to the Cupra in terms of power. I would say if you can find it the 210 or 225 would be a better shout as although the stock figures aren't that much different to the 180 the fact that that have a KA04 turbo rather than the KA03S (and a few other ancillary changes) means you can get much better returns out of a remap if you decided to get some more oomph at some point. IIRC the 180bhp "only" maps to about 200-210 whereas the 210bhp will map to more like 250-265.If I see an older chap in a nice car I just think he is enjoying himself, anyone who sneers at his (or her) age because they have a nice car is just a jealous prick and would find some other reason, too old, you young, too fat, too thin, too foreign, it isnt that you have one that is the problem, it is that they don't.
garylythgoe said:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
What about something a bit different like this?
Plenty of enjoyment to be had!
Thank you for the suggestion,the Alfa looks to be a nice car,not sure about the reliability though as I have memories of my Lancia integrale.I have often thought about one of the GTA models ,just seeing that engine makes me want one but servicing costs are an issue.What about something a bit different like this?
Plenty of enjoyment to be had!
groundhog said:
garylythgoe said:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
What about something a bit different like this?
Plenty of enjoyment to be had!
Thank you for the suggestion,the Alfa looks to be a nice car,not sure about the reliability though as I have memories of my Lancia integrale.I have often thought about one of the GTA models ,just seeing that engine makes me want one but servicing costs are an issue.What about something a bit different like this?
Plenty of enjoyment to be had!
There are plenty on the roads, which is testament that they are usable. And most Alfa's of recent times are mass production every day cars, of which they sell thousands year on year.
Likewise with servicing. Lets face it, 95% of a service is an oil and oil filter change. With an occasional change of the air filter. Most other service criteria are simply check items are there or condition. But not to actually do anything.
This means servicing one of these really shouldn't be all that costly. And at the end of the day, it's a £5k car that is almost 12 years old. Service history means so much less at this price point and market segment.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Wednesday 21st October 15:31
e21Mark said:
I'm nearly 50 and have a disability but, when I'm behind the wheel of my old BM, I'm a fully fit 20 something with a smile on my face so who cares what anyone else thinks?
Totally agree as a 50 something disabled bloke. Get something you'll enjoy which is usually the fastest one and a convertible. But also something that's easy to live with, which includes reliability, servicing, costs as well as comfort, so you want to use it.Btw a friend of mine is 69 and has just bought a 66 Mustang. I think he's wanted one since, well, 1966.
dbdb said:
+ garylythgoe
I would like to see the build thread for this!
Sorry guys, Might get something pulled together when I'm finished. But take a look at this. https://sites.google.com/site/gdt70spider/homeI would like to see the build thread for this!
I was v.impressed by Thomas' resourcefulness in making so much stuff himself. I have taken the easier route and bought most things new from Gardner Douglas. My major deviations from standard have been dry-sumping the LS engine (dry sump + pump now available as a kit from GD) and using the can bus wiring system from http://infinitybox.com/ Its been a helluva learning curve but hugely satisfying. IVA and first drive before Xmas.
Edited by JohnMcL on Wednesday 21st October 16:51
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
Hi Mate, I've just bought a tt v6 roadster (04 plate) for just over £6k with 45k on the clock. Although i dont feel old, i probably am (43). lol. Although its certainly no sports car, on a sunny day, cruising about with the roof down , listening to that lovely exhaust note makes me a happy man! Try one, i think you'll like it! 
I wasnt bothered about the modding potential of the 1.8t, the noise of the v6 drew me in. Its plenty quick and sounds great!
If you find something you want and will put a smile on your face, go for it. I am now 42 (how the hell did that happen) and I still have the Cosworth that I bought at 25. Although my wife hates it with a passion and most people these days don't 'get it' but it makes me happy. I'm not bothered what others think, it's mine and I have every intention of still driving it when I get to your age.
300bhp/ton said:
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
I actually agree with you 300. The mk1 TT is too old to be of interest to the fashionistas now but it still looks great (possibly better than it did when it was new). I would definitely go for a 225 quattro if budget allows though. It will certainly be the most refined choice of the 3 if you do a lot of motorway driving and probably the easiest to live with too, if not the most fun. Not the best built or most reliable car that Audi have ever built by all accounts though.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
I also agree with you on the Z3. I had a mk2 MX5 back in my 20s and one of my friends had a Topaz Blue Z3 2.2i Sport. Great looking car and sounded lovely too, if not that quick (170bhp)? I also think the original Mercedes-Benz SLK still looks great. They're nice but possibly even less sporty than a TT (basically a C-Class underneath), which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just more of a cruiser than a sports car.
Of your list, personally I would favour the S2000 but for 5k, it might be a bit ropey. I think suspension is the biggest issue on these and it's expensive. Probably for the money, a 350Z is a pretty solid bet. They're very reliable from what I have heard with the only weakness being clutches possibly. Not very practical or refined but a proper sports car.
How about a Mazda RX8? I really fancy one of these and apparently the handling is fantastic. Quite practical too. Heavy fuel and oil consumption puts people off and makes them fantastic value for money but I don't think they're actually as unreliable as hearsay and they're not really any better on fuel if you drive gently, so you can enjoy it at all times guilt free!
I had some nice cars in my 20s but in some ways, I wish I had been less sensible when I had the chance and had something like a Cayman/911 or a V8 Mustang. 35 now, mortgage and two young kids, so sensible (a Honda Civic) has to take precedence over a sports car. I will own something like the above and if I have to wait until I'm in my 60s or 70s then so be it.
My dad retired two years ago at 63 and bought a new MX5, as he had always wanted one and never owned anything "interesting" before (French diesels mainly) and fair play to him. He enjoys it and doesn't look silly driving it in my opinion and those who do poke fun just drive boring "white goods" saloons/hatchbacks. I know which one that I would rather be driving
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.
Good on you.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.
I'm 63 and have a Celica GT4 (ST205) and an Audi S4 in the garage and am building a GT40. Buy what you want OP. You only live once.
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