Mid-Life crisis car?

[attgig]

For some reason, I've noticed myself going onto edmunds a lot, and a bunch of pre-owned sites looking at some older, but nicer cars - really randomly...

am I hitting my mid-life crisis and going to make a foolish purchase?

has anyone here done that? been through that phase?

[cheapie]

lots. but it's generally lake houses or boats. or mail order russian brides.

[Markel]

lots. but it's generally lake houses or boats. or mail order russian brides.
I think you'd be safest with the first, safer with the second, and on your own with the third. :heh:

[kimchicowboy]

my friend bought a really nice, used (2005) M5 recently. and he's 29. is that midlife crisis? hahaha

[mcs328]

I'm 34 and I'm going through this I think. I'm still driving my 99 honda civic and I've been looking at either a Honda CRV or a BMW 328xi.

[attgig]

Sorry to break it to you, but i don't think a crv is a midlife crisis car.

midlife crisis car is something that's really impractical, ridiculously overbudget, or both.

[mcs328]

Well I was trying to show a contrast because the CRV would be the sensible thing to do if I start a family soon. Otherwise *snip snip* *Vroom Vroom*

[Daedalus]

Mid-life crisis? Guess it depends on why you want the car. If you have visions of picking up women much younger than you, or you think life will be more carefree again with a new ride, then maybe yeah. If you like the machine and want to have the same fun you would have at any other time in your life, then no.
I've had a passion for cars since I was about 18. If and when I buy my Z06, it won't be because of any midlife crisis, regardless of how bald I might be at the time. :) There are a few other cars I would probably buy before that though.

Either way, if buying a car is about more than just getting around, then yeah, it's arguably a foolish purchase.

[Jeffbx]

Srsly - there are no Hondas or Toyotas that can qualify as a mid-life crisis car. It needs a V8 & should get less than 18MPG, and trucks don't count.

[renovation]

i like a new 2012 mustang 440-horsepower,* Hi-Po 302 V8 powerhouse. or 2nd the 2011 camaro SS Convertible. or a Tesla Model S.
but i live in michigan and have to deal with snowy roads and i don't own a garage to keep any of these in .also i can see me trying to drive a eletric car back and forth to florida. or try using any of the above to haul lumber to a job site .

[nate el bueno]

Srsly - there are no Hondas or Toyotas that can qualify as a mid-life crisis car. It needs a V8 & should get less than 18MPG, and trucks don't count.

Supra? :) That engine has got more headroom than most V8s. 2jz-gte FTW!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1994-SUPRA-TURBO-SICK-840RWHP-100K-INVESTD-6SPD-/220688802932?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item336213e474#ht_8050wt_1165

[Jeffbx]

Not if it sounds like a sewing machine when you rev it. ;-)

Reeeee-ne-ne-ne-ne!

[Yossarian]

Not if it sounds like a sewing machine when you rev it. ;-)

Reeeee-ne-ne-ne-ne!


owned

[attgig]

Supra? :) That engine has got more headroom than most V8s. 2jz-gte FTW!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1994-SUPRA-TURBO-SICK-840RWHP-100K-INVESTD-6SPD-/220688802932?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item336213e474#ht_8050wt_1165

I'd just feel silly pressing those little buttons on the steering wheel, or opening up the red flap to flip a swich like i was setting off a launch or something. I'm sorry, but even in midlife-crisis mode, I'd just feel pretty stupid driving something like that.


I was thinking more like porsche boxter - not so expensive like a 911 that i'd get kicked out of the house, but expensive enough and impractical enough that i'd enjoy driving it around.

[Daedalus]

Four years ago I thought I wanted a Boxster, but after some research and talking to a guy who was selling his, I decided it wasn't for me. Somewhat exotic with its mid-engine, but just not enough power to be fun enough for me personally.
Nowadays I find myself searching Craig's for a Cayman. Thems look miiighty purdy.

