Act your age: Cars for every stage of life

YOUR FIRST CAR

7

Teenage years are full of firsts: First kiss, first taste of alcohol, first love and, of course, your first car. Sometimes the last two can even be one in the same. Your first car should mirror this carefree stage of life: Untroubled, petite, safe and inexpensive.

WhichCar pick:

• Mazda3
• Toyota Yaris
• Hyundai Veloster

PARTY YEARS

7

Ahh your 20s. You’re now seen as an adult – you’ve crossed into the world of making your own decisions, while still being young enough to be forgiven for terrible life choices. You’re leaving your awkward youth behind for a more stylish and free life, funded by your own hole-burning pockets. So, obviously, your car needs to give you a sense of sovereignty and panache… on a tight budget.

WhichCar pick:

• Mazda CX-3
• VW Golf
• Renault Clio

30 IS THE NEW 20

7

Suddenly you find yourself spending weekends celebrating marriages or births, and roping nieces and nephews into seeing the latest Disney film. You mightn’t recover from a big night out like you once did, but at least you can show up in more style. It’s time to pull out the big guns and do whatever you can to turn those younger-versions-of-what-you-once-were green with envy. It’s time to spend up. Plus, you’re saving a bucket load of money now that you can’t drink as much vodka. It may as well go toward something fun, right?

WhichCar pick:

• Jeep Cherokee
• Holden Commodore SS
• Mazda MX-5

IT’S A BOY!

7

It’s time for a life change. All your time, money and energy are now going to a new little person. As if life hasn’t changed enough, you’ve got to get a car to fit the growing family. Bye bye sporty, hello practicality. But buying a car for the parenting stage of life doesn’t have to be so grim. Safe, practical and noise-deafening prerequisites have become the priorities, but luckily, SUVs are in. So don’t despair, family cars are the new black.

WhichCar pick:

• Volvo XC60
• Audi Q5
• Subaru Outback

EMPTY NESTER

7

We get it. The kids have upped and left, your hair is changing colour by forces beyond your control, and you’ve got more money in your bank account than you’ve had for quite some time. You’ve got empty nester's syndrome, and you just want to spread your wings again and fly. You did it once, a few decades ago, you sure as hell can do it again now! We’ll give you a tip, though – leave the toupee in the wig-store, forget the leather pants, and don’t risk the spray tan. Instead, spoil yourself with some luxury.

WhichCar pick:

• Alfa Romeo Mito
• Mercedes-Benz E250
• Tesla Model S

TIME TO WIND IT DOWN

7

Are you a retiree who has always dreamed of owning a classic, beautiful and expensive car? Or are you more the type who just wants a budget car to get you from A to B? Retirement is all about you. It’s the time in your life where you hang up the boots and reward yourself for the years of hard work. So go on, we say spoil yourself with something you’ve always dreamed of – you only live once after all. But if that’s not where your heart is, we’ve thrown in some practical choice.

WhichCar pick:

• Mazda CX-5
• Toyota Prius
• BMW X5