Too old for something sporty
Discussion
....and its on Classic car insurance as it's 20 years old, so I can say i drive a 'classic car' J4CKO said:
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.
^^^^ Absolutely spot on.Some months back I was travelling back home down the M1 in stop start traffic. I was driving my modified Civic Type R and noticed an S2000 in the distance gaining on me.
It moved over to the lane next to me and did a little fly past, which sounded great. As I pulled alongside the driver must have been late 60s, maybe older with his wife of a similar age in the passenger’s seat, both grinning.
That little encounter cheered me up on what was a fairly boring journey. You’re never too old OP, enjoy what you want and ignore anyone who says any different.
It moved over to the lane next to me and did a little fly past, which sounded great. As I pulled alongside the driver must have been late 60s, maybe older with his wife of a similar age in the passenger’s seat, both grinning.
That little encounter cheered me up on what was a fairly boring journey. You’re never too old OP, enjoy what you want and ignore anyone who says any different.
Well after nine months of thinking about which car to get I finally took the plunge and bought a mk1 audi TT Quattro Sport in Avus silver with black roof ( upped the budget a bit) an I must say it brings a smile to my face when I drive it and even just looking at it, so I think I made the right decision, so this old git is very happy now and my wife loves driving it as well😉😂😂😂
Some excellent measured advice to date.
Is it a reflection on our judgemental society that we question what others think?
The older you get the more assured & confident you become. You no longer have to prove anything to anybody because you should no longer need approval.
Not needing to impress in order to appeal you can do what you like, wear what you like, go where you like & the very people who criticise are the very people you would not want to know or have anything in common.
I am just the wrong side of 70, have just returned from driving a hospice mini-bus dressed in medium length denim shorts, a chrome yellow 'T' shirt, yellow & black socks, red sneakers all topped off with sunglasses. Staff & patients thought it was a huge laugh especially my being white haired AND looking well 60-ish. So I'm intentionally eccentric to amuse others & would not have had the confidence to do this 20 years ago. It gets worse because I turn up for work driving a VERY shiny black nearly new Mercedes SLK ALWAYS with the roof down. Within the last 6 years it could have been an Audi A3 Cabriolet, a Honda S2000 or a Mazda MX-5. Am currently fantasying over the Porsche 911 Targa.
Death has more appeal that succumbing to the beige jacket & grey Toyota.
Ref:
Honda S2000. The VERY hard ride, the too high seating position & lack of cruise control did not compensate for the fact it was a rare sight on the roads. Early models getting into the hands of the children who mess about with silly big wheels, lowering kits & awful body work add-ons, so beware.
Audi TT. Early models becoming classics but not everyone gets the coming or going looks & bumper-car like roundness.
MAZDA MX-5
Huge choice, painless ownership experience & the most friendly helpful owners club I've encountered in nearly 40 years.
Do what YOU want to do & stick two fingers up to the world.
Is it a reflection on our judgemental society that we question what others think?
The older you get the more assured & confident you become. You no longer have to prove anything to anybody because you should no longer need approval.
Not needing to impress in order to appeal you can do what you like, wear what you like, go where you like & the very people who criticise are the very people you would not want to know or have anything in common.
I am just the wrong side of 70, have just returned from driving a hospice mini-bus dressed in medium length denim shorts, a chrome yellow 'T' shirt, yellow & black socks, red sneakers all topped off with sunglasses. Staff & patients thought it was a huge laugh especially my being white haired AND looking well 60-ish. So I'm intentionally eccentric to amuse others & would not have had the confidence to do this 20 years ago. It gets worse because I turn up for work driving a VERY shiny black nearly new Mercedes SLK ALWAYS with the roof down. Within the last 6 years it could have been an Audi A3 Cabriolet, a Honda S2000 or a Mazda MX-5. Am currently fantasying over the Porsche 911 Targa.
Death has more appeal that succumbing to the beige jacket & grey Toyota.
Ref:
Honda S2000. The VERY hard ride, the too high seating position & lack of cruise control did not compensate for the fact it was a rare sight on the roads. Early models getting into the hands of the children who mess about with silly big wheels, lowering kits & awful body work add-ons, so beware.
Audi TT. Early models becoming classics but not everyone gets the coming or going looks & bumper-car like roundness.
