What do I do about the 40 year thing?
 

So, I have been looking to add a new ride to my garage. Yes, you guessed it, a 911.

I have been lusting after one for a number of years, since my high school days drooling over new SCs and Carreras in R & T, C & D and VW & Porsche. If you remember that last title, then you will likely understand my situation.

Most of my male friends are supportive. Some of my female acquaintances, not so much. My aunt who is ten years my senior and another 'friend' are strongly suggesting that this is a mid life crisis thing as I am soon to turn the big four-oh. I mean its not like I'll be that gold chained, leisure suit wearing guy sporting a comb over and cruising the mall parking lot - "How YOU doin'?"

I see in my mind that this is not a bid to try to relive my youth or that it is because I am almost entering 'middle age'. It is simply that I am now able to afford a toy like this, the parts, and the garage to house it all. I would have done it long ago if I had the cash.

Now after that lead in, my question is this: those of you who have gone through this, or will soon do so, what the hell did you do? How do I determine (or persuade myself) that this is simply a phase that I will get over or if, in fact, this is the real thing? I want to be in 'the club' and not just sitting on the side lines. I want to be part of the community and culture. I want to go over to Dave's on Saturday morning and give him a hand dropping his engine or hang out with Stan and Bill in my garage around the beer fridge discussing CIS vs. PMOs. Because this is a Porsche board, I suspect most have fallen victim to the 911 call and that I will experience very little dissuasion here.

I have no one to persuade other than myself. I no longer have a spousal unit to rant about my juvenile exploits. Maybe I should just admit its a mid life crisis, ignore the tut tutters and enjoy myself. After all they are the unwashed masses who just don't know what they're missing. Every 911 that I have driven has left me with a dumbass grin of pleasure.

-kevin

Life is to short to live with mediocrity. Just do it!

Kevin,
Like I told my wife when she asked why are you buying a Porsche, "if not now....when?... 60 years old rolled around very fast. One day I was 25 and the next day I was 55 and retired with no idea where the last 30 years went.

I turned 60 in March and I purchased my second 911 a week before my birthday...I never even thought about the big 60... I was so happy about that red 993!

Do it and don't worry about what others think. You will be surprised how nice your friends will treat you. If they raz you about it, it's either sour grapes or they are not really your friends. And, you will meet some wonderful people driving P-Cars...we have not met a Porsche snob yet and we have been on 8 Porsche group trips in 3 years.

When I'm driving my 95, 993 I'm 25 again, what could possibly be wrong with that?

Jerry

Hi Kevin,

Like you I had a desire from my early teens, to one day be the proud owner of a 911. I'm pleased to say that at the age of 43 (3 years ago), I was finally in a position (financially etc) to be able to indulge myself, and make the 30 year old dream come true when I got my 1986 Carrera Coupe. Luckily I have a VERY supportive and understanding wife & kids, which made the decision to spend the big $$ so much easier.
I can honestly say that I have no regrets whatsoever, and can see my 2 sons bashing each other up for it when my 'time' is up..!
Forget about what anyone else may say. It's likely nothing more than petty jealously!
Short answer - GO FOR IT! YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT.

Kind regards,
Steve

Kevin,

I doubt you will find anyone on this board to persuade you not to buy a 911, I mean...it is a board full of 911 fanatics.

Also, as a Canadian there has never been a better time to buy a 911, there are plentyful in the US and the dollar is just right. Do it! Do it! Do it!

-matt

Kevin, you hit the nail on the head! This is not a "crisis" thing. This is simply a realization that you can now afford to buy and own one of the cars you've always dreamt of owning. Personally, I dreamt of owning my very own 911 all of my life (my dad was a fanatic with his own Porsches in the 60's, 70's, and 80's). Finally, four years ago, at the age of 40 (yes...40), my wife and I ended up with enough combined income that we finally decided WHY NOT? I finally ended up with the black '84 Carrera that I still have and cherish more every day. Along the way, I stumbled on this forum, met some great guys and have made some life long personal friends. The past four years have been great! I also attend maybe a dozen track days a year, which I had never done until this point in my life (although I've always been a race fanatic).

