MR2 Roadster or MX5

[antonius]

Iv got an mx5 at the moment, and just owned an mr2 a couple of years ago. The mr2 is 'cooler' looking, but you will feel cooler in an mx5, especially with the roof down. The mx5 is fun and easy to drive and in my opinion is a better car than the mr2. If you are concerned about track times go for the mr2, if you want to have a great time, then definately the mx5. Might i add that you will get alot of looks from the girls in an mx5

[bga]

antonius said:

Might i add that you will get alot of looks from the girls in an mx5

Wow, what a thread resurrection

I have to say I got lots more positive comments from women (usually fit ones) in my MX-5 than I ever did in the Chim or the S2000.

[grahamw48]

Have to say...most of the MEN I've seen driving MX5s seem to have been OAPs.

Buy a TVR Wedge or S series !

No tuning necessary.

[Herman Toothrot]

What a resurection! Back from before I became Herman.

Well I bought the MX5 in the end, well 1.8 Eunos to be precise. I'm very happy with it now its running a big turbo. I felt the car stock was far to slow, quite boring infact. I did one trackday with it stock and then took it off the road and turbo'd it.

Current Spec is:-

Un-opened standard engine
Un-opened standard torsen type 2 diff 4.3:1
Un-opened standard gearbox

BEGI cast manifold
BEGI Stainless downpipe
FM Sports CAT
2.5" stainless XS Speed exhaust
Garrett GT2860RS turbo
BEGI size 2 bar & plate front mount intercooler
BEGI Intercooler pipework
FORGE 8psi actuator
FORGE filtered VTA blow off valve
ebay cheapo 3" inlet air filter
KV85 ignition leads
Spec Stage 2 Clutch
Vented headlight lid
Hard Dog ACE roll bar
OZ Ultraleggas 15"
Bridgestone RE720's 195/50/15"
LINK G3 Ecu with twin maps 95ron (8psi) & 99ron (8 to 12 psi) also controls boost
LINK DISPLAY for datalogging
LC-1 Wideband
Protech P5 Coilovers
KOYO Alloy radiator
13 row Oil cooler
Axxis Ultimate brake pads

Stripped out interior

it was dyno'd after the first mapping session at 250bhp/220lbs running 11.8psi on 97ron. Its since gained a 1/2" bigger turbo inlet & the map has been constantly refined. So probably running about 260bhp now.

Last trackday I went on in mid July I found it'll out accelerate things like 111s Elises with no bother at all and go round corners at a very similar rate as well, generally its faster on track.

Its not broken any gearboxes, engines or anything else its been 100% reliable.

If i was to want to change it for something else, I would see Elise's, old school TVR's, Westfields / Caterhams (with sub 150bhp car engines) all as downgrades. I'd need a VX220 turbo, Exige S, engine swap Elise to replace it.

oh, I did buy a mk2 MR2 as a daily driver after 2 years of Euno's ownership to let the Eunos become more track focused

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Saturday 9th August 14:22

[NiceCupOfTea]

Nice

I would love to change the '5 for something with more grunt (TVR S / 944S2) but I need a reliable "all weathers" car. I must admit, the idea of s/c'ing it does appeal...

[pbirkett]

That sound excellent mr toothrot.

I agree they are far too slow as standard. When I had a go of a 1.8 Mk2 last year, I had a clio 182 at the time, and compared with the clio it felt like it had a 1.2 litre engine it was that slow. Obviously the handling was reasonable but there was too much body roll, a lot more than i was expecting.

I've often thought though that a 250 bhp turbo'd one would be an utter riot though, and sometimes occasionally check the classifieds to see if theres a half decent one i might be interested in.

Sounds shallow this, but I'd have trouble with the image, so if i ever had one it'd have to be a mk1 in the right colour and with a "butch" bodykit on it.

Around about the same time i drove a mk3 MR2, and I was a bit disappointed with that too. It seemed more agile and go-karty as standard than the MX-5, but I got the impression possibly not as playful? Although it was faster than the MX, it was still slow, and the engine sounded very dreary. It had to be revved to the redline to get anything from it and there was little reward for doing so - unlike the Celica T-Sport I drove - I think they really missed their chance by not putting that engine in the MR2, would have been a much better car and probably a genuine elise rival.

Overall I think i would choose the MX as its more playful, easier to tune and customise and sounds better.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Just been browsing the classifieds, found this:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/624210.htm

Looks like an identical car to mine, but with s/c

A lot of bang for buck, these cars...

[Combover]

pbirkett said:

Sounds shallow this, but I'd have trouble with the image, so if i ever had one it'd have to be a mk1 in the right colour and with a "butch" bodykit on it.

I've had a Mk1, Mk2 and Mk2.5.
I agree, the Mk1 is the less effete body style.
I've never had a problem with the image though, even with my latest MX5 being in 'Gay Boy Green' as PHer Fruitcake likes to call it (the bd).
The taunt 'hairdresser' comes from people who are either jealous (like a nob I work with) or too dim to come up with a decent critique. Either the way, they're not worth knowing.

The butch bodykits don't really work all that well on the MX5 in my opinion, as it makes the car seem much heavier visually (and literally I suspect!) on top of the fact that they're actually quite expensive for what is essentially plastic bits you glue on.

[kentmotorcompany]

One more vote for the MX-5 here.



But then I would say that, I have a very nice 2004 1.8 Sport at only £7,750 at the moment: http://dealerservices.autotrader.co.uk/84486/stock...


Please excuse the shameless plug, I just couldnt help myself.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Gazboy said:

NCOT- couldn't you use a 944S2 as an all weather car.

Yes, I could, but then I have 2 20 year old cars! I know 944s are intrinsically reliable cars, but so are Saab 900s and that lets me down by virtue of being 20 years old!

That may well be what happens in a year or two though

[grahamw48]

Great cars...just a shame about the ste image.

Of course owners will refute that, only natural.

[Thudd]

I'd got for the MR2 MK3/Roadster myself (in fact i'm considering one), but apparently they can eat the pre-cats if they're doing lots of short journeys.

Housemate had one for a while. Great car.
MX5 is very nice, but despite the practicality it's somehow more feminine and less of a "sports" car.

[Blue Meanie]

I've driven botht he MX5, (no idea which version, but it was a 1.8), and the MK3 MR2, and the MR2 is easily the more focussed. It is more like an Elise in the way it drives, despite being down on power. The 5 isn't far behind, but it does feel softer, and not as precise.

[Orb the Impaler]

heebeegeetee said:

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.

I disagree - me and Mrs Orb(s) have been all over Europe for weeks away (including several trips to Spain) in my now-departed MR2, both camping and in hotels and you would be astonished what you can get in there, and we are both 6'2" and I can't bear cabin clutter.

The behind seat stowage is bigger than people are making out, and you can also get a surprising amount in the spare wheel compartment (you'd get an awful lot in if you removed the spare, but I never bothered).

We also had a rear luggage rack from Classic Carriers in Holland which would take a suitcase or tents or whatever. The only real ball-ache would be if you wanted to bring back bottles of wine, although a bit of imagination would enable you to get quite a few stashed here and there

I've now got an SLK and I reckon that I could carry quite a lot more in my MR2 in a roof-down situation.