[kimchicowboy]

Four years ago I thought I wanted a Boxster, but after some research and talking to a guy who was selling his, I decided it wasn't for me. Somewhat exotic with its mid-engine, but just not enough power to be fun enough for me personally.
Nowadays I find myself searching Craig's for a Cayman. Thems look miiighty purdy.
or wait until christmas and try to get one for $5000 through amex. :P

[Showtime]

Mines is a motorcycle. Faster and cheaper than anything on this list. Girls seem to like it. So it fit all my current criteria. Definitely not for everyone though.

As far as honda or toyota's for a mid lifer...

Let's see if you grew up here in the 60's or 70's, it might be a muscle car like the one in the kevin spacey movie.

If you grew up thinking euro sports cars are this or that, then it could be Porsche or even more exotic wheels. Boxster could work for someone who just wants a porsche convertable and wont be pushing it too much. You can get them cheap (used), it's a fun car, and girls will look... Cayman is basically a boxter with a hard top from what I read and should actually cost less but they charge more cuz it's nudging into 911 peformance territory. It's quicker and lots of people seem like it better than the boxster. Used 911 would be better imo. My friend has a Porsche gt3. Now that's an e-ticket ride(80's reference).

What if you grew up in the 80's and 90's and was into j-cars (played gran turismo)... you might want that last gen Supra or a honda/acura NSX or even an s2000 (meh). For those who assume j-cars are inferior or couldn't be special enough to merit mid life crisis status, you just need to research it and learn like you did when you learned about muscle cars or old jags, etc. If I had the money and resources, I would personally go after a mazda cosmo or r100 (yeah right wont find either) or a clean datsun 240 or maybe that sexy 3rd gen Rx-7 (doable and on my wtb list) or...??? BUT that Supra in particular is a beast. Very hard to find a clean/semi-stock. My friends TT was bought and turned into 1000+hp trailer queen 10 years ago. He had the rare 6 speed and the motor sounded and performed great with less than 500hp. I could bring up half a dozen other j-cars from the 60-90's that would peak many peoples interest and fit a lot of the criteria (not practical, expensive or very hard to find or both, good performance, nostalgic).

In general, I would say that the car either has to take you back to your youth, or perform way better than you need, or cost more than you should be spending relative to what you are making to qualify. Ideally all 3 and God bless anyone who can do it. Otherwise it's just an impulse buy at worst.

[nate el bueno]

Someone that understands!

I would love that "sewing machine" :)

My actual "dream car" is a 240sx silvia with a RB25DET dropped in. They go on eBay for 10 grand or less all the time. I'd do it myself if I had the technical experience and funds, but I don't.

[mechmike0034]

If I could afford one, here's what it would be (http://www.seriouswheels.com/2009/nopq/2009-Pontiac-G8-GXP-Front-And-Side-1280x960.htm)...

[nate el bueno]

One of my buddies bought the new Callaway Camaro. Smart purchase? Probably not. Amazing car that he would never let me touch? Yes.

70 big ones. 580HP :)

[Daedalus]

If I could afford one, here's what it would be (http://www.seriouswheels.com/2009/nopq/2009-Pontiac-G8-GXP-Front-And-Side-1280x960.htm)...
Well shoot, give it a few years. Those things will probably depreciate real quick. Pick one up for a song in 2013.

[Jeffbx]

I dunno - last model year of a limited production run for a now defunct company. Those will be collector's items in 30 years, so it depends on whether people realize that now or if it'll take a few years. If I could afford to sit on a car as an investment I'd want one of those & maybe a Saturn Sky Red Line.

[mechmike0034]

Well shoot, give it a few years. Those things will probably depreciate real quick. Pick one up for a song in 2013.

The pic is of the GXP version, of which only about 2000 were built. Who knows about future values...

[DarkFury]

Not if it sounds like a sewing machine when you rev it. ;-)

Reeeee-ne-ne-ne-ne!
Oh that was mean (but very very funny! :hehehmm: )

[DarkFury]

The pic is of the GXP version, of which only about 2000 were built. Who knows about future values...
heh...

