"Mid-life Crisis" Car Purchase

[woodyng2]

Is that the Abarth Fiat?

It might be? At least the engine...the Abarth model,is the smaller 2-door 500,and mine is the 4-door L,quite a lot larger vehicle. I'm not sure of the powertrain differences in the 500L and the Abarth 500,but the engine in the L is nicely robust,as opposed to the Abarth screamer. Or maybe that's just the difference in the vehicle sizes....

 

[Fat Freddy]

It might be? At least the engine...the Abarth model,is the smaller 2-door 500,and mine is the 4-door L,quite a lot larger vehicle. I'm not sure of the powertrain differences in the 500L and the Abarth 500,but the engine in the L is nicely robust,as opposed to the Abarth screamer. Or maybe that's just the difference in the vehicle sizes....

My cousin in the UK has a two door Abarth....Goes like stink but a little snug for me

 

[jthisdell]

Go for it, at this point in your life you need to make yourself happy.

I always wanted a Miata and finally got one about five years ago. Had one daughter through school and enough money in the bank to get the other one through. Also my Mother in Law had a health crisis and went into the hospital so I thought what the hell. Found a great deal on an '08 Sport w 5 speed.

I wasn't playing then and I admit it is not the most ideal car for hauling gear. But I can now get my whole rig in it for a gig (NXT EUB, ToneHammer 500, Berg CN112 or the newest addition a Barefaced One 10 w/ gig bag, pedal board, music and mic stands, etc.)

 

[Pilgrim]

Every single report I've ever read says the Miata is one of the great achievements in the automotive world. It is exactly what the great fun British roadsters of the 50's through the 70's wanted to be - except that it's reliable, dependable, has parts supply, and you can own it for years without rebuilding it every year.

It doesn't go 150 MPH, but who needs that? As has been said before, driving a slow car fast is more fun than driving a fast car slow. Going around corners in town can be fun with a car like a Miata.

 

[Fat Freddy]

Every single report I've ever read says the Miata is one of the great achievements in the automotive world. It is exactly what the great fun British roadsters of the 50's through the 70's wanted to be - except that it's reliable, dependable, has parts supply, and you can own it for years without rebuilding it every year.

Reliable?...Dependable?....Where's the fun in that?

 

[MonetBass]

Do it, and get whatever you're happy with. Here is my current ride (got it 7 years ago, just turned 50 this year):

 

[jthisdell]

Reliable?...Dependable?....Where's the fun in that?

Well I get to start it and drive it to work every day without thinking about it. That's a plus.

 

[ESPweasel]

I'm only 48. Who's got $250G's I can borrow?

 

[woodyng2]

Reliable?...Dependable?....Where's the fun in that?

I had a Miata before i got the Slk,the Miata was a more fun car to drive around short sprints for sure. The slk was better on the long hauls,much heavier feeling,but still handled well.

 

[Fat Freddy]

Well I get to start it and drive it to work every day without thinking about it. That's a plus.

Not the English way old boy.....Better to phone in with a "Car's buggered again" type excuse

 

[jthisdell]

I had a Miata before i got the Slk,the Miata was a more fun car to drive around short sprints for sure. The slk was better on the long hauls,much heavier feeling,but still handled well.

Yeah the Miata is not a lot of fun on the interstate.

 

[Fat Freddy]

I'm only 48. Who's got $250G's I can borrow?

Suspect that you won't make it to 49 if you get one of those!

 

[ESPweasel]

Suspect that you won't make it to 49 if you get one of those!

Hahaha. I'd probably never get it past second gear

 

[ESPweasel]

I only paid 4 grand for this at 47 so it doesn't really count but it's fun

 

[Fat Freddy]

I only paid 4 grand for this at 47 so it doesn't really count but it's fun
View attachment 868928

It's the fun part that counts....NOT the price....In my most humble opinion....

 

[Pilgrim]

It's the fun part that counts....NOT the price....In my most humble opinion....

My daughter has a 2011 Mini Cooper S. What a kick-ass small car!!

 

[Stewie26]

^^^ If for some reason I had to buy and drive a small car it would be the Mini Cooper for me.

 

[DigMe]

Yes, just not as much as I used to.

I was racing two nights a week, building cars for others and crewing on an IHRA/NSCA team several weekend a summer, now I'm down to a handful of races a year with my own cars.
The cost of racing went waaaayyyy up between entry fees, fuel, fuel for the tow rig & generator, etc to the point that it became too much. Plus, with a family it was hard to be gone so often. now with my Son out on his own and my Daughter graduating High School this year I'm hoping to get out more.

You should definitely head down to "the OKC" and challenge the "Street Outlaws"

 

[Mike N]

You should definitely head down to "the OKC" and challenge the "Street Outlaws"

Most of those cars would leave me in the dust. Not that a low 10 second car is anything to sneeze at, but my all motor 3600lb backhalfed slob is no match to a bunch of hairdryers and multiple stages of nitrous in a tube chassis flexi-flyer.

How any of those cars can be considered a "street car" is beyond me..... I can't remember the last time I saw a Lamb strutted Lenco shifted Pro-Mod banging potholes in my hometown. I'll bet half those cars don't even have a legitimate VIN tag. In that respect, at least my Camaro is truly a street car.

 

[bluesblaster]

How any of those cars can be considered a "street car" is beyond me..... I can't remember the last time I saw a Lamb strutted Lenco shifted Pro-Mod banging potholes in my hometown. I'll bet half those cars don't even have a legitimate VIN tag. In that respect, at least my Camaro is truly a street car.[/QUOTE]

excellent point