carmudgeons.com - View Single Post

John V · 01-25-2022, 11:48 AM

I wouldn't get much use out of a $1,000 beater Miata. But I also wouldn't get much use out of a $20,000 pristine, 3,000 mile NA Miata.

I've put some thought into this as I contemplate what vehicles I'd like to own. Would I occasionally, on nice days, take a beater Miata on a grocery store run? Or to go climb? Or just out for a drive? Probably, occasionally, and I'm sure it'd be enjoyable for those use cases. Would I take it on a 300-400 mile trip to a vacation destination with Marisa? Undoubtedly not. So ultimately such a car holds roughly zero value to me.

When we bought the 987, I contemplated purchasing an ND Miata instead. Ultimately we decided not to, because for roughly $10k more in purchase price, we got a lot more car that cost us less in depreciation in the long run.

Emotions are complicated though, and who knows why certain cars tug at us in certain ways?

01-25-2022, 11:48 AM	#2542
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	I wouldn't get much use out of a $1,000 beater Miata. But I also wouldn't get much use out of a $20,000 pristine, 3,000 mile NA Miata. I've put some thought into this as I contemplate what vehicles I'd like to own. Would I occasionally, on nice days, take a beater Miata on a grocery store run? Or to go climb? Or just out for a drive? Probably, occasionally, and I'm sure it'd be enjoyable for those use cases. Would I take it on a 300-400 mile trip to a vacation destination with Marisa? Undoubtedly not. So ultimately such a car holds roughly zero value to me. When we bought the 987, I contemplated purchasing an ND Miata instead. Ultimately we decided not to, because for roughly $10k more in purchase price, we got a lot more car that cost us less in depreciation in the long run. Emotions are complicated though, and who knows why certain cars tug at us in certain ways?