MR2 Roadster or MX5
Discussion
MR2 Roadster 1.8 vvti 2001 model v's Mazda MX5 1.8s 2000 model
Cost the same, same insurance, same running costs, very same. Which is better though? Impossible to get an answer from asking the ownersclubs as they are always biast.
Then throw into the equation for both for £5000 inc vat drive in n/a drive out turbo is available from UK tuning companies. The MR2 ends up with 279bhp the Mazda 230bhp.
????
Which and why (NO, ONES MORE/LESS GIRLY THAN THE OTHER CR*P) just handling/ engines / build quality stuff?
Cost the same, same insurance, same running costs, very same. Which is better though? Impossible to get an answer from asking the ownersclubs as they are always biast.
Then throw into the equation for both for £5000 inc vat drive in n/a drive out turbo is available from UK tuning companies. The MR2 ends up with 279bhp the Mazda 230bhp.
????
Which and why (NO, ONES MORE/LESS GIRLY THAN THE OTHER CR*P) just handling/ engines / build quality stuff?
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.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?
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
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
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
. 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
people said:
Steve- why not buy a rebuilt RX7 from the owners club?
i can't think of any points where they would compare very well to a MR2T to try is silly unless your going to superchare/turbo them in which case all would offer similar performance.
RX7 rebuilt is still tempting, does worry me the potential runnig cost.
The MX5 or MR2 Roadster will be turbo charged, then they would be better in everyway than a mk2 MR2T.
Lighter so more chuckable
Lighter so better PWR (unless MR2T has 350bhp)
Much newer (my MR2T is 14 years old)
Much better suspension design on MX5 not 100% on the MR2 Roadster, they will certainly handle better.
>> Edited by steve bowen on Monday 16th January 10:38
Gazboy said:
Do the running costs of the RX7 compare well to the cost of taking an MX5/MR2 and turbocharging them and modifying the suspension?
Why was the Elise ruled out?
>> Edited by Gazboy on Monday 16th January 16:12
Well :-
New car MUST be faster than a 260bhp MR2T, thats have a bit of weightloss (1250KG wet) ~ 208bhp per ton
With the addition of a turbo kit both the Mx5 & MR2 roadster will be.
MR2 Roadster 975KG + 279bhp = 286 bhp /ton
MX5 1000KG + 260bhp = 260bhp /ton
I can buy either car, get used to it before turbo kit is fitted thats nice.
According to the MR2 owners there hasn't been a mk3 turbo'd engine failure. MX5 people say very reliable also, so once kit is fitted, mapped etc should be trouble free.
The RX7 is basically the same weight as my old MR2 depending on model and has slightly more power, but not much, it would also need modding to get to turbo mx5 / MR2 PWR, added expense.
Stock RX7 1240kg + 280bhp = 225bhp / ton
RX7 unless I know for fact engine has been rebuilt by the right people recently enough has to effectively have a £3K to £4K cushion sitting in the bank doing nothing, this would annoy me.
Elise, K series although light etc isn't reliable and isn't powerful, are there any turbo kits? Would be the earliest mk1 for £8K and the cheapest cars on autotrader are alwas the complete dogs. This is why I shy away.
benjc said:
Just a quick point, but a 260hp MX5 will set you back at least £10k, and that is for a MK1 1.8 that has already been modified to a VERY high standard..(that is based on the last 1.8FM2 that sold within the club) a phrase including hens and teeth come to mind....If you do the modifications yourself you better be ready for a lot of tooing and froing making sure the tuning is right, oh and a deeeeeeeeep wallet....
With MX5s, after 230hpish you faced with fairly deminishing returns...unless you are prepared to spend massive cash, and the closer you get to 250bhp the more gearboxes you will be eating.
May I suggest you see how you get on in mine and base your decision on that, after all, 0-60 in 5 flat at the 1/4 mile in 13.5 is plenty fast for a hairdresser.
Ben,
Many thanks for taking me out for a spin this morning, what a great car. Highly impressed with the MX5 MK1 1.6 turbo of Bens that he's selling, so suprised at how planted it felt. The chassis can obviously easily cope with the power increase.
Now I need a volunteer to take me out in a MR2 roadster turbo ?
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