Work another year and buy a Kirkham or Retire?

[legenmetals]

Originally Posted by olddog

Yes Mark I would like that.

Pm sent

[twobjshelbys]

So you have a Cobra you don't drive, and the likelihood is that the replacement will not be compatible with your wife.

Why not sell the Cobra and get a nice fun touring car that you can go on vacation with? There are lots of sporty yet comfortable cars out there. Maybe a sporty convertible like a Mustang or if you want to spend $$$ an Aston Martin. That would give you the top-down open air when the weather permits, but be driveable year round and not just a Saturday morning garage queen.

[olddog]

Originally Posted by legenmetals

Pm sent

I didn't see the PM so I sent one to you. Has my phone number in it.

[Ace23]

Just work an extra 6 months and buy a Superformance or grab a nice 2013-2015 naturally aspirated Porsche Boxster S or GTS for comfort and convenience in a roadster feel.

[750hp]

I’m coming to realise that getting old sucks, but I guess it’s still better than the alternative. Best of luck in whatever decisions you make regarding the future.

[1795]

Originally Posted by olddog

Unfortunately that thought has already crossed my mind, but I have be trying to find a way to have a life after retirement and still share it with my wife. Otherwise I might as well continue to work.

I have worked all my life. I started cutting grass for a neighbor at the age of 10. Started bailing hay at 13. Worked at an apple orchard the summer and fall, I was 16. Finished the year pumping gas. Carried dry wall on the week ends and put in swimming pools when I wasn't carrying drywall, while working 48 hrs a week at the gas station my last two years of high school. I went to work for a chemical company shortly after. Most of those 41 years, I worked 300-400 hr of overtime a year.

So here I am looking at the end of working. It's all I have ever known, but I am tired of it. However it is very sobering and unnerving. There is much more I would like to finish before I retire, but I know there will always be more to do. I loved my job, most of the time and few people were ever that fortunate. It is tough to give it all up. I have attended too many funerals of people who never got to retire, so I do not want to work too long. Yes I am conflicted with many feelings.

I likely will never have grandchildren. I have plenty of money to live on. The only reason I am working is the medical insurance. Unfortunately, my wife's health leaves her unable to do much. I have already worked past the time that she could have enjoyed it. It is too late for her, and I feel quite guilty for that, even though I know it is not my fault. So yes maybe I am grasping at straws.

Olddog,

I too started mowing neighbors yards at 10 and as soon as I turned 14 got my working papers and worked all of the way through high school and then college. Towards the end of my career I took on a second job as well. Got my first cobra after the kids were out of high school. Retired from my main job and worked the very next day at my second job, which I have continued. Was not ready to just sit home, was just tired of going to my primary place of employment.

It sounds like you are in a tough situation and my only suggestion to you would be to find something of interest to keep you occupied. While you said that you know people who never got to see retirement, i also know of people who never enjoyed retirement because they did not know what to do and just sat on the couch all day till they died. You have a couple of years to prepare yourself for retirement, find something that makes you happy.

[Tommy]

Olddog,
This discussion has evolved a lot since my earlier post, so I'll add one more thought. The timing of my decision to retire early was driven by factors beyond my control. But the decision was made easy when I realized I was having more fun at home in my garage than I was at work. I had been fortunate to have two careers that I really enjoyed, so I was not trying to escape from a bad work situation. I just wanted to do some non-work things even more. ..... I've long believed that people should retire so they can do things they enjoy more than work. If you enjoy going to work and its not stopping you from doing something you'd rather do, then keep working. Sitting around being bored is no fun and some jobs are very fulfilling. But if the job is just filling your days without being fulfilling, then start researching other activities you might like better. For many people a good start is in volunteering to help others. For example, for several years I volunteered as an advisor to a robotics team at a local high school. With a little luck, you may find something that you and your wife can do together to make retirement more fun. And it doesn't have to have anything to do with a car. ... Good luck.

[Buzz]

Olddog - embrace your situation - challenges and all. You are way better off than most and continuing to enjoy life is just a matter of considering all options and choosing what works best. Here is my suggestion.
Since the ergonomics of any Cobra will be problematic regardless of brand or body composition and you've already stated you pick roads that allow you to drive slower; maybe it is time to move on to something else. I'm guessing you're more of an old school gearhead and a Ford guy, so Boxters and newer 'Vettes might not cut it for you. Maybe look at a classic Ford convertible that will give you miles of smiles, turn heads like crazy and still involve a bit of hands on care, personalization and interaction. Something like this:



Your wife might love it and you'll be welcome at any Ford or Cobra gathering.
Regardless of what you choose to do, all the best and enjoy the fruits of all your years of hard work!

