RE: Toyota MR2: PH Carpool

[iloveboost]

Quote:The mechanical grip thanks to being mid-engined and having a limited-slip differential means it just clings on long after I have chickened out, and the level of feel through the steering wheel is something the Mk2s just did not have.

I felt the complete opposite about the car for those reasons. Grip levels seemed quite high but I didn't feel comfortable exploring them because of the back end twitching about on typical B roads around here. Anything other than smooth, dry tarmac and the steering/chassis twitching about made me uneasy because I kept thinking the car was unstable. Also the steering weight kept changing slightly and pulling with the bumps and cambers. It isn't bad, but that's how it felt to me.
I looked at a Mk2 Turbo years ago it's a good looking/driving car though the driving position is a bit weird with the wheel so far away and a bit light, etc. Didn't *feel* that quick as I expected it to be, even the 240bhp rev. 3 I was driven in. Probably much better after a boost increase, etc. As a reference point by far the fastest feeling car I've been driven in (though still stable) was an Evo 8 with 340hp and coilovers.
Mk3 is ok just to go from point a to point b in because of the ride (I've only driven the earlier softer, twitchier one) but it's a bit noisy on the motorway. Also the engine sounds characterless and feels gutless.
Wierdly although it was slower overall I preferred the 1.8i (yes, they do one!) mk3 mx5 I drove. Felt more stable with better steering and gave me more confidence. Still felt balanced but I didn't drive it long. Would like to try a facelifted or sport 2.0i mx5 some day.

[kambites]

BeirutTaxi said:

An interesting view Aren't mid engined cars typically 'twitchy' when compared to their front engined counterparts though?

Matt

If you really push the grip of the back end, yes, but on the public road I generally don't at any significant speed (an MR2 can go 'round roundabouts sideways with the best of them) so I'd rather have the agility and chassis/control delicacy that a mid-engined layout can give you.

On track, where you really can safely explore the limits of rear-end grip, I'd rather have a front-engined car.

[Ozzie Osmond]

wabbitkilla said:

The car is highly sensitive to tyre choice and pressure ... it causes endless discussion and arguments, but I've found keeping the tyre stagger and same make & model all-round is best.

Yup, that sounds pretty standard advice in a mid-engine application. Car manufacturers put a lot of time and effort into getting it right!

[McAndy]

aki1987 said:

Really?? Did you use the space under the hood storage compartment?

Mine had the hardtop on when we went, and there was literally no more space left with two rucksacks and a handbag!

Yep! No problems

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

She needs a smaller handbag...

[dukebox9reg]

deadmau5 said:

Andy ap said:

Does that say midship runabout?

Er O.K. I didn't know that's what the 'MR' stood for, there now a whole lot less appealing with such a dour statement embossed in plastic in the car.

I think it's some Japanese term that didn't translate very well.

Thought MR2 stood for

M-id engined, R-ear wheel drive, 2-wheels driven.

[kambites]

dukebox9reg said:

Thought MR2 stood for

M-id engined, R-ear wheel drive, 2-wheels driven.

As far as I know it's always been "midship runabout" although you sometimes see that altered to "mid-engined runabout".

[wabbitkilla]

kambites said:

As far as I know it's always been "midship runabout" although you sometimes see that altered to "mid-engined runabout".

On the MK3 the cover to the spare wheel (and luggage) hold is molded with the name MR2 underscored by "Midship Runabout", 2 refers to 2 seater ... S for Spyder in the rest of the world. Spyder is by definition a 2-seater sportscar http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_classification

[Agdavie]

Great cars for short runs and a good old drive!

My wife had one for 9 Years and was a great car for her. cheap fuel bills and maintenance but expensive insurance considering (600 fully comp compared to her new (new to her 55 plate) A3 3.2 DSG hatch £400 fully comp) something about there being a roof etc...

I used that car for general running round town and if i wanted to just go for a blast down the road. I wouldnt suggest picking up Xmas trees in one though as not only does it mean roof down tree out of the top but the seat didnt hold the tree's very well and on a couple of occasion i had moments of the tree trying to get over the windscreen under braking! and before any one says anything about what speed were you doing??? answer not alot but i live in the country side and its single track lanes so when its a choice of tractor, bush or emergency stop i choice the emergency stop route!

Only couple of downsides to this car...

1 if you happen to lose it on a dual carriage way because of sitting water and it spins you'll be fine but it turns out the chassis is lower than the barriers they use so every panel ends up getting smashed etc....

When i had this unfortunate event happen to me i went in backwards and bounced off and carried on like nothing happened. the next day i took the car to said insurance repairer and he told me "you can drive that" to which my response was why not? its got a few sharpe edges but it drives straight and all the lights still work even if they are missing a bit of glass here and there.

HE then proceeded to lift off both back quarter panels without any work at all. it turns out where the impact had happened at the rear it had sheered all of the bolts in half!!! so had i found a big bump on the way to the bodyshop i would have lost them on route!

2 they dont hold up well to 4x4's even at low speed.

Earlier this year my wife had a 4x4 reverse over the front of her car while she was in it as the woman driving the 4x4 claimed she didnt notice her there! she only went up the bonnet but it wrote off the car to my great annoyance....

