05-17-2011, 01:16 PM
I pretty much second everything Jake's been saying (especially RWD>FWD!). I bought my Miata way back when for the same reasoning of combining a good DD and fun car. I only originally planned on making two autocrosses a year...HAH, 2 regional STS championships later and countless events here we are...The car has pulled double duty flawlessly for the most part and I've driven it every winter through virtually every snowstorm (ever pass a stuck Explorer in an open diff miata that's pushing snow on the chin spoiler...ALWAYS FUNNY).
You can make one car do it all you just have to set limits to what you're going to do with it and what you'll expect of it in each situation. I recommend focusing on the M3 and keeping it happy and relatively stock. They're great cars in factory trim. Maybe get some better tires or a second set of rims with someone else's last-year's cast off R-comps. Save the rest of the money for maintainance and maybe once a year buy the car "a treat" or performance part. Keeps the car feeling new and keeps you from being burnt out.
I've had my Miata since '06 and with this formula I've never the slightest inclination to sell it. I don't expect a totally cushy ride although the stock seats and adjustable shocks do help that alot. I don't expect a quiet exhaust (I'm not old yet!!!) Likewise I don't expect FTD's at autocrosses with it (Although I'll damn sure try!).
And like Jake said, having two cars means maintainance X2 as I found out this year when I got a second car for winter duty (an FWD Oldsmobile). Had to tear down the entire top end and replace the headgaskets and clean the lifters...Miata ended up doing winter duty anyways. My time and money would have probably better spent on the Miata.
You can make one car do it all you just have to set limits to what you're going to do with it and what you'll expect of it in each situation. I recommend focusing on the M3 and keeping it happy and relatively stock. They're great cars in factory trim. Maybe get some better tires or a second set of rims with someone else's last-year's cast off R-comps. Save the rest of the money for maintainance and maybe once a year buy the car "a treat" or performance part. Keeps the car feeling new and keeps you from being burnt out.
I've had my Miata since '06 and with this formula I've never the slightest inclination to sell it. I don't expect a totally cushy ride although the stock seats and adjustable shocks do help that alot. I don't expect a quiet exhaust (I'm not old yet!!!) Likewise I don't expect FTD's at autocrosses with it (Although I'll damn sure try!).
And like Jake said, having two cars means maintainance X2 as I found out this year when I got a second car for winter duty (an FWD Oldsmobile). Had to tear down the entire top end and replace the headgaskets and clean the lifters...Miata ended up doing winter duty anyways. My time and money would have probably better spent on the Miata.