We’ve all seen the stereotype: one day you just feel like an adventurer again. It’s a swift desire for spontaneity and a hunger for freedom. It could be a new tattoo, a hobby, or the iconic middle-age crisis, buying a new car that is loud, fast, and accelerates with the vim of a startled cheetah. It may not be a crisis exactly for those of us reaching our midlife years (late 40s and 50s), but it certainly is a feeling of losing one’s youthful sense of adventure. So when you are ready to lean in and have some fun, buying a cool car can be one of the most satisfying ways to do it.
So You Want a Fast Car?
Muscle cars and sports cars are the stuff of stereotypical midlife crises for a reason: They’re an irresistible proposition at a certain age. Newfound interest in performance cars can certainly be viewed as anything from an expression of your inner child to an attempt to recapture lost youth. For some, the symbolism is even more complex, and psychologists are happy to oblige with fanciful diagnoses. But at the risk of spoiling the fun, the reality is less complicated. Performance cars are exciting, they’re indulgent, and they’re often easier to afford when the big financial and logistical burdens start to ease.
For one thing, by your late 40s or 50s, you know what you like. By then, most people have also developed at least a modicum of financial acumen. Wanting to splurge isn’t being immature: It’s an acknowledgment that life is short, that leisure time is limited, and that happiness is a worthwhile pursuit. A midlife crisis car might not be practical, but that’s kind of the whole point.
The Best Choices
The “perfect” midlife crisis car could technically be any fast, sporty ride, but according to surveys of car owners, a handful of models often find themselves topping the list. Thanks to a combination of prestige, performance, and sentimentality, these vehicles have a hit-the-reset-button appeal that’s hard to beat.
The undisputed king of midlife crisis vehicles, with almost 40 percent of the vote in one poll, is the Porsche 911. It’s a car with an instantly recognizable shape and a smooth driving experience, and it has been produced in some form for nearly six decades. For drivers who also want the option of open-air cruising, the Porsche Boxster is a logical next choice as an everyday convertible sports car. Traditional European luxury sports cars also have a place on many midlife buyers’ dream lists, with the Aston Martin Vantage, Jaguar F-Type, and Audi TT also regularly appearing in the top tier.
Cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Corvette also continue to hold strong as midlife crisis vehicles, offering powerful performance with plenty of American muscle-vehicle heritage attached. Hot hatchbacks are another perennial crowd-pleaser, with models like the Subaru BRZ, Toyota Supra, Mazda MX-5, and VW Golf GTI all offering a sporty driving experience in a smaller package.
In all cases, the exact ideal for a “midlife crisis car” can be a matter of personal preference: sleek or fast and furious, the style is sure to appeal to a wide range of personalities.
