MR2 Roadster or MX5

Author
Discussion

combover

3,009 posts

228 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
GHW said:
Just out of interest - what types of MX5 have all these thirsty ones been?

I've got an early Mk1 1.8, and sub-30mpg is a rare occurrence. The lowest I've had has been 25ish - and that tank had an autotest in the middle of it!


Bloody hell mate! Do you drive it with a feather on the loud pedal? The 1.8 is the one people are referring to as regards fuel consumption.

Combover

steve bowen

Original Poster:

1,268 posts

225 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
cyberface said:
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.


I'm talking about the rag top mk3, I have a mk2 turbo at present thats whats going to be replaced by a mk3 mr2, mx5, tvr chimera, RX7,... I really need to decide , MR2 roadster & mx5 are at top of the list at present.

ninjaboy

2,525 posts

251 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
Have you considered a MG TF? i would say having driven a MX5 that it is a easily a match for it and i think their are still some bargains to be had.

>> Edited by ninjaboy on Sunday 15th January 15:54

Nick J

1,082 posts

225 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
GHW said:
Just out of interest - what types of MX5 have all these thirsty ones been?

I've got an early Mk1 1.8, and sub-30mpg is a rare occurrence. The lowest I've had has been 25ish - and that tank had an autotest in the middle of it!


I had a last of the line 1.8i Mk1 and I reckon it was doing 20ish, when I booted it. Which was all the time, but then again I didnt buy it to drive economically. Roof down, foot down, Big smile

annodomini2

6,868 posts

252 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
Elise?

steve bowen

Original Poster:

1,268 posts

225 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
annodomini2 said:
Elise?


Yes, have them in my list but my budget would only get me one of the earliest cars thats probably rather tired.

RX7 rebuilds scare me, other wise that would win hands down. Rotary owners club say that any sub 7K car has a 99% chance of needing a rebuild that people tell me, although often advertised at £1500 usually end up being nearer to 4K.

Seems to be a lot of MX5 support here? I would have assumed the MR2 to be a more "performance" drive, car will see a lot of trackdays. It would only ever be used for the occasional weekend away, with soft bags can you fit enough stuff in? Is there any space behind the seats in the MR2, my current one has loads?

steve bowen

Original Poster:

1,268 posts

225 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
ninjaboy said:
Have you considered a MG TF? i would say having driven a MX5 that it is a easily a match for it and i think their are still some bargains to be had.

>> Edited by ninjaboy on Sunday 15th January 15:54


Not considered, I sat in one once at it didn't even remotely feel like a sports car.

>> Edited by steve bowen on Sunday 15th January 17:16

combover

3,009 posts

228 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
steve bowen said:
annodomini2 said:
Elise?


Yes, have them in my list but my budget would only get me one of the earliest cars thats probably rather tired.

RX7 rebuilds scare me, other wise that would win hands down. Rotary owners club say that any sub 7K car has a 99% chance of needing a rebuild that people tell me, although often advertised at £1500 usually end up being nearer to 4K.

Seems to be a lot of MX5 support here? I would have assumed the MR2 to be a more "performance" drive, car will see a lot of trackdays. It would only ever be used for the occasional weekend away, with soft bags can you fit enough stuff in? Is there any space behind the seats in the MR2, my current one has loads?


With a few tweaks, the MX-5 will easily outrun an MR2 and it is far more predictable with it - all the best for trackdays in my opinion.

Combover

Andy Mac

73,668 posts

256 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
Of course you could tweak the mr2 as well....

steve bowen

Original Poster:

1,268 posts

225 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
nighthawk said:


It's not the easiest car to get sideways though, very quick transition from perfect line to watching a hedge coming towards you


Have you any experience of mk2's? wondering if the transition is better or worse for the roadster?

Not overly fussed about sideways I prefer to feel G's

Ideally, I'd like lots of roadholding but then predictability when it goes, a hard target I guess.

The MX5 has double wishbones, does the MR2? I know the mk2 doesn't just has shopping trolly mcpherson struts

steve bowen

Original Poster:

1,268 posts

225 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
Andy Mac said:
Of course you could tweak the mr2 as well....


What ever gets bought will have a set of coilovers & thicker ARB's fitted & corner weighted. Getting a set of H&R coilovers for my mk2 was the best mod I ever did.

benjc

677 posts

249 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
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Steve, I think we have met before (my mrs is DebsC of the MR2oc).

If you want a ride in a properly turbocharged MX5 (232hp/206ft/lbs out of a 1.6) let me know, I will be selling it soon, so be quick if you are interested!

Cheers,

Ben

steve bowen

Original Poster:

1,268 posts

225 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
benjc said:
Steve, I think we have met before (my mrs is DebsC of the MR2oc).

If you want a ride in a properly turbocharged MX5 (232hp/206ft/lbs out of a 1.6) let me know, I will be selling it soon, so be quick if you are interested!

Cheers,

Ben


Hi, yes I remember, was the mx5 racing green with a proper rollover bar?

A ride in one would be great if possible.

Cheers

Steve

benjc

677 posts

249 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
steve bowen said:
benjc said:
Steve, I think we have met before (my mrs is DebsC of the MR2oc).

If you want a ride in a properly turbocharged MX5 (232hp/206ft/lbs out of a 1.6) let me know, I will be selling it soon, so be quick if you are interested!

Cheers,

Ben


Hi, yes I remember, was the mx5 racing green with a proper rollover bar?

A ride in one would be great if possible.

Cheers

Steve


Close, it is black .



No probs, I am around next weekend...drop me a line via my profile and we can sort it!

steve bowen

Original Poster:

1,268 posts

225 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
benjc said:

Close, it is black .

No probs, I am around next weekend...drop me a line via my profile and we can sort it!


Cool, close mind, it does have a proper roll bar

ninjaboy

2,525 posts

251 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
steve bowen said:
ninjaboy said:
Have you considered a MG TF? i would say having driven a MX5 that it is a easily a match for it and i think their are still some bargains to be had.

>> Edited by ninjaboy on Sunday 15th January 15:54


Not considered, I sat in one once at it didn't even remotely feel like a sports car.

>> Edited by steve bowen on Sunday 15th January 17:16


Ok nevermind, you sat in one and you claim its not a sportcar from that??? what the diffrence is between a MX5 and a TF i don't know lol i drove both and it was a difficult choice i chose the TF because it had the better engine imo and the handling was just as good rover/mg bashing is a sport that will continue for a long time

steve bowen

Original Poster:

1,268 posts

225 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
ninjaboy said:
steve bowen said:
ninjaboy said:
Have you considered a MG TF? i would say having driven a MX5 that it is a easily a match for it and i think their are still some bargains to be had.

>> Edited by ninjaboy on Sunday 15th January 15:54


Not considered, I sat in one once at it didn't even remotely feel like a sports car.

>> Edited by steve bowen on Sunday 15th January 17:16


Ok nevermind, you sat in one and you claim its not a sportcar from that??? what the diffrence is between a MX5 and a TF i don't know lol i drove both and it was a difficult choice i chose the TF because it had the better engine imo and the handling was just as good rover/mg bashing is a sport that will continue for a long time


Driving position is much higher up, hatchback style, not sports car like in my opinion. It also has poor reviews on handling from what I have read, it weighs 130kg more than the MR2 / MX5 that must be reflected in handling.

>> Edited by steve bowen on Sunday 15th January 20:55

nighthawk

1,757 posts

245 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
[quote=steve bowen
Have you any experience of mk2's? wondering if the transition is better or worse for the roadster?

[/quote]

I haven't spent enough time in a Mk2 to be able to compare properly.

I've got my eyes on the TTE springs and TRD anti roll bars, to improve the feel further.

shnozz

27,503 posts

272 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
ninjaboy said:
steve bowen said:
ninjaboy said:
Have you considered a MG TF? i would say having driven a MX5 that it is a easily a match for it and i think their are still some bargains to be had.

>> Edited by ninjaboy on Sunday 15th January 15:54


Not considered, I sat in one once at it didn't even remotely feel like a sports car.

>> Edited by steve bowen on Sunday 15th January 17:16


Ok nevermind, you sat in one and you claim its not a sportcar from that??? what the diffrence is between a MX5 and a TF i don't know lol i drove both and it was a difficult choice i chose the TF because it had the better engine imo and the handling was just as good rover/mg bashing is a sport that will continue for a long time


Unless the TF is a remarkeable improvement on the previous F it would fall a long way short of both the MX5 and the MR2. I can't really argue with the engine being the best out of the bunch considering it powers me around various tracks regularly, but the car itself isn't a patch on the 2 in contention. Unless its improved. A lot.

anonymous-user

55 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
quotequote all
Once you've driven mid-engined it takes a lot to get you back the other way. As has been said, drive both and take your choice. A good handling car gives a smile you'll never forget!

"5"