Mid life crisis?
Discussion
Ok, no idea how to start this one, so I'll just ramble a bit.
Currently have 2 cars in the family, a lovely E39 M5 for the weekend duties and a Fabia vRS for the daily 40 miles to work each way. The M5 has (obviously) been my pride and joy for the past 3 years, and was bought to be a keeper for life. We also inherited a caravan just before we bought it, so I fitted the detachable tow bar for it and last year we enjoyed our very first holiday with the 'van. This year was going to be the same, but some f
g py ct stole it 2 weeks ago which not only means that our holiday this year has been thoroughly fd up (the kids were absolutely in tears) but also means that I've started to re-evaluate the car situation... and this is where the mid-life crisis bit comes in 
As I am using the M5 less and less, it means that all my fun is sat parked at home whilst I bore myself to death in the shopping trolley every day. So why not see if I can get the situation reversed? A boring family estate for weekend duties and a exciting drive for the daily!
The answer would normally be a motorbike, but Mrs Q has said no in no uncertain terms, and even I have to agree... I know 3 people who ride bikes, and 2 of them have fallen off, and the other was killed on it, so the odds are really against me on that one
Which got me onto a Seven of some sort... Caterham, Westfield, Dax... whatever I could get for my budget of selling the M5 (the shopping trolley proceeds would pay toward the family estate). The only "problem" is that they are not really suitable for anything other than the recent spell of lovely weather, and although I sort of agree, I've read plenty of posts of Seven owners who use theirs daily (Cock Womble 7's was very inspiring).
So... should I? Would you?
Oh, there is also the added handicap of my incredibly long legs (I know, I'm a 6'5 freak) so when I had a poke around a Westfield SpeedSport 1800 SEiW from a mate yesterday I discovered that as a passenger I am quite alright, but I could not get myself into the driving seat He is adamant though that some builds will have a lot better space than his... and he has certified me nuts as well... some friends eh?
Currently have 2 cars in the family, a lovely E39 M5 for the weekend duties and a Fabia vRS for the daily 40 miles to work each way. The M5 has (obviously) been my pride and joy for the past 3 years, and was bought to be a keeper for life. We also inherited a caravan just before we bought it, so I fitted the detachable tow bar for it and last year we enjoyed our very first holiday with the 'van. This year was going to be the same, but some f
g py ct stole it 2 weeks ago which not only means that our holiday this year has been thoroughly fd up (the kids were absolutely in tears) but also means that I've started to re-evaluate the car situation... and this is where the mid-life crisis bit comes in As I am using the M5 less and less, it means that all my fun is sat parked at home whilst I bore myself to death in the shopping trolley every day. So why not see if I can get the situation reversed? A boring family estate for weekend duties and a exciting drive for the daily!
The answer would normally be a motorbike, but Mrs Q has said no in no uncertain terms, and even I have to agree... I know 3 people who ride bikes, and 2 of them have fallen off, and the other was killed on it, so the odds are really against me on that one
Which got me onto a Seven of some sort... Caterham, Westfield, Dax... whatever I could get for my budget of selling the M5 (the shopping trolley proceeds would pay toward the family estate). The only "problem" is that they are not really suitable for anything other than the recent spell of lovely weather, and although I sort of agree, I've read plenty of posts of Seven owners who use theirs daily (Cock Womble 7's was very inspiring).
So... should I? Would you?
Oh, there is also the added handicap of my incredibly long legs (I know, I'm a 6'5 freak) so when I had a poke around a Westfield SpeedSport 1800 SEiW from a mate yesterday I discovered that as a passenger I am quite alright, but I could not get myself into the driving seat
He is adamant though that some builds will have a lot better space than his... and he has certified me nuts as well... some friends eh? Cemesis said:
Could you hire a caravan and still go on holiday?
Funds unfortunately do not permit it, but we have managed to secure a static caravan place in a different location. Insurance claim will no doubt take weeks/months to resolve so by the time we get that money, the kids will be back in school. We've promised them an extra special holiday next year!Paddy_N_Murphy said:
911 for the DD,
Big old Jap 4x4 for the weekend
Big old Jap 4x4 for the weekend
tercelgold said:
V6 R32? I know everyone looks down on them but they have some fun.
