Mid-life crisis car plan

[Cujet]

Interesting. How are they reliable and still be found under 20k? Reliable as in comparable to which Ford?

Hmmm, "can be reliable" is still a bit of a risk and I am suspicious of the $20k one would be reliable (i.e. 2019-2023) and the reliable one wouldn't be $20k. Also to me convertible is a minus instead of a plus. I just want to feel young and drive like a 20 year old instead of a refined upscale convertible.

Available in hardtop. The straight scoop. All of the automatic F-Types use the superb ZF 8HP trans, all are capable of handling 700HP or more. The tuning is Jag, the mechanical drivetrain bits are ZF. The engine is a variant of older Jag engines, loosely based on the Ford 5.0. The V6 has smaller pistons, larger head gasket surface area and literally 2 missing pistons in a V8 block. Strange and unique, but the advantage is a very stout short block, not prone to failures. They are tuned for fun from the factory. And the simple Velocity stage 1 tune gets you almost 420HP in any of the V6 models regardless of trim. There are a few 'gotchas' for sure, plastic bits go bad etc. The early models have known issues. But by 2017, that was dialed in. Mine has had no issues in 6 years of ownership.

And I don't baby it. Anyway, they are really fun cars. You would have to look long and hard to find a more fun car.

 

[grasscutter]

1) Miata ND

2) Scion FRS / Subaru BRZ

If you can fit into those two cars, you're a very compact person.

 

[Speedbird001]

#1) check insurance and taxes before you pull the trigger on anything

• Muscle cars will always be cool
• How about one of these clubs or groups? $ per mile is probably high, but it would be a known cost, walk away whenever you are tired of it, constant rotation of new rides. (I'm sure whatever you geographic location is going to be factor, but worth a shot) Supercar co-owership & sharing

 

[meep]

Depends how you like to drive?

When I wanted space and was in traffic all the time, the minivan was excellent and a great platform for sound system mods.

I had a gen 1 Miata and it was a hoot and I loved taking it with me everywhere - and then somehow I got bored with it? Not sure how that happened.

Take a look at an older Lexus GS. Reliable, rear wheel drive, not as many on the road now, excellent vehicle, surprising power if you want it, and comfortable.

Sounds like you want a “car” and not a ragtop Jeep with a stick, also can be fun.

I’d love to get back into a sedan but height matters in traffic here. Sitting taller helps keep my BP lower.

 

[MCompact]

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.

Ever since I was a teenager people told me that I would get tired of sports cars and sports sedans- and ultimately end up piloting a BarcaLounger on wheels. Now at 69 I’m happily driving a car that runs the quarter in the mid twelves, has a rumbling exhaust and -according to Car and Driver- also has the suspension compliance of an I-beam. My wife would be swearing out a mental inquest warrant if I brought home anything that prioritized a marshmallow ride over an entertaining drive. As always, YMMV.

 

[dubber09]

 

[Nick1994]

Lexus RC350

 

[PandaBear]

View attachment 343156

I was expecting a Sprinter work van instead but this is cool too.

 

[PandaBear]

Lexus RC350

Had an IS250, probably close enough of an experience I don't really think I need again. To me it is too refine, too heavy, and too isolated from the road.

 

[PandaBear]

Depends how you like to drive?

When I wanted space and was in traffic all the time, the minivan was excellent and a great platform for sound system mods.

I had a gen 1 Miata and it was a hoot and I loved taking it with me everywhere - and then somehow I got bored with it? Not sure how that happened.

Take a look at an older Lexus GS. Reliable, rear wheel drive, not as many on the road now, excellent vehicle, surprising power if you want it, and comfortable.

Sounds like you want a “car” and not a ragtop Jeep with a stick, also can be fun.

I’d love to get back into a sedan but height matters in traffic here. Sitting taller helps keep my BP lower.

I want to hear more about your "somehow got bored with Miata".

