Full disclosure: I am getting close to retirement age. However, retirement car conjures up visions of white Corolla diesels. Nope, I feel young enough to have a midlife crisis.
Let me set the criteria. Budget of R200k tops. I would rather look at a cottage in the platteland than fancy wheels. Also, something that will not totally break the bank with running costs.
Bear in mind that there is absolutely no rush. I work remotely and most of my current driving is about getting groceries. Even that is limited as I have a freshly licensed driver in the house that is all too happy to run errands or play chauffeur. So this is, for now, a thought exercise as invented by Einstein.
As for everybody's favorite brand I am leaving it to the best and brightest. I like the idea of a 125i and it is within budget. That sweet NA six really appeals. Also, the badge reminds me of my youth. Dad had a Fiat 125 in the early seventies. It was really cool with DOHC and discs all around, especially when compared to the Ford Cortinas and VW Variants that the neighbors had.
Next, the obvious answer. According to car websites, the answer is always Mazda MX5. In this case it really is. Plenty to choose from with the budget.
Or how about a Toyota 86? Everyone is singing its praises, except for a few nuts that want more power. They are missing the point. It is really a drifting machine with plenty of power for doing so. The base model even comes on low grip Prius tyres for hooning. Prices are kinda high but there are plenty to choose from. Hey, it is a Toyota. Depreciation does not apply.
Toyota MR2? Old, rare and extremely cramped inside. Nah.
Hot hatch? An old guy driving a Golf GTI or Focus ST would be deeply weird, so I will pass. There is one exception, the old Honda Civic Type R. I test drove one a few years ago. I expected nippy but got brutal. The roar at redline is quite special. I actually told the salesman to call me back so we can do a deal. He never did. Lucky escape.
A Chev Lumina SS would be great. I have never had a V8. The soundtrack would be great all the way to Spar and back, but they are dipsomaniacs and eat rear tyres. My running costs criteria would not be met.
Alfa Romeos within the budget range from nippy 1.4s to great big 3.2 V6s. The roar of the latter should be experienced by everyone. My twentysomething self once bagged a test drive in a GTV6. The glorious sound is a memory I still cherish. Reality check - according to Jezza there is no more stylish way to break down at the roadside. Perhaps not but I remain open-minded.
Volvo had this great Yamaha V8 in the S80, but I don't think there they sold very many in Africa. Quite cheap (and old) but running costs would be stellar. Other Volvos do not appeal. Nah.
One last idea remains - the Lexus IS 350. Yes it is fugly and the back seat is a joke. Car guys might mistake it for the IS 250 which is utterly pathetic. But in the 350 that great big Fortuner V6 really delivers. There are lots of videos on Youtube of guys doing burnouts in these bad boys. There are few of them in the market and prices are all over the place.
Over to you.
Let me set the criteria. Budget of R200k tops. I would rather look at a cottage in the platteland than fancy wheels. Also, something that will not totally break the bank with running costs.
Bear in mind that there is absolutely no rush. I work remotely and most of my current driving is about getting groceries. Even that is limited as I have a freshly licensed driver in the house that is all too happy to run errands or play chauffeur. So this is, for now, a thought exercise as invented by Einstein.
As for everybody's favorite brand I am leaving it to the best and brightest. I like the idea of a 125i and it is within budget. That sweet NA six really appeals. Also, the badge reminds me of my youth. Dad had a Fiat 125 in the early seventies. It was really cool with DOHC and discs all around, especially when compared to the Ford Cortinas and VW Variants that the neighbors had.
Next, the obvious answer. According to car websites, the answer is always Mazda MX5. In this case it really is. Plenty to choose from with the budget.
Or how about a Toyota 86? Everyone is singing its praises, except for a few nuts that want more power. They are missing the point. It is really a drifting machine with plenty of power for doing so. The base model even comes on low grip Prius tyres for hooning. Prices are kinda high but there are plenty to choose from. Hey, it is a Toyota. Depreciation does not apply.
Toyota MR2? Old, rare and extremely cramped inside. Nah.
Hot hatch? An old guy driving a Golf GTI or Focus ST would be deeply weird, so I will pass. There is one exception, the old Honda Civic Type R. I test drove one a few years ago. I expected nippy but got brutal. The roar at redline is quite special. I actually told the salesman to call me back so we can do a deal. He never did. Lucky escape.
A Chev Lumina SS would be great. I have never had a V8. The soundtrack would be great all the way to Spar and back, but they are dipsomaniacs and eat rear tyres. My running costs criteria would not be met.
Alfa Romeos within the budget range from nippy 1.4s to great big 3.2 V6s. The roar of the latter should be experienced by everyone. My twentysomething self once bagged a test drive in a GTV6. The glorious sound is a memory I still cherish. Reality check - according to Jezza there is no more stylish way to break down at the roadside. Perhaps not but I remain open-minded.
Volvo had this great Yamaha V8 in the S80, but I don't think there they sold very many in Africa. Quite cheap (and old) but running costs would be stellar. Other Volvos do not appeal. Nah.
One last idea remains - the Lexus IS 350. Yes it is fugly and the back seat is a joke. Car guys might mistake it for the IS 250 which is utterly pathetic. But in the 350 that great big Fortuner V6 really delivers. There are lots of videos on Youtube of guys doing burnouts in these bad boys. There are few of them in the market and prices are all over the place.
Over to you.
Last edited:
