Mid-life crisis what car? #12321: Boxster?
Discussion
Evening all,
I am wailing and gnashing my teeth. Basically, at the grand age of 31 I have returned to my City Centre flat on my tod, therefore am denied the opportunity to wear slippers, do gardening, any such sensible pursuit. As much as I love the pure grunt of my 4.2 A8, it is, to all intents and purposes, far too sensible for my needs. It has plenty of seats, a huge boot, is family-friendly and sensible (Apart from the huge V8). To be honest, I need none of these attributes on a regular basis. Again, the A8 is a fantastic car for eating motorway miles, which I do few of.
I have considered a fun second car but, to be honest, I cycle to work (It's about a third of the time it would take me in the car) and only really use the car at the weekend and for occasional trips in the week. Therefore, it just wouldn't be worth having 2 cars.
I have been looking at early 986 Boxsters. This would appear to fit the bill rather well. Would I get a decent one for about £7k or should I beat myself with birch twigs and think again?
Not remotely bothered about MPG as the A8 is somewhat epic in that aspect and I don't do mega miles.
I am wailing and gnashing my teeth. Basically, at the grand age of 31 I have returned to my City Centre flat on my tod, therefore am denied the opportunity to wear slippers, do gardening, any such sensible pursuit. As much as I love the pure grunt of my 4.2 A8, it is, to all intents and purposes, far too sensible for my needs. It has plenty of seats, a huge boot, is family-friendly and sensible (Apart from the huge V8). To be honest, I need none of these attributes on a regular basis. Again, the A8 is a fantastic car for eating motorway miles, which I do few of.
I have considered a fun second car but, to be honest, I cycle to work (It's about a third of the time it would take me in the car) and only really use the car at the weekend and for occasional trips in the week. Therefore, it just wouldn't be worth having 2 cars.
I have been looking at early 986 Boxsters. This would appear to fit the bill rather well. Would I get a decent one for about £7k or should I beat myself with birch twigs and think again?
Not remotely bothered about MPG as the A8 is somewhat epic in that aspect and I don't do mega miles.
Edited by carreauchompeur on Saturday 7th August 20:08
Edmundo2 said:
Or a TVR Chimaera?
I should point out that I've owned TVR Chimaeras for around 8 years now so perhaps I could be considered to be slightly biased in my opinion. But this ^.It really is an awesome machine, and you will grin every time you switch her on, the V8 Rumbles into life and the neighbours think an earthquake is happening......
J4CKO said:
Mid life crisis at 31 ?
Yeah, and what? Live fast, die young 
Keep the suggestions coming folks, like the look of several of the previous suggestions. Can't have a 350Z because my mate does at work and it would be "Copying"! Not convinced about the RX7, however am dangerously attracted to the Tiv.
carreauchompeur said:
I am genuinely a little interested in Chimaeras, however, cough, what's the reliability like? And what are the bills/upkeep like?
I've had a Chim and a Griff and both have been fantastic to own. Reliability was great and the cars were pretty cheap to run. Obviously the difference between buying a good one or a bad one could have very different results in the way of bills but when I've ever come to replace/upgrade parts I've always found the bill to be reasonable. The beauty is that a lot of parts are ford/rover, etc..so parts are fairly cheap + tyres aren't vast so fairly cheap, + classic insurance is cheap and depreciation probably minimal now.carreauchompeur said:
Not convinced about the RX7, however am dangerously attracted to the Tiv.
I suggested RX-8 rather than an RX-7 :-)
Otherwise...
Audi S3
Porsche 911 (old, aircooled 80's)
Porsche 928
Alpha GT or GTV
Audi TT 3.2 V6
Chevrolet Camaro 5.7 V8 Z28 (if you are having a full blown crisis)
plg said:
carreauchompeur said:
Not convinced about the RX7, however am dangerously attracted to the Tiv.
I suggested RX-8 rather than an RX-7 :-)
Otherwise...
Audi S3
Porsche 911 (old, aircooled 80's)
Porsche 928
Alpha GT or GTV
Audi TT 3.2 V6
Chevrolet Camaro 5.7 V8 Z28 (if you are having a full blown crisis)
Think the older Porsches might be a little bit of a nightmare for an irregular driver?
Likey like this: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1875792.htm
carreauchompeur said:
I am genuinely a little interested in Chimaeras, however, cough, what's the reliability like? And what are the bills/upkeep like?
My first needed a complete rewire to sort out the alarm/battery drain. After that, she was pretty faultless really. The current beastie does need a new Rad but she's been fine apart from that.Fuel - say 20mpg average (but 12mpg average if you are a bit, uh, heavy footed).
Servicing - indies are a lot cheaper, say £500 p.a.
Insurance - when I was in my early 20s it was over 1k, but now less than £250 (early 30s) fully comp.
And the reward when you drive one, well, priceless.
solidstatelogic said:
Audi A8 at 31? No wonder you're having a mid-life crisis. Couldn't have chosen a more numb or bigger barge myself.
Bah! It was the mahoosive V8 that did it. I've always had an odd predilection for huge cars, and this one was an impulse buy!That's the heart of the problem. Apart from an MG Metro in my early driving career, every bloody car I've had has had 4 doors and been prac-tic-al. It needs to stop dammit!
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