Parenting Pointers: Daddy, Why Do You Have A Race Car?

Some people believe that a midlife crisis is inevitable for a man. Once he's hit his 40s or 50s and his life is more stable than it was decades prior, a guy can start to get bored. He starts to miss what it was like to be young and his life is probably stable enough to let him buy all the things he wanted but couldn’t afford when he was in his 20s. For a lot of guys, that means the stereotypical midlife crisis sports car.

Reclaiming Your Youth At a Price

While there is certainly nothing wrong with buying a fancy new sports car, a lot of people tend to go overboard. They look at their bank accounts and see all the money they've been putting away for over the years or so and decide to splurge, so caught up in the idea of owning a sexy new sports car that they don't stop to think about how much these vehicles will cost them. On top of that, there is also insurance rates and maintenance to consider. Suddenly, an attempt to regain one's lost youth becomes almost prohibitively expensive.

Making Wise Decisions

Like any other major event or purchase in your life, buying a new car during a “midlife crisis” is all about responsibility and planning. The absolute worst thing you can do is go out and make an impulse purchase as soon as you see a sporty vehicle that makes you look young and cool. If you're set on buying a new car, make sure that you are planning for it. That means doing plenty of research on the vehicles that interest you to determine how much they will cost, what kinds of features are available, and how practical they are. You might find that many of the cars that traditionally scream "midlife crisis" aren't for you after all; you might find something else that you like a lot more. Chances are that it will be even be more affordable, as well.

Another Alternative

Of course, there are other alternatives to buying a brand new sports car to feel young again. If you really want a sporty vehicle and something to do, consider building or restoring a vehicle yourself. This clearly isn't for everybody, but a lot of people like to put time and effort into new hobbies once they reach a point in life where time is a bit more available. Old or damaged vehicles can be purchased for relatively little, and they make great projects for the mechanically inclined. Some would even argue that the end result of this kind is much more satisfying --\you will have something that you built and customized all on your own.

In the end, buying a new car during a midlife crisis isn't always a bad idea. There are plenty of people who plan carefully for this kind of purchase and are very happy with the result. On the other hand, it does take a lot of planning. Make sure that you are making the best decisions if you want to go this route, and make sure you consider some alternatives if things get too expensive for you to handle.

This article was provided by Samantha Greenbaum, budget-conscious mother of two. If you're looking to repair your Chevy ports car, Samantha recommends Circle D for a Camaro transmission upgrade.