Mid-life crisis car plan

[PandaBear]

Seems like a WRX is the thinking man's DD with some excitement? All the people that I know that have owned one, are in the engineering field. Get a subtle looking one, or de-wing an STI?
A manual CTS-V sedan(or wagon) 2009-14 is likely an appreciating DD-able vehicle.
The last years of the NA mtx inline 6 BMW 3 series would be a nice ride?
VW hot hatch or sportwagen? Those with some mild mods are a quick competent and usable vehicle.
How cheap is a model3 performance now? That seems like a very good car too.

Very informative. I think you understand my line of thinking and steered me in the direction I am heading to.

STi, Evo seems to fit the "daughter's potential boyfriend would think I am cool", inline 6 BMW 3 seems like fun (if reliable), so are VW hatch (if they are reliable, maybe the 5 cylinder NA one?) I have coworkers who never got issues. Not a fan of Model 3's body style, too tall and bubbly despite being a nice car and check all the boxes.

 

[The Critic]

I just want to feel young and drive like a 20 year old.

What's the appeal of that? I can't imagine your social circle (or your kids) being respectful towards that position.

I personally think that emulating a 20-yr old you through a vehicle choice is a pointless exercise.

 

[PandaBear]

What's the appeal of that? I can't imagine your social circle (or your kids) being respectful towards that position.

I personally think that emulating a 20-yr old you through a vehicle choice is a pointless exercise.

I will keep this quote for 10 years, and show you in 10 years, young fella.

 

[slo town]

What's the appeal of that? I can't imagine your social circle (or your kids) being respectful towards that position.

I personally think that emulating a 20-yr old you through a vehicle choice is a pointless exercise.

I will keep this quote for 10 years, and show you in 10 years, young fella.

One thing about the GTI, it's one of those cars that suits all age demographics. Young people love them because they've got good performance for the money, and older people like them because they are economical to own and drive.

Scott

 

[HoosierJeeper]

For real - any Jag or BMW.

 

[Allaned]

A new GTI is the obvious answer. The BRZ/GR86 has or had spun rod bearing issues.

Yes. The GTi would fit perfectly. I have 10 years of love in mine. Autocrossing or carrying my wife and 3 grandchildren.

 

[SC Maintenance]

A snowmobile. With 2 daughters you will use it about as much.

For the boyfriends I suggest guns. Placed if plain site everywhere.

Or a jeep to get far far away from everyone.

From experience.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Paint racing strips on the Prius. Done.

Of course the king of the mid-life crisis car is the Corvette... Go big or go home.

 

[wings&wheels]

S2000


I'd reconsider Porsche and look at a Cayman or Boxster S. The stigma isn't that bad....

 

[02SE]

I think you worry way too much about what others may or may not think.

Buy what you will like, and don't worry about the opinion of others.

If you get the Vette, I was going to offer some white New Balance shoes and socks which I stocked up on...

 

[Oillover]

In the near future, I have time. It will not be my only car, and I am not too big or "tall" in Merican sense, only 5'9" and about 140lb and BMI of about 20.

You sound like a great candidate for a sportbike/sport touring machine.
Literally, a fraction of the cost with infinite cool factor.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

I'm on the back end now of Midlife Crisis but enjoyed the ride starting early with a Divorce at 29 and my first Harley the week the Divorce was final in 1996 and a 1995 Yellow Volvo T5R ( that was one cool, fast Volvo ) I found out quick I could not hide or blend in and I did stand out in that one of only 300 yellow Volvos...

Unlike OP, I don't give a crap about "catching the wrong kind of attention in my community" I kinda actually got joy in catching the wrong kind of attention. I'm not one to blend in...

I did avoid ever buying a Corvette, I may be many things but I am not a Corvette guy.

I did purchase a NEW WRX in 2014 I felt kinda old driving it but it didn't have the wing the STI does... I traded as soon as I bought it for a First Year 2015 Hellcat. I purchased one of the first Hellcats sold and I was like a Rock Star and everyone wanted a picture that first year. Just sold the Hellcat, was a crazy fast car but hard to drive and was not me so I just sold it.

