Please talk me down

Can't do it. The Corvette is probably the ONLY American car that I would ever consider buying. Still, if I could afford $50K to spend on a car, I would also keep an older miata as a second toy.

Pat

This is a no-brainer, Tom. You don't want to die wondering if you blew a life opportunity by passing up the Vette--better to take the leap while you're young enough to enjoy it, and see what happens. If it's a mistake, you'll deal with it and move on, but you won't suffer the regret of indecision.

And I'd keep the Miata, if possible. It's not worth much as a trade, and you won't want to be without a roadster for those beautiful spring days and warm summer nights.

Gas mileage? Paying 50K for a car half again as big with no more room? Having to deal with the members of the Corvette forums vs. Miata forums? Knowing that you could buy a nice low mileage Miata for what you will lose in depreciation the first day?

OTOH you only live once and it's only money.

Tom, like some of the other responses, I would buy the Vette but keep the Miata. Tell your insurance agent that the Miata will be a low use vehicle, put enough liability to keep yourself protected, then do away with any collision. You'll keep your insurance cost down and be able to have both. I'm thinking of using the same logic with a new Boxter and my 50k mile '90. (I have another daily driver)

You've nailed it! Corvettes are the "attainable dream car" for a lot of American buyers. Most of them lusted for decades so they are not about to find any flaws at this point.

It's just a car. If you can truly afford it there's nothing wrong with buying one. On the other hand there are thousands of cheap cast off old dream Corvettes for sale that were babied by their first owners.

-John

If you can truly afford the 'Vette and you want it, don't die wondering if you made a mistake (you're probably better off buying the 'Vette than drinking a

It sounds like you might be able to afford to keep a Miata, as well. Cars aren't like women (despite romantic notions to the contrary), they don't get jealous, you can have more than one at a time.

So my helpful counseling is - just do it.

;-)

Think about it. It's not like you can take either one with you when you go, so...

Just Do It!

Personally, I thought the C5 was one of the best iterations of the Corvette. That is, until I saw a C6 up close. Chevy will have a tough time topping this one 10 years from now.

If, in the afterglow, you find it's not what you thought, I doubt finding your way back into a Miata will be tough to pull off.

Oh yeah, take if from someone who knows -- there is nothing like a V8 with a stick. Nothing!

Tom,

I, too, have lusted after a 'vette since 1992. It's simple, as most everyone has already said. Buy the 'vette coupe, and keep the Miata. Your Miata is worth squat as a trade-in anyway, and I can't see going from a convertible to a coupe.

If you were going to completely replace the Miata, I don't see why you're not considering the C6 convertible? They're even going to produce a Z06 convertible later this year as well. I think that would be the only car worth considering to replace a Miata.

If I had the money (and room in my garage) myself, I'd be seriously thinking about doing the same thing.

Regards, H.

Except maybe a V-10 with a stick...

;-)

Dana

Never drove a V10 powered vehicle, but in theory it would have to be more fun, wouldn't it?

V6 w/stick = fun

V8 w/stick = BLAST

V10 w/stick ~= "Hang on, Martha, I'll peel you off the seat!"

However, where can you find a V10 Rocket that's priced like a Vette? Dodge Ram, maybe, but I don't think they handle quite the same. ;-)

ps: Before I raise too many eyebrows -- Miata w/stick = Nirvana

Yeah, I haven't really shopped for a Viper, but they're probably

But we weren't looking at bang/buck ratio, were we? If we were, a Mazdaspeed Miata or a WRX STi probably wins.

"Tom Howlin" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@rcn.net...

My info is a bit dated. I've had two Vettes, a 1961 and 1968. Lost a job and had to get rid of the first one. On the 68, I bought it used for $3000 (my mother told me about it - its owner worked with her, was getting married, his bride-to-be insisted that he get rid of it and get a family car), kept it for 4 years, and sold it for $3800. At that time, almost all the gadgets on the car were vaccuum operated, there was a bundle of hoses that ran through the center of the car that was 4" in diameter, and they leaked as they got older. I was a perfectionist on it, and wanted everything working. Plug changes - let it cool down overnight, then 7 of the 8 came out fairly easy, the last one needed a contortionist with a lot of snapon tools. I did enjoy the car. It wasn't as much sports car as the Fiat spyder I had later, or the Opel GT, or the MG-B (or my present 328 BMW convertible). It also wasn't as much true sports car at the time as my wife's 1997 Miata. GM has refined the car over the years. My feeling is that of a lot of your responders - get the Vette, if you can afford it, it will not preclude your doing the other things that you need to do (family responsibilities, giving to church/charity as you feel needed, etc.). If you can do it, keep the Miata, you can always sell it 3 months later if you really feel that you don't need it. My Fiat was the only car I owned twice - I traded it for a 3/4 ton van, then bought it back a year later (10mpg on the van, 40mpg on the roadster); that turned me on to having two cars. Even with one new car, they do break down and you need something to drive. Two used cars don't cost that much more (mostly the extra insurance), and you've still got a ride. BTW, I did drive the BMW roadster also before buying the 4 seater, the 4 seater handled just as good as the roadster. Jim

If you got the money, then it's only money. Enjoy that Corvette. Set up a road trip to Bowling Green to pick it up.

I would gor for the C6, and keep the Miata. A 14 year old Miata has very little trade in value, so why not keep it? I have only heard great things about the new C6, just like I have only heard great things about Miatas. I wish I could insure two cars for 1200 a year.

------------- Alex

OK Tom, I've seen your Miata. Here's what I offer: Sell me the '92 for $1500 and buy the 'Vette. I'll sign a contract that states if at any time in the next 12 months you don't feel you made the right decision I'll sell you your Miata back for $1500. I promise not to drive the snot out of it. Seriously, call me if you want to sell it.

BTW, my OTM mechanic sold his Corvette to start his auto repair business, swearing that as soon as he could afford it he would get another. He now has a very clean white C5, partially due to the money I've spent keeping our former OTM Chrysler Concorde in operating condition.

Ken,

It's a tough decision because I dearly love that little car but the Vette is calling to me. Of course, I found out today that ordering one is out of the question since the dealers (at least in Fredericksburg and Richmond) are selling out of their allottments and so don't have any ordering room. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, it has to be exactly what I want and not something I'm settling for. They told me today that 2005 production will continue through August instead of ending in June like normal and things might not free up until the 2006 models are released (I guess they replenish their allottment at that time). I think the advice on here is sound, keep the Miata no matter what I do, at least until I decide if I made the right decision.

If I ever do decide to sell it, it will almost certainly have to go to a member of the Miata family from this newsgroup or miata.net. As stupid as it sounds, it would really bother me if some youngster bought it and decided to rice it up or add a body kit of something equally destructive to the character of the car. I'll call you if it ever does go up for sale.

Thanks to everyone's input, not that it talked me down at all! Even my wife is supportive with the same argument, you only live once.

Tom

Ken Ly> OK Tom, I've seen your Miata. Here's what I offer: Sell me the '92 for $1500

Just as a note, the 2006 model is offering a 7.0L 427 "small block" engine... 500hp and 7000rpm redline. Slightly more info at:

Those aren't the only Chevy dealers on the planet. For the right car, you might consider flying almost anywhere and driving it back.