Crisis my a$$. I've had so much fun with this that two years ago I went out and bought a 996 Carrera as my daily driver and my wife sold her BMW and bought a Cayman as her daily driver. We haven't looked back.

If you want it and can afford it...buy it! ;)

It is not a crisis, think of it as more of a calling. I purchased mine at 37 and now three years latter don't regret it one bit. Life is way too short, plus the joy of getting in your p car and being at one with the car, learning all its little quirks that make it "yours", taking to its first track day, those are all the great experiences that await you, you will meet great people that all have the same passion for these blasted little machines. It is a blast!!!!

Buy it now while you can, if you dont you'll regret it when you get to a stage where you'll be more fearful of driving her to her, or more correctly your, limits. Who said youth is wasted on the young.

Noel

does this mean i had my first crisis when i was in my twenties. i have owned one or more ever since and cant see the enjoyment ending soon. Just buy the car you want and dont regret it

Michael

JUST DO IT!!!!

Doyle

Kevin, you don't need to see it as a mid-life crisis. I just turned 25 when I bought my first Porsche, a old 930 (911 Turbo). I have learnt a lot, had lot's of fun and car appreciated enough to be worth a bit more when I sold it (minus the upgrades/maintenance which I regard as schooling fee).

So there is nothing to be afraid of. It's a nice hobby which doesn't necessarily have to be financially bad decision either. Do your research before purchase and don't worry too much ;) There are much more expensive hobbies around...

He who dies with the most toys . . .
 

People talk about mid-life crises like they are a negative thing. I believe everyone should have a mid-life crisis, whether it is necessary or not. What other phase of life gives you a gold-plated excuse to behave irrationally and make irresponsible purchases without any of your friends being surprised? Indeed, they are more likely to be supportive.

To make the most of an upcoming crisis, you should plan ahead. That way you can avoid the mistake I made: A few years ago I saw 40 approaching and had some spare cash so I sensibly bought my first-ever new car, a Holden Commodore sedan. Come my 40th birthday, it became obvious that this was nice but way too sensible. 8 months later I bought my lovely 911SC. Now that's more like it!!! I plan on this crisis lasting a while yet. I still have more toys in mind . . . :D

Matt

Kevin, I have the exact story as you. A friend suggested that I get off the pot and pointed out that if it didn't work out, was too expensive or that I just didn't end up getting enough use out of it to warrant the cost, then I could simply sell it and still have that wonderful memory of at least owning a Porsche for a time.

I jumped and it has been a joy. I'll never sell it unless I am unable to own a vehicle of any variety. I'm looking for a second.

Buy smart and you'll always be able to pass it on to another enthusiast if that becomes necessary.

Kevin,

1- You worry about other people too much.
2- Life is short.
3- If it makes you happy and doesn't hurt another, do it!
4- Midlife Crisis = Dumbass Grin of Pleasure.
5- Life is short.

You've been in denial too long! If it feels good do it. If it feels really good do it again! When people ask me how many of these P cars I have, I just say some wheres around the number of fingers and toes I've got but I'm not sure exactly. They are fun and I don't want no stinkin' "sensible" car that will look ugly, have no personality, depreciate and wallow around corners.

Diverdan

I resemble that remark. I don't regret my decision at all. I drive mine everywhere and love it. If "forty is the new 20" then anyone in their thirties is just jealous because they are like ten ten year olds. Since your aunt is ten years older than you, her condition may be attributed to
her possession of ovaries, go buy your car and take her for a ride through some back roads.

Life is short - pretty much sums it up.

I went ahead and purchased mine at 39 last year, probably because I was seeing the 4-0 approaching. I wanted a coupe but compromised with the wife and ended up with a silver 89 cab. I don't regret the cab since I have no problems convincing her to go for a ride. She's actually the one who gets a bit agitated when we haven't been for a top down cruise for a few days..

