Mk2 Mazda MX5 1.8 vs Mk3 Toyota MR2 Roadster?
Discussion
Having had some lovely weather recently and having been very sensible and only had one car for a bit I have been thinking about getting a convertible roadster. My Golf is excellent at covering ground quickly and doing big distances in comfort at speed but it would be nice to also have something small and nimble to do short trips, potter about in the sunshine and possibly make my track day debut in.
The budget would probably be around £3k and the obvious contenders are the MR2 roadster (post-facelift) and the Mk2 MX5 1.8. As far as I can see they have the following pros/cons:
MR2:
Does anyone have experience of both or tips for anything to look out for on either when buying? Thanks in advance.
The budget would probably be around £3k and the obvious contenders are the MR2 roadster (post-facelift) and the Mk2 MX5 1.8. As far as I can see they have the following pros/cons:
MR2:
- Lighter and faster
- Sharper handling & higher grip levels
- Very economical
- £220 tax
- Awkward to work on due to layout
- Laughable luggage space, couldn't even take two people camping
- Poor fuel economy given the performance
- £280 tax
- More forgiving handling, would be easier to push hard
- Some degree of practicality
- Beautifully laid out and easy to work on
- More prone to rust
- Arizona spec has heated seats and can be had in yellow
Does anyone have experience of both or tips for anything to look out for on either when buying? Thanks in advance.
I have a MK2.5 MX5 - I bought it for £2900 (45k miles) in December last year and have so far covered approximately 3000 miles in all sorts of weather.
Although not a MK3, I've driven a MK2 MR2 belonging to a fellow PH'er and friend. I got to drive the car on a variety of different roads and found it to be really fun and engaging. It gives you a lot of confidence to push the car quite hard, even in poor conditions, and remain safe. Luggage space is also a lot better in this than the MK3 I think.
Both cars feel quite 'compact' especially with the roof up. My MX5 doesn't have adjustment for the steering wheel, so fitting yourself around it can be interesting for taller drivers. My brother is 6ft5 and can't fit in the passenger side without slouching
IIRC the MK2 MR2 has a bit more headroom.
The MX5 is great to drive too. It has a conventional drivetrain layout. It's quite grippy, but not so much as the MR2 (but great fun in the rain
), brilliant as a first RWD car. Very highly recommended.
All I can say is drive both and pick whichever appeals to you most
Although not a MK3, I've driven a MK2 MR2 belonging to a fellow PH'er and friend. I got to drive the car on a variety of different roads and found it to be really fun and engaging. It gives you a lot of confidence to push the car quite hard, even in poor conditions, and remain safe. Luggage space is also a lot better in this than the MK3 I think.
Both cars feel quite 'compact' especially with the roof up. My MX5 doesn't have adjustment for the steering wheel, so fitting yourself around it can be interesting for taller drivers. My brother is 6ft5 and can't fit in the passenger side without slouching
IIRC the MK2 MR2 has a bit more headroom.The MX5 is great to drive too. It has a conventional drivetrain layout. It's quite grippy, but not so much as the MR2 (but great fun in the rain
), brilliant as a first RWD car. Very highly recommended. All I can say is drive both and pick whichever appeals to you most
The luggage space isn't so bad in the MR2. Find fitted luggage (Toyota did them for a while, 3rd party available) or just use squashy bags and you can fit quite a bit in. Front boot has some space too, more if you ditch the spare wheel for foam and a compressor. Under the passenger's legs is usable space too, and if you need more then there's luggage racks.
A guy I know went for 3 weeks camping around Europe with his now wife, no luggage rack or anything. People do it on pushbikes and motorcycles with less room.
MX5 boot is better, but a bit of an awkward shape and you still have to pack to fit the space.
A guy I know went for 3 weeks camping around Europe with his now wife, no luggage rack or anything. People do it on pushbikes and motorcycles with less room.
MX5 boot is better, but a bit of an awkward shape and you still have to pack to fit the space.
Think you have them summarised pretty well, mr2 is more practical than you may think - if you take out the luggage lids it helps (I have got pushchairs/golf clubs in there), plus couple of rucksacks storage in the front.
I'm sure someone on here/mr2roc.org has been camping to Le Mans with their OH, must have packed pretty lightly tho!
I'm sure someone on here/mr2roc.org has been camping to Le Mans with their OH, must have packed pretty lightly tho!
Dalto123 said:
Although not a MK3, I've driven a MK2 MR2 belonging to a fellow PH'er and friend. I got to drive the car on a variety of different roads and found it to be really fun and engaging. It gives you a lot of confidence to push the car quite hard, even in poor conditions, and remain safe. Luggage space is also a lot better in this than the MK3 I think.
The mk3 MR2 is a massively different car to the mk2. The mk2 feels like a barge in comparison. Personally, I'd take the mk3 MR2 over any other MX5 or MR2 derivative but that's not necessarily because it's better, just more suited to my tastes and driving style. The back end of the MX5 feels less grippy which some people like, but personally I'm a "forwards" person rather than a "sideways" person.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 22 April 11:43
I'm 6ft tall. My wife ran a mk3 mr2 for 3 years.
