There’s a common misconception that buying a luxurious coupé or a showoff exotic supercar can make a man younger. While it is true to some extent, buying a certain kind car only confirms the age of a driver, as well as his bank account status. However, a more clever, out-of-the-box choice of a car to make you feel like a boy again doesn’t have to tick all the midlife crisis boxes. That’s why we’ve arranged a list of 20 cars which are not only cool, fast and fun to drive, but they also dodge all age stereotypes!
Toyota FJ Cruiser
We’ll start the list with one car that was sadly discounted back in 2014. With the looks of a deep space explorer module and more than decent offroad capabilities, Toyota’s FJ Cruiser is the perfect car to take you out on a weekend adventure that’ll make you forget all your worries. These short adventures will transform your outlook on free time and will make you more active and fun loving.
Volvo S60 Polestar
Volvo’s power sedan offering starts at $60,000MRSP and comes in form of the S60 Polestar. This mid-size sedan with astounding performance and sophisticated design produces 362 horsepower thanks to a turbocharged and supercharged T6 engine, and all that’s enough for a 4.4s sprint from 0 to 60 MPH. Those numbers will certainly get your heart pumping harder every time you hit the gas, and you’ll be sure to speed off in effortless Swedish style.
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
As another adventuremobile on the list, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is a great choice for a car that’ll get you exploring backroads and trails like never before. The Wrangler has a host of features and options to make your offroad experience safe and fun at the same time, and its 285HP 3.6L Pentastar V6 makes this Jeep a great tower, powerful enough to tow a 3,500 pound load. Now, sit back and imagine the possibilities…
BMW M2
BMW’s pocket rocket is a spiritual successor to the 2002 Turbo, the ultimate 2-door sport sedan from the 70s. However, unlike its grandfather which sported a loud bodykit and mirrored TURBO inscriptions for everyone to behold in their rearview mirrors, M2 comes in a more elegant, yet aggressive package. This compact RWD powerhouse starts at $52,500, and its turbocharged inline six produces 365 horsepower. Claimed 0-60 sprint is 4.1s, and since the M2 conquered the feared Nurburgring in 7:58, it’s definitely more than a straight line sprinter. Superb handling has always been BMW’s specialty, so the M2 is the perfect car to make you remember the good old days spent in your old BMW 02.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mazda’s quintessential roadster has been around since 1989, and it has always been the best provider of the British roadster experience, but with much needed Japanese reliability. The fourth generation MX-5 Miata starts at $24.915, and in any of three available trims, it is a fantastic driver’s car that doesn’t break the bank.
Fiat 124 Abarth
If the Miata is too ordinary for your likings, add a little bit of Italian pizzazz with the Fiat 124. Based on the same Miata platform, but featuring a redesigned body, Italian power and a host of upgrades, Fiat 124 Spider is another fantastic retro machine from the automotive giant. 124 Spider’s ultimate form is the Abarth version which starts at $28.195 and has 164HP coming from the 1.4L Multi-Air engine. While it isn’t much, the distinctive sound of the Abarth will definitely put a wide smile on your face while you’re cruising down the winding roads.
Porsche Cayman S
While the 911 is perhaps the ultimate choice for a midlife crisis car, Porsche Cayman offers a cheaper, more fun and youthful alternative to the rear-engined classic. The 718 Porsche Cayman S is a more powerful alternative to the standard Cayman, and costs from $67,700. Its 2.5L four-cylinder turbocharged boxer produces 350 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque, which gets it from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.4s, with a top speed of 177 MPH. With all that in mind, the Cayman will not only make you look younger, but make you feel that way too.
Cadillac CT6
For a long time, Cadillac has been associated with the older generations, but not in the last couple of years. Now, CT6 is their flagship sedan that features incredible stylish bodywork, all sorts of luxuries in the interior and a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine delivering 404 horsepower. In 2017 Cadillac looks fresher than ever, and so would you behind the wheel of this luxurious cruiser that starts at $53,795.
Mini Paceman
While the Mini One in all its variants will make you look like you’re trying too hard without actually getting any of it, the Mini Paceman paints a different picture. This three-door subcompact hatchback retains the dynamic looks, albeit on a slightly bigger scale. That grants a more comfortable ride without deducting any style points. Paceman Cooper starts at $23,550, while the ultimate John Cooper Works with All4 AWD and 208 horsepower costs $35,600 and up.
