[masraum]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

(!$... or 914

Don't consider anything less.

One of the most important criteria for me when shopping for a car is TCO... That's Total Cost of Ownership

The 914 will still be worth what it is today in 5 or even 10 years time. Maybe even a bit more.
Of course you have to eat running cost etc but...

If you're using logic only then the 914 is the only one you should consider. It's way more solid than a Miata and therefore safer in a crash. (touch wood)
If you go with your heart then the 914 is the only one to consider.
If you want to look Steve McQueen cool then the 914 is the only one to consider.

Don't get me wrong. I think the Miata is a great car but it's not worth burning money on. End of story...

It sounds like you don't know much about miatas. Ive had a 911 and three miatas (no 914). I feel pretty qualified to talk about miatas. They are very solidly put together/built. You say the 914 will hold its value, and assuming rust doesn't eat the thing, that's probably true. Miatas do hold their value, pretty well too. The ther thing that you mention is having to eat the operating costs, which for an old 914 and the price of parts for porsches culd be healthy. Miatas are extremely reliable, bulletproof is the term commonly used. Operating costs are pretty minimal for a miata.

914s are safer in a crash? Really? What makes you say that? I'd say that's absolutely wrong. The miata has the benefit of more modern crashworthiness engineering that did not exist when Tyne 914 was around.