Lack of space is the big problem - if you've an MX5 or similar its great to take away for the weekend. Cant do that with an MR2.
Also, i found the lower dash (which seemed to be some sort of structural bar) sat worringly close to my shins. Made me think as to what would happen in an accident?
MX5 would get my vote.
Lack of space is the big problem - if you've an MX5 or similar its great to take away for the weekend. Cant do that with an MR2.
Also, i found the lower dash (which seemed to be some sort of structural bar) sat worringly close to my shins. Made me think as to what would happen in an accident?
MX5 would get my vote.
Tyre availability and prices seem much better for the MX5, £56 for Michelin PS3s in 195/50R15 
, they are double that for my Golf. The MR2 has an awkward rear size that only has one good tyre option at around £100 each. There appears to be contrary opinions on the relative luggage space, I guess I'll have to look at one of each in more detail and compare.
Does the MX5 have any weak points apart from rust? Also what are the gear ratios like, are they any good at all on the motorway? I am aware of the pre-cat problems with the MR2 but apart from that they seem to be sound, I'm not aware of any known problems with the MX5 apart from corrosion.
, they are double that for my Golf. The MR2 has an awkward rear size that only has one good tyre option at around £100 each. There appears to be contrary opinions on the relative luggage space, I guess I'll have to look at one of each in more detail and compare.Does the MX5 have any weak points apart from rust? Also what are the gear ratios like, are they any good at all on the motorway? I am aware of the pre-cat problems with the MR2 but apart from that they seem to be sound, I'm not aware of any known problems with the MX5 apart from corrosion.
I ran a Mk2 MX5 1.8iS for a couple of years and at 6ft 6 it was a bit of a squeeze! It does depend on how you are built / where your height is, but for me I couldn't move my foot off the clutch when driving, and my right leg was jammed between the door pull and the steering wheel... On reflection I don't know how I put up with it so long! Definitely try one for size!
danp said:
Think you have them summarised pretty well, mr2 is more practical than you may think - if you take out the luggage lids it helps (I have got pushchairs/golf clubs in there), plus couple of rucksacks storage in the front.
Slightly off topic but I've crossed the mk3 MR2 off my list because my second car needs enough room to hide a air-rifle in so I can go shooting and stop somewhere on the way home without having it stolen/getting arrested. Is there any way of tweaking the MR2 to get something 3 feet long in it without it being visible?Captain Muppet said:
Slightly off topic but I've crossed the mk3 MR2 off my list because my second car needs enough room to hide a air-rifle in so I can go shooting and stop somewhere on the way home without having it stolen/getting arrested. Is there any way of tweaking the MR2 to get something 3 feet long in it without it being visible?
Wouldn't that fit in the storage compartment behind the seats?I'm 6'7" with a 40" inside leg, I drove a MK1 MX-5 almost every day for a year or so. The only problem I had was with my left leg pressing against the sharp edge of the centre console, which got uncomfortable on a long drive. My head didn't touch the roof and my arms didn't feel too bent. I currently have a 1970 Elan which is considerably smaller, I imagine it does look quite ridiculous when I climb out of it, and I've had a few comments along the lines of 'Got one for the other foot?' etc.
Anyway, you should be fine in an MX-5. I'm not saying that you should get one over an MR2 though, having never driven one.
Anyway, you should be fine in an MX-5. I'm not saying that you should get one over an MR2 though, having never driven one.
SWMBO and I had the same choice a while back and chose the MR2 as we're both tall (6'2"/6') and the MR2 was a better fit. Try both, but bear in mind that the MX5 is more immediately engaging drive where as I didn't really gel with the MR2 (it was her car) for a while. When I did though, I found it was an absolute gem.
Mrs KJ and i tried an MR2 Roadster out whilst shopping for an SLK. By chance, a local garage had one along with a Mercedes so we took it out for a spin. We were both dissapointed with the experience of it (especially as we had travelled there getting straight out of a mk2 1.8 MX5, and had owned a G-Limited MR2 mk2 a few years back).
Having loved our G-Limited it gives me no pleasure to say that the MR2 MK3 ride was harsh (words like "pebble in a shoe box" spring to mind), and the gearbox was god awful. It was not nice and tight like the MX5 with a short an effortless throw. It felt as though it was connected by strings. I couldn't chuck it around like i do the MX5 as i was having to think about the gear changes. In the 5 i do it instinctively, and it's such a responsive and rewarding little car to drive.
Mrs KJ had toyed with the idea of buying an MR2 Roadster if a suitable SLK did not appear. Our test drive blew that notion away completely. Getting back into our MX5 really brought home just what a great little car the MX5 is. Also, i am 6ft 2" tall and cannot understand the lack of head room comments about the MX5. I regularly travel down to the East Anglian coast in my 5 and it will sit all day on the big roads at *** mph and i always feel i could go on another 100 miles when i reach my destination. I drive it at every opportunity. We got our 230 SLk as well and it's very nice. But i'd still rather take the MX5
Having loved our G-Limited it gives me no pleasure to say that the MR2 MK3 ride was harsh (words like "pebble in a shoe box" spring to mind), and the gearbox was god awful. It was not nice and tight like the MX5 with a short an effortless throw. It felt as though it was connected by strings. I couldn't chuck it around like i do the MX5 as i was having to think about the gear changes. In the 5 i do it instinctively, and it's such a responsive and rewarding little car to drive.