The only car I could see pulling me away from my 300C would be this one....

http://images1.ecarlist.com/evox/6854/GBE/640/00.jpg

http://subscribers.wardsauto.com/galleries/2008/cadillac-cts-v-2009-01.jpg

[Jeffbx]

Yeah, sign me up for one of those, too, except I'll take the coupe. The kids can ride in the minivan.

http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/american_performance/2010_cadillac_cts_v_coupe_car_news/1718365-1-eng-US/2010_cadillac_cts_v_coupe_car_news_featured_item.jpg

Speaking of the 300, DF, I met your buddy Ralph Gilles last weekend. I'm in an MBA program & my team & I interviewed him for a leadership paper we're working on - he's the CEO of the Dodge brand now. That dude is easily one of the smartest guys I've ever met. I had completely written Chrysler off as doomed until I talked to him - sounds like they're really changing the way they do business there, so who knows. If anyone can turn that company around from within I'd put my money on him.

[DarkFury]

I wish I could meet him personally...

I would personally thank him for designing my car... arguably the BEST car I've ever owned.

[sizemic1]

I'm in my mid-life but can't afford my crisis :(

[kimchicowboy]

i prefer the CTS-V sedan, myself. definitely a sweet looking ride compared to the usual M5, E55/63, etc.

[DarkFury]

i prefer the CTS-V sedan, myself. definitely a sweet looking ride compared to the usual M5, E55/63, etc.
Plus it has a buttload of HP too.

:D


Definitely a fun car...

[mechmike0034]

i prefer the CTS-V sedan, myself. definitely a sweet looking ride compared to the usual M5, E55/63, etc.

Put me down for the wagon version:

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/x11cact029.jpg

I have owned a couple of hot rod station wagons over the years...

[DarkFury]

Heh... everyone is on the CTS-V bandwagon. :D

[nate el bueno]

This post isn't meant to "hate" on the CTS-V. I would have the time of my life owning one. I don't give the car props for having all that power though when all they did was drop a LS6 or LS9 motor in there (with obvious other changes to make the car capable of using the power) and then toot their horn about how fast the car is. People have put those motors in Civics...Yes, it's a GM so it makes sense to use it. Maybe I'm not the one making sense. I mean, I do like sewing machines :)

[Jeffbx]

Ah, it's not all about the raw speed, young Padawan. If that were the case we'd all just buy motorcycles.

The CTS-V is a rare combination of American muscle, refinement, agility & balls. They passed by the DOHC that the Germans & Japanese use in favor of the good 'ol V8 pushrod - the supercharger alone has a 1.9L displacement. It's 556HP stock from the factory for under $70k. 0-60 in 3.9 seconds - and this is a luxury car that was designed, engineered and assembled here in Michigan.

That, my friend, is a car to be proud of.

[attgig]

put me in the minority here...but, I'm not a huge fan of the caddy's.
honestly...
they just don't look good.

that coupe is pretty ugly. and the wagon has to be the ugliest luxury wagon.
I'm ok with the sedan. probably the best one out there. but still. it's just ugly..

[DarkFury]

put me in the minority here...but, I'm not a huge fan of the caddy's.
honestly...
they just don't look good.

that coupe is pretty ugly. and the wagon has to be the ugliest luxury wagon.
I'm ok with the sedan. probably the best one out there. but still. it's just ugly..
This is why everyone is entitled to an opinion, as beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

That being said, I'd still drive the hell outta it if I had one. :D

[Houdini]

Oh that was mean (but very very funny! :hehehmm: )


:stupid:
I've always wanted a (now old...some are almost antique!!??) exotic...Countache/Testarossa/etc. I'll wait another 10 or 20 years though...for now, my 335i is fun and gets damn good mileage for 300+ hp.

h

[Houdini]

Oh that was mean (but very very funny! :hehehmm: )


:stupid:
I've always wanted a (now old...some are almost antique!!??) exotic...Countache/Testarossa/etc. I'll wait another 10 or 20 years though...for now, my 335i is fun and gets damn good mileage for 300+ hp.

h

[Showtime]

Nissan Skyline anyone?

