Note this article does not specify ways to BUY your dream sports car. If you had plenty of money to that you probably would have done so already, not just 'finally.'

But the rest of us might have to get creative, the rest of us being middle incomers. I know one of these who thought it would be fun to celebrate turning 50 buying a 1950's T-Bird. I am sure it was fun buying it, but because it is a struggle to maintain it and would be devastating if it was totaled, this momentous milestone spends its remaining classic years in the garage while my friend drives an 1985 Jeep.

To the first thing to do when that certain mid-life thing strikes you (it does happen to all of us, so no dispersions meant here) is to determine the purpose of what it it you are hoping to accomplish with this celebration of life's being (optimistically) half-way over. Being responsible is not a particular hallmark of that time of life, but what the hey, this is an advice column. If it is truly something you have loved and wanted dearly, I would weight that priority much more highly than getting something to impress friends or younger women.

There are many inner-movie stars wondering from time to time what it would be like to be behind the wheel of some of those beauties (my dad never saw one that he could resist buying and taking apart). But in this case maybe a very limited amount of exposure to this dream car of yours would be sufficient. Even modern sports cars don't have many of the things in a car we have expect-surprisingly few cup holders to say the least.

Starting all the way at the free end of things, you might consider a test drive, or be honest with a friend of yours that has one. He would probably flattered to have secured what you can only salivate over! My sister borrowed a convertible sports car when she toured the parade and waved to the crowd. A very snazzy AND thrifty way to do things.

Then the more serious options present. You might consider various rentals: daily if it were to be for a special reunion, or monthly for a special summer on the road. By the time you have seen how these cars lack certain modern or practical automotive conveniences

But if this limited amount of exposure only whets your appetite rather than quenches it, you may want to spend some time thinking of non traditional ownership. Non traditional FINANCING has a bit of a bad rap right now and chances are you'll hear about the options if your are interested enough.

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