Mrs KJ had toyed with the idea of buying an MR2 Roadster if a suitable SLK did not appear. Our test drive blew that notion away completely. Getting back into our MX5 really brought home just what a great little car the MX5 is. Also, i am 6ft 2" tall and cannot understand the lack of head room comments about the MX5. I regularly travel down to the East Anglian coast in my 5 and it will sit all day on the big roads at *** mph and i always feel i could go on another 100 miles when i reach my destination. I drive it at every opportunity. We got our 230 SLk as well and it's very nice. But i'd still rather take the MX5
TurboHatchback said:
Captain Muppet said:
Slightly off topic but I've crossed the mk3 MR2 off my list because my second car needs enough room to hide a air-rifle in so I can go shooting and stop somewhere on the way home without having it stolen/getting arrested. Is there any way of tweaking the MR2 to get something 3 feet long in it without it being visible?
Wouldn't that fit in the storage compartment behind the seats?Having owned 2 MX-5 (mk1 & mk3.5) and now an MR2 Roadster (chosen because I fancied a change) I'd say they are both good cars. The luggage space on the MR2 isn't as bad as people make out - I'll be taking mine to Le Mans (with passenger) and have been on a few weekends away with the girlfriend. The boot on the MX-5 is more usable though, but I'd say that is more than offset by the rust problems, especially on the mk2s.
Handling wise they are slightly different, in the MR2 the limit feels a lot higher, but the car is snappier on the limit, the MX-5 is more progressive, so it really depends on what you prefer.
killingjoker said:
Mrs KJ and i tried an MR2 Roadster out whilst shopping for an SLK. By chance, a local garage had one along with a Mercedes so we took it out for a spin. We were both dissapointed with the experience of it (especially as we had travelled there getting straight out of a mk2 1.8 MX5, and had owned a G-Limited MR2 mk2 a few years back).
Having loved our G-Limited it gives me no pleasure to say that the MR2 MK3 ride was harsh (words like "pebble in a shoe box" spring to mind), and the gearbox was god awful. It was not nice and tight like the MX5 with a short an effortless throw. It felt as though it was connected by strings. I couldn't chuck it around like i do the MX5 as i was having to think about the gear changes. In the 5 i do it instinctively, and it's such a responsive and rewarding little car to drive.
Mrs KJ had toyed with the idea of buying an MR2 Roadster if a suitable SLK did not appear. Our test drive blew that notion away completely. Getting back into our MX5 really brought home just what a great little car the MX5 is. Also, i am 6ft 2" tall and cannot understand the lack of head room comments about the MX5. I regularly travel down to the East Anglian coast in my 5 and it will sit all day on the big roads at *** mph and i always feel i could go on another 100 miles when i reach my destination. I drive it at every opportunity. We got our 230 SLk as well and it's very nice. But i'd still rather take the MX5
I can only assume that you must have tried a bad one. On the MR2 I tried the gearbox was totally unremarkable and the ride was really rather good for such a focused car. Having loved our G-Limited it gives me no pleasure to say that the MR2 MK3 ride was harsh (words like "pebble in a shoe box" spring to mind), and the gearbox was god awful. It was not nice and tight like the MX5 with a short an effortless throw. It felt as though it was connected by strings. I couldn't chuck it around like i do the MX5 as i was having to think about the gear changes. In the 5 i do it instinctively, and it's such a responsive and rewarding little car to drive.
Mrs KJ had toyed with the idea of buying an MR2 Roadster if a suitable SLK did not appear. Our test drive blew that notion away completely. Getting back into our MX5 really brought home just what a great little car the MX5 is. Also, i am 6ft 2" tall and cannot understand the lack of head room comments about the MX5. I regularly travel down to the East Anglian coast in my 5 and it will sit all day on the big roads at *** mph and i always feel i could go on another 100 miles when i reach my destination. I drive it at every opportunity. We got our 230 SLk as well and it's very nice. But i'd still rather take the MX5
After some reading it seems the MX5 can also be had with a six speed box but only the sport model which also comes with excessively big wheels and no heated seats. Is there any real advantage to the six-speeder or is the five the one to go for?
Not very helpful I know but would you be able to stretch your budget to an early Honda S2000?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...
If you look in the garage on my profile it will show you my running costs in the MR2. It could be cheaper to run but then I have done about 4 track days in it. It's still a cheap car overall though.
I've never driven an MX5 to compare, but the MR2 is great fun to drive, and don't let anyone tell you they can't go sideways in the wet! (but you have to have your wits about you)
I've never driven an MX5 to compare, but the MR2 is great fun to drive, and don't let anyone tell you they can't go sideways in the wet! (but you have to have your wits about you)
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