It's a good thing. Just do it. Purchase the best one you can afford and enjoy.

I think that is why he asked us!!! Always go to where the correct answers (for you) can be found!
I bought mine last year, with a very strong dollar. My now wife was very supportive.
I would have given at least one of my kidneys in high school for an SC or maybe both for an early 930, so we are close in age. I loved the fade turbo graphics on the back of those early cars...
Oh, and I have news for you. You have been middle age for quite some time now, (most men only live to their mid 70s) so don't waste anymore time and get out there and find the car of your dreams... (Don't forget the PPI)

The only question I asked myself once I acquired a 911 is why I waited so long. After my first track day I asked myself the same question.

It's not a mid-life crisis.

It's a life-long obsession.

Time to feed it.

Kevin,
You want to hear a real midlife story?
In the last year I went from being divorced (but dating my now wife), living alone, working a lot to being married, having a child (My first at 45) and buying a 911.
I waited too long for the 911! Everything else, the timing was perfect!:)
Work to live!!!!

I've owned a Porsche in every decade of my life since I turned 20. I have always bought used, stayed in the 912 (that would be my 20's car, a beautiful GR '68) or 911 vein. I am 51 and will be looking again soon after my 964 Targa was totaled.

Older Porsche's are the antithesis of a mid life crisis. Style never goes out of style, regardless of your age.

I"m 60 and bought my current car (1973 911) at age 59. This wasn't my first Porsche as I previously owned a 2002 996, a 1975 911S, 1972 911S, 1968 912 and a 1965 356C.

I went from 1979 to 2003 without owning a Porsche but, between 1975 and 1984 I drove cars for Porsche (picked up Porsche's in Ann Arbor, MI from the EPA) and drove them back to Calif) fortunately, I was able to keep most of those cars until my next trip)

I didn't like the 996 but I will say that it was fast, handled well, comfortable, had great A/C, shifted great and looked good but, it wasn't air cooled and just didn't have the sound and rugged driving experience that an early car delivers. I'll probably keep this car long enough to will it to one of my kids.

Bottom line, if it's what you want then don't let the lady friends or your aunt talk you out of the car. I don't think anyone is going to think you're "Leisure Suit Larry" if you drive a Porsche at age 40

I too bought mine at sixty-waited 20 or more years too long! Some good advice above--This is a great time for a Canadian to buy a Porsche-check Craigs list for California and make a holiday of it...:) Life is for indulging!

Wow, thanks for all the input. I guess I shouldn't have expected anything less.

Life does seem to be accelerating pace rapidly, and so much time is spent working or tweaking a career. In my (more) youth, motorcycles were my chosen form of stress relief. After some jackass ran me over I haven't replaced the last one. Not that I haven't got back in the saddle, as I have ridden thousands of miles on other's bikes. Although I have tried many sports since, nothing I have found works quite as good.

One time in particular I was experiencing some higher than normal levels of stress and was cranky and irritable. So I just told my boss that I was going out for a ride and I just up and left. When I returned, my demeanor was so dramatically changed that my boss (who did have some experience in this, BTW) asked if I had gone out to have a puff on some laughing lettuce. Possibly because I never touch the stuff, or maybe because even Rick noticed my major shift in mood, this has always stuck in my mind. Maybe doctors should prescribe this sort of therapy for stress relief. The car or bike, not the pot. :D

Anyway, thanks again for all your input.

-kevin

Didn't you answer your own question?

The car itself is just one part of Porsche ownership. Join a club and seek out local members! You will find new friends with uh, interesting interests!? like oil, adrenalin, ever noisier and more powerful engines, how to shed weight from one's car, high performance tyres, trackdays and such. Wide grins and loud laughter is included!
Give your friends a ride and any thoughts of "nice suits will evaporate" - they will soon enough find that these are serious drivers cars and that the ride can be like a rollercoaster's:eek:... Somewhat frightful but oh so fun!
And of course there are various forums available, this one here beeing the most friendly and knowledgeable.

