MX-5 or MR2 MK1 as a summer toy - which would you choose?
Discussion
Now, I'm gonna come right out and say that having driven both cars, I think the little Toyota is the better experience. However, I am also acutely aware of the rate at which they rot. That said, they are more rare and I think prettier than the Mazda.
What's the view of everyone here? I am on my own on this?
What's the view of everyone here? I am on my own on this?
That's a good point about finding a good MR - most are held together with gob and the collective will of the occupants. I've owned a few and they were all rotten old pigs. Still drive nice, mind.
The father-in-law's H-plate Eunos is in great nick by comparison to anything I've owned from Toyota.
The father-in-law's H-plate Eunos is in great nick by comparison to anything I've owned from Toyota.
I've driven both and chose an MX5 - depends on your handling preference, the difference being largely down to engine location. MR2 is a bit more precise and go-kart-like while the MX5 is much more willing to play sideways games without swapping ends.
There is also the convertible factor if that matters - I would have preferred a hard-top when I first bought an MX5 but now have the roof down at every available opportunity, it just gets under your skin!
There is also the convertible factor if that matters - I would have preferred a hard-top when I first bought an MX5 but now have the roof down at every available opportunity, it just gets under your skin!
Depends on what you want to use it for. Having driven both and owned one, I'd say the MR2 is the better out and out driver's car, but the MX5, with it's classic front-engined RWD dynamics and a limited slip diff on the imports, has more of a sense of mischief. The Mazda is also more practical and less susceptible to tin worm.
No budget in mind, just thinking about eventually getting some summer wheels (probably just in time for winter...). I've owned a raft of Mr2's in the past and made a profit on the lot of 'em, and every now and then I think about getting another.
It seems that the consensus is that the MR is the better drivers car, and I'd agree with that now that I've got some 'wheel time' in an MX-5 too. That isn't to say that the MX-5 isn't a drivers car (far from it - wonderful, much better than most would believe), but given the rapturous praise the MX-5 gets in the press and on 'what car?' threads and the relative silence around the MR2, I'd expected the Mazda to be a much better car.
It seems that the consensus is that the MR is the better drivers car, and I'd agree with that now that I've got some 'wheel time' in an MX-5 too. That isn't to say that the MX-5 isn't a drivers car (far from it - wonderful, much better than most would believe), but given the rapturous praise the MX-5 gets in the press and on 'what car?' threads and the relative silence around the MR2, I'd expected the Mazda to be a much better car.
Facefirst said:
No budget in mind, just thinking about eventually getting some summer wheels (probably just in time for winter...). I've owned a raft of Mr2's in the past and made a profit on the lot of 'em, and every now and then I think about getting another.
It seems that the consensus is that the MR is the better drivers car, and I'd agree with that now that I've got some 'wheel time' in an MX-5 too. That isn't to say that the MX-5 isn't a drivers car (far from it - wonderful, much better than most would believe), but given the rapturous praise the MX-5 gets in the press and on 'what car?' threads and the relative silence around the MR2, I'd expected the Mazda to be a much better car.
The MX5 is a better long term ownership proposition. The MR2 drives just a touch better. If they were the same age they'd probably be mentioned about the same amount. But the MR2s are just that bit older and rustier etc.It seems that the consensus is that the MR is the better drivers car, and I'd agree with that now that I've got some 'wheel time' in an MX-5 too. That isn't to say that the MX-5 isn't a drivers car (far from it - wonderful, much better than most would believe), but given the rapturous praise the MX-5 gets in the press and on 'what car?' threads and the relative silence around the MR2, I'd expected the Mazda to be a much better car.
The styling of the MR2 wins it for me mostly... They'll both drive fantastically and make you feel great inside but I rarely see a wedge shaped car these day and it would make it a bit more special for me.
I found myself in the same position just over a month ago and ended up buying an mx5 - it just made more sense all things considered.
I found myself in the same position just over a month ago and ended up buying an mx5 - it just made more sense all things considered.
Good thing about the mx5 is that parts are easy to come by, you can drop the roof and can up the performance very easily. Added to this, it has good boot space for a convertible and so you could go on a weekend away easily whereas the MR2 might be a bit more limiting.
My partner is thinking of selling hers at the minute, purely because we need something more practical, otherwise we'd keep hold of it as it's great fun to drive
My partner is thinking of selling hers at the minute, purely because we need something more practical, otherwise we'd keep hold of it as it's great fun to drive
Wadeski said:
worth consdering a sorted Mk2 MR2 (e.g. running decent coilovers, chassis braces + big brakes), or even a mk3 as well as the mk1?
mk3s are down to £5k these days. Just make sure you drop the cat for a sports exhaust as they have tendency to degrade.