Had a IS250, GS is probably a bigger car with more power. Cool with the idea but I am not really looking for refinement at the moment, more like a fresh breath of how I feel when I drove when I was a teen, something that feels like "yeah I enjoy driving even a boring car" feel.

I don't feel stressed sitting low. I actually already have a Prius V and that sat high enough for me. Any higher and I would be more worried about not see where the lane is when I park. Tall vehicles do nothing to me but feeling planted is what I enjoy. I came from low riding good handling cars, or light weight bouncy ones that I can hear the exhaust leak.

 

[ripcord]

Personally, I would rather have a small motorhome for my mid life crisis vehicle. You can fit more fishing poles and BBQ stuff in one of these.

 

[The Critic]

Any higher and I would be more worried about not see where the lane is when I park. Tall vehicles do nothing to me but feeling planted is what I enjoy. I came from low riding good handling cars, or light weight bouncy ones that I can hear the exhaust leak.

It's the opposite - sitting up higher allows you to see the lines more clearly. However, being able to see the lines when you park is a function of how your mirrors are adjusted, IMO.

Also, CUV's feel incredibly planted nowadays -- ever drive a Porsche Macan/Cayenne or any of the sportier examples? You'd be shocked.

 

[FZ1]

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. No need for big torque, big storage, big seats, 4WD, luxury, good mpg, or keep up with the Jones. I am on the fence between needing 2 seats or 4 seats. Potential passengers are 2 daughters, so I can either drive the Prius to pick up both of them, or I can drive the mid life crisis car to pick up only 1 daughter. Something that their potential future boyfriends would think I am cool but not just rich and have a midlife crisis would be a bonus. No need for potential girlfriend complaining that it is too small (it would be her problem instead of the car's).

Must rule out:

Trucks (I don't need a truck, I don't have anything to haul or tow)
Vans (my dad has a Mazda5 with roof rack I can borrow, and I can hire people on craigslist with a cargo van if needed).
SUVs (they are annoying to drive and park here)
Crossover (I already have a Prius V, thank you very much)
Hybrid (I already have a Prius V, thank you very much)
Porsche (I'm sure they are nice, I just don't want to look like a typical mid life man with a crisis, my driving skill is also not that good to take advantage of them).
Mercedes and Audi (I'm just not that into them, BMW "maybe be ok")
"Big power" Dodge, Hyundai, Kia, and Nissan (I still want to be cool but they are demographically catching the wrong kind of attention in my community like wearing baggy jeans with underwear half hanging out as a balding engineer presenting employee of the month award to a young college grad)
Motorcycle: I want to stay alive, so not yet.


So far the potential candidate with budget below 40k:

1) Miata ND: seems to check all the boxes other than only having 2 seats. I like the way people describe them as a 4 wheel motorcycle that is driving a reasonable speed car fun. Only downside is every owner I know is middle age and people may associate you with being "uncool".

2) Scion FRS / Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 or GR86: light weight enough, good handling, not too expensive. Seems to have less of the midlife crisis stigma and owners are likely younger. Downside is it is a bit less reliable than Miata. Plus is it has a permanent roof and 4 seats (perfect size for middle school / high school daughters in the back).

3) Polaris Slingshot: super cool, but probably would get sick of it after a couple months of ownership. Not sure if my daughter would be ok if I pick her up from school in one of these (they may be concerned about safety or dropping things out of the car on the way home).

4) A 90s collector car just for nostalgia: Supra, 3000GT, MR2, Integra Type R, 300ZX, whatever. Fun to look at, probably hard to find parts to keep them road worthy, and likely have to overpay to get a good condition one. I don't like to overpay for things just for nostalgia. Fun to look at and catch attention but it likely will wear out fast.

5) Model S: maybe. If they are cheap and durable probably a yes, but they likely are more expensive than what they do for me in terms of fun.



Any other recommendation and concerns on my list?

You Wanna be Cool and Quick? Big Block Camaro in Metallic Blue.