MR2 mk2 - any good?
Discussion
Afternoon all!
Being really indecisive about what car to go for next, had my heart set on a mk1 mx5, then came across the mr2 and was pleasntly surprised by the insurance quote.
Would only be spending up to £1000 so woudnt be a turbo one, and probably not going to be perfect.
But i dont mind spending money down the line to get it perfect.
Question is, are they any good?
Reliability?
Handling?
Does it 'feel' quick?
Would you rather one everyday than an mx5?
Any advice greatly appreciated !
Being really indecisive about what car to go for next, had my heart set on a mk1 mx5, then came across the mr2 and was pleasntly surprised by the insurance quote.
Would only be spending up to £1000 so woudnt be a turbo one, and probably not going to be perfect.
But i dont mind spending money down the line to get it perfect.
Question is, are they any good?
Reliability?
Handling?
Does it 'feel' quick?
Would you rather one everyday than an mx5?
Any advice greatly appreciated !
I'm glad one of my previous comments made an impression :-)
my ownership of a mk2 mr2 was very pleasent, no issues other than a bold tyre. there is things to look out for though; rust around top mounts, rusty radiator (leads to overheating), body is plastic so no rust to worry about there.
owning one is everyday is not too sad, boot space is supprisingly big (we done a few weekends away and it was enough), seating position is very low but not an issue if your backs alright. they are a bit twitchy in the wet and mid engine / rear wheel drive can bite if not given a bit of respect.
go for it would be my advice, make sure you drive other vehicles you like the look of aswell because buying a car is a personal thing.
my ownership of a mk2 mr2 was very pleasent, no issues other than a bold tyre. there is things to look out for though; rust around top mounts, rusty radiator (leads to overheating), body is plastic so no rust to worry about there.
owning one is everyday is not too sad, boot space is supprisingly big (we done a few weekends away and it was enough), seating position is very low but not an issue if your backs alright. they are a bit twitchy in the wet and mid engine / rear wheel drive can bite if not given a bit of respect.
go for it would be my advice, make sure you drive other vehicles you like the look of aswell because buying a car is a personal thing.
callywally18 said:
Question is, are they any good?
Reliability? Mine was very reliable, the only expensive thing was rear tyres @ £80 each (compared to £30 for the fronts). The alternator also went the night before a euro trip, but something always goes wrong the night before
Handling? Once I had polybushed and had a 4-wheel alignment, it was very planted. Before this, on track particularly, it didn't inspire much confidence (i.e. it ended up in a gravel trap).
Does it 'feel' quick? I always felt the gearing was a little long, IIRC you hit 60+ in 2nd, means it's difficult to really enjoy on back roads. That said, it was as fast as my Dad's supercharged MX5 past 100 (Autobahns). Do your research as there were loads of different engine outputs/weights/suspension changes through the years.
Would you rather one everyday than an mx5? Depends if you want a roof down/sideways machine or a cruiser/planted semi-sports car. My MR2 was great on the trip to the Nurburgring (loads of luggage space, very comfortable and very quiet) but I would have preferred a MX5 when I got there. FWIW - if I was looking at another MR2 I'd probably be looking for a MK1 or MK3.
Answers above.Reliability? Mine was very reliable, the only expensive thing was rear tyres @ £80 each (compared to £30 for the fronts). The alternator also went the night before a euro trip, but something always goes wrong the night before
Handling? Once I had polybushed and had a 4-wheel alignment, it was very planted. Before this, on track particularly, it didn't inspire much confidence (i.e. it ended up in a gravel trap).
Does it 'feel' quick? I always felt the gearing was a little long, IIRC you hit 60+ in 2nd, means it's difficult to really enjoy on back roads. That said, it was as fast as my Dad's supercharged MX5 past 100 (Autobahns). Do your research as there were loads of different engine outputs/weights/suspension changes through the years.
Would you rather one everyday than an mx5? Depends if you want a roof down/sideways machine or a cruiser/planted semi-sports car. My MR2 was great on the trip to the Nurburgring (loads of luggage space, very comfortable and very quiet) but I would have preferred a MX5 when I got there. FWIW - if I was looking at another MR2 I'd probably be looking for a MK1 or MK3.
I asked the same question nearly two years ago. I bought a Rev 3 NA t-bar. Never looked back.
It was reliable, fun, quick enough after driving a 1.4 Fiesta around for 5 months!
I only had a couple of the common problems - seized brake and seized alternator pulley. Easily fixed on the drive way.
I'm on to a Rev 2 turbo now, which is a bit Jeckyl and Hyde. All the composure and grace of the NA until you floor it.
I say go for it. Always time for an MX5 later if you still have the itch.
Any specific questions feel free to ask. And IMO you can get a better MR2 NA for £1000 than you can an MX5.
Just to wet your appetite...
IMG_2991 by danjama, on Flickr
It was reliable, fun, quick enough after driving a 1.4 Fiesta around for 5 months!
I only had a couple of the common problems - seized brake and seized alternator pulley. Easily fixed on the drive way.
I'm on to a Rev 2 turbo now, which is a bit Jeckyl and Hyde. All the composure and grace of the NA until you floor it.
I say go for it. Always time for an MX5 later if you still have the itch.
Any specific questions feel free to ask. And IMO you can get a better MR2 NA for £1000 than you can an MX5.
Just to wet your appetite...
IMG_2991 by danjama, on FlickrEdited by danjama on Saturday 23 August 15:10
I had a Rev.3 a few years back as an only car (daily driven). Mine was not a very good example, but it felt quite special to me given that it was only £1500. I have had lengthy drives of MX5s (including a supercharged version) and not found them to be very interesting at all.
