MR2 Roadster or MX5
Discussion
MR2 Roadster 1.8 vvti 2001 model v's Mazda MX5 1.8s 2000 model
Cost the same, same insurance, same running costs, very same. Which is better though? Impossible to get an answer from asking the ownersclubs as they are always biast.
Then throw into the equation for both for £5000 inc vat drive in n/a drive out turbo is available from UK tuning companies. The MR2 ends up with 279bhp the Mazda 230bhp.
????
Which and why (NO, ONES MORE/LESS GIRLY THAN THE OTHER CR*P) just handling/ engines / build quality stuff?
Cost the same, same insurance, same running costs, very same. Which is better though? Impossible to get an answer from asking the ownersclubs as they are always biast.
Then throw into the equation for both for £5000 inc vat drive in n/a drive out turbo is available from UK tuning companies. The MR2 ends up with 279bhp the Mazda 230bhp.
????
Which and why (NO, ONES MORE/LESS GIRLY THAN THE OTHER CR*P) just handling/ engines / build quality stuff?
If it's your 'fun' car, and you don't need the luggage space of the MX5, it has to be the MR2, it's more focused and less dilluted than the MX (although that is also a gem of a car, so I am talking relative terms), so I have a feeling the MR2 would be more fun to drive, if you like the twisties.
Having said that, I think they're both top cars - its just the MR2 is slightly more driver focused.
All IMOHO, of course.
Having said that, I think they're both top cars - its just the MR2 is slightly more driver focused.
All IMOHO, of course.
As an MX-5 owner I am clearly biased but I'd get the MX-5. The handling is perfect, the car is balanced and precise. It's great fun to drive both on the road and on the track. The roof is amazing, you really can put it up/down from inside the car in about 5-10 seconds!
If I were you I'd go with a supercharger rather than a turbo to maintain the nice linear power delivery: www.brperformance.com/ I think that performance5 will be offering the new MP62 coldside kits soon...
If I were you I'd go with a supercharger rather than a turbo to maintain the nice linear power delivery: www.brperformance.com/ I think that performance5 will be offering the new MP62 coldside kits soon...
Having had 2 MX5 and having sat in (but not driven) MR2's I would have to say MX5 all the way. Both are fab cars but the practicality of the MX5 marks it just above the MR2. You can get a weekly shop in the Mazda and use it for weekends away too. Can't imagine you can get much in the MR2's meager storage space. The mazda is a peach to drive and you'd be amazed how many guys own them. The owners club is great too, track days, national meets and suchlike.
I tried the MR2 before I got the MX-5.
MR2
pros - felt very agile, felt a bit quicker than the MX5
cons - luggage space, limits were higher than mx5 but didn't feel comfortable near them & for me, not so fun, sweaty back from heat of engine
MX5
pros - limited grip & superb chassis meant fun was on tap at reasonably low speeds. Still quick enough to lose most cars on the twisties.
cons - didn't feel as direct as MR2, at 6'1" leg room was a bit tight (but was still fine for 4 hour journey).
IMO best thing to do is get out there & test drive one of each. I went with a mate and he ended getting an MR2, I got an MX5. Different strokes for different folks
MR2
pros - felt very agile, felt a bit quicker than the MX5
cons - luggage space, limits were higher than mx5 but didn't feel comfortable near them & for me, not so fun, sweaty back from heat of engine
MX5
pros - limited grip & superb chassis meant fun was on tap at reasonably low speeds. Still quick enough to lose most cars on the twisties.
cons - didn't feel as direct as MR2, at 6'1" leg room was a bit tight (but was still fine for 4 hour journey).
IMO best thing to do is get out there & test drive one of each. I went with a mate and he ended getting an MR2, I got an MX5. Different strokes for different folks
MX-5. They're less of a prurer driver's machine than the MR2 but I reckon they're just as much, if not more, fun. The MX-5 is HUGELY predictable and I think this counts very much when purchasing a car that forces you to use the handling as an advantage rather than outright speed.
Combover
Combover
I would say the MR 2 is quicker. Personally though, I'm not keen on mid-engined handling. Yes, its quicker, but less fun than trad front engine/rwd IMO.
Then the big one: Luggage space. You need to remember that possibly the best country in the world to drive in is just over the channel, and sadly the lack of luggage space in the MR2 seriously compromises the ability for 2 people to go there for anything longer than a weekend. That would be the deciding factor for me, I couldn't live with that lack of space.
Its a shame because the MR2 really is a nice car (says this supercharged MX5 owner).
Then the big one: Luggage space. You need to remember that possibly the best country in the world to drive in is just over the channel, and sadly the lack of luggage space in the MR2 seriously compromises the ability for 2 people to go there for anything longer than a weekend. That would be the deciding factor for me, I couldn't live with that lack of space.
Its a shame because the MR2 really is a nice car (says this supercharged MX5 owner).
I had an MX5 and a mate had an MR2, I prefer the MX5, I had the choice of both but it was the looks that put me off the MR2, I just wasnt that keen. I enjoyed every aspect of the MX5 and I would have no problem in selling my elise and going back to one, they really are that good, suprisingly practical as well, but freakishly bad on fuel for a light 1.8.
Nick J
Nick J
Rawwr said:
Definitely take the mx5 imho. Fabulous limit handling and so exploitable, all at sensible speeds. I really fancy one myself.
