Multi-topic thread on retirement and second car

[BimmerFan]

I figure that a lot of folks here are at or near retirement, and also many of us are enthusiasts.

I'm looking at retiring next year, not because I'm old or dying, but because I'm tired of working at the place I'm at and in my 60s, unlikely to get another job in this industry (I/T) as a manager. And I'm done with programming. I may still get another job, maybe in car sales, to keep me busy and social. My wife is afraid I'll become a hermit and never leave the house, and she's probably right. LOL. Any ideas/thoughts/suggestions on this? Financially I'll be OK if I retire in July and never work again, so it's not a money thing. Although money is nice and does allow a bit more freedom to buy stuff and travel in a higher standard.

So, also, I'm selling my C6 Corvette for numerous reasons, one of which is that I can't get in and out of it without grunting and honestly, the BW is just so much better in every respect that I never drive the Chevy. I realize that this will likely be true for anything else that replaces it.

But I like having two cars, and I would like to occasionally go to the track, but I'm not going to take the BW (too fast, too expensive). So my criteria is something fun to drive, manual transmission, track capable. I'm thinking either of another BMW M car (F82) or perhaps even a GTI (probably gen 7). I'm not a fan of FWD, but they are fun little cars and semi-practical as well.

Thoughts, on either or both topics?

 

[RKS]

Civic Type R or the Acura version? I've heard he Corolla GR is a lot of fun but Toyota has denied some warranty claims for tracked cars. I would think the M2 would be a great choice.

 

[raptor5244]

Miata, but sounds like you won't like getting in and out of that. GR86 is slightly larger and still RWD. These both are fun to drive, relatively cheap to maintain and available in manual transmission.

 

[rubberduck]

Everyone I’ve talked to that has retired say they are busier than they were when working. But they do have a level of financial freedom. To avoid being lazy it’s advisable to start a lot of activities prior to retirement to form the habits early on.

I plan to retire in Feb 2026 and have done a lot of planning over the last year. Beginning of the year is good for me to take advantage of the generous Christmas paid holidays and start the year with less income for tax purposes.

It’s impossible to plan for unexpected events and I’m being open minded and leaving everything on and off the table. What vehicles I keep and sell will be decided as time goes on. I enjoy cars but mainly for putzing around. Off-roading is my vehicle passion because I like the exploration aspect and being in nature. Maybe a SxS is in my future?

 

[5VBW Nick]

I'm looking at selling my Evora GT and getting a 2018 focus RS. Manual transmission, all-wheel drive, great in the snow and on the back roads or track. I am, however, a ways off from retiring. At least another 12 years for me at this point.

 

[LF4472]

So my criteria is something fun to drive, manual transmission, track capable.

Camaro?

 

[RDATLTE]

Yes on retirement as soon as you're able. It's been 10 months for me and I am never bored. In fact, there's not enough time to do everything that I need / want to do.

Regarding a track car, I second the Camaro recommendation and add that it should be a 6th Gen and an SS 1LE model.

 

[Dirkbg]

Maybe the previous or current gen Golf R. I'm seeing new inventory left for the last year of manuals.

 

[Orange Whip]

I figure that a lot of folks here are at or near retirement, and also many of us are enthusiasts.

I'm looking at retiring next year, not because I'm old or dying, but because I'm tired of working at the place I'm at and in my 60s, unlikely to get another job in this industry (I/T) as a manager. And I'm done with programming. I may still get another job, maybe in car sales, to keep me busy and social. My wife is afraid I'll become a hermit and never leave the house, and she's probably right. LOL. Any ideas/thoughts/suggestions on this? Financially I'll be OK if I retire in July and never work again, so it's not a money thing. Although money is nice and does allow a bit more freedom to buy stuff and travel in a higher standard.

So, also, I'm selling my C6 Corvette for numerous reasons, one of which is that I can't get in and out of it without grunting and honestly, the BW is just so much better in every respect that I never drive the Chevy. I realize that this will likely be true for anything else that replaces it.

But I like having two cars, and I would like to occasionally go to the track, but I'm not going to take the BW (too fast, too expensive). So my criteria is something fun to drive, manual transmission, track capable. I'm thinking either of another BMW M car (F82) or perhaps even a GTI (probably gen 7). I'm not a fan of FWD, but they are fun little cars and semi-practical as well.

Thoughts, on either or both topics?

Just sold my Veloster N, and would highly recommend one for track duty.

 

[Roadhawk]

I figure that a lot of folks here are at or near retirement, and also many of us are enthusiasts.