Dodge Charger Hellcat
Now, this monstrous power sedan is something special. Its supercharged 6.2L HEMI engine produces whooping 707 horsepower with 650 pound feet of torque. That kind of power moves this evil sedan from 0 to 60 MPH in 3.4 seconds, and if that isn’t enough to transport you back to your youth, we don’t know what is. The price of this pleasure-inducing machine starts at $67,645.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Another piece of American muscle iconography on the list is the equally impressive Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and it starts at $61,140. This muscle coupe has 650 horsepower, bit less than the Hellcat, but its acceleration numbers are fairly similar, at 3.5s for a 0-60 sprint. We’re sure that there’s a study confirming that V8 rumble paired up with a few burnouts a day slows down the aging process for humans.
Fiat 500 Abarth
Fiat’s cleverly designed supermini car has its hot version called 500 Abarth, and this little piece of sheer Italian quickness starts at just $22.575. The Fiat 500 Abarth is one of the cheapest, and by far the most charming way to experience speed and great handling, thanks to its diminutive dimensions and 1.4L MultiAir turbocharged engine with 157 horsepower.
Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45
The ultimate version of the CLA compact sports sedan is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L inline four engine producing 375 horsepower. The most youthful looking AMG Mercedes-Benz sprints from 0 to 60 in 4.4s, which is a truly formidable number, and it’s packed with all sorts of creature comforts making your drive even more enjoyable on a daily basis. For $49,950 and more, this brilliant piece of engineering can be your choice of an everyday fun car.
Tesla Model S
What’s more forward thinking and rejuvenating than driving a car that offers a glimpse into the future? The fully electric Tesla Model S has an amazing design, superb road handling and performance that’ll blow you away without making a sound. Its 0-60 sprint takes just 2.5 seconds, and it’s executed so quietly it won’t make you a look-at-me showoff in a Lamborghini. The ultimate Tesla P100D starts at $126,000 with all savings included.
Ford Focus RS
Ford’s first Focus RS available in America starts at $36,995 and produces 350 horsepower from a 2.3L EcoBoost inline-four. That’s enough for this all-wheel-drive hatchback to offer a lot of fun and a 0-60 time of 4.6s. And if you really want to feel alive, there’s the Drift Mode button that cancells front-wheel-drive and adds up to the fun.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Choosing an SUV without compromising style is hard, but luckily Alfa Romeo created the Stelvio, a beautiful compact SUV named after the famous Alpine pass. Its Italian beauty is matched by adequate power, as the most powerful Quadrifoglio version produces 505 thoroughbred horses from the 2.9L bi-turbo V6. Maybe Stelvio isn’t the most powerful SUV on the market, but it is by far the most stylish one, and you’ll probably enjoy the engaging driver-centric design of the interior. Stelvio’s official pricing is yet to be determined.
Volkswagen Golf R
Starting at $39,375, Volkswagen Golf R is probably the most discreet superhatchback on the market. It’s 2.0L TSI engine has 292 horsepower, and paired up with 4Motion four-wheel-drive, the VW Golf R is a superbly balanced machine which will allow you to have fun without losing any style and dignity.
Audi S4
Audi’s sporty version of the A4 sedan comes in two trims, Premium Plus ($50,900) and Prestige ($55,800), and while they both differ in equipment, the powerhouse stays the same. Under the hood of the S4 sits the 3.0L TFSI V6 engine with 354 horses which transmits the power to all four wheels thanks to the legendary quattro. Depending on the trim, the Audi S4 can be either flashy or very discreet, and it’s up to you to choose which one you like better.
Alfa Romeo Giulia
An Italian alternative to somewhat German midsize sedans is the Alfa Romeo Giulia. Starting from $37,995, this car marks Alfa Romeo’s return to rear-wheel-drive cars. The new Giulia is an incredibly stylish, yet very sporty sedan that also has its AWD version, but the real treat comes in form of the Giulia Quadrifoglio. The ultimate Giulia starts at $72,000, but its 2.9L twin-turbo V6 has 505 Italian horses, 0-60 sprint in 3.8s and loads of pure Italian style.
Ford Mustang
Whereas buying a classic Mustang is one of the best indicators of a midlife crisis, opting for a current model is a much better way of reliving your youth without actually feeling old. Whether it’s the V6, EcoBoost or the pure V8-powered car, the 2017 Mustang is a beautiful GT that starts at $25,185 and goes up to $63,645 or more for the Shelby GT350R version. A Mustang is still a quintessential American sports car that fits all budgets and is loved by everyone, regardless of their age.