Where are all the Dope bikers at? Nothing says midlife crisis like a new Harley. For way south of 30 grand you can get yourself a new bike, add some chrome, and still have money left for some cool leather. As an added bonus, you can start wearing black all the time and tell your wife/friends they just dont understand you anymore.
But then you have to ride a bike that makes a loud farting noise any time you open the throttle. It does, though, scream mid-life crisis, particularly if you buy all the shiny new overpriced Harley-Davidson leather gear and the eggshell helmet that has the sole purpose of allowing the rescue crew to scoop up all the semi-liquid components remaining of your skull.
Stranger
Well, while the farting noise is a matter of opinion, I agree with the helmet comment. I only wear a full face helmet. Less scooping required. :dubious:
Every Harley I’ve ever heard sounded like a loud fart. Some louder than others.
We can drop the Harley discussion, I lost my only brother to a motorcycle accident (not his fault, car backed out in front of him on a highway access road without looking, his full helmet couldn’t protect his torso from crushing into the fuel tank and handle bars, nor from the resulting explosion and fire). I recognize sports cars are also dangerous (hence my “times ten” rule), but we can just not go down the motorcycle path (pardon the pun).
duality72 makes an interesting suggestion with the Elise. And while I do live in the city, Pork Rind, I’m not downtown, and don’t have too many ocassions here in Atlanta to parallel park. This car fits the criteria I laid out nicely - it is anything but practical. It isn’t big steel - a four cylinder 190 HP Toyota engine. But the car is extremely light, and extremely quick. As Jeremy describes it, “when the designers were engineering this car, they didn’t ask ‘what would our customers want?’, they instead asked, ‘what could they live without?’” It would certainly turn heads, is within my price range new, and falls into the exotic sports car category. This one is worth some more consideration.
And Shibb0leth, worry not, I’m blessed with a full head of curly blonde locks (well, now half grey), without even the hint of a receding hairline.
Emilio Lizardo, a “gently used” Pantera, huh? If I knew what I was doing, maybe. As I don’t, not likely. Along that line, I noticed this “gently used” 1990 Lotus Espirit not too far from me for $21,000. It’s fun to think about.
Point taken. Logically, I want to think that the name plate has nothing to do with it. But, I must admit that it does. I don’t know much about the Sky, so I will do some more research on this one. I agree that it is a great looking car. But will run with a Boxster all day? I’ll look into this. I do remember my first Saturn experience positively, so that earns them some benefit of doubt.
Uncommon Sense, the '08 Challenger is quite the throwback. Looks like awesome fun. But for my tastes, I’m concerned that it will be a traditional American muscle car (nothing wrong with that per se), and won’t be known for turning a corner (besides the sloped left turn of an oval track).
As I still have the last four seasons of Top Gear on disk, I went back and watched a segment where they reviewed the Audi TT, the Chrysler Crossfire, and the Nissan 350 (all 2 door convertibles, in Iceland). They couldn’t settle on a favorite, and that segment convinced me that none of these three are for me.
If I were more mechanically inclined, I might consider a classic, but I’m not, and don’t think I will go that route.
So, if I elect to give up even a small backseat, I’m looking at the BMW Z4 M (slightly used), the Mercedes CLK350 (used, or perhaps the CLK550 used), Porsche Boxster S (slightly used), or the Porsche 911 Carrera (used), Saturn Sky (new), and the Lotus Elise (new).
If I want the backseat, and won’t give up the convertible, I’m back to the M3, or perhaps the Audi RS4 Cabriolet (though I haven’t done my research on this one yet either).
That’s still a pretty long list. I think I need to start hitting some dealerships, taking some test drives, and see if that will narrow my search some more.
Again, thanks for all the feedback, it has been very helpful.
Sigh. I’m always late to the party. Anyway, one of my toys is a 2004 Porsche Boxster.
2004 is the last year before the (in my opinion) disastrous 2005 interior design change. I drive it maybe once or twice a month but, let me tell ya, it does turn heads. Mine is Carmon Red, which is kind of a maroonish color, and absolutely gorgeous in the sunlight. The mid-engine gives just the right amount of growl behind the seat, and the front and back trunks make it almost practical. I drove almost 1000 miles to the Porsche Boxster Summit 2 years ago and had more than enough room for luggage, snacky-snacks and other goodies. The ride in the Boxster is amazingly crisp, and with the top down you can’t ask for more exhilaration. I’ve added a few mods to mine to give it a sportier feel, eg:, short-throw shifter, auto-adjusting Litronic headlamps, body-colored center console, spoiler-raise button, etc…, but it doesn’t hurt not to get those things. The car itself is the thing.
I also like the 911, but there’s little practical about it, IMO, and the back seat is so ridiculously small you’re dreaming if you think you can put more than a few bags of groceries back there, and forget about legroom, because there is none.
Of all the cars I’ve owned or leased, my Boxster is the only one I actually love and pamper like a baby.
You should at least check it out. If you can still find a 2004 you won’t be disappointed, and the purchase price should be right up your alley.
Let me know if you have any questions. If it’s Boxster related I probably have an answer.
I use my Elise as my daily driver . It’s far more practical than most people think, and is relatively inexpensive to operate. Plus, you live near Road Atlanta, so throw the cost of a helmet into the plan and you’re set for some serious fun.
I’d have a go in an Elise if I were you. You may well have to have an internal monologue about its suitability, but you’ll never regret it.
Nitpick: The CL/CLK series do have back seats, the SL/SLK is the two seater. Besides, why bother with a CLK350? It isn’t particularly fast or particularly rare, and I wouldn’t touch any Mercedes with round headlights unless it came with a tow truck.
Sooooo, it’s been a couple of months. What’d you get, AZCowboy?
Saturn Sky Redline Turbo, but be prepared to wait for it.