What would be your perfect retirement car?
Discussion
Sadly, retirement is a long way off for me yet but me and my friends are in our 30s and our parents are all starting to retire and treat themselves to some new wheels. Quite a diverse choice really.
My dad bought himself a new MX5 and other friend's dads have bought a Freelander 2, Porsche 911 (996) and an MG Midget and ex post-office Morris Minor van.
The friend's dad with the Freelander owns a caravan, so needs something weighty to tow that which is fair enough, the other one is into classics (MG Midget/Morris Minor) and the friend's dad with the Porsche used to do some racing which makes sense. Some of my dad's friends have made fun of him for the MX5 but these are the kind of people that would buy something "sensible" like a Skoda or a Honda Jazz, so I think his selection is far more interesting.
What would I choose when the time comes? Difficult question! I would rule out a hot hatch because as much as I would like another 205 GTi, anyone over about 50 driving a hot hatch looks ridiculous (with the possible exception of a mk1 or 2 Golf GTi). I would rule out an Impreza/Evo for the same reason. The Porsche is a bit of a difficult one. I would love a 911 now but might look a bit tragic driving one when I'm 60 (would definitely look silly driving a Boxster), although a classic 1970s 911 would probably be acceptable. I would also rule out something hardcore like an Elise or Caterham, as I am starting to appreciate comfort more and more even now in my 30s (considering a Chrysler 300 or Cadillac CTS as my next car). The cheap Ferrari (i.e. Mondial) is also a bit of a no-no I think!
My immediate thought would be a Jaguar F-Type. I would be happy with a Supercharged V6 but just like the E-Type, I prefer the Coupe, so would hold out until that comes along.
However, for a similar price, I could get one of these:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
or these:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
A classic 60s Mercedes SL/350 SE Convertible would also do nicely and I have always thought that these are rather lovely even though they were underrated when new:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
However, where I currently live, these seem quite cheap and plentiful (sadly the real thing, a 67/68 Fastback is massively more expensive).
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Ford/Mustang/WHITBY/Ont...
Something fairly stock looking like this one running about 500bhp would be rather nice. I like the new Dodge Challengers are well but judging by most of them are autos and that it is based on the Chrysler 300 chassis, I expect it is not as racy as it looks.
However, for a similar price, isn't a classic muscle car much cooler?
1977 Pontiac Trans Am
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Pontiac/Firebird/ANCAST...
1971 Corvette Stingray (although this has the whiff of retired porn star about it)!
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Chevrolet/Corvette/SAIN...
So what car would you buy to enjoy in your retirement and pass on to your kids (if you have them)?
My dad bought himself a new MX5 and other friend's dads have bought a Freelander 2, Porsche 911 (996) and an MG Midget and ex post-office Morris Minor van.
The friend's dad with the Freelander owns a caravan, so needs something weighty to tow that which is fair enough, the other one is into classics (MG Midget/Morris Minor) and the friend's dad with the Porsche used to do some racing which makes sense. Some of my dad's friends have made fun of him for the MX5 but these are the kind of people that would buy something "sensible" like a Skoda or a Honda Jazz, so I think his selection is far more interesting.
What would I choose when the time comes? Difficult question! I would rule out a hot hatch because as much as I would like another 205 GTi, anyone over about 50 driving a hot hatch looks ridiculous (with the possible exception of a mk1 or 2 Golf GTi). I would rule out an Impreza/Evo for the same reason. The Porsche is a bit of a difficult one. I would love a 911 now but might look a bit tragic driving one when I'm 60 (would definitely look silly driving a Boxster), although a classic 1970s 911 would probably be acceptable. I would also rule out something hardcore like an Elise or Caterham, as I am starting to appreciate comfort more and more even now in my 30s (considering a Chrysler 300 or Cadillac CTS as my next car). The cheap Ferrari (i.e. Mondial) is also a bit of a no-no I think!
My immediate thought would be a Jaguar F-Type. I would be happy with a Supercharged V6 but just like the E-Type, I prefer the Coupe, so would hold out until that comes along.
However, for a similar price, I could get one of these:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
or these:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
A classic 60s Mercedes SL/350 SE Convertible would also do nicely and I have always thought that these are rather lovely even though they were underrated when new:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
However, where I currently live, these seem quite cheap and plentiful (sadly the real thing, a 67/68 Fastback is massively more expensive).
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Ford/Mustang/WHITBY/Ont...
Something fairly stock looking like this one running about 500bhp would be rather nice. I like the new Dodge Challengers are well but judging by most of them are autos and that it is based on the Chrysler 300 chassis, I expect it is not as racy as it looks.
However, for a similar price, isn't a classic muscle car much cooler?
1977 Pontiac Trans Am
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Pontiac/Firebird/ANCAST...
1971 Corvette Stingray (although this has the whiff of retired porn star about it)!
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Chevrolet/Corvette/SAIN...
So what car would you buy to enjoy in your retirement and pass on to your kids (if you have them)?
The Crack Fox said:
I assume you expect to do lots of long-distance touring in your retirement, hence this choice ? (Genuine question). I had you down as a Merc SL kind of chap, something that needs a little TLC, but cuts a swathe both in blighty on trips to the continent.
I just can't think of another single vehicle that covers so many bases so well. I'd love one tomorrow, but I'd be delighted with one as my retirement car too. Pretty much perfect for me. 
All very nice but sensible stuff. You can have another vehicle for doing the boring stuff you know, hence a 1977 Trans Am being one of my potential choices. It's just this one has to be a keeper. I can't decide whether they're cool or tacky though. My wife would say the latter due to the Firebird on the bonnet!
Zoobeef said:
Does it have to be just 1? I'd rather not get a car compromised in everything. Different cars that do the job they were designed for well.
Not at all. You can have a car for transporting grandkids/going shopping/long motorway journeys/taking stuff to the tip but just one special car that would be a keeper.
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