Discussion
I've driven my old mk2 MR2 on track back-to-back with a friends mk1 MX5. They're both good track cars, but very different in character.
The MR2 feels more precise, clinical and accurate, but is slightly heavy and leaden on its feet. It has lots of grip but on the stock setup but will start to understeer slightly at the limit. If you're committed you can push it into oversteer, but it's very snappy in the dry. Neither are fast, but the MR2 has quite a bit more poke than the MX5, so will feel less lost on the big open (generally ex or current airfield) circuits. Superb driving position and forward visibility too.
The MX5 feels more pointy and darty but is a much more softly set up car, so you'll definitely need a stiffer setup for track work. Being a soft top, you'll also want a decent cage for safety and rigidity. It has much lower levels of outright grip (that's 185 section tyres for you!) and a more neutral balance, but is child's play to catch when it goes.
Overall, the MR2 would lap much quicker, but for occasional or casual track days, the MX5 might be more of a giggle.
In terms of rust, there are more clean MR2s than MX5s at around £1000 - that was one of the main factors in my choosing the MR2.
The MR2 feels more precise, clinical and accurate, but is slightly heavy and leaden on its feet. It has lots of grip but on the stock setup but will start to understeer slightly at the limit. If you're committed you can push it into oversteer, but it's very snappy in the dry. Neither are fast, but the MR2 has quite a bit more poke than the MX5, so will feel less lost on the big open (generally ex or current airfield) circuits. Superb driving position and forward visibility too.
The MX5 feels more pointy and darty but is a much more softly set up car, so you'll definitely need a stiffer setup for track work. Being a soft top, you'll also want a decent cage for safety and rigidity. It has much lower levels of outright grip (that's 185 section tyres for you!) and a more neutral balance, but is child's play to catch when it goes.
Overall, the MR2 would lap much quicker, but for occasional or casual track days, the MX5 might be more of a giggle.
In terms of rust, there are more clean MR2s than MX5s at around £1000 - that was one of the main factors in my choosing the MR2.
Are you able to stretch to an ex-race car? If you're going to be tracking it as much as 10-12 times a year, I reckon it would be worth you doing this - you'll get a full cage, proper seat and harness and (likely) an adjustable suspension setup too. Certainly cheaper buying one than building one.
Personally I'd go for an MR2. And if you want some advice on buying one, I can recommend Patrick at Rogue Motorsport.
Chris.
Personally I'd go for an MR2. And if you want some advice on buying one, I can recommend Patrick at Rogue Motorsport.
Chris.
Wattsym12 said:
Going to keep it road legal will be much cheaper driving the car up there then it will in my dads truck trailering it up and down
I'm not so sure about that. For a 20 year old (I'm one myself!), insurance will be in the region of £1k, then tax is another £240 or so, MOT £50 at the very least, and that's before they pick up on things that wouldn't matter in a track car (e.g. ABS light, tyre tread, etc...). Basically, you're getting on for £1.5k before you've turned a wheel. Also, with your (our) age, your insurance company won't like you if you set about modifying it, and pretty soon you're going to want to strip it, bucket seats, brakes, suspension, yada yada...If you're dad doesn't mind giving up the odd day (maybe you could offer him some laps in it in return), that seems like the obvious thing to do, given he already has the suitable equipment.
Just my 2p
Wattsym12 said:
He's going to be in on it so insurance will be on him he's got an rs4 wanted to do track days but it's too precious is there anything else in the same league as mx5/mr2 for 2k?
There are others, but those two are in most plentiful supply, and subsequently you'll have plenty to choose from out there, and lots of support should you need it.Synchromesh said:
There are others, but those two are in most plentiful supply, and subsequently you'll have plenty to choose from out there, and lots of support should you need it.
What would you choose out of mx5/mr2 I'm after any advice possible as will be my first experience of track days and such Wattsym12 said:
What would you choose out of mx5/mr2 I'm after any advice possible as will be my first experience of track days and such
As I said, I chose the MR2. You can read about mine in these links:http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I would choose an Mx5 :-)
Everyone has different needs and requirements.
Understand what you want out of it, and take it from there.
As mentioned above and in some other topics, (search) each cars have different aspects.
Mx5 can be a low cost, easy to get on with, easy to learn, cheap to run option BUT may be more speed limited in comparison to an Mr2- you can probably go futher in terms of lap time in an Mr2, but you are missing the point if you are chasing that so early on.
Lots of people, me included, go for Mx5s as they are an easy way in to enjoyment.
At the same time, there are chunk of people who go for Mr2.
You can get track prepped Mx5s on the cheap. Rust issues can be sorted for a few hundread pounds, or more then likely - but a decent ish one, use it for a couple of years, learn the ropes and then move on.
Good luck - and aim just to get out there and have fun!
Everyone has different needs and requirements.
