What mid-life crisis car?

[StefV]

Got a bit of cash sitting around, interest rates are so low I can't see the point of putting it into the mortgage, so might as well get an interesting second car, right? Oh, and turning 40 soon, so I can justify it to myself as a mid-life crisis thing that just has to be done!

The thing is, my daily driver is a E39 M5, so the week-end car has to be significantly faster/nicer/special than that.

Other constraints:
- I am in the US, SoCal precisely. Which means, no TVRs, limited Lotus, etc
- Don't care about mpg
- it will reside on the drive (no garage)
- budget flexible, say $30-50k.

Currently all I've got is a 996 turbo. That should be fast enough compared to the M5, and look a bit special too. But are the interiors as bad as I keep reading? A F355 could be fun, but I can't see it being a good idea with no garage. Maseratis seem nice, but I am not sure they do something that the M5 can't.

Anything else I should consider?

[BenMk3]

I'm not too hot on the US car market and values but a 355 is never a bad idea. You could always invest in a car cover

[Fleckers]

supercharged f150 raptor

[Don]

996 interior improved greatly from late 02/03 on. In essence it is the same interior as the 986. I've had a car each side of the model year divide so I speak from experience.

The interior could be customised quite extensively so you could get one that the original owner thought was lovely. My God, what were people thinking! On the other hand you could get one in a tasteful black leather/aluminium etc. Looks very understated with a silver exterior - or you could look from something with a racier colour.

There will be cars to float your boat. The built-in Sat Nav will now be needing replacement. It wasn't great at the time. Similarly the telephone module takes a SIM (how quaint!). Replace that with a modern system for a thousand dollars or so and the car will be quick and as well equipped as today's machinery.

I'm thinking of looking for a Turbo at the moment. I'm almost 50 so my mid-life is definitely an excuse!

Enjoy hunting for your car. I reckon it's a very good choice.

[ewenm]

swerni said:

Z06

Next question

[billywhizzzzzz]

996? Hideously boss-eyed.

987 Boxster all the way.

[StefV]

One other thing with 355's... Are they actually fast?

While I really like the way they look, am I going to be disappointed by the performance increase over the E39 M5?

[sparks_E39]

I wouldn't care about MPG if I lived in the US either it's that cheap. 355 a good shout, also could consider:

DB7 Vantage
DB9
V8 Vantage
SL55 AMG

[medieval]

billywhizzzzzz said:

996? Hideously boss-eyed.

987 Boxster all the way.

Eh?

[V8RX7]

With an M5, a weekend toy surely has to be 2 seater and convertible.

As suggested in the US a Corvette seems the obvious answer.

[sparks_E39]

swerni said:

V8 Vantage / DB9 for sub $50k?

Might be stretching it a bit

Although you can get both here for less than £30k..

[Stick Legs]

1978 Pontiac Trans-Am in black with a gold firebird.

I know it is slower, and under budget but it will be awesome, sound fantastic, WILL appreciate in value and is an Icon of your childhood.

Is there any better combination of attributes?

Oh yeah, the guys in the neighbourhood will love it, there wives will hate you for it as now all their husbands do is look at Muscle car ads on the internet!

[Stick Legs]

[Mr GrimNasty]

High-end, high-spec, Cobra replica. Get some toupee tape for your comb-over.

[Prawnboy]

Stick Legs said:

yes

[Biker's Nemesis]

Stick Legs said:

That's a big 10/4

[stuartmmcfc]

If I was in California, I'd be looking at some late 60s, early 70s muscle - garage or no garage.

[V8RX7]

Stick Legs said:

1978 Pontiac Trans-Am in black with a gold firebird.

I know it is slower, and under budget but it will be awesome, sound fantastic, WILL appreciate in value and is an Icon of your childhood.

Is there any better combination of attributes?

Oh yeah, the guys in the neighbourhood will love it, there wives will hate you for it as now all their husbands do is look at Muscle car ads on the internet!

I presume you've never owned / driven one.

They are heavy, slow and rubbish - particularly after you've got out of an M5.

(My Dad dealt in Yanks for 40 yrs)

I still have a soft spot for a 68 Camaro but I'd want one modified and rebuilt.

[steviegunn]

If it was me in the US I'd be looking at a Viper, a Boss or similar tuned Mustang or something silly like this:

[Prawnboy]

steviegunn said:

If it was me in the US I'd be looking at a Viper, a Boss or similar tuned Mustang or something silly like this:

even more yes