I've narrowed my next project for an SCCA competition vehicle down to those two (for now). I can find both high mileage for the same price and having a hard time justifying which one would be better. I know most BMW parts are going to be more $ and then there is the simple fact it's an E36. Miata parts are cheap, plentiful, and I can deadlift the weight of a gutted one. I do like the fact that the BMW already comes with a hard top though.
would rather daily an E36. would rather competition-vehicle a miata.
What sort of competition?
DirtyBird222 wrote: I've narrowed my next project for an SCCA competition vehicle down to those two (for now). I can find both high mileage for the same price and having a hard time justifying which one would be better. I know most BMW parts are going to be more $ and then there is the simple fact it's an E36. Miata parts are cheap, plentiful, and I can deadlift the weight of a gutted one. I do like the fact that the BMW already comes with a hard top though.
Coming from E30s..........I was surpised to see a lot of stuff costs more for the Miata.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: What sort of competition?
This.
Uhhh, well I get to DD both (99 Miata and M3). The M3 to me is more comfortable to DD and a better autoX car (I know...I was surprised too). The M3 has stock springs and UUC bars, and the Miata has FM springs and bars with a roll bar. The NA and NB Miatas just don't have the structural rigidity that I'd want for an everyday DD and they seem too skitish at the limit for confidence inspiring autoX. I love Miatas (this is my second), but the E36 is a lot of car for the money. Even a 325is is a great DD and autoX toy, but the 328 and M3 really have the power to impress.
Can't beat a Miata on a windy road with the top down on a nice day though. And if you replace the TB at 80k miles you will likely not have a serious problem in a Miata...they are just dead nuts reliable, not the way I'd describe the E36 (which is not a lemon, just requires more maintenance).
Non M E36s are all-around cheap. I wouldn't be surprised if lots of things about a Miata would be more money. E36s are bigger and a lot heavier. I like my 1994 325i--recently added a 96+ M3 rear sway bar. With some $300 used Kumho V710s it dominated the PAX index this past weekend. Still a couple of seconds from FTD though. Maybe if I had started with a 328i... It could use even more rear bar, but that is out of the budget right now.
miatame wrote: The NA and NB Miatas just don't have the structural rigidity that I'd want for an everyday DD and they seem too skitish at the limit for confidence inspiring autoX.
Properly set up with an experienced driver any generation Miata will kick the snot out of a non M BMW in autoX unless you are running long courses with lots of straight sections. Or if the BMW was extremely well prepped and the Miata was not. That being said they are the two best cars of the 80's, 90's and 00's and either one is a joy. I say buy both so you have a spare. Just my 2cents.
There is no answer to which one is better, it all depends on the class/prep level you desire to run.
E36 non-Ms are competitive in DS, STX and DSP
NA Miatae are competitive in ES, STS, and CSP
NB Miatae are potentially competitive in STR, CS, definitely competitive in CSP
Even then, depending on the model/trim level you choose, the above may vary.
z31maniac wrote:DirtyBird222 wrote: I've narrowed my next project for an SCCA competition vehicle down to those two (for now). I can find both high mileage for the same price and having a hard time justifying which one would be better. I know most BMW parts are going to be more $ and then there is the simple fact it's an E36. Miata parts are cheap, plentiful, and I can deadlift the weight of a gutted one. I do like the fact that the BMW already comes with a hard top though.Coming from E30s..........I was surpised to see a lot of stuff costs more for the Miata.
Stock parts or aftermarket? Stock parts you just need to know Wally apparently around here
I think the decision here comes down to how much beer, tires, tools and/or buddies you need to bring with you to the track.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: I think the decision here comes down to how much beer, tires, tools and/or buddies you need to bring with you to the track.
More?
No autox, more like Spec Miata or an IT class. As much as I love autoxing and I will still continue to do it, after a lot of track days, I feel I'm ready to make a leap over to the road racing side of things. There is a spec miata for sale in the local area for cheap and I would love to buy it but it's just out of my budget for now. I was planning on buying something in the challenge price range and building it up over time.
But still street legal? Or you will trailer it?
If you want a real race car I would shop racingjunk etc for already done up IT cars and save a lot of money
Better yet maybe rent one for a weekend first?
For trackdays, does your local venue allow convertibles?
If it is going to be a track car I think the e36 is a no brainer. If it was Autox I would probably lean towards the Miata although the local club is dominated by an e36 M3 CSL...
Matthew Huizing wrote: I wouldn't be surprised if lots of things about a Miata would be more money.
Not in my expreience.
I drive both and they are both excellent platforms. The E36 will be faster but will require more care and feeding for more money.
I'd think that the choice would come down to which car you'd drive and wrench on, and which would get you into the most fun class on track. In my case, that would be a Miata.
I have both. I love both. You need both 
The Miata is cheaper on consumables. The parts for the M3 are usually cheaper than for the Miata. Either choice will bring you about as much happiness and enjoyment as possible for the pricepoint.
this will be a trailer queen, although florida doesn't have inspections so i could throw street tires on it, and put a trailer on the back of it with tires and tools and drive it to a venue lol. As for the convertible question, i would have a hardtop on it anyways.
Have you driven either car? DirtyBird?
Isn't the E36 a tow vehicle for the Miata? Just kidding. I've owned both, and as always, it depends. They are very different cars, but turn is similar on both. The Miata will always be cheaper to run, they simply have fewer failures, and to me, were easier on consumables. It was more fun on track too. But...for a real car, the BMW is the winner. It's simply better as a real car, with real hauling capacity and FAR, FAR better seats.
Of course, these days, i wouldn't really want an E36 unless it were an M3. They aren't that pricey anymore and the difference in the cars makes it a better choice. It's simply so much better than the standard E36 that I were to go through the trouble of another E36, it better be the M.
Jaynen wrote: Have you driven either car? DirtyBird?
Yes, I have, Jaynen. Yes, I have.
Which one has more people participating locally? spec e36 or spec miata? Or are you looking for time trial based stuff?
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