Mid Life Crisis What Car?

[mattman]

OK - approaching the big 40 in age, currently on car no 44 but never really owned anything "special".

So current plan is to dump the 1 series back to BMW and get something that:
1. Makes me smile everytime i drive it and return to the station car park
2. Sounds good, Looks good
4. doesn't make me look like a complete bell end desperate to cling on to fading youth!

Couple of pre-requisities
1. Budget up to £15k, age not an issue, but ideally nothing with over 110/120k miles
2. must be able to drive daily (no weekend car + shed) - doing approx 10k pa
3. must have 4 seats - only for occasionally ferrying kids around
4. Auto preferable, but not a deal breaker

Initial thoughts:
Porsche 996
Pre-89 911 - would have to be black with black fuch & whale tail (Blame Condorman film from when i was a kid)
TVR Cerbera
BMW 630/645
BMW 840
Maserati 3200 (aren't these a massive money pit?) - have to have boomerang rear lights

so over to the hands of the PH masters - what have I missed?

[Zad]

Is there any option for 2 cars? Focus for daily work, and get a Chim for the weekend.

[mattman]

Zad said:

Is there any option for 2 cars? Focus for daily work, and get a Chim for the weekend.

Nope - garage full of son's race kart - has to be 1 for everything!

[Codswallop]

How about a Jaguar XKR? Sounds good, looks good, with a special feeling interior, while still being modern and reliable enough to be a daily driver.

[The Big G]

The Cerb wont like being used every day and the chassis will rust.

I'm personally looking at 840's at the moment as my commuting car. Unfortunately I will soon be doing around 20000 miles so will be looking into LPG for it.

Good buying guide found here

[R1gtr]

Easy-M3csl

[PDenyer]

Impact bumper 911 , they're great

[911p]

996 C2. Absolutely fantastic car.

[Harrytsg]

I use my Chim 450 every day to the station and back, then wash and polish it for a blast at the weekend, have done for the last 1 1/2 years.

[andrew]

911p said:

996 C2. Absolutely fantastic car.

that's what i got for my 40th

[toppstuff]

There is a scene in "Lost in translation" when Bill Murray is talking to Scarlett Johansson,

She says, "You're probably just having a midlife crisis. Did you buy a Porsche yet?"

[andrew]

[J4CKO]

Whatever car you buy at 40, unless very mundane is considered a midlife crisis car, if anyone else says it to me I may just beat them to death.

Basically its a way of acknowledging you have a nice car and still getting a dig in.

I dont ask older people if their new car is their Pre Death Crisis Car !

[V8Triumph]

Triumph Stag?

[falkster]

V8Triumph said:

Triumph Stag?

That'll be for my 50th!!

[Contigo]

For sure a 996 of some variety, the ultimate mid-life crisis machine.

[mattman]

R1gtr said:

Easy-M3csl

hmm, M3 but probably not a CSL with my budget

[R1gtr]

mattman said:

R1gtr said:

Easy-M3csl

hmm, M3 but probably not a CSL with my budget

Sorry just checked prices, shame as would be perfect choice. B7 Rs4's are getting close to £15k now,meets your criteria too.

[300bhp/ton]

mattman said:

doesn't make me look like a complete bell end

Doesn't a BMW 1 Series already do this?



Seriously though I can't see an issue with people wanting a nice looking/going car, regardless of what age the person is. Seems rather shallow to actually worry about it. Even more so when it's driving about in sheep inspired utility white goods vehicles that make people look the most stupid anyhow.

mattman said:

Couple of pre-requisities
1. Budget up to £15k, age not an issue, but ideally nothing with over 110/120k miles
2. must be able to drive daily (no weekend car + shed) - doing approx 10k pa
3. must have 4 seats - only for occasionally ferrying kids around
4. Auto preferable, but not a deal breaker

Initial thoughts:
Porsche 996
Pre-89 911 - would have to be black with black fuch & whale tail (Blame Condorman film from when i was a kid)
TVR Cerbera
BMW 630/645
BMW 840
Maserati 3200 (aren't these a massive money pit?) - have to have boomerang rear lights

so over to the hands of the PH masters - what have I missed?

Jaguar XJS
Jaguar XK8/R
Mustang
Camaro
Trans Am

chevy camaro 383 stroker 450hp new engine! (1979)
£8,000
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4020094.htm


ford f150 2002 harley davidson (2002)
42,000 miles £12,500
5.4 V8 SUPERECHARGED
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3516589.htm



pontiac trans am 455 (1976)
£12,500
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3990352.htm

[300bhp/ton]

The Big G said:

The Cerb wont like being used every day and the chassis will rust.

Really??