Another Temptation - 2006 Porsche Cayman 987 S

Another temptation. I really should not look at Pistonheads and AutoTrader.

Below is a nice dark blue Porsche Cayman 987 S. I like the tan leather interior very much. This one looks like a great example (1 owner). Great spec!

But I need to be sensible. Over the last 9 years or so (I really only started to go bonkers for cars in 2016 when I realized I could afford nice cars) I've wasted so much money on cars, way too much, like perhaps £150k (maybe more). Not a total waste because I have had some great experiences which I'm very lucky to have had and very grateful for.

I've also wasted money on other things. And that's fine. Money is meant to be enjoyed, as we cannot take it with us when we die. The only time that's not true (about money being meant to be enjoyed) is if you want to leave money to family (your children etcetera) but I don't have that to worry about.

I am thinking of retiring at 55 (no point working too long and then you're not healthy enough to enjoy retirement). I'll be 50 next year, so I don't have much more than 5 years to get ready for retirement. That's my goal, retire at 55. And to make that happen, I need the mortgage paid off, no debts, and a decent nest egg. If I hadn't wasted that £150k, that easily would have paid off what's left of my mortgage and leave me a tidy sum to add to my nest egg.

I can only afford one car, and having a nearly 20-year-old Porsche as my only car would be a bit daft, especially since it lacks the practicality of my Audi A3 Sportback Quattro. And I know I wouldn't use the Porsche as much as I'd like to use it. It's a nice dream.

And my current car has been with me nearly 3 years now. I've spent money on it. I know it is a good car. Nothing unexpected. Changing cars - especially to an older car - you never know what to expect. Expect the worst (and hope for the best)! I might have some very expensive bills - imagine a worst case scenario, buy the car for £15k and not long down the line have to spend say £15k in repairs, that's £15k that could have gone towards retirement!

And when I retire I may not even have a car. I plan to do a lot of travelling - which is something I've never been able to find time to do much of with limited vacation and being in full-time work for a long time now. I want to do all the worlds great hikes. And hope to find something that has been eluding me...

I don't plan to have a car and go on driving holidays, because I see that as being way too expensive, not value for money, and not something I can afford in retirement. Trekking is cheaper and I think I'll get as much from it, if not more.