Mid Life Crisis Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JenTay · #1 05-03-2004, 09:18 AM

I had dinner with a conservative honda-cccord-driving couple this past weekend and the topic came to dealing with a mid life crisis.

The husband says that most people, regardless of gender, will typically deal with it in one of three ways. namely,

1. have an affair
2. go back to school
3. get a sportscar

He further says that the affair is the most expensive of the three for obvious reasons. The least expensive is the car even though there is a big upfront cost.

His wife is approaching 40 and has hinted around by noticing how nice these convertible BMW's are. I admire the husband's foresight by noticing this and preparing to get her #3.

He plans to sign a two year lease on a Z4 when the time comes.
That way he walks away from this very impractical car when the wife's midlife gig is over and hopefully avoid option #1.

I'm with the crowd that thinks new cars are a waste of money and so are leases. But I think in this case, a lease is more than justified.

Is this whole thing bunk or is there any merit to it?

Wes Bender · #2 05-03-2004, 10:08 AM

Jen -

I'm in limbo. I'm too old for a paper route, too young to retire and too tired to have an affair.

My wife and I are well past any midlife crisis, so I won't go there. (No, that isn't where the Healey came from.)

My opinion on the lease bit is that it makes sense if you can write it off to business or whatever. Otherwise, I feel it is a rather expensive way to obtain a car. Having said that, however, I do have a couple of friends who do not want to tie themselves to an outright purchase and feel comfortable leasing.

I guess it depends upon the individual situation as to which way to go. Just make sure that you can fit four sets of golf clubs in the trunk, whichever way you go....

Cheers,
Wes

IanMB · #3 05-03-2004, 10:09 AM

Yes. Except that the mid-life crisis never goes away and he is foolish to think that he will just return the Z4 after two to three years and that is the end of it.

My wife and I are caught in a spiral of cars. Lets talk about my wife

It began with a 1970s 911. That was good. It was a "starter" car that was not pristine. Then it moved on to a pretty 80s 911 Cabriolet. That was alright too, except that the cabriolet did not replace the first car, it just became two sports cars (most uncharacteristic for a woman may I add). Then came a 1968 280 SE cabriolet that I painstakingly restored, partly out of love and partly because of my infactuation with MBs. Thankfully the first 911 got a bit tired and it was sold. Then came a 1989 Lamborghini Countach (!), a typical male testosterone car which I never really desired (but the wife got anyway, thanks to her old papa). What is it about the Countach that people fawn all over anyway? Then came a 1968 280SL, which I also restored to top condition.

Remember, now that's three sports cars plus one luxo-cruiser convertible. Now, none of these constitute transportation, just weekend toys, and for a woman, may I add. Not that I can even go near those MBs!

Now she wants a Ferrari, another convertible, but does not want to ditch any of her precious "babies." Her dad is quite a tifosi, and sacarstically jibes at me for being cheap and not pleasing his daughter (this is a woman with a daughter who is in med school).

So, the mid-life gig will *never* be over. Oh yes. My wife is a lawyer, so option number 1 was never available to me

Wes Bender · #4 05-03-2004, 10:12 AM

(Sigh)

It must be love.....

Wes

rickg · #5 05-03-2004, 10:55 AM

I have now come to the conclusion that the length of a mid-life crisis is directly proportional to the amount of $$$ that can be spent on it

Mine lasted about a week

TomJ · #6 05-03-2004, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JenTay
........
1. have an affair
2. go back to school
3. get a sportscar

He further says that the affair is the most expensive of the three for obvious reasons. ......

Not unless he can set up his wife for an affair with someone else. That way it won't cost him a dime, she'll leave him alone and he'll always have something to hold over her when she divorces him and tries to take all he has. Win-win situation AFAIC.

TX76513 · #7 05-03-2004, 11:40 AM

I would have to go with #3 - that would be the cheapest way out

rickg · #8 05-03-2004, 12:02 PM

And don't forget the mandatory young blonde. A Corvette must be properly accesorized.

rickg · #9 05-03-2004, 12:06 PM

I'll never have a proper mid-life crisis

G-Benz · #10 05-03-2004, 12:07 PM

The affair is far more expensive...especially if the consequences lead to a divorce!

I have been through the car thing, so there was no desire to address this during my mid-life crisis...

...and my wife tells me that I look better now than I did when we met because I've filled out a bit and not waif-thin...but I don't need to justify my manhood and youth by trying to see if I can attract other women.

I think many go down this path during midlife, because their lives have gotten to where they don't appreciate their mate as much as they did when they were younger and take their relationship for granted. BIG mistake!

My next-door neighbor addressed his midlife crisis through vehicles...overpaid for a used 944 Turbo, then disenchanted by repair issues, sold a few months later only to go off and order a Harley...then cancelled the order.

rickg · #11 05-03-2004, 12:12 PM

Mine only actually went as far as getting something close to a sports car, a '94 Mazda MX-6. Fun car, but rode like a lumber truck

I think I had it a whole 3 months, then traded it in for the SD.
Much more better!

Mid life crisis over.

Kuan · #12 05-03-2004, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PaulC
Bah. It's not really a mid-life crisis unless a Corvette is involved.

Larry Bible has/had a 'vette. He swore it wasn't a midlife crisis.

el presidente · #13 05-03-2004, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JenTay
I had dinner with a conservative honda-cccord-driving couple this past weekend and the topic came to dealing with a mid life crisis.

IMO, a "midlife crisis" is about rebellion. For years, the spouses toil to provide for the family, sacrificing virtually all of their time, youth/looks and precious monetary resources in the process. It finally comes to a head at some point and.....*pop*.....mid-life crisis!

The key is to AVOID the mid-life crisis by having a better balance in one's life. Refuse to sacrifice EVERYTHING during the "early" years and spoil yourself just enough to keep sane.