mx-5 or mr2???

[japgt]

looking for a slightly fun, economical daily driver for around 2k, scoobs off the road awaiting a 2.1 stroker engine, and the jeep grand 4.0 is simply too juicy for daily driving, so looking at either the mx-5 or mr2, im swayed towards the mx-5 but could be tempted by the mr2 if those in the know can sway me for genuine reasons.

so im looking for as much info as possible on both cars, not bothered on being import or uk car but would prefer import due to general condition of cars. i dont want any hairdresser jokes, as these are not important to me.

so any help would be appreciated and thanks in advance.

[GravelBen]

Both are great cars - MX5 is more forgiving and playful for sideways antics, Mk1 MR2 a more precise mid-engined go-kart feel, Mk2 MR2 a bit heavier and more GT-like.

Try and drive a few examples of both, pick the one you like the feel of best

[Kateg28]

MX5 seems more plentiful so probably easier to get one you want. The MK1 MR2 suffers with rust but £2000 will get you a very good restored one. Unlikely to be an import though unless you want an SC when your budget will only get a pretty poor one. There are loads of different options on a MK2 MR2 and the turbo is very fast but the handling meant to be second to the MK1.

I have only driven a MK1 MR2 and am biased. I would like an MX5 but seems silly when I have an MR2 already.

Best bet is to get along to a Jap show and have a look.

[Riknos]

GravelBen said:

Try and drive a few examples of both, pick the one you like the feel of best

Do this. But I would say considering you've got access to two other vehicles, why not go for the mx5 as being a convertible it will add that extra layer of enjoyment when the sun is out and the roof is down.

[Evil.soup]

japgt said:

looking for a slightly fun, economical daily driver for around 2k, scoobs off the road awaiting a 2.1 stroker engine, and the jeep grand 4.0 is simply too juicy for daily driving, so looking at either the mx-5 or mr2, im swayed towards the mx-5 but could be tempted by the mr2 if those in the know can sway me for genuine reasons.

so im looking for as much info as possible on both cars, not bothered on being import or uk car but would prefer import due to general condition of cars. i dont want any hairdresser jokes, as these are not important to me.

so any help would be appreciated and thanks in advance.

I am guessing since it is compared to the MX-5 you mean the mk3 MR2 Roadster??

Personally as I have owned one my heart would sway me towards the MR2. In 17 years of car ownership its 1 of only 2 cars that I miss and would consider owning again in the future as a weekend toy or restoration project. They are great fun to drive and good on fuel while still being reasonably quick, certainly quicker than even the most powerful production MX-5 as far as I am aware.

The only downfalls are the lack of storage space, but its easy to live with, and the fact it can be a little snappy at the rear and will catch you out if you are not on your toes. That said, it is really controlable on the limit, you just need to be mentally prepared to catch it and hold it!

The MR2 Roadster in your budget could have issues though, worst of which is pre-cat breakdown that can munch through the engine and require a transplant or re-build. It didn't affect all cars and was apparantly solved when they facelifted the car but its something to consider.

Its the above reason that tells my head that the MX-5 could be the better purchase as long as it isn't suffering from rot but if its only going to be a short term car my heart still shouts MR2!!

Below is a link to a review that may help you;)

http://www.mojnet.com/video-top-gear-mx5-vs-mr2-vs...

[nottyash]

In your budget I would go MX5, as a £2000 MR2 may need a few quid spending..... speaking from expeience.
A Mk1 MR2 is great but most are a tatty and a good one is out of your budget, and MK2 MR2s dont handle as good as the MK 1 or 3.

[Baryonyx]

I have had a mk2 MX5 and a an MR2 Turbo. The MR2 was more fun in many ways, and would definitely be my choice. The build quality was better too.

[The Flying Ox]

Got to agree with Baryonyx.
Had a Mk2 MR2 Turbo and a Mk1 1.6 MX5.
The MX5 was a great car, don't get me wrong, and is probably a little more forgiving than the MR2, but the MR2 has simply epic performance for the money. 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds from a £2k car? It seemed to be put together a lot more solidly as well. T-bar is almost as good as a soft top too, but they are prone to leaks.

Whichever you choose, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

[japgt]

guys, thanks for the advice, sounds a bit like 6 of one and half a dozen of the other by the looks of it, the mr2 would have been the roadster version, but in all honesty they do seem to hold their value better than the mx-5 and therefore would have been more expensive to purchase a good one.

im prob still going to go mx-5 to be honest, i really like the mark 1, but im also starting to warm to the mark 2 as well, there is a guy near me with a red one thats been lowered with aftermarket wheels and rear spoiler on the boot and it looks quite nice when its washed!!!

any more info greatly appreciated, but i think i may start looking into the mx-5 in more detail and start searching for a good one, im kind of hoping to be able to keep it long term alongside the other cars, provided i can get one in good nick for the right money.

thanks again for the advice people.

[GravelBen]

japgt said:

im prob still going to go mx-5 to be honest, i really like the mark 1, but im also starting to warm to the mark 2 as well, there is a guy near me with a red one thats been lowered with aftermarket wheels and rear spoiler on the boot and it looks quite nice when its washed!!!

Avoid big heavy wheels, its a quick easy way to screw up the handling! 15" is about the best for them.

[Baryonyx]

The Flying Ox said:

Got to agree with Baryonyx.
It seemed to be put together a lot more solidly as well. T-bar is almost as good as a soft top too, but they are prone to leaks.

