Discussion
Agree with silver being the best colour (that's what mine was).
Also agree with the bracing, I bought and fitted a "belly brace" and it made a big difference.
Personally I preferred slightly wider than stock tyres on the front as it dialed out the understeer without losing much in the way of feel.
Custom exhaust made a big difference to the sound.
Not sure I agree with the hard top though. I've got one for my mx5 and it just takes up room in my shed, it's so much more fun to drive with the roof down in my opinion. I can't say I notice any real dynamic difference with a hard top on really that makes it worth losing out on that outdoors experience.
Also agree with the bracing, I bought and fitted a "belly brace" and it made a big difference.
Personally I preferred slightly wider than stock tyres on the front as it dialed out the understeer without losing much in the way of feel.
Custom exhaust made a big difference to the sound.
Not sure I agree with the hard top though. I've got one for my mx5 and it just takes up room in my shed, it's so much more fun to drive with the roof down in my opinion. I can't say I notice any real dynamic difference with a hard top on really that makes it worth losing out on that outdoors experience.
the hardtop does stiffen the chassis a lot, but so does the the underbody cross brace,. So if you have the bracing the hardtop makes very little difference
the facelift also had font and rear additional bracing, both of which is available in the aftermarket
Front Tower Brace will tighten tthe steering markedly, as will the front under brace, both together make a huge difference and reduce scuttle shake
upgraded rear tower brace and rear underbody bracing make the arse much more predictable
the facelift also had font and rear additional bracing, both of which is available in the aftermarket
Front Tower Brace will tighten tthe steering markedly, as will the front under brace, both together make a huge difference and reduce scuttle shake
upgraded rear tower brace and rear underbody bracing make the arse much more predictable
A hard top came with mine, and it's never been on it.
My car is strictly a weekend / nice weather toy, so the hard top makes zero sense for me and even if it wasn't, I still wouldn't have it on because you instantly lose the flexibility of having the roof down.
If you're going to be doing a lot of motorway type driving, and you don't care about getting the roof down, then yes, the hard top will make quite a big difference in that use case. Beyond that, I'm very meh about it.
My car is strictly a weekend / nice weather toy, so the hard top makes zero sense for me and even if it wasn't, I still wouldn't have it on because you instantly lose the flexibility of having the roof down.
If you're going to be doing a lot of motorway type driving, and you don't care about getting the roof down, then yes, the hard top will make quite a big difference in that use case. Beyond that, I'm very meh about it.
The matter of hardtop or not I guess depends on what you buy the car for.
If you buy it as a convertible, which means basically cruising, then the hardtop makes no sense.
But if you buy it as a "B-road attacking machine", then the hardtop is indispensable IMO. Last thing I want is to drive a convertible fast around B-roads. Several negatives there. I'm talking really hard drive though.
Enjoying the open weather is for cruising. I don't even notice the weather why I'm driving it like a bat outta hell.
The great thing about having the hardtop is, you have the option of both driving modes.
So basically, if you bought it because you want a nice sporty convertible, then you will survive with no hardtop. If you bough it as a budget Elise, hardtop is your friend. Elise is open but not a convertible and that it a tell tale.
If you buy it as a convertible, which means basically cruising, then the hardtop makes no sense.
But if you buy it as a "B-road attacking machine", then the hardtop is indispensable IMO. Last thing I want is to drive a convertible fast around B-roads. Several negatives there. I'm talking really hard drive though.
Enjoying the open weather is for cruising. I don't even notice the weather why I'm driving it like a bat outta hell.
The great thing about having the hardtop is, you have the option of both driving modes.
So basically, if you bought it because you want a nice sporty convertible, then you will survive with no hardtop. If you bough it as a budget Elise, hardtop is your friend. Elise is open but not a convertible and that it a tell tale.
Shifter1 said:
But if you buy it as a "B-road attacking machine", then the hardtop is indispensable IMO. Last thing I want is to drive a convertible fast around B-roads. Several negatives there. I'm talking really hard drive though.
If you're genuinely driving the car hard enough on the public road for a hardtop to make a real tangible difference in terms of dynamics, then I really don't want to be sharing the road with you.TheJimi said:
Shifter1 said:
But if you buy it as a "B-road attacking machine", then the hardtop is indispensable IMO. Last thing I want is to drive a convertible fast around B-roads. Several negatives there. I'm talking really hard drive though.
If you're genuinely driving the car hard enough on the public road for a hardtop to make a real tangible difference in terms of dynamics, then I really don't want to be sharing the road with you. Of course, that depends on what type of driver the person is. Some claim they can't even tell when a car is RWD or FWD.But the difference is there and is tangible, specially if the car is stock. With extra bracing, as already mentioned, the hardtop starts making less and less difference, dynamically. But it is still a benefit dynamically. Plus aerodynamically, noise, safety etc.
Secondly, spirited driving doesn't need to be dangerous. Unless the driver doesn't know what he is doing. As I already mentioned, you never need to leave legal speeds to have fun with the MR2.
Third, basically nobody is sharing the road, when you get up 5:00 to go for a spirited drive on a Sunday morning.
markiii said:
the hardtop does stiffen the chassis a lot, but so does the the underbody cross brace,. So if you have the bracing the hardtop makes very little difference
the facelift also had font and rear additional bracing, both of which is available in the aftermarket
Front Tower Brace will tighten tthe steering markedly, as will the front under brace, both together make a huge difference and reduce scuttle shake
upgraded rear tower brace and rear underbody bracing make the arse much more predictable
With the hardtop it's a matter of what bracing you should still add. How much difference and improvement each of them would add, or if you would just be adding extra weight for not much return. But for spirited driving as a convertible, IMO bracing is a must. the facelift also had font and rear additional bracing, both of which is available in the aftermarket
Front Tower Brace will tighten tthe steering markedly, as will the front under brace, both together make a huge difference and reduce scuttle shake
upgraded rear tower brace and rear underbody bracing make the arse much more predictable
Looks to be in excellent condition, I bought an early silver MR-S on a whim a few months back after realising how much value they still offer. Like you say the engines are better than expected and coming from various Honda B/K engines they don't compare in the excitement department but do feel like they have some low down grunt with the long stroke and enjoyable to use once you understand them a little.
