Perhaps you’ve found yourself there: sliding into a brand-new, cherry red sports car. It’s not the vehicle you walked in for (a new SUV), but it’s got something an SUV lacks. And not just limited passenger space. It feels like it wraps itself around you and begs you to imagine you’re at Sebring. Enter Erdman Automotive, a Florida dealership offering a harsh reality check for potential sports car drivers. In a TikTok that’s gone viral, with over 892,400 views, Erdman Automotive poses a very revealing question to their sales team: "What car SCREAMS midlife crisis?" While there is a range of replies, a few common answers emerge. Suffice to say, the news is not good for one vehicle in particular: the Chevrolet Corvette. As TJ answers: "Corvette, period. Old head, ‘I, I want a Corvette,’" he mimics a customer saying. Then he responds to this imaginary buyer, "You can’t even bend down to get in one!" Though his answer is more narrative than some of his workmates’, it does bear noting that of the first three salespeople asked, two answered "Corvette." And it’s mentioned at least twice more by the 13 people surveyed. But don’t let decades of jokes run away with your assumptions. One commenter offered another take on why the middle-aged set is more likely to buy a Corvette: They can finally afford one. "I wanted a Corvette all my life. It’s not midlife crisis, it’s when you can actually afford one," says Noel Hdez. What Is the Average Age Of A Corvette Buyer? In the US, the average Corvette buyer is over 65 years old. However, that doesn’t tell the entire story. According to GM Authority, the company "reports that the Corvette C8 is the number one sports car among buyers under the age of 35." The reason? Journalists speculate that the new mid-engine proportions lend the vehicle "an exotic appeal." Performance is also a factor: the C8’s high-revving 5.5L V8 LT6 gasoline engine is typically associated with "European go-fast machinery." It is also purportedly capable of "challenging some of the fastest machines on the market, whether it’s in a straight line, or in the corners." Looks, performance, and speed: all working to redeem the vehicle from its reputation as Daddy’s Garage Princess. But Corvettes aren’t the only vehicles that act as a badge of honor for the reading glasses and sensible shoes set. According to Erdman Automotive’s cheeky salespeople, Mustangs are also offenders, while Supras, BMWs, Camaros, and the Nissan Z all merit honorable mentions. One salesperson, Logan, even calls out the Slingshot. The outlier? "Lifted Ford truck." What Happens in Middle-Age? Middle age is seen as a time when most people are deeply settled in their lives. Big dreams are over, and mortality looms more acutely. Plus, after a lifetime of working hard, lots of folks want a little treat. Something nice to smooth out the indignities of day-to-day life, because there's a good likelihood that there’s still a decade or two more of clocking-in ahead. As for the urgency, that, too, is about a deeper awareness of mortality. As The Dreaming Siren wrote (in a very self-revelatory way), "We feel compelled to make changes and finally address those long-held desires and aspirations we kept postponing until just the right moment. We then realize that the moment is still not right, and wonder if it ever will be." So why not buy something fast and shiny that leaves those dark thoughts in the dust? That doesn’t stop the online peanut gallery from weighing in about everything though. "Lifted truck isn't a midlife crisis, it's just a life crisis in general lol," said Flx. "The Slingshot and Corvette [laugh-crying emoji] accurate. But that's okay boys. Enjoy your toys," quipped another. While PrincessMesti offered what might actually be the most middle-aged observation of all: "lol my dad had to get rid of his Corvette bc his back hurt." Motor1 reached out to Erdman Automotive via their online AI chat agent, and via TikTok direct message. We will update this article if they get back to us. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
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