Sub £2k Weekend Fun - MR2?

[Dan_1981]

Playing with the idea of spending a bit of spare cash on something fun for the summer / weekends.

Mon - Fri I do a lengthy commute in the SAAB and its great for this but I do miss having something a little more fun when I want to go for a drive.

I've had an MX5 before and lots of fun but I don't want another one.

I was thinking maybe an MR2?

Like the T-bar so I can have the roof off feeling through the summer and there seem to be examples available for about £1k

Anything to be massively aware of?

Ideally I want something to see me through the summer, i'll then decide what to do with it come winter time.

Any other suggestions?

Only requirements are sub £2k and vaguely reliable - ie: I can leave it for a week and it'll start again. Roof off or down would be nice too.

[Martin350]

How about a Mk3 MR2 Roadster?

Can be had for £2k or less and, in my opinion, more fun to drive than a Mk2 MR2 or MX5.

[Dan_1981]

Have to say they do nothing for me looks wise, always took them as a poor MX5.

Willing to be corrected though.

[TREMAiNE]

What about a hot hatch - Clio 172/182?

[Ollerton57]

Dan_1981 said:

Have to say they do nothing for me looks wise, always took them as a poor MX5.

Willing to be corrected though.

I've previously had a mk1 mx5 and now have a MR2 Roadster and personally much prefer the MR2.

Drive both and see which you like.

[350Matt]

I've got a roadster and have driven Mx5's

and the Mk3 MR2 is superior is most respects

handles extremly well, is light ( 970 kg) and moderatly powerful ( 140 bhp)

watch out for the oil consumption issues with this engine though

doesn't effect everyone but it a fair few

the facelift models post 2003 are a bit better in this regard and you get a 6 speed gearbox and a stiffer chassis too but are more expensive

[Martin350]

350Matt said:

the facelift models post 2003 are a bit better in this regard and you get a 6 speed gearbox and a stiffer chassis too but are more expensive

And a limited slip diff!

[Jasandjules]

Mk2 MR2 is a great car to have fun with. Even driving at night with the roof panels in but not the "felt" panels so you can look up and see the stars..

[carinaman]

There's a recent thread about how good a drive they are, great handling and 38MPG.

This article raved about it, but I can only find the images:

http://www.evo.co.uk/front_website/gallery.php?o=0...

I found the recent PH thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[budfox]

I had an MR2 Roadster and of every car I have owned, it was the one I regretting getting rid of the most.

[slipstream 1985]

I bought a z3 2.8 last summer for just this thing. Great car 15 years old but looks far younger. You can cruise roof down and with a nice grunt of power to push you along waft past traffic. Or go all out attack on the B roads with traction control off (properly off) for 6 or 7 corners before the dreaded bmw brake fade. It's a nicely ballanced car thats only main fault is pretty severe skuttle shake.

[jimi]

I would look to spend a bit more and get an S2000.

[Fantuzzi]

Lots of love for the mk3 mr2, from both mags (they raved about it on realise) and owners. I adore mine. Pre cats can be a problem, so gut them out, I think garages will do it for 60ish, mr2oc has a thread of garages that do it. Other than that you get the 'it doesn't have much boot space', but its a sports car, and brilliant one so Id rather have brilliant turn in than extra room...

I'd like to see a group test with a mk1 mr2 and mk1 mx5, as the mr2 was meant to be epic when it came out, and it seem most people seem to value the mr2 over the mazda despite its great rep.