Understand what you want out of it, and take it from there.
As mentioned above and in some other topics, (search) each cars have different aspects.
Mx5 can be a low cost, easy to get on with, easy to learn, cheap to run option BUT may be more speed limited in comparison to an Mr2- you can probably go futher in terms of lap time in an Mr2, but you are missing the point if you are chasing that so early on.
Lots of people, me included, go for Mx5s as they are an easy way in to enjoyment.
At the same time, there are chunk of people who go for Mr2.
You can get track prepped Mx5s on the cheap. Rust issues can be sorted for a few hundread pounds, or more then likely - but a decent ish one, use it for a couple of years, learn the ropes and then move on.
Good luck - and aim just to get out there and have fun!
I had a NA MR2, loved it and drove to the 'ring and back in it. It was great as an all rounder, very comfortable on long trips (even with a noisy exhaust and no interior) but a bit compromised on track. It wasn't much faster than a MX5 despite having 50bhp more. It was also slower and you felt the weight in the corners.
I sort of wish I'd spent more money on suspension etc. trying to sort it, but when you can buy a standard mx5, go into a corner backwards and come out on the racing line - what's the point? Definitely want to try a turbo though.
Check insurance - it'll be a lot if you're 20.
I sort of wish I'd spent more money on suspension etc. trying to sort it, but when you can buy a standard mx5, go into a corner backwards and come out on the racing line - what's the point? Definitely want to try a turbo though.
Check insurance - it'll be a lot if you're 20.
Without having ever driven an mr2..
I'd suggest it's a layout / what you want question: My track experience is M3, Boxster, Mx5. Front engine/rear drive (M3, MX5) seem to be more 'leery' cars, more inclined to slide around a bit, relatively easy to catch, less requiring of neatness. Boxster (mid engine a-la mr2), very 'precise' car. massive corner speed if you learn to exploit it, bit of a tendency towards entry understeer until you learn to neutralise by trail braking - massive mid corner, lots of traction out. Possibly unique to the boxster, but you had to drive it tidily to get the best, much less playful - catch it quick or spin..
I'd suggest it's a layout / what you want question: My track experience is M3, Boxster, Mx5. Front engine/rear drive (M3, MX5) seem to be more 'leery' cars, more inclined to slide around a bit, relatively easy to catch, less requiring of neatness. Boxster (mid engine a-la mr2), very 'precise' car. massive corner speed if you learn to exploit it, bit of a tendency towards entry understeer until you learn to neutralise by trail braking - massive mid corner, lots of traction out. Possibly unique to the boxster, but you had to drive it tidily to get the best, much less playful - catch it quick or spin..
I asked a similar question a month or so ago (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=71&t=1329554&nmt=Trackday+Car%2D+Mk2+or+Mk3+MR2%3F&mid=58286)
I was looking to do the same thing, comparing a MK3 MR2 vs a MK2 MX5 the budget i had put me in the region of precat/oil ring problem MR2's and badly corroded MX5's, in the end i got an 231ps RX8 with freshly rebuilt engine, new clutch/potenzas/cats/brakes and 13 months MOT for £1825, and its in fabulous condition, far too nice to track but it had the right mechanical attibutes i was looking for (Rwd, 6 speed, LSD, decent power and handling). Surprisingly for me (on a multicar policy) it was £40 a year cheaper than the MR2, and £45 cheaper a year for the MX5.
its first trackday is on the 27th, i plan to replace all the fluids, yellowstuff brake pads and some brake ducting and thats it. Will see how we do and will report back. Over Xmas i'll convert the oil system to the 'Sohn' adaptor so i can run 2 stroke to the oil injectors and synthetic in the sump.
Best of luck
Matt
I was looking to do the same thing, comparing a MK3 MR2 vs a MK2 MX5 the budget i had put me in the region of precat/oil ring problem MR2's and badly corroded MX5's, in the end i got an 231ps RX8 with freshly rebuilt engine, new clutch/potenzas/cats/brakes and 13 months MOT for £1825, and its in fabulous condition, far too nice to track but it had the right mechanical attibutes i was looking for (Rwd, 6 speed, LSD, decent power and handling). Surprisingly for me (on a multicar policy) it was £40 a year cheaper than the MR2, and £45 cheaper a year for the MX5.
its first trackday is on the 27th, i plan to replace all the fluids, yellowstuff brake pads and some brake ducting and thats it. Will see how we do and will report back. Over Xmas i'll convert the oil system to the 'Sohn' adaptor so i can run 2 stroke to the oil injectors and synthetic in the sump.
Best of luck
Matt
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Give my comments from owning and tracking them all.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Essentially the mk3 MR2 is best.
Give my comments from owning and tracking them all.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Essentially the mk3 MR2 is best.
Edited by Herman Toothrot on Thursday 10th October 20:30
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