I've somehow managed to make it to my 40s without learning to drive. If I'm going to start now I need something that looks as good as the spiffy 'midlife crisis specials' all my contemporaries drive but will be reasonably economical to insure and preferably uncomplicated to drive. I wouldn't mind an automatic actually. As longs as it looks good I don't case how fast it goes. Would £20k get me something decent?
Mikey, Kent, UK
Answer
Mikey,
Are you sure this isn’t a mistake? Perhaps you were born to be driven.
If you want to look like you are having a midlife crisis whilst wafting about in an easy-to-drive car for £20,000, you want a small Jaguar.
When you go from bus pass to Jag you are sending a clear message to all your friends that you have lost the plot. Enjoy all the attention from the ribbing while it lasts; they will soon stop when they realise the truth:
Used X-Types and S-Types are within your budget and there are lots of Automatics on the market. They are no bigger or more difficult to drive than any other family car and not frightening in running costs or depreciation. Go for the small engines to get insurance down – but it is going to sting a bit.
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