[kimchicowboy]

Nissan Skyline anyone?
an R34? most certainly. one of my favorites!

the new GT-R isn't bad either.

[Daedalus]

GTR will be my next car. R34 is nice, but not worth what they cost in the states. Certainly rare, but weigh that against the risk of it being impounded and destroyed on your nickel.

[nate el bueno]

I absolutely love the Skyline GTR, especially the R33 and R34. Part of the reason I like them so much is because of how iconic they are. They were untouchable for years! There was some company that use to legalize them after import to the US, but they shut down. I don't recall the name off hand. I believe it started with an "M". I did a quick Google search and it didn't pop up fast enough for me to care. I do like the new GTR a lot, aside from the facts that car car drives itself and Nissan has a chastity belit on it's tuning capabilities. I've heard of a few people cracking it and ramping these up past 800hp.

Trying to be conservative, I realize I'll probably never have a chance to own a Skyline or a GTR, which is why I'll settle for the engine in a 240sx :)

I was hoping that post wouldn't be taken the wrong way, but it sort of was. It just seems like Caddy toots their horn more about the 0-60 time then the fact that it's a luxury car. Since we were just talking about it, the GTR, although having less HP, has a better 0-60 time. Luxury? It's guaranteed to make you uncomfortable :)

[DarkFury]

As you get older... you appreciate the "Luxury" aspect more.

Having the guts of a sports car is just a bonus to scratch that mid-life crisis itch of your youth. :D

[Daedalus]

There was some company that use to legalize them after import to the US, but they shut down. I don't recall the name off hand. I believe it started with an "M". I did a quick Google search and it didn't pop up fast enough for me to care.
Motorex was the company. I've been there a few times. It was basically a warehouse filled with over a dozen skylines at the time, along with a few other cars. A guy I know tried to buy a R33GT-R from them. When I say "tried" I mean he gave them a lot of money and then had to lawyer up to actually get his car...which he unfortunately wrecked not long after. The owner pretty much ran that place into the ground. Lots of personal problems, which lead to legal problems from a lot of pissed off people that were out large sums of money. The feds got involved and basically shut them down. My coworker's car may have been the last legal skyline approved by the feds before they pulled the plug. The owner had a golden goose and killed it. The R33 was crushingly fast though. Fastest thing on 4 wheels I've ever been in, though it wasn't stock.

[attgig]

Nissan Skyline anyone?

does my g35 count?

[attgig]

As you get older... you appreciate the "Luxury" aspect more.

Having the guts of a sports car is just a bonus to scratch that mid-life crisis itch of your youth. :D


yeah, i was thinking the same thing... but the new GT-R is pretty luxurious inside too.....
of course, you're not really buying it for the luxury...when you have can throw up little gauges on the display.

[mechmike0034]

It just seems like Caddy toots their horn more about the 0-60 time then the fact that it's a luxury car.

A luxury car that also happens to hold a lap record for stock V8-powered production sedans at the Nurburgring - 7:59.32

[nate el bueno]

I know Mike. I by no means am saying it's a slow car. I respect the times the car puts out, but I think that's more of a tribute to that fact that the LS9 is an awesome motor. As is, stock is higher than you need to go. You'll be spinning your tires with that kind of power. Most sedans don't have that kind of power. Hell, the Porsche Panamera Turbo can't even touch it. I didn't notice that picture at the top of page 2. I really like the rear end on that (heh, sounds funny out of context) but I still don't care for the front.

Daedalus I can't even begin to tell you how jealous I am. It seems their website is still up. I didn't take the time to read over it though since I gotta be up in a few hours. Marine Corps ball! Sorry, liver. I'll take a break for a while after this one. I'll be sure to leave the GPS turned on so when I lose my phone I'll be able to find it this time...


I just looked over that Motorex website. The show some of the Skylines they had for sale. Holy crap they charged an arm and a leg...