The insurance company offered me 2200 for a 53 plate car with 2 owners full toyota history every MOT since needed and a genuine 43,000 miles on the clock. it had the hardtop AC the sports exhaust full red leather upgrade etc so basically had everything...

I took them to court and got 6k back!

Bad times for the MR2 as i was hoping to keep in and put it in the garage as a fun toy when we bought the wife a new car in 2014.... or that was the plan...

Ill find the pics of the rear end where i found the central res later on but for now see what a 4x4 at 6mph does when the driver isnt looking....

[Agdavie]

the other front end pic here....

[Wadeski]

I didnt really get this when I drove it.

You put your foot down and there's noise....but thats it. It can't get out of its own way, which is a shame as it handled sweetly.

If they had put the 190hp engine in from the factory, it would have been a cracker.

[Rafeabrook]

Nice little cars these and great value.

Not sure I could fit in one even if I wanted to though. I haven't tried but I can't get behind the wheel of an MX-5 or MGF for sure!

Any 6'8 owners out there?

[Fantuzzi]

Rafeabrook said:

Nice little cars these and great value.

Not sure I could fit in one even if I wanted to though. I haven't tried but I can't get behind the wheel of an MX-5 or MGF for sure!

Any 6'8 owners out there?

After a quick google the tallest chap I've found in one is 6'6...

But have a go you might just squeeze in!

[deadmau5]

Rafeabrook said:

Nice little cars these and great value.

Not sure I could fit in one even if I wanted to though. I haven't tried but I can't get behind the wheel of an MX-5 or MGF for sure!

Any 6'8 owners out there?

I'm 6'4" and found it to be okay. You can remove the driver's door pull to free up quite a lot of room for your right knee if you need. I also removed some foam from the driver's seat to give more room.

I sat in an mx-5 mk1 once and couldn't even shut the door!

[Mr2Mike]

Wadeski said:

I didnt really get this when I drove it.

You put your foot down and there's noise....but thats it. It can't get out of its own way, which is a shame as it handled sweetly.

What were you comparing it to though? I suspect you'd say the same thing about an Elise.

[danp]

Brilliant little cars, pound for pound I think that it's the best car that I have owned. Fun (even at low speeds), reliable, fast(ish!) and an easy 40mpg+. I'd love an Elise at some point but for me this is a great budget alternative.

Ref practicality - if you unbolt the lids to the luggage compartment behind the seats, it makes it a lot better (can put bits in without moving the seats, and use more of the available space). There are even little plastic trims that lift out if you want to get long items in there, tho' I found golf clubs/pushchair fit without doing so. And remove the cover in the front boot as mentioned.

As mentioned a shame that they did not put the 189bhp VVTLi engine in these from new (or the turbo), perhaps they thought it would be a bit too much for the chassis, I believe the turbo kits came with some extra bracing for underneath. A chunk more pace and a more rigid chassis would put the icing on the cake.

Edited by danp on Monday 16th December 16:00

[wabbitkilla]

Mr2Mike said:

What were you comparing it to though? I suspect you'd say the same thing about an Elise.

Like agile handling orientated cars, you have to stir the gears and keep it whirring.

[wabbitkilla]

danp said:

As mentioned shame that they did not put the 189bhp VVTLi engine in these from new (or the turbo), perhaps they thought it would be a bit too much for the chassis, tho' I believe the turbo kits came with some extra bracing for underneath. A chunk more pace and a more rigid chassis would put the icing on the cake.

Remember at the time its main competitor (some would say only), was the MX5.
Car to car, they have similar power to weight ratios and costs.
So they weren't aiming at a fire breather, they were aiming at cost effective fun and no more.

A shame?
Maybe, the 1ZZ engine has a character of its own and you need to attune yourself to it, the 2ZZ (190bhp) is frenetic and has its own charm ... I admit it would have been nice to have the choice like the rest of the Toyota range at the time a T-Sport would have been populer I think. The TTE Turbo kit was a dealer option giving a low maintenance 200-ish bhp and 210lb/ft ... entertaining and very usable.

You can tell I'm a fan ... I just can't think of a car that replace it and I'd have as much fun.
Ok maybe a well sorted S1 Elise ... but that's a different story haha

[leedsutd1]

The MR2 looks much better than a MX5 , I could never see myself in the mazda but have owned a mr2

[selenna]

I honestly don't know what some people want to pack when they go away, I suppose there isn't enough room for ball gowns and evening suits

My wife and I have had some fantastic trips in the Roadster...Corfu 2008/2009 - France & Black Forest 2010 - Tuscany 2011 - Touring France, Switzerland,Austria, Italy 2012 - Paris 2013 .......and 2014 will have 9 Roadsters, one GT86 and a Lotus Elise visiting Tuscany once more

Here's a site with loads of pictures (if it's allowed) selenna10.weebly.com

[kambites]

The only issue with taking the Elise camping is that muddy fields and cut slick tyres don't really mix and the total storage space is pretty similar (although the Elise's is a bit more conveniently shaped). If you really want to take a lot of crap with you, you can always put a boot rack on.