Found out mine likes a drink of oil after finally figuring out how to read that dipstick accurately, it does have 100k+ on it to be fair but still runs really well. Sorting out an engine replacement next along with some of the other common ones.
Found out mine likes a drink of oil after finally figuring out how to read that dipstick accurately, it does have 100k+ on it to be fair but still runs really well. Sorting out an engine replacement next along with some of the other common ones.
TheJimi said:
Shifter1 said:
But if you buy it as a "B-road attacking machine", then the hardtop is indispensable IMO. Last thing I want is to drive a convertible fast around B-roads. Several negatives there. I'm talking really hard drive though.
If you're genuinely driving the car hard enough on the public road for a hardtop to make a real tangible difference in terms of dynamics, then I really don't want to be sharing the road with you.However I will concede I'm not driving like I would on a track either, obviously that's not appropriate for the roads but to say you only cruise around in a convertible is just not the case for me anyway.
I honestly can't tell the difference hard top on or off. If that matters so much then just buy a coupe instead.
Shifter1 said:
markiii said:
the hardtop does stiffen the chassis a lot, but so does the the underbody cross brace,. So if you have the bracing the hardtop makes very little difference
the facelift also had font and rear additional bracing, both of which is available in the aftermarket
Front Tower Brace will tighten tthe steering markedly, as will the front under brace, both together make a huge difference and reduce scuttle shake
upgraded rear tower brace and rear underbody bracing make the arse much more predictable
With the hardtop it's a matter of what bracing you should still add. How much difference and improvement each of them would add, or if you would just be adding extra weight for not much return. But for spirited driving as a convertible, IMO bracing is a must. the facelift also had font and rear additional bracing, both of which is available in the aftermarket
Front Tower Brace will tighten tthe steering markedly, as will the front under brace, both together make a huge difference and reduce scuttle shake
upgraded rear tower brace and rear underbody bracing make the arse much more predictable
TameRacingDriver said:
TheJimi said:
Shifter1 said:
But if you buy it as a "B-road attacking machine", then the hardtop is indispensable IMO. Last thing I want is to drive a convertible fast around B-roads. Several negatives there. I'm talking really hard drive though.
If you're genuinely driving the car hard enough on the public road for a hardtop to make a real tangible difference in terms of dynamics, then I really don't want to be sharing the road with you.However I will concede I'm not driving like I would on a track either, obviously that's not appropriate for the roads but to say you only cruise around in a convertible is just not the case for me anyway.
I honestly can't tell the difference hard top on or off. If that matters so much then just buy a coupe instead.
Your car is braced though, right?
Just wind noise and less scuttle shake with the hardtop on is already enough benefit for me. Even if there were not all the other benefits.
k20ris said:
Looks to be in excellent condition, I bought an early silver MR-S on a whim a few months back after realising how much value they still offer. Like you say the engines are better than expected and coming from various Honda B/K engines they don't compare in the excitement department but do feel like they have some low down grunt with the long stroke and enjoyable to use once you understand them a little.
Found out mine likes a drink of oil after finally figuring out how to read that dipstick accurately, it does have 100k+ on it to be fair but still runs really well. Sorting out an engine replacement next along with some of the other common ones.
Speaking of replacement engines, I can confirm a K20 brings this chassis alive a treat... Found out mine likes a drink of oil after finally figuring out how to read that dipstick accurately, it does have 100k+ on it to be fair but still runs really well. Sorting out an engine replacement next along with some of the other common ones.
Best of luck with the car OP, will keep an eye out for further updates.
markiii said:
much oil use probably means teh precats have disintegrated
But with 100k+ on it and still running really well as he says, the pre-cats have probably been gutted a while ago, right. Easy enough to find out though, by looking into the O2 sensor holes. If it's pitch black, pre cats have been gutted out and no longer are a reason to worry.
markiii said:
Shifter1 said:
markiii said:
the hardtop does stiffen the chassis a lot, but so does the the underbody cross brace,. So if you have the bracing the hardtop makes very little difference
the facelift also had font and rear additional bracing, both of which is available in the aftermarket
Front Tower Brace will tighten tthe steering markedly, as will the front under brace, both together make a huge difference and reduce scuttle shake
upgraded rear tower brace and rear underbody bracing make the arse much more predictable
With the hardtop it's a matter of what bracing you should still add. How much difference and improvement each of them would add, or if you would just be adding extra weight for not much return. But for spirited driving as a convertible, IMO bracing is a must. the facelift also had font and rear additional bracing, both of which is available in the aftermarket
Front Tower Brace will tighten tthe steering markedly, as will the front under brace, both together make a huge difference and reduce scuttle shake
upgraded rear tower brace and rear underbody bracing make the arse much more predictable
k20ris said:
Found out mine likes a drink of oil after finally figuring out how to read that dipstick accurately, it does have 100k+ on it to be fair but still runs really well. Sorting out an engine replacement next along with some of the other common ones.
If the engine runs strong, oil burn alone is not a solid reason to replace the engine IMO. They all do it at some level. Plus there are things you can do and still run it for thousands more miles. Unless you want a swap of course.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff