mk3 MR2 is the 'new' mk1 MX5 - discuss
Discussion
Inspired by numerous replies to current threads, and noticing a general pattern of 'mk3 MR2' becoming the almost default answer in recent threads with titles like 'Most fun for your money'.
It's become something of a meme on PH and the real world that 'The answer is always Miata'. It still is imho; both of mine were ridiculously good, exceeding expectations in almost every area.
Its become impossible to ignore the surge in popularity of the little MR-S recently though. I'm wary of dodgy early 1ZZs (personal experience; my first Gen7 Celica VVTi suffered the common engine bork), but other than that I can't see what's not to love... Buy a 2003> (IIRC) and this bork isn't even a concern.
Every other aspect of the car is spot on as far as I can tell...
So, is it genuinely the 'new' mk1 MX5?
(Deliberately ignoring the widely loved/ suggested hot Clios, as they don't drive the rear wheels and therefore imho aren't as relevant a comparison)
It's become something of a meme on PH and the real world that 'The answer is always Miata'. It still is imho; both of mine were ridiculously good, exceeding expectations in almost every area.
Its become impossible to ignore the surge in popularity of the little MR-S recently though. I'm wary of dodgy early 1ZZs (personal experience; my first Gen7 Celica VVTi suffered the common engine bork), but other than that I can't see what's not to love... Buy a 2003> (IIRC) and this bork isn't even a concern.
Every other aspect of the car is spot on as far as I can tell...
So, is it genuinely the 'new' mk1 MX5?
(Deliberately ignoring the widely loved/ suggested hot Clios, as they don't drive the rear wheels and therefore imho aren't as relevant a comparison)
HustleRussell said:
The MX-5 is more forgiving being FR which is probably one of the reasons it is so widely recommended.
I get that FR will generally be more forgiving than MR, but then most PHers will be well aware of this.Joe Public perhaps not so much, but then if your not a 'car person' are you even all that likely to push to the point that the mid-enginedness will bite you? In most cases, probably not.
The majority of people looking for eg 'The most thrills for your money' will surely be well aware of the pros and cons of FR vs MR handling traits, and may even feel that having the engine in the middle is the superior configuration handling/ enjoyment wise.
I don't necessarily agree; I get why mid-engined cars are objectively 'better' in many ways, but rather enjoy having less weight over the driven rear wheels as in an FR car like the MX5.
I strongly suspect that the MR layout is a significant part of the appeal of the mk3; what are the alternatives at the price point? You could have an MGF I suppose...
Krikkit said:
I would suggest the MR2 is also a fair bit less practical. The MX5 has a genuinely usable boot, and some good cabin spaces too.
I once moved house in a mk1 MX5 (I know, 'cool story bro').White goods, TVs and furniture etc. required a van ofcourse, but virtually all the other useless junk that we humans accumulate was moved over the course of afew (roof down) jaunts across London, scraping speedbumps all the way.
Admittedly, I doubt I could've done that in an MR2...
I guess that's the second downside of the mk3 MR2 (early 1ZZ bork being the first) that I neglected to mention; it's widely known to be VERY impractical due to lack of storage/ boot space. Would be interested to hear from a more knowledgeable/ geeky PHer as to what the actual difference is in terms of sq. litres of storage (or whatever the appropriate unit of measurement is!).
Without having actually owned one, I'd hazard a guess that it could still perform most day-to-day tasks... Even the ridiculously tiny 'boot' must be able to take afew bags from Tesco? The passenger footwell could certainly swallow a couple of them. I'd imagine that the missus and I could fit enough gear in there for a weekend jaunt without too much discomfort (waits to be corrected by mk3 owners).
Realistically, is the storage space difference between the two cars enough to sway a potential buyer away from the MR2? In most cases I suspect not; particularly given that most will be very much a 'second' car.
Edit:
Maybe I should retract that comment about 'afew bags from Tesco';
Edited by daveofedinburgh on Sunday 5th June 01:04
I am quite tall and have always liked the idea of a small roadster for the missus but still practical enough for her day to day. We already have a big estate and something silly for the weekends so a small roadster makes an ideal choice for a third car. Problem is I can not fit in a MX5 as my legs are too long. MR2 is a lot better fit but the storage space is not great. Which ever one you choose there is always compromises.
BricktopST205 said:
I am quite tall and have always liked the idea of a small roadster for the missus but still practical enough for her day to day. We already have a big estate and something silly for the weekends so a small roadster makes an ideal choice for a third car. Problem is I can not fit in a MX5 as my legs are too long. MR2 is a lot better fit but the storage space is not great. Which ever one you choose there is always compromises.
Agree re the MX5/ long legs issue. I'm 6'3" and the biggest compromise I had to make was that (to avoid sitting bolt-upright and looking/ feeling totally daft) I had to accept that my knees would basically be touching the dash at all times. I learned to work around it, and forgot it was ever an 'issue' very quickly. I'm quite willing to accept compromise like this for a car I want, provided I can still drive the thing as I'd like to. I get that this is a personal thing for each driver; my old man had the same issue and refused to drive the car again...Most 2-seater roadsters are the same in my experience; my current Z3 presents me with a similar compromise, except in the Z3 I also have to move my left leg out the way if I want to indicate left! Bizarrely wasn't an issue with the MX5, which was a bit tighter in the cabin.
Interesting that you say the MR2 has more leg room; I'd happily drop some storage space for more room to move in the cabin. Perhaps something to think about for taller drivers torn between MX5/ MR2?
I've also noticed the smart roadster being mentioned a lot in these types of posts, usually quickly rubbished by someone for the gearbox. Wouldn't mind a go in one to see what they're like, but by the sounds of it the gesrbox does just make people look elsewhere (at the mx5 and mr2!)
But if these are second or even third cars (4th I'm afraid in my case) the storage is much less a concern. The hypothetical question is what's the most fun per £. An MR2 is a very good answer IMO. It's not too slow below 60, it handles nicely, it doesn't rust. It's reliable once you get over the early 1ZZ engine issues.
I paid £600 for mine, with a knackered engine - engine was £300, and a day or 2 to fit. Sorted any bits of rust out, so for £1000 and 2 days work, I have a fun reliable 2 seater convertible that everyone loves.
It even came with 4 brand new Toyo tyres.
I'd be willing to take a risk on an MGF as well to be honest. They are even cheaper than an MR2, so perhaps more fun per £.
I paid £600 for mine, with a knackered engine - engine was £300, and a day or 2 to fit. Sorted any bits of rust out, so for £1000 and 2 days work, I have a fun reliable 2 seater convertible that everyone loves.
It even came with 4 brand new Toyo tyres.
I'd be willing to take a risk on an MGF as well to be honest. They are even cheaper than an MR2, so perhaps more fun per £.
Definitely less room for my "shape" in an MX5
My thighs were on the steering wheel of the MX5s I sat in
Boot is better than seatboxes, but they were surprisingly useful
Main advantage is far less rust! Some tatty mr2 s about, but the mk1 and 2 MX5s I saw we're in an awful state, inside and corrosion wise.
My thighs were on the steering wheel of the MX5s I sat in
Boot is better than seatboxes, but they were surprisingly useful
Main advantage is far less rust! Some tatty mr2 s about, but the mk1 and 2 MX5s I saw we're in an awful state, inside and corrosion wise.
I love the Mk3 MR2 and I'll almost certainly end up with one at some point. In fact I nearly bought one recently but for various reasons, decided against it.
As for why the MX5 is more popular than it, well, in my opinion the '2 is too compromised for what it offers.
It's also (in my experience & opinion) slower than the 5's too.
As for why the MX5 is more popular than it, well, in my opinion the '2 is too compromised for what it offers.
It's also (in my experience & opinion) slower than the 5's too.
CX53 said:
I've also noticed the smart roadster being mentioned a lot in these types of posts, usually quickly rubbished by someone for the gearbox. Wouldn't mind a go in one to see what they're like, but by the sounds of it the gesrbox does just make people look elsewhere (at the mx5 and mr2!)
I made the "but the gearbox.." post in a recent thread, but ill admit that its all hearsay, and if someone who actually has one says they are quite fun once you get used to it, im willing to give it a fair shake.Honestly, i really like the look of the roadster, its absolutely tiny, but well proportioned, and looks damn nice, proper 3/4 size sports car looks.
As for the MR2, not sure about how it is in the UK, but MR2s are rare as f
k in the netherlands, MX5s not so much, much easier to find a decent MX5 then a MR2 (or MG F)Having had an mx5 and an mr2 roadster now my mind is made up. Avoid the early mr2 roadsters and go 2003 face-lift and as long as you don't need luggage room the mr2 wins hands down as a better more involving drive for me.
Throw in no real rust worries as long as you check the known rear subframe issue and get a good one they don't seem to have any chassis or panel corrosion.
The Actual body panels bolt on without welding and you can pick cars and panels up for peanuts with blown engines.
the oil ring issues aren't as prevalent on later cars.
Parts are dirt cheap and easy to fit. Front discs and pads cost me 54 quid and 35mins on my drive to fit. Standard brakes are awesome. No need to upgrade on std power.
I fitted a full set of 4 shocks with tein lowering springs in 2.5hrs on the drive without any power tools.
In an ideal world they could do with about 180bhp to give you a bit more throttle oversteer in the dry.in the wet they can be lively if you are a bit inept lol but you can get anything and everything for them to set up the handling as you wish.
I don't need a shopping run car just something fun cheap and entertaining for trackdays I can drive to and from. Having looked at half a dozen rotten mx5s I got this and haven't looked back. A few minor tweaks have turned it into an absolute hoot (£110 quid chassis brace and a front brace for 80 quid second hand)
I won't even bother with sticky tyres as normal road ones are sufficient.
Definitely the better alternative under £3k for me over anything else around at the mo.
Throw in no real rust worries as long as you check the known rear subframe issue and get a good one they don't seem to have any chassis or panel corrosion.
The Actual body panels bolt on without welding and you can pick cars and panels up for peanuts with blown engines.
the oil ring issues aren't as prevalent on later cars.
Parts are dirt cheap and easy to fit. Front discs and pads cost me 54 quid and 35mins on my drive to fit. Standard brakes are awesome. No need to upgrade on std power.
I fitted a full set of 4 shocks with tein lowering springs in 2.5hrs on the drive without any power tools.
In an ideal world they could do with about 180bhp to give you a bit more throttle oversteer in the dry.in the wet they can be lively if you are a bit inept lol but you can get anything and everything for them to set up the handling as you wish.
I don't need a shopping run car just something fun cheap and entertaining for trackdays I can drive to and from. Having looked at half a dozen rotten mx5s I got this and haven't looked back. A few minor tweaks have turned it into an absolute hoot (£110 quid chassis brace and a front brace for 80 quid second hand)
I won't even bother with sticky tyres as normal road ones are sufficient.
Definitely the better alternative under £3k for me over anything else around at the mo.
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