40th birthday, starting mid life crisis in style

[LeeM135i]

So, my 40th is coming up soon and I’ve been good and been saving for my mid life crisis car. I have up to £45k to spend and up until now have had fast hatches. I currently have the M135i and have a few ideas on what I want.

Choice is either 997.2 911, 718 Cayman S, maybe an Aston Martin V8V, Lotus Exige V6 or the easy choice BMW M4. My main concern with this fairly short list is that I am used to maintaining and repairing very nice but fairly run of the mill cars, will looking after something more exotic break the bank?

The M135i likes to drink fuel but I only cover 5-8k miles a year so it’s not a big issue and other than MOT, tax, insurance and an annual service it’s cost me nothing for 7 years.

With my sensible head on I should get the 718 Cayman or maybe a BMW M4, you can get a 2/3 year old nicely equipped car for the budget or should I let the heart rule and get something older, flashier and potentially more ruinous to look after.

Anyone faced a similar question, what did you buy and did it / has it ruined you?

Thanks!

[Caddyshack]

All good options but depends what you want from the car. M4 is just a bigger and flashier version of what you have, great car but not all that special imo.

997 will give you a premium feeling, Cayman is a great car. Lotus will be very raw and needs the odd track day to experience the best of it.

[rfn]

Having had an m135i for 3.5 years I've just gone for a 997.1 C2S.
I'm absolutely thrilled by it, and if I had the budget would have gone for a .2.

I was considering the M2 & M2C, M4 & 981 Cayman S. I'm really happy with my choice.

[anonymous-user]

Sounds like you’ve had it too easy.

TVR and an old Range Rover as a double combo.

[ZX10R NIN]

If it's your 40th & you want something that will put a smile on your face then there are these:

Z06

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10642709?c...

C7 with the Z51 & LT3 packages which is the best spec apart from the Z06

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10645842?c...

C7 Z51

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CORVETTE-C7-6-2-V8-STIN...

They're an epic steer & have a cracking soundtrack as well as being sensible maintenance/depreciation wise.

The RC-F is a great alternative to the M4 as the sensible option

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Sportscar wise the list is extensive & in truth there are no wrong answers but for me it would be these:

4C with the Alfa Works suspension upgrade, or just get one with it already done::

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Evora Sports Racer

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Exige

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Alpine A110 I mean if it's good enough for Gordon Murray

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

R8 V8 with these & the 911 I'd say if you budget up to 1k per year & you'll be fine I will add that it won't be that every year but if you budget for it then it won't be to painful.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

911

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

GT wise there are a couple that stand out:

Maserati GranTurismo I loved mine & they're truly something special

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Vantage S Centenary

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

N420

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

XKR-S now these are often overlooked but they're a good steer rare & a nice choice

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[Justin Case]

If you are going to have a mid-life crisis then at least do it properly :

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/5097503?cI...

[barryrs]

Aren’t you sneaking into approved used 991 territory there?

[Heaveho]

From the list above......yes to an R8. Had 2, love 'em.

No to an RC-F, had one briefly, thought it was crap compared to the IS-F that went before it.

Good hunting.

[anonymous-user]

Mid-life crisis at 40? Really?

[LeeM135i]

Starting it early 😂

Thanks for the suggestions and advice everyone!

I have looked at the corvette and mustang before, I spend 10/12 weeks a year in the USA working and use my Avis card to get something interesting every now and again. Love them in the USA not sure they would work here.

Love the look of the Alfa 4C but I’m not the right shape to fit in one, had an Elise about 15 years ago, could only get in and out by taking the roof off. Is the Alpine the same.

Will have a look at the Jaaaaaaaaaag, one of our neighbours has a v6s f type which looks nice and sounds great. I would be worried about the reliability as Jag don’t have the best reputation. My uncle was rumoured to have had a XK, we never saw it as it was always with the dealer, one of our sales guys has a smallish Range Rover which is exactly the same.

Lexus IS a bit golf club for me, no offence to anyone who has one.

If it’s a case of putting £1k a year in the bank to have a 911 or v8v I might go down that route. Just don’t want to end up not driving the car from fear it was secretly plotting to bankrupt me.

[Mr Tidy]

ajap1979 said:

Mid-life crisis at 40? Really?

Realistic I'd say - how long do you expect to live and be able to drive cars like those suggested?

If I had that budget I'd be off to a Ford dealer for a manual V8 Mustang, even if it isn't necessarily the last word in handling!

[PrinceRupert]

Id be considering a Honda NSX

[Heaveho]

PrinceRupert said:

Id be considering a Honda NSX

Good call, I've long had a soft spot for these.

[Ructions]

I’d buy the 718 and adding a good remap to it. Very under appreciated cars.

Seriously thinking of buying a 718 Box and doing just that.