I recently turned 45 and it occurred to me that if I am going to have a mid-life crisis car at any point, then that time is surely approaching. Fast.

But what to look at? There are so many options for so many budgets. My budget is very much on the lower end of the scale (read: non-existent) but I can dream, and while doing so, I thought I’d create a list of some very different options for an MLC car.

Mazda MX5

Possibly obvious, but it has to be considered. The early 90s ones are potentially a rust-laden risky option nowadays, or otherwise out of budget, but move to the late 90s and the choice of sub £5k MX5s opens up. This age means more toys, more reliability and (hopefully) less rust.

The early 90s options that are available could be as much as £12-15k now, which is, quite frankly, madness! Would I opt for an MX5? Perhaps, but I do think there are better options in this (short) list.

Audi TT

I think the early models of these still look good, and if they’ve been looked after, they should still benefit from Audi’s renowned quality. Some can be had for less than £2k, which seems like a lot of car for the money in my book. They were a design icon of the time, so if you disguise the age with a non-descript private plate and look after it well, this should be a sound investment.

Porsche Boxster

Always seen as an ‘entry level’ Porsche, or a poor man’s 911, there’s something about the Boxster that I like. On the surface, they share lines with the TT, albeit with more styling, and will again benefit from the excellence of German engineering. If I remember rightly, they also have a spoiler that smoothly appears from the boot when you pass 50mph.

Again, they can be found for less than £5k, but I think it would be worth shelling out a little more and getting a professional inspection done. My guess is that a Porsche would cost more to maintain than similarly priced TTs or MX5s.

Lotus Elise

If you’re looking for a late 90s pocket-rocket, the Elise is an incredible car. Lightweight (and low specced to keep that weight down) and with a frugal 1.8 litre engine, they move like something a lot more potent. Would I buy one? Considering Lotus was once said to stand for ‘Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious’, the answer is no. Not a chance.

MG Midget/Triumph Spitfire

I’ve put these together as the issues are going to be similar. On the positive, there are no electronic brains stopping you from tinkering and fixing them. The downside is that they would probably need a lot more tinkering, very often. And the rust is definitely something to keep an eye on. But the style, the look and the noise? Worth considering for sure!

Landrover Defender

An unusual one to finish the list, but with almost limitless customisation and the ability to do anything with them, I think a sub £10k Defender (and for me it has to be the short wheelbase) has the option of creating something properly unique that doesn’t fit the usual MLC mould. It could even avoid the pitying looks of pre-MLC drivers (maybe)!