There is an easy fix with some silicone to stop the T-bar roof leaking. I do prefer the hardtop anyway! That is an easier and cheaper fix than sorting a leaking roof on an MX5 (many are still on the original hood, prone to perishing at the edges over the years, letting water in).

I loved the gearshift in the MX5 but the shift and box in the MR2 Turbo was superior I thought. The feel improved somewhat with what must have been a shortshift kit, the shifter was like a golf ball sitting on the transmission tunnel and was so short and accurate to move. A real joy. As a 'driver's car' I've always rated the MR2 more just because I enjoy the challenge of hustling a mid-engined car. The MX5 is a softer and more playful and definitely a better place for a RWD novice to start.

[japgt]

I did have a skyline gtst a few years back so not a complete red novice but fancy the idea of a slightly more forgiving experience with red I had read about Mr being a bit snap happy, mind you they would prob be far better than the skyline which was got rid of due to its ability to nearly kill you at every junction and island wet or dry with the slightest of prods on the loud pedal!!!

[Evil.soup]

japgt said:

I did have a skyline gtst a few years back so not a complete red novice but fancy the idea of a slightly more forgiving experience with red I had read about Mr being a bit snap happy, mind you they would prob be far better than the skyline which was got rid of due to its ability to nearly kill you at every junction and island wet or dry with the slightest of prods on the loud pedal!!!

They do remind you that you are still alive thats for sure!! I recall a few incidents in mine but 2 stand out.
The first was rushing to get out of a petrol station and cut into busy central London traffic at the first gap and doing a complete 180 in the road and ending up facing a double decker head on on the wrong side of the road!!

The second was simply following a diesel Renault chamade at NSL so not booting it and the back cault a damp patch on a corner, at this point I span a 360 and hit a curb while the Renault just carried on without even looking back!!!!!

Still, great fun though!

[baptistsan]

Currently having the same dilemma.

MX5 mk2.5 or MR2 mk3? So am reading this with interest.

I also need to consider running costs as this will be the every day car. Tax cheaper on the MR2. What about servicing? Assume both happy to run on 95ron petrol?

What else do I need to consider?

Sorry for the hijack.

[Evil.soup]

baptistsan said:

Currently having the same dilemma.

MX5 mk2.5 or MR2 mk3? So am reading this with interest.

I also need to consider running costs as this will be the every day car. Tax cheaper on the MR2. What about servicing? Assume both happy to run on 95ron petrol?

What else do I need to consider?

Sorry for the hijack.

The MR2 is rather good on fuel and can easily return 35mpg due to the vvti engine. It costs no more to service than any car as intervals are 10k from what I can recall and parts are not expensive. They are happy to run on 95ron. The only real down sides are the lack of storage space and the snappy handling compared to the MX5. Personally I prefer the MR2 but you would really need to drive them both and see where you would be more comfortable. The MR2 is closer to the Elise than the MX5, the MX5 has a far more mainsteam feel in comparison.

[Tyrewrecker]

baptistsan said:

Currently having the same dilemma.

MX5 mk2.5 or MR2 mk3? So am reading this with interest.

I also need to consider running costs as this will be the every day car. Tax cheaper on the MR2. What about servicing? Assume both happy to run on 95ron petrol?

What else do I need to consider?

Sorry for the hijack.

Perhaps consider which one you like driving most. Tax would not be a consideration for me with these cars unless it was more than £500 difference or something stupid.

[Angry Paul]

I've currently got a Mk1 MR2 and a Mk2 MX5 and which is the better of the two is very hard to say...

I think the MR2 is fractionally the better drive. It's very sharp, it's faster than any mid 80's n/a 1.6 deserves to be and is very well balanced. I think that it has the nicer engine - what other car you get that revs to 7700rpm? It is the older car and certainly feels it, tiny disc brakes (with no abs), no power steering, awful wind noise.

The MX5 is superb. Fantastic handling, fast enough to be huge fun and with the roof down and on a sunny day is very, very hard to to make an arguement against. But... roof up on a rainy day it can be a fairly depressing place to be, the noise doesn't seem to matter too much with the roof down, but with it up it's fairly dreadful.

It's a tough call, but I'd go the MR2 as the better car but the MX5 might well be the better buy...

[Ej74]

My Thoughts :

Currently own Alfa GT, GTR and MR2.

Have to say i love my MR2 track car weights just over 1000kg.
Nose can be light and understeer
Gear shift precise and perfect.
Starts 1st time everytime.
Brakes and pretty good even in std form but will benefit from braided lines and Dot 5.1.
Can't really tune a N/A engine why bother ?
About to fit some 15" wheels and Toyo 888
Writting off the car doesn't really concerns me

[Tyrewrecker]

Ej74 said:

My Thoughts :

Currently own Alfa GT, GTR and MR2.

Have to say i love my MR2 track car weights just over 1000kg.
Nose can be light and understeer
Gear shift precise and perfect.
Starts 1st time everytime.
Brakes and pretty good even in std form but will benefit from braided lines and Dot 5.1.
Can't really tune a N/A engine why bother ?
About to fit some 15" wheels and Toyo 888
Writting off the car doesn't really concerns me

Why do you need such high boiling point fluid and lines before upgrading pads as minimum?!

Do you track it?

Why bother tune it? Turbo kits can be very fun!

[hygt2]

At that price range, I would go for the best condition, rust-free car. Otherwise, you would be chasing wear and tear item after wear and tear item or rust bubble after rust bubble on a daily driver.