I don't need a third car, right?

I always have car alerts for all kinds of cars and the temptation is always there, so a third car has been on my mind for a little bit. 

I have a 2017 Focus ST(my daily!) and a 1994 NA Miata I take to the track/car meets. This already seems like a perfect two-car solution right? Kind of! I'm strongly considering adding an NC Miata, Gen 1 BRZ(inspired by the 86 Cup - https://86challenge.us/), or a used 2017-ish Mustang to the lineup.

Soooo, here's the challenges I have:

• I live in an apartment
  • I pay for a parking spot in my apartment complex for my ST and external storage for my Miata. 
• Car thefts/break-ins are pretty common out here.
  • My Miata is in storage (45 minutes away!) and not street-parked, because it's too common of a target for thieves. It adds a lot of extra driving time and coordination to use it. Which means I drive it a lot less than I should. Sadly.
  • Because I track my Miata and have PTSD from someone already trying to steal it once, I usually spend money on hotels as a part of track days. Usually, the day before and after so I can pick it up directly from storage, drive to location, rest up, and drive it right back to storage. 
• My wife doesn't drive, so I have to do all the logistics around car shuffling.
• Whatever I get next, should have enough built-in anti-theft features that I can feel comfortable street parking it for the night.
  • This is still a gamble(again, my area is WILD), and I might get much cheaper, outdoor storage instead of completely street parking.

Anyway, is the answer that I track my ST for those days when I don't feel like coordinating a bunch? Or do I just go ahead and follow my dreams of getting a third, more accessible, car? 

Asking here if you should buy another car only gets you a predictable answer...

In reply to BoxheadTim :

Yes. Even better, ask yourself if you need a fourth car. Then only getting a third car will seem very reasonable. 

Ha. So far it's two votes for getting a third car. 

Don't buy third car look to move somewhere that theft isn't such a huge concern? Then be able to pull the Miata out of storage? 

Is there a storage place closer that you could rent to keep your current Miata closer to you? If the area is as wild as it sounds, I wouldn't want to add another car to worry about to the mix, unless there's somewhere very close that offers secure parking. Or just get the third car and get a very good insurance policy on it.

Another car will not get you the satisfaction you want, mostly just more hassles.   If the 2 you have are not what you want, then get a different pair that will.   My wife and I currently have 7 cars including 2 race cars, and it is just too much, and some of them almost never get used as a result, not to mention the hassles of the remote storage, keeping up with maintenance, repairs, and insurance, let alone your theft problems.  Skip the hassle, not worth it.  

In reply to z31maniac :

I should have added this to the initial post. Because my wife doesn't drive, I'm limited to areas with a robust public transportation system. BART in particular. So that really limits where we can move to.
 

You only don't need the 3rd car if you already have a 4th and 5th car.

In reply to 90BuickCentury :

For sure! I am looking into (more) local storage options. Shockingly, the secure parking I have right now doesn't completely stop thieves. They can be pretty determined out here in the East Bay. 

In reply to Sonic :

This is a good perspective. Thanks for sharing. 

A third vehicle doesn't do anything different than the first 2 really. I could see selling the miata for a Twin since you don't even have the miata on the street where you are at. 

Honestly, sounds like you need to move to a different place which I know isn't easy in the bay area. That would be better than the options you are describing. 

Agree with the thinking that given the crime rate and the car storage/logistical issues, a third car wouldn't make the situation better.

Just track the ST on the days you don't want to be bothered. I somtimes leave my race car at home and just go and instruct at track days.  The change of pace is nice.

For the record I've got a vintage race car (Datsun 1200), a dual duty Foxbody Mustang, my daily driver Outback and a van to tow the race car......but I have a 3 car garage and ample parking.

If I didn't have those things I'd have one car that does it all and simply rent a car for vintage races.

"Built-in anti-theft features" is an oxymoron.  If someone wants to steal your car and has sufficient time/knowledge, it's as good as gone.  It's like calling the withdrawal method "built-in birth control".

David S. Wallens said:

In reply to BoxheadTim :

Yes. Even better, ask yourself if you need a fourth car. Then only getting a third car will seem very reasonable. 

You guys only have 4? :)

That said, IMHO to keep sanity each car needs a clear purpose, well-defined and fairly unique.  For example I have a DD, a race car, a tow vehicle for the race car, a cars-and-coffee car, a "my wife's car" car, and... my Miata.  Which lacks a clearly defined purpose, it used to do all of other things (well, except wife's car), but has now been supplanted in most of those and is struggling to find a new role, which is part of why I hardly ever drive it any more.

ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) said:

"Built-in anti-theft features" is an oxymoron.  If someone wants to steal your car and has sufficient time/knowledge, it's as good as gone.  It's like calling the withdrawal method "built-in birth control".

So what you're suggesting is that Duckzero needs to buy a biturbo?

In reply to codrus (Forum Supporter) :

But seriously, more than anything, I want more time to enjoy the cars that I already have. 

codrus (Forum Supporter) said:

David S. Wallens said:

In reply to BoxheadTim :

Yes. Even better, ask yourself if you need a fourth car. Then only getting a third car will seem very reasonable. 

You guys only have 4? :)

More like four too many.

Can you find a partner to share driving time and expenses. Maybe that gets the Miata closer to you and used more often? 
 

Where are you tracking? Any easier options keeping the Miata near the track? 
 

Move. Kidding not kidding.  Then add car.  Keep all at home.  

Duckzero said:

In reply to z31maniac :

I should have added this to the initial post. Because my wife doesn't drive, I'm limited to areas with a robust public transportation system. BART in particular. So that really limits where we can move to.
 

That isn't good. 

I just know I wouldn't even have the car I have now if it wasn't isn't in a garage or like my previous apartment where it was in secured parking. 

Half the reason I sold the 944 was I didn't really have room for 5 cars.  And that's keeping me from adding E36 M3 I keep seeing on Marketplace.

The fact that you are paying for parking for two different cars would really give me pause on a 3rd.

I'm not sure how many cars I have right now or even how many I keep insurance on. I do know that it is the maximum number of cars that I have suitable space to keep. I find a new home for one every time I get another.

With one at the apartment and one stored 45 minutes away it sounds like you are at maximum now. ...or how much trouble is it to get adjacent storage for #3?

In reply to GTwannaB :

That's a great idea. I'm the only one out of my immediate friend group that tracks at all. 

I'm 2 hours away from Thunderhill + Laguna Seca and 45 from Sonoma. So I've got some options. I spent a bunch of time last night looking at closer spots. I plan to look at them in person this weekend.