Scrappy, the Audi needs some work to be reliable, but can handle short commutes and such in inclement weather. I have driven a light RWD on snow/ice with my old Miata and will NEVER do so again. The track build Miata will never see the street ever again, so that takes it out of the running for another car. So yes, I am looking for a third car that I can just drive and not worry about it dying on me while driving out-of-state. The third car will basically stay stock with MAYBE some minor bolt-ons. Don't need another project to dump money into...

hustler, I feel your pain on the VAG problems. I have had 2 coilpacks go bad on me in the past. I now drive around with 4 spares in my trunk at all times just incase. Also carry a few other things everywhere I go just incase as well. They are awesome when they are running properly and nothing is wrong. However, when something IS wrong it usually has a snowball effect. Mine currently has no-ABS (ABS Module is shot, known problem with my chassis) and the CEL is on (CAS, which was replaced and the CEL came back on after driving the car and stopping for gas). So I feel your pain on those accounts.

Yes, keep telling yourself the Audi can be reliable. If you totally swap every electric switch and sensor with something from Autozone/Duralast, you can get there. I basically did this with my Jetta, then it was pretty reliable until the emissions pipes and fittings started machining themselves away, the transmissions kept breaking, and the electronics in the car stopped working in general. This does not include the windows falling into the doors.

I like to give myself hope... What can I say. Haha The B5's are TERRIBLE with electronics as I know very well. Have spare fuses with me to prove this fact. Had to replace multiple relays already, etc. :(

Do yourself a favor and cut it loose, you'll have a lot more time to work on the Miata. I think you can get an old 200-2003 Outback wagon on the cheap. Those have one problem...headgaskets. Replace them with an updated Subaru headgasket and it will go foverever. Really, stop wasting your time. I realized this when my track Miata was more reliable than my daily driver VW.

German Cars != Reliable

Especially when it comes to electronics.

And the damned interference engines . . . how stupid.

My personal experience is with MB. I've heard terrible things about VW and Audi. No personal experience with BMW.

So, you want an inexpensive, reliable and practical DD for a relatively short and uninspiring commute that will let you spend mad money on your track Miata. Old Toyota? Old Honda? Old Subaru? Old Mazda3 or 6? Old GM or Ford? What about an extended cab Ford Ranger? Or if you want a guaranteed 250,000 miles, Ford F-150. The choices are endless. I don't know why you are looking at 2-seat sports cars given the criteria.

Without more info, I am going to side with hustler here. I think you deal with the sunk costs of the Audi, repair and sell or part it out, and get yourself a more reliable mode of all-weather transportation. I would think something like a WRX or 2.5 RS (that wasn't beat to death) could work as a compromise of "fun" and "functional" and still work in your budget.

I have to think the Audi will continue to divert resources from the project Miata (in terms of time and money) and you will have the upkeep and maintenance and taxes and fees, etc on an extra car.

Yup, if I was him I'd get a WRX wagon and sell the Audi. With a few bolt ons it would be fast. He could also pick up large parts for the miata or dead bodies.

I like the idea of picking up dead bodies...