I'm looking at retiring next year, not because I'm old or dying, but because I'm tired of working at the place I'm at and in my 60s, unlikely to get another job in this industry (I/T) as a manager. And I'm done with programming. I may still get another job, maybe in car sales, to keep me busy and social. My wife is afraid I'll become a hermit and never leave the house, and she's probably right. LOL. Any ideas/thoughts/suggestions on this? Financially I'll be OK if I retire in July and never work again, so it's not a money thing. Although money is nice and does allow a bit more freedom to buy stuff and travel in a higher standard.

I'm 63 and have been retired 10 years after 34 years with the Federal Government (mostly DOD). I had a great highly interesting job that paid decently but i don't regret for a second taking an early out and a bit of a financial hit. I can't recommend retirement highly enough and am continually extorting my at or near retirement age friends and relatives to do it without hesitation. My wife is also retired 9 years now. We always traveled alot even when working and continued up until the pandemic. Since then our travel has more been to visit (often sick) relatives....but are hoping to get back into some travel more as we are still healthy enough for it.

I've always had a plethora of side interests that keep me busy. Like many I don't know how I ever did it all and found time to work. I bike, garden, used to play tennis and basketball (even in various leagues at the Y and elsewhere up into my 50s....me and the young guys). I'm also a mega gardener - vegetable and otherwise and have literally terraformed my property - continuing and vastly expanding projects from before I retired (including deck and bridge building).

I also am a gamer of all kinds (I actually did wargaming as part of my job) - belong to a few poker groups and also play Magic the gathering as well as a D & D variant of my own design - including painting and collecting of fantasy and historical miniatures. And also play board games with my friends (and even with my sons and their friends) I really can't find the time to do all the things I would like to do. Etc And of course i am into cars and driving (though not a track guy)

So - maybe I've given you a few ideas? I'm sure you will find interesting pursuits that will engage you. Just resist the urge to totally laze around. That being said i do watch a lot of TV - sports news and various streamed series etc. So go for it and best of luck!

PS - oh and also forgot - I have 2 hobby vineyards (with friends) and also grow hops and I brew and make wine...as well as drink & collect (cellar of maybe 2,000 bottles...but I've been whittling it down pretty good)...

 

[668LT4]

I don't think you will be able to tolerate the manual setup in the M4 when you are used to a CT5-V Blackwing.

I think the mentioned options from Honda / Acura, Toyota will suit your needs much better.

 

[Roadhawk]

But I like having two cars, and I would like to occasionally go to the track, but I'm not going to take the BW (too fast, too expensive). So my criteria is something fun to drive, manual transmission, track capable. I'm thinking either of another BMW M car (F82) or perhaps even a GTI (probably gen 7). I'm not a fan of FWD, but they are fun little cars and semi-practical as well.

Thoughts, on either or both topics?

Not a track guy - but I fully see the appeal (always tell people that I know I would like it too much and don't have time for it). My wife and I have 4 cars between us. She would love to pair down but I'm not willing and would gladly add another (something small and nimble with 2 seats and an open top)

Like you not a FWD fan = but boy is my GTI a hoot. Its a gen 6....tricked out with all manner of handling goodies and Stage 3 Big Turbo. Highly recommended. Gen 7 is probably a sweet spot - but 6 are great too.

If i we're you i wouldn't get another car similar to your BW. If I were to get a BMW at this point it would be the M440 version of the Z4 with MT (of course). But I'm an even bigger fan of the M version of the Z3 from back in the day. And like someone else here has mentioned - MR2 - probably second gen - though I had a first gen supercharged (that a neighbor bought and still drives) and it was quite a hoot as well. Miata too would be fun (if you fit and can easily get in and out of it). Again - good luck!

 

[Finally-a-V]

@BimmerFan ....for what it's worth, I retired early (2018) and don't regret it at all. Good job, really good money. Just got tried of the ever worsening BS at work. Every quarter, new rules, new requirements. All stupid shit. I've been working since I was 15 (maybe 14?). My wife still works, so it's nice to send her off to work every day and I can do what I want. The real nice part is I do a lot of reading, work on growing the portfolio, and travel when and where I want. I try to "get away" ever other month for a few days, weather dependent. She just wants to work, and doesn't really care about travelling right now. I have a few trips planned for 2025, so we'll see how that pans out.

My advice to anyone, if you can afford it, retire. Your employer doesn't give a crap about you, and when you're gone, nobody will care. Been there, experienced it, lived it.

 

[jbawden]

I'm probably 10+ years away from retiring, but I love what I do. I'm in sales for a manufacturers rep and have a lot of flexibility in my schedule. Time is the most valuable commodity we have and when your job has good pay and flexibility, its a magical combination that deemphasizes my desire to "reach" retirement. I've definitely indulged in activities and purchases (looking at you 5BW) that diverted large sums of $ from my retirement, but I couldn't have enjoyed those activities in my 60's. Seem like the folks that postpone all joy and activities until retirement reach untimely ends soon after the rhythm of work ends...retirement is bad for your health!

