One of these days, after I’ve won the lottery/gotten a fat book contract/collected an inheritance, I’m going to buy a convertible of some kind. Preferably a two-seater coupe. Something like this or this or even this.
Mrs. Homie is having none of it. She says that I’d look like a middle-aged man who’s trying to overcompensate for a small dick, and that I’d look like a tool.
I contend that if I’m buying the ride because I enjoy driving it, what difference does it make?
What say you, Dopers? Does a middle-aged guy driving a sporty coupe make you think “Tool”?
Yep.
I mean, I wouldn’t be mad about it or anything: “Aw, man, I just saw the biggest tool! He was driving a fancy red convertible!” And I wouldn’t refuse to speak to you or anything. But yes, if I didn’t know you, I’d mentally put a check the “Tool” column.
Unfortunately, usually it does. It is one of the ironies of life that when you finally have the case to buy a nice leather jacket and a sports car, you can no longer pull off the look.
For that matter, who cares what anybody else things. If you like it, and you can afford it, get it.
Of course, your other option is to tell your wife that you’re going to dump her and get a young hot blonde as part of the mid-life crisis package - I’m sure that this will help.
I would say so. That is the epitome of a mid-life crisis although I am not suggesting that you are having one but other people will perceive it that way. You don’t have to get a mini-van or a Cadillac but cars like that are fashion accessories that go best with certain types just like clothes and styling do. I do love that BMW though and I better get one before I step into your shoes
Does anyone have a list of nice non-boring cars that men in the 35+ range can drive that won’t make them some type of tool? I get confused these day too.
In and of itself there’s no reason that it should make you look like a tool. When I see older guys in sports cars, I think that they’re finally getting the payoff for years of work. When I see young guys in sports cars, I tend to think that they’re probably starving their children to make the insurance payment.
A middle-aged and older guy can look like a tool if there are other things that go with the sports car, though. Clothes that aren’t you? Hair implants? Tanning-bed tan? Hot blonde that wouldn’t otherwise be with you? Now you’d start to be looking like a tool.
Yeah, if I saw a cat over 40 driving any one of those cars my first thought would be, “Oh yeeeeah, I bet the chicks really dig the wheels, Pops. Oh, sorry to hear about the weiner.” As a cat over 40, I know I couldn’t drive any of those without feeling like I was being chuckled at by everyone who passed me.
Go with a classic, vintage sports car; it says “I’m old, but I’m still sorta’ cool.”
I think it’ll make you look like you’re going through a midlife crisis, but that doesn’t automatically mean “tool”. Hummers on the other hand.
More importantly though, do what you want. If you’re not enjoying life, why be alive? Who cares what people think of you. Especially when it comes to something very unimportant like car you drive.
I don’t mind people judging by clothes if you’re at an interview or something, but owning a car that you like/admire/desire, what the fuck is wrong with that?
Along with “money can’t buy you happiness”, that’s just one of the pithy sayings poor people use to justify to themselves why they haven’t got the things they would like. You never hear anyone with money say it!*
It’s jealousy. Ignore it.
*Yes, it is true. And obvious. No need for people to robotically repeat it. Money can, of course, relieve many of the causes of unhappiness.
Jettboy has it in one. If you’re a middle-aged guy with a mid-life crisis, you’re allowed to get the car you drooled over when you were 16. You can justify it by saying you always loved that car.
OTOH, a middle-aged woman with a mid-life crisis IS allowed to get a brand-new sports car, as long as she’s already gotten the new face and new boobs. She can justify it by saying that since most of her is already new, why not get a new car.