MAZDA MX-5
Huge choice, painless ownership experience & the most friendly helpful owners club I've encountered in nearly 40 years.
Do what YOU want to do & stick two fingers up to the world.
WJNB said:
I am just the wrong side of 70, have just returned from driving a hospice mini-bus dressed in medium length denim shorts, a chrome yellow 'T' shirt, yellow & black socks, red sneakers all topped off with sunglasses. Staff & patients thought it was a huge laugh especially my being white haired AND looking well 60-ish. So I'm intentionally eccentric to amuse others.....
Do you smoke large cigars and have lots of jangly gold jewellery? I took a 71 year old chap out for 1/2 days driver coaching a few weeks ago. He arrived in a 15 plate Lotus Evora & he wasn't afraid of using it properly either.
It was a very enjoyable day.
Age is just a number. Who cares what anyone else thinks? I look a complete berk driving my old MX5 - couldn't give 2 hoots!
It was a very enjoyable day.
Age is just a number. Who cares what anyone else thinks? I look a complete berk driving my old MX5 - couldn't give 2 hoots!
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.
My old man is 84 and has just borrowed my cobra for use over the summer for when his BMW M5 doesn't have enough fun factor.There's this stigma which says what cars you can and can't drive at a certain age unfortunately. It all boils down to what you want and can afford at the end of the day. There are so many different types and varieties out there so pick one that you want at that particular time. People go through phases and there's no problem with that. There's no right or wrong choice and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. Letting everyone else make your decison for you for frear of ridicule will leave you unhappy. Life's too short. Go for it.
groundhog said:
Well after nine months of thinking about which car to get I finally took the plunge and bought a mk1 audi TT Quattro Sport in Avus silver with black roof ( upped the budget a bit) an I must say it brings a smile to my face when I drive it and even just looking at it, so I think I made the right decision, so this old git is very happy now and my wife loves driving it as well????????
Congrats on the new purchase, nice car the QS 240 & good choice of colour too! 
Here's my old one ...
I doff my cap, Sir. Live life, so buy and drive whatever floats your boat.
About 20 years ago when I was in a car club, the 2 men I admired most were OAPS.
One built a Ginetta G27 complete with twin-Weber'd Vauxhall Red Top as his retirement project.
The other had a collection of really left-field kitcars, then in his '70s decided to take up motorcycling, starting with something sensible - an Aprilia RS125
Their enthusiasm had a lasting impression on me. If I'm lucky I'll be phaffing around with odd stuff in my older years too.
Enjoy!
About 20 years ago when I was in a car club, the 2 men I admired most were OAPS.
One built a Ginetta G27 complete with twin-Weber'd Vauxhall Red Top as his retirement project.
The other had a collection of really left-field kitcars, then in his '70s decided to take up motorcycling, starting with something sensible - an Aprilia RS125
Their enthusiasm had a lasting impression on me. If I'm lucky I'll be phaffing around with odd stuff in my older years too.
Enjoy!
groundhog said:
After driving quite a few cars the only I other one I liked was a Z4 coupe, but well over budget for a nice one
Shame about the budget issue - Z4C is a great car!I bought mine 2 years ago with a bit of lump sum from taking a pension early - that is the beauty of being older! And not giving a sh*t what other people think!!
As this thread is continuing, then perhaps being 61¾ I should contribute a photo of the current collection. I compete quite successfully in hill climbs in the Hayabusa Caterham. It's about 230bhp and 466Kg. I use it on the road occasionally for a Sunday morning run when the S2000 isn't quite enough.
I'll be keeping on going for as long as a can drive fast safely. I can't imagine why anybody on Pistonheads would consider anything else!
I'll be keeping on going for as long as a can drive fast safely. I can't imagine why anybody on Pistonheads would consider anything else!
Top 2 threads in my current PH Contributions list;
'Too old for something sporty'
'Funeral Processions'
Says it all really. You are a long time dead - if it feels good, do it and don't be too concerned about what you think others are thinking.
'Too old for something sporty'
'Funeral Processions'
Says it all really. You are a long time dead - if it feels good, do it and don't be too concerned about what you think others are thinking.
Edited by swisstoni on Saturday 23 July 15:56
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