Porsche 911 + Miata = ?

First off, I admit that have automotive ADD. For the past ten years or so, I have been gradually trading my way up through various cars. I turned a 65 Mustang project into a new WRX, a Locost into a Spec Miata and that Spec Miata plus a Jeep into a 911. Now I find myself with a really nice 911 and another really nice Miata. I've owned the Miata for a long time, but it still has fairly low mileage. The 911 has been my dream car for 20 years, but now that I've done it, I'm ready to move on. I'm toying with the idea of selling them both and picking up one seriously nice car, plus some extra garage space. I figure that if I sell both, I can afford a 2005-06 Corvette or Lotus Elise, plus or minus a little cash one way or the other. The car would be a dual purpose street / track day toy. Which would you choose? What other cars am I overlooking?

The Lotus might be hard to live with on a day to day basis, but it should be the most fun.

What about a Z4 M Coupe?

racerdave600 wrote: The Lotus might be hard to live with on a day to day basis, but it should be the most fun. What about a Z4 M Coupe?

None of the choices would be a daily driver. I hadn't thought of the Z4 M Coupe. I've always liked the Z3 Coupe, but I like the Z4 even better. I'll have to think about that one.

If you can buy an Elise, do it-if only so others can live vicariously. In my opinion, the only thing that competes with a Lotus is another Lotus. Honestly, what you pay for one isn't out of line, either. They come with AC- if that's roughing it, I'd be willing to give it a try. Also, If you haven't wadded up a 911, You should be able to keep one on the road.

I think most of this board has automotive ADD.

Elise is a good choice. That kind of money could also buy one heckuva Esprit while also padding your wallet a bit. NSX or 190E Cosworth too. Unconventional? Get a Ford Escort Cosworth, there's always a handful for sale in the country for Elise prices. Then again, I'd run out and buy a Renault 5 Turbo...

For an all-purpose car, I'm going to go with BMW. If you don't need to carry much (people or stuff) M Coupe is great. If you do need to carry more people, M3.

Z3 vs. Z4: The Z4 is much better mechanical and handling wise. Attractiveness is subjective. The Z3 coupe had more storage space, better rear visibility, and I think a generally better cockpit layout. I believe the Z4 had more hip/shoulder room.

Miata is always the answer....unless you can afford an Elise

Do it!

When I finally make it through school I'm going to buy myself an Elise as a toy. A buddy of mine was a tech at the local Ferrari/maserati/lotus dealer and he had nothing but great things to say about elises. They are easy to work on, rarely break, and when they do, replacement parts can be found for a reasonable price.

The wheels are small, so you can get track tires without spending an arm and a leg. Hawk track pads and replacement rotors are surprisingly cheap.

C5 Z06

/thread

Viper?

Or if you really feel that it's something you want to do at some point in your life a Ferrari 308?

2002maniac wrote: Do it!

25K for an '05 Elise? . I need to move to America, if only for the cheap cars.

Viper sounds like a good choice for a non-daily driver/fun car. In the same vein of thinking, how about a Lotus 7 clone/Westfield/Caterham type deal.

edit: Never mind, I see you've already had a Locost.

I did Luke...

Have you considered a classic car, they also can be tracked and are so cool

I haven't had a chance to drive an S2 Elise (ie the one available in the US) but based on my S1 I'd suggest you take it for a good long test drive. I really rate my Elise but with the hardtop on it's just too noisy for my liking. Keep in mind that mine's one of the first 50 sold to the public - it might well be that later ones are slightly less noisy. Oddly enough it's fine without the roof or with the fabric roof up.

From driving a C6 Corvette for a week, I'd say that it's a much more practical car than an Elise.

I'd also like to put in a vote for the NSX - that's on my 'want' list and supposedly they combine the usability of a Civic in day to day use with supercar handling and performance.

P71 wrote: C5 Z06 /thread

I know it's an obvious choice, but I just don't like them.

It's a shame you don't because I know where a great running track car / autocrosser is for sale in your area. The previous owner died from cancer, and we're trying to sell his car for his kids. It's amazing how many people in Nigeria want to buy a Vette.

if I had that kind of liquidity kicking around, I would trade it for a Lancia Delta Integrale Evoluzione in a heartbeat...

I have lusted after one of those for a long time.

(ooh, or maybe a really minty Audi Ur Quattro)

I'd take an Elise over a Corvette any day. Heck, I'd make it my daily driver.

You could splurge and buy my dream car... Exige S w/ track package in matte black.

Ariel Atom....and rip your face off!

Woody wrote: What other cars am I overlooking?

How about a 996 C2? Keep some of that dream, and they're in about the same price range as an Elise.

I have lusted ag=fter an Elise sice before you could buy them here in the US. If things go sd planned I will have one next year (2011) as my DD. Lotus chassis plus Toyota running gear = many smiles and few headaches.

Elise for sure. So much cooler than just about any car on the road you will come across.

Corvettes are great but an Elise is sooo much cooler, but the Vette is probably more comfortable. Comfort is for DDs. I'd be all about the Elise, hands down.

An Elise is the only car I would trade both my miatas for.

Joey

MCarp22 wrote:

Woody wrote: What other cars am I overlooking?

How about a 996 C2? Keep some of that dream, and they're in about the same price range as an Elise.

I haven't really lusted after any 911's made after 1989.

I like the Caymen, but the engine scares me and they're still too pricey.