I could actually go back to a WRX, The WRX hits lots of hot points, all wheel drive, quick, fun, manual transmission, IMO, its NOT over priced, you can tune it and have fun with go fast parts or keep it stock, 4 door but compact and holds great resale value. VERY Fun to drive car!

I like the BRZ but Im not a small guy.


MY first Harley was perhaps THE best thing I ever did as owning Harley opened so may doors to a fun, no regrets life, with adventure I would have never enjoyed had I played it safe...

I now have a garage full of Harley (s) I plan to keep as long as I can ride one, I try and ride every day, As much as love cars I seldom ever drove the car unless I had someplace to go, I take the bike out just to take the bike out for my daily dose of wind therapy.

I'm now almost at the point of retiring so the toys will go by choice except the Motorcycles...

With retirement comes the idea of no car payment, I do have a need to pull a bike trailer and a utility trailer I use for mulch so I may buy a retired Police or Fire Department SUV, I have purchased 6 or 7 retired Police / fire Crown Vics over the years and enjoy things only a Police version offers like robust build and things like rubber flooring that can be hosed out with a garden hose. Who needs carpet in a car or truck anyway?

When I settle into retirement I could see perhaps one day me owning a Classic 1967 to 72 something as a toy in the garage or just buy another very old or very new Harley?

I suggest the WRX OP, as long as you don't over pay upfront its one of the few cars that if you find you don't like it you can sell or trade and not be upside down...

Good luck and enjoy the ride...

 

[Hirev]

The way I always heard it.... mid-life crisis = two doors or 2 wheels

 

[Reggaemon]

Get a Miata ND. Do you really care about what people think?
Fun to drive and reliable as an anvil. Maintenance and insurance costs are low.
Maybe not the fastest but feels faster than it is.

 

[GaryMX5]

When I turned 50 (27 years ago) I went through the same midlife decision making. I ended up with a 99 Miata and ended up keeping it for 17 years. Never had a car for more than 7 years before it came along. I drove that car cross country many times with wind in my face and numerous sunburns. You cannot appreciate what handling means until you have driven a miata. 0 to 60 almost becomes meaningless (although the car is perfectly capable of getting out of it's own way). The slickest manual trans still in existence. Newer ones have been blessed with a few more ponies making them darn near perfect. They're easy to maintain and pretty much bullet proof mechanically. My clutch lasted 110K miles! There's also lots of aftermarket help if you think you have to improve upon it. If you truly need something to put a smile on your face look no farther.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I still want a 356B. Just like this...

 

[PandaBear]

The way I always heard it.... mid-life crisis = two doors or 2 wheels

I drove a 2 door for 29 years, no problem with it as the 2nd car or primary, as long as I don't need to put a car seat in it. Heck I drove home a crib using a 2 door no problem.

 

[PandaBear]

Paint racing strips on the Prius. Done.

Of course the king of the mid-life crisis car is the Corvette... Go big or go home.
View attachment 343090

In general it checks all the boxes correctly, but, I don't know how to describe it, something seems "off" with its styling like the left and right edges are pointing up a bit too much out of proportion. It could have smoothed into a more refined shape but they intentionally make it a Hot Wheel so it went a bit over the top for my liking. I'm sure it is fun and worth every penny it cost. Just, not sure how to say it, not my cup of tea.

It is like if your preference of woman is a Japanese or Korean and then someone introduce you to a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader kind of "off".

 

[02SE]

I still want a 356B. Just like this...
View attachment 343118

You should meet one of my neighbors. He has a '65 356C, in that color. He graduated from highschool in '65, and he has said he always wanted one. He eventually got one, and then drove it rain, snow, or shine. After a decade or so of that, it looked it tired. So he had it professionally restored. Now he only takes it on nice days.