To blow a year's salary on on impractical car I don't need?

[Silverclocks]

I have a sensible medium sized family hatchback, less than a year old.

Household is DS1 who has his own small hatchback (that was previously mine), DS2 18yo, not showing any interest in learning to drive but it's something I should insist he does, an important life skill, but hard atm because of lack of availability of tests and lessons.

I'm early 50s thinking about early retirement.

I've had a shocking time over the last 2 years, the kind of things that make you realise life is short and "the future" doesn't happen for everyone.

I've got some cash saved to finance the early retirement, thinking that for a few years I can live off capital rather than taking pensions early. I'm not desperate to leave work, but I'd like more free time/ freedom iyswim.

Anyway, I have this idea that I'd love a little 2 seater convertible. DS1 says I can't have a "middle aged mum car", which of course makes it all the more attractive.

Realistically I need to keep the sensible car too, although I could share it with DS2 once he starts learning.

Spending the cash effectively delays retirement by a year....

I know it makes no sense but that's kind of why I'd like to do it! I've spent a lifetime being sensible - that's why I can afford to do it.

What do you think?

I am on the bones of my arse at the moment and I still say fucking do it!
And when you drive it have the biggest smile on your face whilst acknowledging you went through hard times to get there.

Go for it. If you can afford it and it will bring you joy. I did, I love my car. I've made so many friends through track days, learnt how to service it and fix things that break and discovered a whole wonderful new hobby.

I have an MX-5 roadster and I say do it! Driving home from work with the roof down goes a long way towards making commuting time your time rather than their time.

Also, occasionally you’ll meet someone sneery and disapproving about a middle aged woman having the audacity to drive a selfish car, and it’s really nice knowing you’ve pissed off the miserable twat.

I am with you @Silverclocks and reckon you should buy it. Like you said you probably will go part time and not completely retire anyway.

I went and looked at the Mercedes amg. I love them. Second hand they are more expensive than brand new currently so I'd definitely order new and wait.

@Boood

I have an MX-5 roadster and I say do it! Driving home from work with the roof down goes a long way towards making commuting time your time rather than their time.

Also, occasionally you’ll meet someone sneery and disapproving about a middle aged woman having the audacity to drive a selfish car, and it’s really nice knowing you’ve pissed off the miserable twat.

Agree with regards to the sneery part. It's very fun watching people try to compute that the car is mine and not DH's.

OP, people are really weird about people having nice cars. Buy it. Enjoy it. Love it. Join owners clubs and find track days. If you end up with something Japanese then come along to days like Japfest at Silverstone or JDM at Combe. Immense fun.

Agree with regards to the sneery part. It's very fun watching people try to compute that the car is mine and not DH's.

This really gets on my nerves. People have always assumed our comfortable lifestyle was down to DH's income more than mine when in fact I was the (slightly) higher income and far better with money. Now I'm a comfortably placed widow they assume I'm living it up on the life insurance, when in fact I'm entirely supporting myself and saving everything else for DC. I don't suppose that perception will change if I buy a fancy car.

Oh yes go for it! Get the car! Life is short and you will have sooo much fun driving it, it will be completely worth it. Or at least go for some test drives and see how you feel.

Definitely go for it OP.

I’ve started treating myself more.
Only last week I spent time with dm and rather than go straight home afterwards I visited a beautiful city on my way home and stayed in a lovely hotel for the night.

People on Mumsnet are weird about cars.

It’s like it’s a badge of honour to have the oldest car that you bought twenty years ago for 20p.
Then those people will give you advice about buying cars even though the last time they bought one was twenty years ago.

At the minute because of the lead times on new cars you can get a really good deal for a new car and second hand cars are eye watering.
Also the dealers prefer PCP to cash so you can often get a better deal on PCP than if you bought cash.

If I were you I’d buy a brand new car on PCP and then if you don’t like it you’ve always got the option of giving it back in 3 years.

Also get the exact car you like not one a little but like it.

Life is for living!

If you're near retirement, but willing to work a year extra to have the car, then it sounds like you've weighed up the cost reasonably. I wouldn't want to own two cars, I hardly do enough driving to justify one, but obviously your life is different.

