Why does no-one mention....
Why does no-one mention....
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Discussion

vexed

Original Poster:

401 posts

201 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
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As I like to mindlessly follow trends, having a few days of sunshine has made me want a convertible that is RWD, and no too old or high millage so I don't have to faff around getting it repaired. Any I would like something cheeep that doesn't hit the house deposit too much.

I was wondering- on all the 'what car' threads where MX5s are much applauded, why no-one mentions the Toyota MR2? It would seem to fit the bill too. Does it not compare in the fun stakes?

I test drove an MX5 on an impulse after an early escape from work today and after negotiating 500 squid off and a years tax, was in the process of putting down a deposit when a 65yr old lady shuffled up and said "I'll have that one." She offered them full price, and I have never seen such a quick U-turn from a car dealer! Can't blame him though I suppose. In a way I suspect I'm lucky- never a good idea to buy a car on an impulse because you want to drive home with the roof down!


Ps with regards to the MR2, I'm not really concerned about boot space or a leaky roof- it will be a toy only.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

220 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
quotequote all
Some prefer the MR2. A bit sharper, lighter and maybe a tad faster. More twitchy on the limit and less practical and not a hooligans car like the MX can be.

But there's a good choice of rag tops for £3-5k these days. MGF's TF's and smart Roasters are all worth a look too. Even the Alfa's and Fiat's if you don't mind fwd. I'd also seriously look at Z3's too.

alfabadass

1,852 posts

229 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
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The MR-2 looks much nicer and looks the part!

Would love one!

Baffled Spoon

5,258 posts

224 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
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Really poor form for the dealer to back out of a deal while you were sorting the deposit. You answered your own question though with regards to why the MX5 is the default choice - it does have a boot and as such is more of a all rounder/ more feasible as an only car.

Daston

6,151 posts

233 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
quotequote all
The Mk2 MR2 also has a decent sized boot, can be had in T-bar trim and with the turbo lump you can be seeing 300bhp without too much effort.


LukeBird

17,170 posts

239 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
quotequote all
Baffled Spoon said:
Really poor form for the dealer to back out of a deal while you were sorting the deposit. You answered your own question though with regards to why the MX5 is the default choice - it does have a boot and as such is more of a all rounder/ more feasible as an only car.
+1 on both counts.

Steameh

3,155 posts

240 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
quotequote all
Daston said:
The Mk2 MR2 also has a decent sized boot, can be had in T-bar trim and with the turbo lump you can be seeing 300bhp without too much effort.
In similar fashion you can be seeing a hedgerow without too much effort in an MR2.

I was always of the impression the MX5 is a more controllable car at the limit and smoother without the turbo of the MR2 which makes the MR2 a bit lairy at the limit and in suspicious conditions.

BDR529

3,560 posts

204 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
quotequote all
LukeBird said:
+1 on both counts.
I'd be seriously cheesed off if a dealer did that to me.

Suppose he doesn't care if he's getting £500 more for it and not having to pay for tax..

tercelgold

969 posts

187 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
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I test drove an MX5 on an impulse ;a 65yr old lady shuffled up and said "I'll have that one." smile

vexed

Original Poster:

401 posts

201 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
quotequote all
Just realised I didn't say which MR2- I'm talking about the one which looks a little like a boxter rip off- is that what people are referring to above?
I understand it has the same 1.8 engine which lotus bought for the elise, which should make it a fun engine for a sunny day car...

Gizmo!

18,150 posts

239 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
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My OH has had two MR2 Mk3s (the roadster one). She said it was only any good once lowered and stiffened (and she's had an Elise, for comparison).

I had a Mk2 MR2 and it's a completely different car. Amazing seats, sounds good, swaps ends under minor provocation.

I now have an MX5. Have had it two years. Slower than either of the above. But you can thrash the living daylights out of it: it won't bite you and nothing breaks.

ChiChoAndy

73,668 posts

285 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
quotequote all
Steameh said:
In similar fashion you can be seeing a hedgerow without too much effort in an MR2.

I was always of the impression the MX5 is a more controllable car at the limit and smoother without the turbo of the MR2 which makes the MR2 a bit lairy at the limit and in suspicious conditions.
Not driven one then? Any 245 bhp rwd mid engined car will see a hedge if you drive like a cock.

H_Kan

4,942 posts

229 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
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I'd go S2000, £6k will see you in one with reasonable mileage.

Absolutely love them and would have one in a heart beat if I could get insured on the bugger.

daemon

40,169 posts

227 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
quotequote all
Daston said:
The Mk2 MR2 also has a decent sized boot, can be had in T-bar trim and with the turbo lump you can be seeing 300bhp without too much effort.
its not a convertible though is it?

And even if it were, 300BHP is hardly the point of a convertible.

tom_loughlin

371 posts

230 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
quotequote all
I've had a few mk2's, including a turbo, and the tub was undoubtedly my favourite car I've had (in a funny way, more fun than my se7en and Chim).

Loved it, and still would get another one tomorrow if I had the spare cash.


Jayho

2,413 posts

200 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
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H_Kan said:
I'd go S2000, £6k will see you in one with reasonable mileage.

Absolutely love them and would have one in a heart beat if I could get insured on the bugger.
+ 1

Saw one with its roof down today, let if out of the junction just so I could admire it from behind. I was hoping it'd be going out for a hoon and I'd have probably been stalkerish and seen how long/far I could keep up, but it ended up going to the local parts shop. And in good old Ph sunny day fashion, I went for a nice wee hoon! :P

D1bram

1,518 posts

201 months

Saturday 4th June 2011
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I had one, it was great, really fun to drive. It liked a drink of oil though (many do!) and it was a bit old tbh so I changed it for a Mk3 MX-5 2.0.

The mazda is faster, more comfortable and a more practical, but the MR2 seemed to handle a touch better.

vexed

Original Poster:

401 posts

201 months

Saturday 4th June 2011
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After reading the comments above I had a quick look at the price of MG Tfs- my God they are cheap! Make the MX5s look expensive...

spike ST500

1,295 posts

185 months

Saturday 4th June 2011
quotequote all
alfabadass said:
The MR-2 looks much nicer and looks the part!

Would love one!
+1 on this

Road Pest

3,123 posts

228 months

Saturday 4th June 2011
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Picked my MR2 Mk2 up for just over a grand. Admittedly needed a couple of things sorting on it (radiator and handbrake cable) but now that's out the way thoroughly enjoying it. It feels like a lot of car for what seems very little money.