My buddy built a race car out of a retried Crown Vic and races on a paved oval up north. We both have decades of road racing motorcycles in our background but says the Crown Vic Cup is the most exhilarating thing he's done. There is a lot of ways to enjoy converting fossil fuels to fun that aren't on a paved road course in expensive hardware (as much as I love a good road course).

 

[DCV]

I’ll be out end of next April, 33 years as a fed. I just traded my 991 911 for a 2025 4BW manual so I can have fun on backroads but also get on the highway for a two day drive to my second home in Mn. Can’t carry pets, guitars and amps in a 911, so it had to go. I suggest a Golf R as others mentioned. They had a really nice on in the showroom as I signed papers for my BW. Lots of aftermarket support for them too. Same for a Focus RS. Too bad Ford stopped making them.

 

[Finally-a-V]

I guess I should clarify two things....first, my wife loves her job. Loves what she does. She's well paid, great bonuses, very good benes. That's the key. If you love what you do, that's huge. Second, many of the trips I've taken, she has no interest in. For example, HPDE events, I've driven most of Route 66, many national parks and things she has done years ago, like PCH. I plan on doing PCH next year. She's done it and doesn't want to do it again. So she's good with me doing those things.

 

[dinkman]

i was briefly retired earlier this year and loved every minute of it. never felt bored or unfulfilled. ended up getting begged to do some part time consulting work thats been going well.

regarding second car, im guessing camaro will have similar issues to the vette. i do like the miata/gr86 suggestions but they are tiny. m2 is definitely a great choice (not the current gen fugly one)

 

[Roadhawk]

I guess I should clarify two things....first, my wife loves her job. Loves what she does. She's well paid, great bonuses, very good benes. That's the key. If you love what you do, that's huge. Second, many of the trips I've taken, she has no interest in. For example, HPDE events, I've driven most of Route 66, many national parks and things she has done years ago, like PCH. I plan on doing PCH next year. She's done it and doesn't want to do it again. So she's good with me doing those things.

PCH is a great fun trip with much to see. I've done it - in whole or in part - several times - including in 1986 when my (future) wife and I drove up to Vancouver from LA for the Worlds Fair then drove back along the mountains and through desert further east. We split camping for 2-3 days with staying at nice B & Bs. Much to say on that trip - so great - but one funny thing was passing 3 cars in the dark heading up Mt hood and checking in to the last available room as the others wandered in only to be told no rooms left...

One trip - in 1984 from San Fran to LA the whole route was completely densely fogged in and we couldn't see a thing. I do claim to perhaps have the record time for making that trip - 8 hours - with only freeway once we got to Santa Barbara or thereabouts. The last time I've done the trip - was in 2018 (I think) from Seattle to San Fransisco with our boys - staying for a week on the coast of Oregon with extended family and friends.

Do it - enjoy!

 

[BimmerFan]

Thanks all for the thoughtful replies. Funny, no one suggested working longer to delay retirement.

As for the Camaro, I did consider them, they are surprisingly expensive in the used market. The GR86/BRZ is not, they depreciate quickly and are a strong contender. I'm used to a lot more horsepower though, and they are a bit low, hard to get in and out of - but a hoot to drive. Miata is out - no convertible for track days, and too tiny and cheap for me. The other ideas I hadn't thought of, so I shall think about them.

M2 is out, BTDT. M4 gearbox is not optimal, I agree, but the chassis is superb.

Thanks again, keep the ideas and comments coming!

 

[ernsteeng]

I'm very close to retiring. I just had a couple of conversations about it yesterday. I'm 54 and not enjoying my job a whole bunch. It is easy, my boss likes me, and I don't have a lot of daily responsibilities anymore. I guess that is what happens when you are at a job for many years and get promoted. I was able to assign out all the things I used to do so I could concentrate on managing. Maybe I did too good a job. Everyone knows what they do and don't have a need to come to me regularly. I only get the issues when they bubble up now. There are a few projects coming up that will fill some time here and there. I seem to have lost motivation and I'm at a point in my life now where I can afford to retire. I have a few things to check out first, like health insurance. My organization may not let me buy into retiree health care until I hit 55. I have to check out the marketplace to see if anything would be cheaper than what I can get through work. It will be sometime after the beginning of the year. I work at a university that offers portable tuition to my dependents. Regardless of the school they attend, I get 50% of the tuition back. Both my kids that are still in college have scholarships. I get the 50% regardless of tuition discounts. They are seniors with one more semester to go. I would be crazy to throw away about $25k by retiring earlier. Should be soon. I'm very excited. I just have very little motivation to keep working.