At a similar age and financial position, having driven older used cars all my life, I set out to spend an "unlimited" amount on car. It turned out that my ideal car was a middle-of-the-range Golf (with lots of options) costing half my maximum budget. Still happy with it, several years later.

(The only thing I might have done better is buy it from Germany. Apparently in Germany you can choose from the same range of custom colours that in the UK are only offered on Audis, so I could have had it in purple or yellow. I read somewhere that I could have ordered a left-hand drive car from a German dealer. I think I also read somewhere that you could possibly order custom colours by contacting VW UK directly, the dealer ordering system here didn't allow it, but they could specify it on their computer systems.)

I got confused, I meant to say I could have ordered a right-hand-drive Golf in Germany.

Go for it OP. I’m considering buying my first brand new car ever at the age of 46. My family tend to be very tight with money and I can see from my parents that it’s possible to be too careful with money.

I’ve paid off a decent chunk of my mortgage and have no other debts so why the hell not.

Personally, I wouldn’t do it.

Working for an extra year might feel different in a few years time to how it does now.

Because ‘things happen’ you never know. I was saving over a planned number of years, but the COVID zapped my job a couple of years earlier than planned, so I am living off the early retirement savings now.

I WOULD like to do something fun but not quite so profligate. Nee cars depreciate so fast in the first 2 years you might as well tip tenners down the drain in handfuls. Taxing, insuring more cars than necessary… But that’s just me.

I would do a nice holiday, and keep planning towards a fab early retirement with my choices still open.

You jolly well go and have some fun. If you like golf Buy good kit
If you like to drive buy a good car that you will enjoy.
Are you thinking of a classic type MGB, Jaguar or similar?

Go for it. I loved my mx-5, had to sell it when the dc came along.

The modern answer to entry level of 'sports car' is still Mazda 5. They are reliable millions of them.
I was looking for a Jaguar saloon for £3000. amazing cars available, wonderful performance and comfort. Best pay a bit more though.
The anti car/anti fun/ lobby are making life more difficult for people to drive for enjoyment.
Buy now and get some memories before they put a tax on enjoying life in any way.

My beautiful, wonderful aunt had your dilemma some years ago. In the end she purchased a stunning British racing green sports car just after her 50th and she absolutely loved it.
That car made her so happy and I’m eternally grateful she bought it because she sadly developed cancer and died at 55.

Point is OP, life can be cruelly short so enjoy every moment of it whilst you can.

You earned it, you spend it. I think it's a great idea. 👍

I’m with your DS2. Have you heard of climate crisis? You want to have 3 or 4 cars in a 3 person household?

I’m… yeah. No. Buying stuff doesn’t make you happy, just ruins the environment.

Go for it. I have a progressive illness and a very sporty car. One day I may well need a box on wheels for a wheelchair so I'm enjoying my driving while I can.

I'm living hand to mouth and shitting myself at the thought of the fuel bills OP but if I was in your position I would 100% get the car, like you say you don't know what's around the corner, you have earned it so bloody well enjoy it and ignore all these read the room comments!

I would get the car, as long as you don't mind working a little longer.

I am planning to buy myself a particular car for my 40th birthday which although not a years salary for me could buy a house in the town my father came from, so it would seem extremely extravagant to him (a small welsh town not SE England prices).

I have wanted this car for most of my adult life and while a 4 seater is in no way practical for family life (crap boot, very powerful rwd, coupe) it is something for me as a reward for working my socks off.

I would suggest hiring a convertible for a little road trip (even just a weekend getaway) and seeing if:

• you love it
• you enjoyed it but don't want to buy (

Do what makes you happy! If you want the car get the car! You might have to wait a while for a new car though - I'd save a bit and get a 2nd hand one - if you're buying a porsche / jag or such like go to a main dealership or specialist - there will be much more barely used / well maintained. I bought a 911 on a whim to cheer myself up following a break-up. It was so much fun. I got it in a flashy colour with a personalised plate too. I had 18 months of fun and now sold for something more sensible as I'm pregnant.

Don't do it...or if you must just buy a decent second hand one. You have a car...it takes you to places. Cars are usually a depreciating asset... don't waste money trying to impress people. Convertibles are overrated anyway.