I completely forgot to mention that I would like to keep the running costs for the daily (i.e. petrol costs!) relatively minimal... the M5 would cost £100 to run every week, the shopping trolley is about £50... somewhere in between would be nice talksthetalk said:
What's the 40 mile drive consist of?
Mways/duals or country lanes?
Pretty much this: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... except I continue past Silverstone towards Northampton using the A43. So mostly country lanes and a little bit of motorway/dual carriageway.Mways/duals or country lanes?
aspirated said:
Why not keep it simple and just get something like an E45 BMW Alpina B3 3.3 Touring? Less insurance and tax each year too
A single car? What would Mrs Q use if I'm at work? Besides, driving that to work is going to be just as exciting as the shopping trolley, although the comfort will (should!) be better mclwanB said:
Used to Drive from just outside Buckingham to west Northampton every day in a non-turbo 1.9 206. What ever you end up with you can at least be greatful it's not one of those.
How about a Hondalise- 220bhp, 750kg 6'4" friend has one and gets nearly 40mpg out of it on a run?
Good call, but I should (also) add that the following cars I tried (in the past) and failed to fit inHow about a Hondalise- 220bhp, 750kg 6'4" friend has one and gets nearly 40mpg out of it on a run?
- Lotus Elise
- Honda S2000
- Nissan 350Z
- BMW Z3MC
I've read some encouraging things about a VX220, but until I try one for size it's all going to be hearsay. My legs are really freakishly long and have so far always been the limiting factor.
I'm quite happy though that no-one yet has told me that my wife is right and that I should be institutionalised
mygoldfishbowl said:
Tell the wife who's boss & reconsider the motorbike. That's exactly what I'm doing at the moment & have just started the procedure of taking the test.
Yes man up. You only live once. Although to be fair that life might, statistically speaking, be shorter if you get a bike 
More seriously if any part of your commute involves traffic you'll be gaining back a serious chunk of whatever days remain not sitting in traffic.
Quinten said:
A single car? What would Mrs Q use if I'm at work? Besides, driving that to work is going to be just as exciting as the shopping trolley, although the comfort will (should!) be better
Just to clarify; does Mrs Q use the M5 when you're in work at the moment? If so, would she need to use the replacement fun car or motorbike for the same purposes?Quinten said:
Good call, but I should (also) add that the following cars I tried (in the past) and failed to fit in
- Lotus Elise
- Honda S2000
- Nissan 350Z
- BMW Z3MC
I've read some encouraging things about a VX220, but until I try one for size it's all going to be hearsay. My legs are really freakishly long and have so far always been the limiting factor.
I'm quite happy though that no-one yet has told me that my wife is right and that I should be institutionalised
Couldn't fit in 350z. Surprised.- Lotus Elise
- Honda S2000
- Nissan 350Z
- BMW Z3MC
I've read some encouraging things about a VX220, but until I try one for size it's all going to be hearsay. My legs are really freakishly long and have so far always been the limiting factor.
I'm quite happy though that no-one yet has told me that my wife is right and that I should be institutionalised
Quinten said:
Good call, but I should (also) add that the following cars I tried (in the past) and failed to fit in
- Lotus Elise
- Honda S2000
- Nissan 350Z
- BMW Z3MC
I've read some encouraging things about a VX220, but until I try one for size it's all going to be hearsay. My legs are really freakishly long and have so far always been the limiting factor.
I am familiar with this situation, I have never yet sat in a car in which the rearmost seat position was far enough back, and most sporty cars there's no scope for moving it back further.- Lotus Elise
- Honda S2000
- Nissan 350Z
- BMW Z3MC
I've read some encouraging things about a VX220, but until I try one for size it's all going to be hearsay. My legs are really freakishly long and have so far always been the limiting factor.
However, if you are thinking along kit car lines, then you should have a look at the mid engine cars from MEV, you can put the pedals pretty much wherever you want, and remain a reasonable distance from the other controls.
And every journey will be lots of fun, and not take very long. Some thought will have to be given to weather protection though.
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