Mk2 is a bit bigger/heavier with more of a GT than sportscar feel compared to the Mk1 and MX5 so may not suit the OP as well - good cars though and turbo versions go very well. Mk3 is closer to the spirit of the Mk1 but apparently has even less luggage space than the Mk1!mk3s are down to £5k these days. Just make sure you drop the cat for a sports exhaust as they have tendency to degrade.
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 24th May 12:51
Facefirst said:
It seems that the consensus is that the MR is the better drivers car, and I'd agree with that now that I've got some 'wheel time' in an MX-5 too. That isn't to say that the MX-5 isn't a drivers car (far from it - wonderful, much better than most would believe), but given the rapturous praise the MX-5 gets in the press and on 'what car?' threads and the relative silence around the MR2, I'd expected the Mazda to be a much better car.
Can you be more specific? What characteristics of the MX5 did not meet expectations and what for you makes the MR2 a better car? Not having driven an MR2 I wondering if I should put it on my radar, although in general I do tend to prefer the balance and predictable nature of front-engined cars.plenty said:
Facefirst said:
It seems that the consensus is that the MR is the better drivers car, and I'd agree with that now that I've got some 'wheel time' in an MX-5 too. That isn't to say that the MX-5 isn't a drivers car (far from it - wonderful, much better than most would believe), but given the rapturous praise the MX-5 gets in the press and on 'what car?' threads and the relative silence around the MR2, I'd expected the Mazda to be a much better car.
Can you be more specific? What characteristics of the MX5 did not meet expectations and what for you makes the MR2 a better car? Not having driven an MR2 I wondering if I should put it on my radar, although in general I do tend to prefer the balance and predictable nature of front-engined cars.Steering - more alert, very detailed
Gear shift - quicker than the MX-5
Ride - I think the MR2 take the sting of bumps a tad better than the MX-5
Engine - wants to be revved and come on cam more strongly than that in the Mazda (I drove a 1.6 import)
That isn't to say that the MX-5 is in any way NOT good (far from it), but of the two I thought the Toyota was the better. But hey, what do I know??!! I'd try and drive both and see which suites.
plenty said:
Can you be more specific? What characteristics of the MX5 did not meet expectations and what for you makes the MR2 a better car? Not having driven an MR2 I wondering if I should put it on my radar, although in general I do tend to prefer the balance and predictable nature of front-engined cars.
The MR2 changes direction more willingly, probably because it has a lower polar moment of inertia. It also has more natural feeling steering and just feels lighter. I think it's unfair to say the MR2 is a better drivers' car in absolute terms - the MX5 is a good example of a front engined RWD setup and the MR2 is a good example of a mid engined RWD setup. Personally I greatly prefer the handling characteristics of mid engined cars, but that's not to say they're actually better in the absolute.GravelBen said:
Wadeski said:
worth consdering a sorted Mk2 MR2 (e.g. running decent coilovers, chassis braces + big brakes), or even a mk3 as well as the mk1?
mk3s are down to £5k these days. Just make sure you drop the cat for a sports exhaust as they have tendency to degrade.
Mk2 is a bit bigger/heavier with more of a GT than sportscar feel compared to the Mk1 and MX5 so may not suit the OP as well - good cars though and turbo versions go very well. Mk3 is closer to the spirit of the Mk1 but apparently has even less luggage space than the Mk1!mk3s are down to £5k these days. Just make sure you drop the cat for a sports exhaust as they have tendency to degrade.
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 24th May 12:51
Facefirst said:
For me, the things that put the MR2 in front were:
Steering - more alert, very detailed
Gear shift - quicker than the MX-5
Ride - I think the MR2 take the sting of bumps a tad better than the MX-5
Engine - wants to be revved and come on cam more strongly than that in the Mazda (I drove a 1.6 import)
Interesting - perhaps down to individual cars driven, I'd agree in some ways but not others:Steering - more alert, very detailed
Gear shift - quicker than the MX-5
Ride - I think the MR2 take the sting of bumps a tad better than the MX-5
Engine - wants to be revved and come on cam more strongly than that in the Mazda (I drove a 1.6 import)
Steering - MR2 more detailed and feelsome yes (non PAS MR2 I drove compared with PAS MX5) but MX5 just as sharp, MR2 nose gets a tad floaty/wandery at speed.
Gearshift - both good but MX5 tighter and more mechanical feeling.
Ride - MR2 tended to get the nose bobbing over bumps where the MX5 soaks them up without getting flustered.
Engine - Agreed as standard the MR2 4AGE is subjectively nicer than the MX5 B6-Z and a comparison between my mates MR2 and my first MX5 had the MR2 slightly ahead in a straight line (this would be largely evened out by the common MX5 14° timing bump). Current MX5 is a 280bhp turbonuttermobile so not a fair comparison there.
Certainly agree though that they're both fantastic cars and the differences are down to personal preference rather than one being significantly better than the other.
Edited by GravelBen on Monday 24th May 13:49
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