Help me find a "new" mid-life crisis car.

[Dmax]

Originally Posted by JohnGalt

3 series are for kids - I can't take seriously anyone over 30 driving one. SLK is a woman's car.

I guess that leaves the 1-series for absolutes spouting teenagers like you.

Originally Posted by Mark from Plano

Excellent question. In my saner moments I think I should keep what I have because I put so many miles on a car. For at least the next 3 years or so I'll likely have a massive commute that will eat up a car. This really argues against something at the higher end of my price range since it's going to be a 100K car by the time I get rid of it in 3 years. I've actually considered going with a 3 year lease with extended mileage (22K/year or so) for this reason, because I'd probably be looking at changing again in 3 years. I should probably just keep what I have a while longer...but I want one...

Just wanted to let you know that most German manufacturers don't want to lease a new car to you for more than 36 or 39 months and they certainly don't want you to drive more than 15k miles per year. If you look at the manufacturer set residual values and money factors, aka lease interest rates, the lease gets extremely expensive after 36 months/15k miles year. You may be able to pre-purchase extra miles on a lease in advance but I don't think they will be cheap. It may be less expensive to take advantage of 0.9-2.9% financing and buy the car outright. Leasing a used car is usually a very bad deal with payments similar to what you would pay for a comparable brand new model.

 

[A Y]

Originally Posted by gomestar

bigger is better? No. Aluminum is better than plastic? Yes. The car was totaled in the low speed bump.

The skin of a car isn't important in a crash for protecting the passengers. The Elise has an aluminum chassis underneath its plastic exterior that handles the crash energy.

--Andre

 

[Flambeur]

Originally Posted by chrisjustinparr

If you were truly going through a mid life crisis, you'd buy one of these. Go for something cool but non-practical because you've always wanted one when you were younger.

Funny enough they are actually decent in terms of practicality.. Comfy, good highway mileage, etc.

 

[emmanuel]

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/ You can even find a for sale section. Some of the guys on the forum use their cars as daily drivers.

 

[Night Owl]

i cant believe you are talking about a 3 series for a MID LIFE CRISIS car, its about as wild as drinking milk one day past the expiration date

slk is still for hairdressers no

 

[epb]

There used to be a saying - "Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM." In the sports car world, that same phrase works for Porsche 911s. Your proposed budget would be fine for a 996 cab, ideally a 2002+ with the facelifted front-end. I'd also suggest a Mercedes-Benz SL500, if you're more interested in cruising with style than a hardcore driving experience involving track days. Both of these have better images than the Boxster and SLK, though both are fine cars.

You could possibly forgo the sports car altogether and get a Rolls-Royce or Bentley. There are people that say the best revenge is living well. Most people find that expression hard to believe, but most people have never seen the expression on the face of an ex-girlfriend upon seeing you emerge from a Rolls-Royce.

Though with an ex-wife, I imagine it might spark legal proceedings inquiring into your finances...

 

[origenesprit]

308 GTB (or S). 'Nuff said.

 

[Dburr]

Originally Posted by origenesprit

308 GTB (or S). 'Nuff said.

has to be one of the ugliets cars ever

 

[JayJay]

BMW 5-series
Audi A5
MB CLK or wait a year and get a used E coupe
Porsche Cayman

 

[gomestar]

Originally Posted by A Y

The skin of a car isn't important in a crash for protecting the passengers. The Elise has an aluminum chassis underneath its plastic exterior that handles the crash energy.

--Andre

I'm not talking about saftey, but rather the general destruction of a car at low speeds.

But I'd still love one

 

[Artisan Fan]

Originally Posted by JayJay

BMW 5-series
Audi A5
MB CLK or wait a year and get a used E coupe
Porsche Cayman

I've been looking at Caymans and love them but even used they are above Mark's price range.

 

[spudnik99]

Porsche 993.

 

[uhurit]

I'd definitely get a Jag, 2-3 years old...XKR/XJR

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by spudnik99

Porsche 993.
This would be a fun car, but I'd suggest keeping the Prius as a daily driver and having a fun car for play.

 

[origenesprit]

Originally Posted by Dburr

has to be one of the ugliets cars ever

That's just a silly statement.

Besides, Magnum PI can't be wrong.