foolish?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 309
From: Long Island, N.Y.
I'm 49. On my forth vette. Some people are happy for us and some are jealous! Family and neihbors are just F N jealous. Neighbor had said the other day " so I see you have another corvette, aren't you over your mid life crisis! ". Why can't you just say nice car.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
From: Lansing Michigan
I'm 65. I got my first two seater (Triumph TR3) when I was 15. I've had at least one two seater in my garage ever since. My mid life crisis must have started VERY early. I love sports cars and don't give a rat's hind end what other people think. I drive what makes me happy. If others want mini-vans, good for them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 53
From: Tucson Arizona
56 years old here and it really bothers me when I Hear "mid life crisis". I wish I did not care but I must because it gets to me. My wife of 32 years looks prettier to me now than she ever did. I am healthier than ever. My kids are doing great. My retirement is secure. There is no crisis here and I resent people assuming that I am compensating for some problem. I have always had cool cars and this is my dream. Some people just don't understand and for some lame reason, I care.
Mostly I hear "I always wanted one or someday I will have one".
The funniest remark I ever got when driving one of my vettes was when I was sitting at the stoplight with the top down and a guy about 40 years old in a work truck next to me said with a big smile " When I grow up I want to be just like you."
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 781
From: Nashville TN
I'm 58.
My neighbor asked shortly after i got mine back in April if I'd picked up any girls yet. I told her I wasn't strong enough anymore!
Love cars, love the Vette and sharing the passion as a member of six local car clubs. Also own a 1971 Datsun 240Z I've had since 1987.
My neighbor asked shortly after i got mine back in April if I'd picked up any girls yet. I told her I wasn't strong enough anymore!
Love cars, love the Vette and sharing the passion as a member of six local car clubs. Also own a 1971 Datsun 240Z I've had since 1987.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 166
Likes: 2
From: Marvin N.C.
I'm 74 and have made two cross country trips (different routes) in my 2012 vert and my wife (also in her 70's) and I both agree that this is the most comfortable car we have ever owned. Great road car. It only has 19K miles on it and I'm thinking about selling it and getting a new one. Yeah, we're old, but that's all the more reason to enjoy the time you have left and don't worry about what others think. Our grand kids think we're really "cool" for driving a vette. Our kids keep wondering "what will they do next"? We keep them guessing because we don't know ourselves. We're already thinking about where will we go next time we get the urge to head out.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 86
From: Rocheport Missouri
I have heard the same "mid life crisis" thing from people too. I just agree with them. In our culture today, hard work leading to success is almost frowned upon. Without getting political, it sucks that someone would try to make me feel bad for spending my own money. So they may feel that working hard and spending money on a Corvette is a crisis and I agree to deflect but in all reality, I think it makes me a hero.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,585
Likes: 28
From: Cedaredge Colorado
As said by many, who cares what others think, they have no clue as to the happiness ownin a vette produces.
I'm 57 now have had my first vette for 2 yrs now, wanted one all my life, marriage and raising kids, was never practical.
I usually get the, you win the lottery or what, statement around here. I tell um I paid 11k, 20 grand less then that P/U your makin payments on.
And yeah when I get in my vette, I'm 21 again, chubbed and happy as all get out.
I'm 57 now have had my first vette for 2 yrs now, wanted one all my life, marriage and raising kids, was never practical.
I usually get the, you win the lottery or what, statement around here. I tell um I paid 11k, 20 grand less then that P/U your makin payments on.
And yeah when I get in my vette, I'm 21 again, chubbed and happy as all get out.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 25,105
Likes: 3,156
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Never heard the midlife crisis thing except from my wife. She was teasing me as I have always had sports cars except when my boys were little.
Honestly I get lots of thumbs up and drooling double takes from all ages.
I can't remember one negative reaction except at a Corvette show where some purist did not like my under hood airbrush art. And like I told her, I like it but you do not have to like it....it ain't yours.
I say don't worry about what others think, if you enjoy your Corvette that is all that matters. If you don't enjoy it, time to move on to something you would enjoy.
Honestly I get lots of thumbs up and drooling double takes from all ages.
I can't remember one negative reaction except at a Corvette show where some purist did not like my under hood airbrush art. And like I told her, I like it but you do not have to like it....it ain't yours.
I say don't worry about what others think, if you enjoy your Corvette that is all that matters. If you don't enjoy it, time to move on to something you would enjoy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,248
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
I too am 65 and could care less. Jealous people will always say hateful things. It is in their nature and will never stop. I do have a few Corvettes, some nicer than others, and inevitably someone will always point out the flaws and have a snarky comment. Then get in their rusted out Chevy van gloating that they made me feel bad. Personally I enjoy looking at the beaters as well as my wrinkles. I earned every one of them during my years and continue to smile as I drive my vette. I make a point of never degrading anything anyone has, because that might be all they can afford.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 9,248
Likes: 221
From: Dryden MI
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,080
Likes: 565
From: Allen TX
I get the mid life crisis thing once in awhile but I've liked and owned sports cars my entire life. It's not so much what others say but how I feel. On occasion, I get the thought in my mind that I should be driving something less flashy but it comes down to enjoying the car so I get over it.
Bought my '02Z new when I was 33. The car seemed to draw the right attention from strangers.
Now at 47, I have these two Vettes and I have started to feel like donwil as it relates to strangers. I don't feel any older, or drive any differently really, then when I was in my mid-20s. I don't drive like a nut trying to prove something, but I'm not in the slow lane either. But strangers who see the car (and then me) seem to want to "pick a fight" or at least "agitate" a middle aged Vette owner.
I had a CTSV I recently sold to purchase the supercharged GS in my sig. The CTSV was a little less flashy (probably invisible to non-car enthusiasts...whereas ANY Vette is an instant magnet to even the most oblivious)... but I enjoy the Vette so much more.
Like many who have posted, my mental response needs to be "to heck with the masses"... however, when it starts to take the enjoyment out of just _driving_, it gives me pause.
Last edited by WA 2 FST; Jul 21, 2015 at 10:45 AM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 651
Likes: 32
From: MESA AZ
lady's view,
Turning 60, I drive my Vette to work but trade off to also drive my Cad XLR and my Prowler some days. Co-workers watching me enter and leaving the parking lot only have one thought > B!tch 
I couldn't care less, I've earned my reward to drive nice cars. Pizz on them
I couldn't care less, I've earned my reward to drive nice cars. Pizz on them