Mid Life Crisis - official

[bombur]

So I have a Z3 and Im not having a mid life crisis...Z4- now that's a different matter

Midlife crisis cars

Top 20 midlife crisis cars
1. Porsche 911 - 39%
2. Porsche Boxster - 34%
3. Aston Martin Vantage - 26%
4. Jaguar F-Type - 23%
5. Audi TT - 22%
6. Ford Mustang - 21%
7. BMW Z4 - 20%
8. Mercedes Benz SL - 17%
9. Audi R8 - 16%
=10. Alfa Romeo Spider - 14%
=10. Lotus Evora - 14%
12. Chevrolet Corvette - 11%
=13. Range Rover Evoque - 10%
=13. Subaru BRZ - 10%
=15. Dodge Challenger - 9%
=15. Land Rover Defender - 9%
=17. Mazda MX5 - 8%
=17. VW Golf GTI - 8%
=17. Toyota Supra - 8%
=17. Ford Focus RS - 8%
Source: Poll of 2,000 UK drivers conducted via insights agency Perspectus Global for GoShorty

 

[Pond]

The Z3 isn't on there only because most owners are WAY past a midlife crisis.

 

[Jam03]

I test drove a Boxster, MX5, TT and Z4 before I got my Z3, so that tells a story. Z3’s probably number 21.

 

[Pond]

I test drove a Boxster, MX5, TT and Z4 before I got my Z3, so that tells a story. Z3’s probably number 21.

I have OWNED many of them on the list, except the Porkers and the AM as am not a millionaire for the running costs.

 

[Duncodin]

What's the percentages next to each car in that list. Are they supposed to add up to 100%?

Or are f'in greedy Mid-Lifers allowed more than one car.

 

[ExMX5owner]

As I have mentioned in another post somewhere, you are allowed to have more than one mid life crisis, early, middle and late. So the study doesn't mean much unless we know which mid life crisis we are talking about.... Those results look like early midlife crisis, whereby money is still coming in.. But i would say that if a study is done on all three midlife crises and the results averaged, then the Z3 would be right up there....

 

[Pond]

What's the percentages next to each car in that list. Are they supposed to add up to 100%?

Or are f'in greedy Mid-Lifers allowed more than one car.

I would guess the 'poll' participants don't own any of them, just 'wannabees'. If it's a poll like the old days, taken in the street in Blackburn on a Tuesday morning, the results are completely random. But at least it keeps a few people employed.

 

[Z Victor 1]

' ..test drove a Boxter, MX5 ...' etc, which led to buying a Z3? Curious about what criteria led to the Z3? I and most people I imagine bought Z3 s because they look so good, but they don't drive/handle as well as a Boxter,MX5 or Z4.

 

[andyglym]

First mid-life crisis was 9 years ago (49) when I purchased my Z3 (Bella) and second one 4 years ago when I purchased my Honda CB500X (Holly). In order, Bella is my favourite Child and Holly is my second favourite Child, my actual children x 3 are all 3rd equal

 

[Jam03]

' ..test drove a Boxter, MX5 ...' etc, which led to buying a Z3? Curious about what criteria led to the Z3? I and most people I imagine bought Z3 s because they look so good, but they don't drive/handle as well as a Boxter,MX5 or Z4.

Boxsters within budget were not good and mx5 didn’t have the correct amount of cylinders. Z4 was a possibility, but I wanted a facelift 6cyl one, so they were too expensive at the time, but I think values have dropped a bit in the last few years. I think you’re right that the appeal of Z3’s has a lot to do with how it looks.

 

[Z Victor 1]

Yes, I love the Z3 retro design, one of the best looking roadsters ever in my humble opinion. Perhaps why I had 3 !
Regarding the others, the Porsche maintenance would put me off. Old MX5 s rust while you watch, mine did. So I've got an E85, not as pretty as the Z3, but lighter, stiffer and with better suspension plus a one touch folding roof . Nothing is perfect , but a Z8 would be close.

 

[B21]

I guess the survey respondents views are slightly rhetorical….that is although they think that these models are what other older men are driving to recapture their youth it’s probably what they would want ..if they felt the need…were brave enough…

Sadly the only women my car and I attract are certain well bred mature ladies ….could be worse I guess..

 

[Jam03]

One of the reasons I finally got a fun car was because I wanted to go out driving with a couple of new Porsches. I’ve also been lucky enough to spend a lot of time driving the Porsches. Although a new Porsche is undoubtedly what I would be looking for if I had more money to burn, I can confirm that even a sub £5k Z gives you access to at least 80% (for me anyway) of the fun on public roads, but at a fraction of the cost.

 

[Ian&Sue]

It was Sue who decided we should get our Z3. Don't think she was bothered what "other older men were driving".

 

[ExMX5owner]

Well mine was a compromise I made with my wife, she wouldn't let me buy another Hyabusa.

 

[bear2020]

Jeez I have been going through a midlife crisis since I was 20 had well over 100 cars in 30 years and even with the 2 of us now we have 4 cars.
The 911 is however next on my list!

 

[Stevo7682]

Well mine was a compromise I made with my wife, she wouldn't let me buy another Hyabusa.

Im kinda in the same bolt had sold my cbr was originally having a classic mk1/2 fiesta or mk3 escort then the Dakar kind of fell into my lap unintentionally having had a dairy milk purple mk2 astra convertible with a redtop conversion suddenly decided a yellow convertible might not be a bad thing then joined on here and the rest is history.
Stephen.

 

[mwpe]

My mid life crisis was a bit late, I bought my Zed as 65th birthday present to myself. Done a few mies since then but we are still both going strong.

 

[Dakar Z3]

I would probably agree with most of the top 20, surprised that the Z3 is absent......... Who cares about mid life crisis!

Being involved in automotive parts manufacturing for over 40 years, you get to know the common failing parts, for many cars, the cost and availability of such parts.
This was a major deciding factor in choosing my Z3, with everything available off the shelf, whether it be a brand new control arm or a second hand door pull handle and most parts at sensible money.

Aston control arms.................dealer only ouch!
Porsche electric water pump touching £500 ish

For all round value with sensible running and maintenance cost, it's definitely a hard car to beat............. Z4 non 'M' and TT may run close............

 

[TriumphZ3]

I'm sort of the other extreme.... had a Triumph GT6 for many years (Mk1, the nicest looking!) and own a few Triumph Heralds, then sold the GT6 in 2021 as I felt I was too old at 59 for that sort of sportscar. Drove the Heralds for a year, saw a Z3 and loved the colour (Boston Green) so bought it on a whim. Now the poor Heralds sit in the garage on sunny days even despite being convertible, and I sold my other modern so my only transport is the Z3. I must admit the Heralds have no sensors, no fuses, no cat, and can be dismantled with two spanners (and repairs don't require a mortgage!). When I decide that people are laughing at an old white-haired guy in a Z3, I'll go back to the Heralds.