OK, so I am narrowing my list of potential new toys when my last rental property sells. I have two different lists, a nicer toy with a $20k price limit, or a more track day, autocross car with a cheap by in.
In my short list of cars, I have a Miata as a cheap trackday car, and a 911 as a car to get before the bucket kicks. I've owned numerous Miatas in the past, but never a 911 (although I have had 944 Turbos). This is a car I am going to have to keep for a while though.
Having said all of that, and seeing that you own both, which is the car you'd have trouble parting with and why?
I've been following your owner reports.
Just to throw out a few other options under consideration: Z3 M Coupe, C5 Corvette, a really nice 240Z (no projects), and on the cheap side, another 1st gen MR2 in addition to the Miata.
The 911 and Miata though are now at the top of both lists.
Woody
MegaDork
10/31/12 12:13 p.m.
I've owned two of each and the 911 is better at everything except being cheap. I fit better in the Porsche and they are faster around the track. Factory support is very good for both, but I believe in expendable track cars, and for that, the Miata is better.
David's at SEMA in Las Vegas this week, so it might be a bit before he replies.
And I'm not sure you'd ever get David to part with either... seriously.
Margie
I've never owned either, but hope to own both one day. But I have driven both in anger, so here's my take.
First, I agree with what Woody said. Second, if cost and track time is your primary goal, I would say the Miata might be the better choice. If you want to combine track use with a vintage car that does virtually everything well, drives much better than many other vintage cars, and is likely to be a fairly good investment, then the 911 would be my choice.
I love vintage cars, and although the early Miatas are getting pretty old, I have a hard time seeing them as vintage, just like I do with my CRX. I've owned a lot of vintage cars, and for the most part have not been as satisfied with the driving experience as I am with the looks. When I think of vintage cars that are the whole package - track, autocross, vintage appeal, reasonably priced, could be a DD, etc... The car that always comes to mind is the 911. For me, the '78-late 80's versions have the most appeal in this regard, but that's up to you.
I vote if you get a 911, you let me have a go in it. 
You can buy a $18k 911 and a $2k Miata. Flog the Miata in events that carry risk of destruction, and drive the 911 when the risk is lower and you just wanna be in a cooler car.
oldtin
SuperDork
10/31/12 1:53 p.m.
I'm also of the thought that a dedicated track car should be viewed as disposable. I don't have the means to consider a 911 disposable - some folks do. So to me, miata for track only. But for daily-ish, all-purpose use, I'd much rather be in a 911. Every 911 I've had/sold, I wish I had back. Miata, even an mx5 cup car - doesn't leave the same feeling.
AutoXR
HalfDork
10/31/12 2:53 p.m.
the only reason you'd ever choose a miata over a 911 is if you had never driven a 911.
AutoXR wrote:
the only reason you'd ever choose a miata over a 911 is if you had never driven a 911.
Or if you have evolved an aversion to driving costly semi-classics with tricky handling on a track as a grassroots survival instinct.
yamaha
Dork
10/31/12 3:14 p.m.
GameboyRMH wrote:
AutoXR wrote:
the only reason you'd ever choose a miata over a 911 is if you had never driven a 911.
Or if you have evolved an aversion to driving costly semi-classics with tricky handling on a track as a grassroots survival instinct.
Nah, thats part of the fun of them......if they aren't trying to kill you, it isn't a real man's porsche.
Cotton
Dork
10/31/12 3:49 p.m.
You'll have to pry my 911 from my cold dead hands...it's a keeper.
My first Miata cam bac kto me earlier this year. I am still in search of the money to get a clean 911. And a garage in which to keep it.
Sounds like I am not alone here. I have a Miata which I plan on keeping by the way and I am looking for a 911. Would like to have both.
Yep, we're at SEMA, and for some reason I had trouble with my hotel internet until this evening (file under operator error). Which one is the true keeper? Tough call. Let me ponder that one while at dinner, but have you driven both? Every now and then, believe it or not, I meet someone who's totally lukewarm to one of those cars. Weird, eh?
And I think I have my final answer. I'm late for the dinner bus, so I'll post it once I get back.
M3Loco
New Reader
10/31/12 8:48 p.m.
Just get the Z3 MCoupe and don't look back.. Decent examples can be had for about 10-15K. Great engine (S52), and consumables are not that bad. Awesome HPDE/Auto-x Combo...
Enjoy!
Jaynen
HalfDork
10/31/12 9:53 p.m.
Is this guy a canoe? Or just really excited about that particular car in multiple threads?
M3Loco
New Reader
10/31/12 10:08 p.m.
Jaynen wrote:
Is this guy a canoe? Or just really excited about that particular car in multiple threads?
Ha,, excited// LOL.. I had his same dilemma about 2 years ago and after much debate, I found the light and "settled" on that particular car.
R..
Thanks for all of the replies! David's dinner is a bit long though, but then again he is in Las Vegas!
I should probably have also pointed out that this has a lot to do with how I see my new toy. Do I want to get back into doing a lot more track days, autocrosses, etc. (did these for 25 years or so, last event was '05 Crow Mountain Hill Climb), or will I simply be happy with the occasional motorsports fun and having a great toy for weekend blasts. I have a Cooper S for day to day stuff, so I'm not totally devoid of driving fun.
If I went the Miata route, I would probably go NB with FI, on the 911, a mid to late '80's coupe, no Targa. Although they seem to be the most common for sale at the moment.
z31maniac wrote:
David S. Wallens wrote:
And I think I have my final answer. I'm late for the dinner bus, so I'll post it once I get back.
Awfully long dinner!
Yeah, got home late. You know it's a cool dinner when Linda Vaughn shows up dressed as Elvira.
And now I'm late for a meeting.
docwyte
HalfDork
11/1/12 11:51 a.m.
Color me as one of the people who's never liked miata's. I get the cool convertible thing, but other than that I just don't like them. I don't fit well in them mostly, I tend to need to carry stuff that will never fit in one and I like cars with more powa!
I will get myself a nice 964 C2 at some point. The 911 Carrera's are quite expensive now, especially one with the G50 transmission. 911 SC's are getting up there, 993's are ridiculously expensive. The 964's are somewhat being overlooked, at least for now...