[TimG427]

I'm 62 and plan on retirement at the end of this year. Buy the Kirkham, you will love it. I've had two and two CSX 4000's built by Kirkham. I have CSX 4322 now and love it.
After retirement I'll sell my Scarab replica and two '67 Corvettes. I'll keep my CSX built by Kirkham or maybe sell it and buy a non CSX Kirkham in polished aluminum and keep one of my '67 Corvettes.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by olddog

So I have been looking at where I am financially. I am now at age 60 and plan to retire at 62. Analysis shows I can maintain my standard of living and not run out of money, if I live to be 100 yrs old and still leave it to my children.

Well all my life I saved and bought very little for myself. All the sudden, I am looking at where I am standing, financially, and maybe I can afford a Kirkham after all. If I worked one more year, past when I plan to retire, I could swing it.

I'm not sure I will do it, but I'm thinking about it. Should I purchase new and build what I want? Or a used one?

I can remember when a base model was a little over $50K and now they are $100K.

I can remember when Kirkhams were $50,000 for a base (no options) roller too! It was the Year 2007, when I bought my Kirkham.

If you've run the retirement numbers, and it fits the budget, and you really want one, then buy one. I'd buy used. They're almost always cheaper used, but you do get someone else's build.

And personally, I wouldn't base any Cobra purchase decision on who can or cannot get into the passenger seat. Who cares, it's for you.

[JBCOBRA]

Travel the world and chill
You and your wife could go everywhere in style for quite a while on Kirkham Moolah ;-)

[Anthony]

You said "Analysis shows I can maintain my standard of living and not run out of money, if I live to be 100 yrs old and still leave it to my children."

Well, if your running low on money, you could always sell it, and even if it's for a loss, you enjoyed it! Life is short !

I have both a fiberglass and aluminum bodied cobra's, and yes, the aluminum dents easily, especially when you're around F...ing Morons ! i.e. the general public , as well as people who should know better ! So, a fiberglass CSX4000/6000 may be a good option, as well as others.

Also, a dodge viper is a good option, a "modern" 427 cobra. They are a blast ! I like the looks of the 1992-2002, but the 2003-2007 have roll up windows, and more importantly, the top is easier to put up and down. I'd recommend the 2003-2007. You can get them for about $40K.

I live in the Cleveland area, so if you would like to talk, or take a look at my cars (vipers included), you're welcome to come up.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Anthony

I have both a fiberglass and aluminum bodied cobra's, and yes, the aluminum dents easily, especially when you're around F...ing Morons ! i.e. the general public , as well as people who should know better ! So, a fiberglass CSX4000/6000 may be a good option, as well as others.

And fiberglass chips and cracks "easily," when you're around F'ing Morons. So, just try and avoid F'ing Morons. If you're parking your Cobra in the Safeway or Starbucks parking lot, then you're a F'ing Moron.

[rodneym]

Anthony,
I too have both glass and aluminum and I agree with you 100%.

There's this one d!psh!t at my local C&C. More than once I've seen him come up to my KMP and feel under the fender lip with his glazed donut fingers to see if its aluminum. When asked if I could answer any questions, he looks away and walks in the other direction. I think he wants to be seen as a guy who knows what to look for. Instead he just looks like a moron.
If you can't tell by looking, then you really shouldn't be touching.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

And personally, I wouldn't base any Cobra purchase decision on who can or cannot get into the passenger seat. Who cares, it's for you.

Wow - that's a whole 'nother level of callous! Do you have any family?
Here's what Olddog wrote about his wife:

Originally Posted by olddog

I haven't driven my Cobra in two years. Mainly because she cannot ride in it (and she loved it as much as me).

Kirkham, CSX, ERA, alloy or fiberglass will not change any of the above.

Now - picture that Lincoln with a pro-touring chassis and a Kaase Boss 9 under the hood...schwiiinnngggg!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Wow - that's a whole 'nother level of callous! Do you have any family?

None that love him anymore.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Wow - that's a whole 'nother level of callous! Do you have any family?

Yes, I'm callous.

I'm sure Olddog can find another activity he and his wife can enjoy. Besides, would his wife deny him his purchase, because she can't ride along in the passenger seat?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

None that love him anymore.

Family should love you no matter what your quirks or idiosyncrasies. That's why your family tolerates your color blindness. Otherwise, who would pick beige for their Cobra?

[blykins]

olddog, what about a nice Galaxie/Fairlane/Mustang that's set up for touring? That way you wouldn't have to work longer and your wife could enjoy it too?

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Yes, I'm callous.

I'm sure Olddog can find another activity he and his wife can enjoy. Besides, would his wife deny him his purchase, because she can't ride along in the passenger seat?

I get the impression she wouldn't deny him that. Which in itself probably gives him all the more reason to care about including her in his driving adventures.
But I suppose we're beginning to delve into areas that are best left alone and stick to our best recommendations re: the original question.