to buy a mid-life crisis car?

[huffythethreadslayer]

In my defence, I am middle aged (45 this year) and am in the middle of a health scare (lump on neck...probably a cyst, but has scared the sensible out of me) and so....I'm looking at something completely impractical and fun to drive instead of the boring old Ford Fiesta I'd been looking at.

Dd is 10 and really wants a convertible mini, but it's more than I can afford, but I am now thinking soft top instead of big booted :)

What do you reckon??

I fear monkeyfacegrace may be of the misguided opinion that bigger is better. Power is nothing without control so what's the point of having a huge V8 under the bonnet if the car won't go round corners?

Overtaking in a left hand drive car in the UK is a gamble because you can't see round the car in front until you're in the middle of the other lane. That's just the way it is and I'm sorry you can't see that.

They stopped making FTOs years ago so they're all very old now and given the issues, and cost, of maintaining them I think it would be a very stupid choice.

Yes, MX5s are very common but that's because they're so good. If you want an unusual car then buy one but before you do, think about why you don't see many of them on the road. If you want a good car you are likely to end up with something that a lot of other people drive.

You don't have to take my word for it. Just go looking for reviews of the MX5 and see if you can find a bad one.

Sorry, I just spotted your comment about getting a Corvette and fell off my chair laughing They handle even worse than Mustangs. I'd have trouble getting it to turn into my road at anything over walking pace.

You laughed at a Corvette? I suggest that you are of the opinion that people can't drive properly, so must go for the safe option.

I can actually drive properly, and can handle a Corvette well thanks, even around the little Cotswolds roads that I live in.

Oh, and I have the big boy budget to play with too. So when I have to buy a little car for my daughter to play in, I will consider your suggestion.

And, FWIW, FTO's were last made in '99-2000, but most have milage of under 50k due to Jap law, which puts them in the same bracket as most '06 plate cars here. Its all about milage, not age.

Ford fiestas are common too, but it doesn't mean they are worth buying.

I had a Mustang, drove it for a year, ramped the shit out of it, even, wait for it...overtook people, and then sold it for more than I bought it for. Clever me

I'm looking at what car and the MX-5 is coming out very favourably. My heart would be with the MGF/TF, but as you say, spares, reliability, etc, might be an issue going forward.

My DH already thinks I'm mad going for a 2 seater over a 4 seater, so if I add unreliability to the equation, he'll think I've completely lost the plot!

What about the TT? You can just squeeze 4 people in, and they are solid built german engines.

Do you have a bigger penis than me as well?

Monkeyface, I think you're a true petrolhead. Sadly, I'm too far down the turtleneck sweater and slippers route to even wrap my head around a petrol head approach!!

I'm just a sad middle aged mum looking for something that's not as dull as ditchwater. That doesn't mean I'm gonna be able to go all bling bling on this thing. I'm too old for all that

Nope, yours in just on your forehead for everyone to see.

Nope.

snurk

Huffy, there are loads of cars for you. Even a 206cc would be amazing from what you have said. I was just going by your first post, when it was a bit of an open book!
The 206cc is economical on fuel, and holds its value better than most cars, so you will get a good return. Its also 4 seats, but looks cool, in a 'not trying to hard' way! Google it, and get one with the full sports pack inc leather interior.

We have the smaller engined TT which DH says goes very brum! It looks cool and our girls love it!

I had a go in a Saab 9-3 convertible once. Nice interior but bloody horrible to drive. It felt like what it really is - a Vauxhall Vectra with the roof sawn off. You could literally feel the chassis twist.

Speaking as a wife of a mechanic I would go for an mx5, very reliable, great little car. We get very few in with any major problems.

Plus it looks like it is meant to be topless rather than a sawn off afterthought.

A 206 is never, ever going to be amazing.

Do it!!

Thanks all! Head is now spinning with racey possibilities instead of logical data. Looking forward to hitting the car showrooms SO much.

nocake, how much did you buy your mx5 for?

nocake Thu 07-Oct-10 14:53:19

"I agree. My MX5 was a complete waste of money. It cost me £1,900 to get it into the UK and on the road. I had two years of brilliant fun driving it then sold it for over £3k "

that doesn't say how much he PAID for it, only how much it cost to get it into the UK & on the road.

Ah, I see what you mean. Sorry.

We had an MX5 as our pre-kids car, and it ticks your boxes - good looking, easy to drive, fun, good reliability. No it's not going to get the average petrolhead excited, but given you don't care about that, what does it matter?

Be warned though Once you get the slightly-daft-car bug you won't go back..our family cars are currently a Subaru Impreza and a 307CC, neither of which are your classic family vehicles...

2002MGTF

Don't know where you are in the country, OP, but this is what I drive except mine's silver, and considering the age and the fact that it's the 160bhp model, that's an excellent price.

Considering your budget, I'd give it a serious look.

Oh, and spares for an MGTF are no problem now for 2 reasons - 1 A company called Rimmer Brothers in Lincoln bought TONS & TONS of the spares when MG originally went into administration and 2 since the 2009 or 2010 model went into production, spares are now longer a problem even without considering point 1.

TSC mx-5s are not pretend sports cars. They're not performance cars, sure. But they're roasties.

Thought i'd leave that little predictive text gem there

They're roadsters. Proper little cars with spirit.