Stop making me agree with you.
Hard to disagree on this though. MX5s are great if you can get over the hairdresser image.
Personally I'd get the oldest, cheapest, mechanically sound one you can, put a proper roll over bar in, and become a master of sideways in it. Some nice hard tyres too so it doesn't grip
I drove a 2003 MR2 for 2 years, as my only car. Lack of luggage space can be an issue.
It's not a car you can get sideways at will, as the MX5 seems to be (I've never tried one though). I did a driving day at Boxberg in Germany run by the head test driver for RUF, Wolfgang Weber, and he said the MR2 is a tricky car to drive well. This was before we started, so he wasn't just trying to make me feel better
It's not a car you can get sideways at will, as the MX5 seems to be (I've never tried one though). I did a driving day at Boxberg in Germany run by the head test driver for RUF, Wolfgang Weber, and he said the MR2 is a tricky car to drive well. This was before we started, so he wasn't just trying to make me feel better
As an MR2r owner i'd just like to point out one thing......storage is NON EXISTANT!!
still, I didn't buy a 2 seat rag top for lugging lots of baggage.
Handling is great on the 2, and I've spoken to a few owners with the turbo kits who maintain that the handling doesn't suffer at the expense of power.
It's not the easiest car to get sideways though, very quick transition from perfect line to watching a hedge coming towards you
Someone mentioned the roof on the MX being used, the 2 will match it,
If you need to carry anything more than 2 sports bags, get the 5, if you want a more focused drive and don't mind the crud storage idea behind the seats, go for the 2
Both are great cars at the end of the day, even if the 5 is a little rounded and fluffy
still, I didn't buy a 2 seat rag top for lugging lots of baggage.
Handling is great on the 2, and I've spoken to a few owners with the turbo kits who maintain that the handling doesn't suffer at the expense of power.
It's not the easiest car to get sideways though, very quick transition from perfect line to watching a hedge coming towards you
Someone mentioned the roof on the MX being used, the 2 will match it,
If you need to carry anything more than 2 sports bags, get the 5, if you want a more focused drive and don't mind the crud storage idea behind the seats, go for the 2
Both are great cars at the end of the day, even if the 5 is a little rounded and fluffy
Whichever you choose - get a blower for the engine 
The current MR2 (which IIRC isn't the one you're talking about) is less than a tonne and much lighter than the previous model, but the previous model was available in Japan with the GT-Four engine so you can have as much power as you want.
My girlfriend had a slightly-tweaked import MX-5 long ago and it was fantastic to drive, leak proof roof, utterly reliable, comfortable, good boot space for a roadster, good visibility, and incredibly friendly. By this I mean it never bit back when taking the piss. Low speed oversteer (e.g. roundabouts) no problems. High speed 4-wheel drifts with a touch of oversteer, no problems. Even shit drivers like me could explore the limits in an MX-5, it is truly that forgiving.
However I was always wishing for more power (my girlfriend wasn't, and it was her car, so there you go).
I reckon a supercharged MX-5 is what you need. Superchargers are *much* better on the road than turbos
The current MR2 (which IIRC isn't the one you're talking about) is less than a tonne and much lighter than the previous model, but the previous model was available in Japan with the GT-Four engine so you can have as much power as you want.
My girlfriend had a slightly-tweaked import MX-5 long ago and it was fantastic to drive, leak proof roof, utterly reliable, comfortable, good boot space for a roadster, good visibility, and incredibly friendly. By this I mean it never bit back when taking the piss. Low speed oversteer (e.g. roundabouts) no problems. High speed 4-wheel drifts with a touch of oversteer, no problems. Even shit drivers like me could explore the limits in an MX-5, it is truly that forgiving.
However I was always wishing for more power (my girlfriend wasn't, and it was her car, so there you go).
I reckon a supercharged MX-5 is what you need. Superchargers are *much* better on the road than turbos
I would say from experience that the MX-5 will never dissapoint... it is a big thirsty though (under 20mpg for me) ...but then again I dont exact drive in a ...umm... fuel efficient sort of way - the car really encourages spirited driving
I did look at (but never drove) the MR2 when I was considering cars. The thing that drew me to the MR2 most was the SMT... although the general opinion on it was that it wasnt very good... just thought that would be fun and a nice warmup for say... a Ferrari down the road
but yea, all in all, I would take the MX-5... after a while it starts to look like a handsome, admirable design as well
one thing to be cautious about though - since I've bought the car, there hasnt been a day thats gone past where I havent heard a comment by either my friends or family... or on this website about my car being 'girly' and all that junk. Personally, I just tune the idiots out. But, if you are a bit vunerable to peer pressure, you might want to think twice...
I did look at (but never drove) the MR2 when I was considering cars. The thing that drew me to the MR2 most was the SMT... although the general opinion on it was that it wasnt very good... just thought that would be fun and a nice warmup for say... a Ferrari down the road
but yea, all in all, I would take the MX-5... after a while it starts to look like a handsome, admirable design as well
one thing to be cautious about though - since I've bought the car, there hasnt been a day thats gone past where I havent heard a comment by either my friends or family... or on this website about my car being 'girly' and all that junk. Personally, I just tune the idiots out. But, if you are a bit vunerable to peer pressure, you might want to think twice...
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