So Is Miata REALLY the Answer? DD vs Toy content

So, my dad called me last night - their 1997 Miata "Speedster Edition" is going up for sale, and I have the first crack at it with a family discount. We currently use a Grand Caravan as the family vehicle, a 2001 TDI Golf as the backup/car to lend to friends/occasional commuter, and I'm daily driving a 964 this time of year. I really don't need another car.

The car is extremely clean and stock. Torsen, 1.8, never seen snow or salt. It will need a new soft-top in about a year or two. The car has been sitting for two years (indoors) since my parents (re)discovered motorcycles. Stace and I used the car for our wedding, and first road trip, so there is some attachment to the car, though not as much as to the Porsche.

I could: 1) Sell the 964, use the money for 'wiser things' (like paying a chunk off the house). Pros: responsible, save money on insurance and fuel compared to 964, WAY cheaper consumables etc. Cons: selling the car I've always wanted. The 964 also fits our whole family for a nice drive... 2) Sell the TDI, and make the Miata an all-year-round fun car, and keep the 964 for occasional use. The trouble is, unless I need the back seat I foresee the Porsche sitting a lot.

I'm told that making the 964 the family vehicle and selling the van isn't really viable.

The Miata would end up with a bunch of things from Keith: suspension, maybe Voodoo II, etc. The goal would be fun, reliable, and cost effective. Shopping for wheels and tires for the 964 makes my head hurt, for example, and it's much harder to justify a set of auto-x wheels and tires for it compared to The Answer.

Thoughts? How trouble free would a Voodoo II or similar forced induction Miata be?

Sell me the Miata? After the 2-Miata thread I'm feeling incomplete.

Depends on if you want to track it. Force induction cars need quite a bit more to deal with heat on the track, however I know lots of guys running semi built NA 1.8s pushing about 140-150hp and they are pretty happy with it. Remember its only a 2100lb car or so.

I would not want to part with the 964. I would actually think the miata would sit more unless the 964 mpg is appalling. If you are driving it over the TDI

Occasional (like, annual) track days. 6-10 Autox's per year. More power in the Miata is a greed thing, I suppose. I love torque. The 964 is averaging 24US mpg so far.

How bad would a Stage 2.5 FM suspended Miata be in snow with great tires?

City driving, my Miata does 26 MPG, but it does need a new O2 sensor. I run the popular GC and Koni sport package, and with Blizzaks, the only thing that stops it is snow buildup. If I think about it, I need to remove the front lip for the next snowfall. Consumables are certainly the lowest for any car that I have owned, though I am certainly more comfortable doing my own work V the interference design on our TDI. I can't comment in the Voodoo II, but I would think that with the addition of a good rad and proper air ducting would result in reliability on the track. Make sure you upgrade to the upgraded hardware, I am certain thatKeith can jump in with more specific recommendations.

Nathan,

figure out how to keep the Miata and the Porsche. Neither will really depreciate a significant amount (and indeed, the 964 will likely appreciate). You may not be able to "re-enter" the Porsche market easily again depending on other choices you make.

I ended up needing a four-seater "fun car" -- never underestimate the value of being able to go somewhere as a family. Even though the rear seats in the 964 are tight they are more than adequate for bringing kids to car events. I missed some events in the last few years because neither the Miata or the Elise had room to bring my son and daughter.

You could easily DD the Miata from April to November. Cheap beater for the worst of Ontario winters, and bob's your uncle . . .

From what I've read, Turbo Miata's are pretty easy to deal with if you aren't tracking them.

If you are tracking them and beating on them, it takes quite a bit of cash and work to get it back to Naturally Aspirated levels of reliability.

Big radiator and and oil cooler and ducting, Iconel studs (or the ultimate is a V-band turbo and manifold), etc etc. Go read up on Miataturbo.net and what it takes to make a reliable turbo car.

That is what turned me away from that thought, especially with out summers in OK.

Whatever you do, dont sell the 964!

Honestly, if you have to sell something to get the miata, dont get it. The mix of vehicles you have currently covers all the bases and getting rid of any of it to get a miata would be kinda silly.

My take is always just add another car. I have 12 cars. But then again it's one of my main priorities to not live in a space so constrained that i have to worry about the space taken up by cars in the low single digits. I get way more annoyed about the cost/benefit ratio of having to register/inspect/insure things for longer periods than i actually use them, than i do about them taking up space.

Agree with Vigo. Just add it to the fleet. It won't cost much in consumable or insurance.

Also agree with ZOO. Neither the Miata nor the 964 should depreciate much (the 964 may appreciate actually...prices seem to be going up right now).

Yeah I would not get rid of the 964 as the #1 priority

The 964 and the TDI have the biggest overlap in your fleet. They both do about the same car stuff, but the 964 is a bit more expensive and 1000 times more awesome. If it were me, I'd bring the Miata home with the plan of selling the TDI. Let the VW sit in the background for a month or two to get a feel for living with van/Porsche/answer as the fleet. My bet is that you'll never miss the VW. Once you realize that your life is damn near as perfect as any man on the planet, then you can sell the TDI.

Well, it's pretty much decided - and I appreciate the input, all of you. Rob, we spent most of yesterday touring backroads in the family with the 964, and you're right. We're keeping it - the kids love it, Stace and I love it, and it's a fun switch from the van for family outings. We are buying the Miata, and then parking the TDI for a bit and we'll see how it goes. Long-term, keeping 4 cars fully insured isn't really viable - insurance in Ontario is $$$.

Long-term, keeping 4 cars fully insured isn't really viable - insurance in Ontario is $$$.

If that is more of an issue for you than space, you could do what i do: only keep 3 fully legal at one time.