As you, I love riding a bike, but arthrosis in the lower back saw an end to that. My '75 S is a good substitute in many ways and has a superior soundtrack. My friends love it, and one in of them is looking for a...
Yes, we all know it is a drug! Dr. Porsche's 911 is something addictive.:D

Join the club! Take the leap of joy!

Ignore the nay sayers. Buy your 911 and enjoy it. Join PCA and get active in your local region. There are a bunch of nice folks that share your interests. Most important is buy a nice car to start with. Participate in the autocross events and really learn to drive the car.

My wife's friends always ask her if I bought my Porsche because of a mid life crisis. She tells them I have owned Porsches since long before we even met.

"It's not a club... It's a GANG!" A strange and wonderful, great-people filled GANG!!!

You will only regret what you DON'T do.

Do it, just get it over with.
 

It's funny how everyone is afraid of their wives, a good wife should be supportive even if you have 4 porsche's you just have to build one for her! :) heheh

JW

+1

Our local "gang" has been a big part of my life for more years than I want to admit. True friends that I would never have met if not for the local PCA region. Our gang has been fortunate enough to donate many thousands of dollars as a club to charity on a regular basis. We have donated over to 10 grand in the last few years. We have many events each month. My favorite is the autocross, the second Sunday of each month Jan to Dec.

Mid Life
 

13 years ago just when most of my friends were jumping head first into the dot-com stock market I bought a beautiful 1969 911S and a 32' Pearson sailboat. Most of my friends thought I had lost my mind... The S is now worth SIX times what I paid for it (and I drive it often) and the Pearson... I just got home from sailing her all weekend. Sometimes when I'm banzai-ing to the coast in the 911 to take a little sail I want to pinch myself. If you can pay cash and not waste money on a loan go for it. You will never regret owning a 911!

You won't live forever. If the bank account can support it (and it is expensive - plan on a few K per year for maintenance and rejoice if you don't need it), do it! If not now, then when?

Yea, asking the folks on this board that question is akin to asking a barber "Do I need a haircut" The good news is the answers is the same, YES, you NEED a 911. :)

Mid life has nothing to do with it. You want a Porsche for all of the right reasons and there is no better time. You've bloody well earned it.

I'm 43 now, bought my first Porsche at the age of 32. Once in a while I'd run into someone who would suggest that I was going through some sort of "early" mid life crisis. I pretty much told them to fcuk off. Not to put too fine a point on it.

I find it kind of an insult for someone to suggest I like my Porsches for any reason other than those that keep me coming to this site every day.

Go for it, you only live once.
My father passed away at age 62 one of his regrets was he never bought him self a red Corvette.
Shortly after we purchased our Harley fat Boy and now our Porsche. Life is short!!

P.S. My son calls my 911 Mid-life crisis yellow. :)

Drink the Porsche 'Kool Aid'.....like many have stated, life is better when you drive a 911. Doesn't matter what year or configuration....the 911 DNA is in all of them. I was one of those kids with the 911 poster on the wall, the dreams of owning one when I got out of school etc. I would stare at each one I saw. I still stare...but the good thing is now I get to stare at my own too. Plus I can share it with my kids.

Mid life crises is of course from each persons point of view. Given the life expectancy of my family I am at my “mid life” now at 35 years. I’m actually past it! With that said. Consider this stage of your life a correction not a crisis! You have decided to make a step in a new direction it is not good or bad just different. Your friends will understand once they go for a drive. If not, well they have there own car.

Best of luck,
Arron

Well that's it eh? For someone to suggest you are in a *crisis* situation because of your age doesn't at all acknowledge the fact that a) you like cars b) you like fine engineering c) you've reached the point in your life where you can afford the time and $ to indulge in a new hobby.

Fact is you're (hopefully) at an age also where not many people are telling you what you can and can't do. One thing is for sure....at 40 you are no longer a kid.