A Midlife Carsis… After all, 50 is the New 40!
23 January 2024 | 
Andy Moody
It’s official – The Porsche 911 is the ultimate “midlife crisis” car, according to a study completed by our experts, with a whopping 39% of those surveyed picking the iconic vehicle as their flashy car of choice.
Our research discovered that three in ten Brits (32 percent) know someone who has bought a sporty little number in a bid to recapture their youth. Whether this is a midlife crisis car or simply the actions of someone flashing the cash is unclear, but our latest study also found that turning 50 is the trigger to men throwing caution to the wind and splashing out on a hugely impractical, yet impressive midlife-motor.
Interestingly, we found that 3⁄4 (73%) of men were likely to buy a sports car, compared to just 5% of women. This suggests that men are clearly more interested in vehicles as a whole, especially flashier models! This may be directly linked with the fact that over 1 ⁄ 4 (26%) of the Brits we spoke to wanted a nicer car to appear more attractive, with studies proving that this does – against all odds – actually work.
Andy Moody, Founder and Managing Director at GoShorty said: “Even in modern times, a car is still seen as a symbol of status for many people. However, we know the practicalities of getting from A-B, in a cost-effective and easy manner, should be the priority!
“Our report showed that men over 50 seem to be sticking to the stereotype, with a desire to put flash ahead of sensible cash. It’s a case of Insta vs. reality, but in real life, with cars being chosen for their appeal rather than operative value.
“While the car you choose might demand some attention in the short-term from passersby, we know that in the long-term, investing in a practical vehicle is always the better choice. From being cheaper to insure to lower maintenance costs, a reliable vehicle is always a better – and often safer – choice. This is particularly true in the winter months, as flashier sports cars are less equipped to drive in ice and snow.”
The study went on to reveal the iconic Porsche 911 is the car we’d most like to own (39 percent), followed by the slightly cheaper Porsche Boxster (34 percent).
Also making the list of most desirable midlife crisis cars, are James Bond’s favorite, the Aston Martin Vantage (26 percent) in third, fourth the Jaguar F Type (23 percent), followed by Iron Man’s top choice the Audi TT Quattro (21 percent) and the muscular Ford Mustang (21 percent) taking fifth place.
TOP 20 MIDLIFE CRISIS CARS
1. Porsche 911 – 39 percent
2. Porsche Boxster – 34 percent
3. Aston Martin Vantage – 26 percent
4. Jaguar F Type – 23 percent
5. Audi TT Quatro – 21 percent
6. Ford Mustang – 21 percent
7. BMW Z4 – 20 percent
8. Mercedes Benz SL – 17 percent
9. Audi R8 – 16 percent
10. Alfa Romeo Spider – 14 percent
11. Lotus Evora – 14 percent
12. Chevrolet Corvette – 11 percent
13. Range Rover Evoque – 10 percent
14. Subaru BRZ – 10 percent
15. Dodge Challenger – 9 percent
16. Land Rover Defender (new version) – 9 percent
17. Mazda MX5 – 8 percent
18. Volkswagen Golf GTI – 8 percent
19. Toyota Supra – 8 percent
20. Ford Focus RS – 8 percent
So, why the Porsche 911?
Sleek, refined and ultimately reliable, the Porsche 911 has long been regarded as one of the greatest sports cars in history. Plus – these cars aren’t just aesthetically pleasing, they’re also chock full of gadgets, including rear wheel steering and RAIN mode, which allows you to drive safely at high speed, even when the roads are wet.
In addition, for all of those purchasing a car to recapture their youth, the model has been in production for over 60 years. This means many men purchasing the vehicle may associate the Porsche brand with their childhood. The vehicle has also featured in several iconic/cult classic films, such as Bad Boys and Le Mans, giving it an extra edge of cool – meaning it might just actually be the best sports car for a midlife crisis.
Just a warning to all the dads out there – this might not be the best vehicle for car sharing!
The Porsche Boxster:
This first-generation Porsche is not just a lovely, exciting little car – it’s also one of the best midlife crisis cars on a budget – putting the ‘fun’ in functionality. Similarly to the 911, this iconic little Porsche offers serious style and competition in the sports car world.
As a great plus, it’s already relatively cheap to maintain compared to other sports cars, which means it’s a great choice for a road trip – where you can show it off all over the region, instead of just the home stretch.
Aston Martin Vantage
Fitted with a 4.0 litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, the Aston Martin Vantage is designed to go fast. With studies revealing that some individuals actually find driving more thrilling than kissing, it is no wonder that this car comes top of the pops for so many.
The Aston Martin Vantage also featured in the James Bond film The Living Daylights, and – midlife crisis car or not, let’s face it, every man secretly wants to be a Bond.
Why does a midlife crisis make us want a car?
When it comes to the reasons why Brits want a flash motor when we get older, 52 percent admitted it was to feel young again, while over 1/3 (38 percent) of respondents felt that owning a luxury car would be a symbol of them having achieved something in life.
Alternatively, 32% feel having an expensive car would make them happier when they get older, with almost half (44 percent) insisting other nationalities are less critical of people who buy a sports car later in life – suggesting British pessimism is alive and well.
A whopping 62% of respondents insisted that the older they get, the more important it is for them to have a nice car, with over half (54 percent) admitting they would love a car that turns heads when they drive it. This may be due to the fact that over 50% of those in their 60s own a house outright, meaning they might want to take the ‘next step’ in terms of expensive and extravagant purchases, showing off to their neighbours.
As a result, it’s no wonder that a further 32% have been tempted to hire an expensive car for the day to see what it’s like – living the life of luxury without having to commit to the costs and commitment of the upkeep of a sports car. Similarly, as the insurance on a sports car can be incredibly costly due to their horsepower, and the price associated with damaging them high, insuring a car you rarely drive can be very costly.
Scared everyone is going to judge your midlife crisis car? Fear not.
Positively, 68% of those polled felt as a society we’re too quick to judge someone who splashed out on a midlife crisis car, while 30% admit they are secretly impressed by people who own luxury cars. This means that while there may be plenty of negative connotations about those who like to splash the cash on these pricey vehicles, such as footballers, we’re secretly just a bit jealous.
Plus, with over 94% of surveyees stating that they wouldn’t judge someone for buying the car of their dreams, we are actually happy for each other – even if we don’t show it.
What’s on the inside matters too!
Last but not least, we also asked our respondents about the most attractive interior car features – because your car’s personality is just as important as its looks. The results were as follows:
- A banging sound system 📻 (45%)
- Leather seats 💺 (41%)
- Alloy wheels 🛞 (33%)
- A custom interior colour 🎨 (32%)
In addition, when looking at the exterior colour of our dream car, black was the most popular choice (29 percent), followed by blue (21 percent). This might be because black cars are associated with wealth – just think limousines! – and their elegance.
Whether you’re thinking of buying a new, showy car – or trying to talk your middle aged husband out of one – We are proud to offer award-winning, innovative insurance that helps you get from A-B in style, without a hitch.
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