Are we having a midlife crisis?

[AZCamaroFan]

i always thought not having a sports car was a crisis.

[hypercarfanatic]

I am 17, and whenever my I bring up the topic of getting a Camaro, the phrase "Oh, you don't want that, its an old mans car" always seems to slip in there. Seems like bullshit to me

[BlueRay2ss]

Originally Posted by AZCamaroFan

i always thought not having a sports car was a crisis.

That's exactly how I think of it!!!

[CFD]

I've been building cars and bikes my whole life so now at 59yrs nothing has changed so I would have to say there was and isn't a midlife crisis here.

[DFWZ28]

just turned 53...let me see, put my kid thru college, paid for it all myself. bought her the lexus she wanted, bought my wife the Cadillac SUV she wanted. I am still driving my 2000 F250 (perfect shape by the way) with over 200K miles. so dad deserves a mid life whatever I want, not a corvette guy so I got my dream car for sure.

[aurora]

Originally Posted by stoopid

The trick for me was to just buy it. She wasn't happy but oh well, I told her she doesn't pay the bill on my prior or current vehicle so she has no say. Ended that discussion right quick. [we're not married, only exercise our 'domestic partnership' when it's convenient for us, and still keep separate checking accounts despite being together for almost 10 years]

I think that sounds okay...you act somewhat independently with your money decisions. That's the way I would do it too...keep finances separate.

I hear a lot about the sacrifices and total kindness that some guys give to their families, and that is very cool too...just as long as its not always a one way / constant drain, and that they get what they want for a car eventually.

I can't even tell you, but if you want to see a man become profusely impassioned....then talk to him about cars (second to women, of course...). Terrible to deny him of that passion.

[aurora]

Originally Posted by trodecke

Absolutely true story. When we went to sign the papers on the 2014 Camaro, my wife was all hyped up and ready to sign while I was definitely hitting the panic button and saying "Whoa! Let's back up a bit here". The finance guy said that he'd been working finance for car lots for over 10 years and had "sold" his fair share of Camaros and Corvettes. He said usually when he was working with a couple, it was the husband who couldn't wait to sign the papers and the wife that was not certain/hesitant. He said that was the first time he'd ever had a couple where the wife was all for it and the husband wasn't sure he wanted to do it.

To be honest, in the space of 14 months we went from no car payments to two fairly hefty ones all the while having one of our boys turn 16 so insurance kicked way the heck up as well.

LOL...I bet you were working out the money part in your mind while your wife was saying "let's go". Regardless, she's a good one. But maybe she doesn't have to pay either ;-)

Yah, my own insurance doubled when I got the ZL1, I pay the same for SUV as I do the sportscar. I imagine a 16 yr old is in a high risk bracket, so that would add a significant increase to insurance... which happens to be one of the biggest scams on earth....oh well.

[aurora]

Originally Posted by neyluftlonqp

The night could not be dark enough if you know what I mean.

Need to know: What kind of BMW do you drive??

I am trying hard to remember what movie it was, when she said (or he said?): "Turn the lights out. Darker."

[trodecke]

Originally Posted by aurora

Regardless, she's a good one.

That she is. We've been married 24 years last month. I think I'll keep her another 24 years or so.

[kinematic11]

Originally Posted by trodecke

Absolutely true story. When we went to sign the papers on the 2014 Camaro, my wife was all hyped up and ready to sign while I was definitely hitting the panic button and saying "Whoa! Let's back up a bit here". The finance guy said that he'd been working finance for car lots for over 10 years and had "sold" his fair share of Camaros and Corvettes. He said usually when he was working with a couple, it was the husband who couldn't wait to sign the papers and the wife that was not certain/hesitant. He said that was the first time he'd ever had a couple where the wife was all for it and the husband wasn't sure he wanted to do it.
To be honest, in the space of 14 months we went from no car payments to two fairly hefty ones all the while having one of our boys turn 16 so insurance kicked way the heck up as well.

Trodecke,

I am a few years behind you as my oldest boy is 10. But my wife is similar to yours as she is more ok with the purchase and I am hesitant, as I too will go from no car payment to having one with the purchase of a 1LE.

? for you, why the gap in your camaro ownership? from 87 to 12?

Dave

[kinematic11]

Originally Posted by aurora

I can't even tell you, but if you want to see a man become profusely impassioned....then talk to him about cars (second to women, of course...). Terrible to deny him of that passion.

Aurora,

This statement is very profound for me. I have been trying so hard to justify this purchase. This statement helps me to decide yes. I need/want a little for me. heck, my kids even like the car.

Thanks,

Dave

[trodecke]

Originally Posted by kinematic11

? for you, why the gap in your camaro ownership? from 87 to 12?

Dave

Pretty simple really. I drove the '87 until I got out of the Air Force in '91. Before then, my wife didn't drive and didn't really need to. After getting out of the AF, she really needed to be able to drive and at 5'2" she was having a really hard time reaching the pedals. Also, she just wasn't getting the hang of driving a manual so we traded it in for a more family friendly Hyundai.

I actually bought the 2012 earlier this year and wound up trading it in for the 2014. Those are two more wonderful stories that I'll save for another time.

[aurora]

Originally Posted by kinematic11

Aurora,

This statement is very profound for me. I have been trying so hard to justify this purchase. This statement helps me to decide yes. I need/want a little for me. heck, my kids even like the car.

Thanks,

Dave

Aww, that is awesome!

No doubt your family would enjoy it as much as you. Imagine being a kid and your dad has a camaro…how cool is that??

Actually, I am noticing your impressive history with these cars. You might have no choice but to get one, if its in your blood. Hurry before the night sweats start….

[Cyber Gray]

nope!

sometimes it takes a man a long time to achieve a dream. I loved the 4th gen camaro when i was a teenager and i bought the 5th gen when i had the cash to do so