The mid engined layout, supportive seats and low driving position are what I put this down to. I would definitely buy one over an MX5 - far more of an event!
Having said that, the next owner span it at speed and wrote it off within 2 weeks of ownership by driving it like you would a hot hatch - be careful when cold/wet (even with good tyres).
Failures over 15 months/10,000 miles were limited to a sticky brake caliper (replaced) and a sticky alternator (tapped with a hammer from time to time).
The mid engined layout, supportive seats and low driving position are what I put this down to. I would definitely buy one over an MX5 - far more of an event!
Having said that, the next owner span it at speed and wrote it off within 2 weeks of ownership by driving it like you would a hot hatch - be careful when cold/wet (even with good tyres).
Failures over 15 months/10,000 miles were limited to a sticky brake caliper (replaced) and a sticky alternator (tapped with a hammer from time to time).
Go for it, they are great cars. I've never driven the NA but if it's anything like my old Turbo, it'll be good. It's an old cliche, but it's the sort of car where every drive is an event. A genuinely special feeling machine. If only you could stretch to a turbo, as even in standard tune they are genuinely fast.
Great cars and great at rusting too. Check sills and rear wheel arch recesses (look inside the boot and remove the small boot floor extensions to have a good look)
As long as the shell is rust free and straight then the rest can be changed/sorted out very cheaply due to vast numbers of cars being broken for spares. The NA has a nice delivery if you like to use all the revs, as low down I found them pretty gutless. But on the whole if you can get a well sorted one, with the T-bar in the middle of summer it can be the best money you have ever spent!
As long as the shell is rust free and straight then the rest can be changed/sorted out very cheaply due to vast numbers of cars being broken for spares. The NA has a nice delivery if you like to use all the revs, as low down I found them pretty gutless. But on the whole if you can get a well sorted one, with the T-bar in the middle of summer it can be the best money you have ever spent!
Edited by Ug_lee on Saturday 23 August 16:20
There are turbos out there for that kind of money, but be very, very, careful. As said, rust is the big enemy.
Completely different car to the MX5.
If going n/a I think I'd go for a Mk1.
Only downside is that they're relatively difficult to work on (access) and quite sophisticated.
My £580 turbo has been my daily driver (except for taking it off the road for a rear suspension rebuild) -- only real issue the alternator.
Completely different car to the MX5.
If going n/a I think I'd go for a Mk1.
Only downside is that they're relatively difficult to work on (access) and quite sophisticated.
My £580 turbo has been my daily driver (except for taking it off the road for a rear suspension rebuild) -- only real issue the alternator.
TheRealFingers99 said:
There are turbos out there for that kind of money, but be very, very, careful. As said, rust is the big enemy.
Completely different car to the MX5.
If going n/a I think I'd go for a Mk1.
Only downside is that they're relatively difficult to work on (access) and quite sophisticated.
My £580 turbo has been my daily driver (except for taking it off the road for a rear suspension rebuild) -- only real issue the alternator.
You got a MR2 Turbo with life in it for under £600? Wow. Fair enough it sounded like it needed some money spent on it but I think that price for that performance is almost impossible to beat. Fingers crossed it stays reliable whilst you own it.Completely different car to the MX5.
If going n/a I think I'd go for a Mk1.
Only downside is that they're relatively difficult to work on (access) and quite sophisticated.
My £580 turbo has been my daily driver (except for taking it off the road for a rear suspension rebuild) -- only real issue the alternator.
callywally18 said:
Afternoon all!
Question is, are they any good?
Reliability?
Handling?
Does it 'feel' quick?
Would you rather one everyday than an mx5?
Just taken mine out for the first time in weeks so to answer your questionsQuestion is, are they any good?
Reliability?
Handling?
Does it 'feel' quick?
Would you rather one everyday than an mx5?
Yes they are good
Reliability is very good, these cars were properly built by Yamaha and were made when Toyota used quality parts
Handling is good in the dry, especially in rev3 evolution onwards, remember these are mid engined rwd cars, summer cars to be fair
They do feel quick, especially the Turbos which just about will be available to you in that budget, maybe a little more
The Mx5 is a little limp wristed image wise to be honest, the MR2 (mk2) is an aggressive piece of machinery that will kick ass in comparison and still looks good, in turbo form you will make it to the corners first every time
Edited by japaneseskoda on Saturday 23 August 19:45
Yes they are good. Get a nice T-Bar, you can cruise along at night with the roof panels out looking up at the stars, it is quite great.
Handling is not too bad, not as good as the MK1 IME but nonetheless adequate and fun enough (except for one I drove which goodness knows what he did to it but I had opposite lock on about three times at gentle speeds).
Performance? Well, they are ok. Enough to overtake and have some fun with down country lanes.
Would I have one over an MX5? Well, I've had three of them and two MK1s. So yes.
Handling is not too bad, not as good as the MK1 IME but nonetheless adequate and fun enough (except for one I drove which goodness knows what he did to it but I had opposite lock on about three times at gentle speeds).
Performance? Well, they are ok. Enough to overtake and have some fun with down country lanes.
Would I have one over an MX5? Well, I've had three of them and two MK1s. So yes.
Mk1 and Mk3 although slower than the turbo I owned handled far better.
I loved owning it but it was poor at high speed. it would start to take off, steering would go light and wipers would blow up the window at nearly 160mph. scariest moment in a car ever
I loved owning it but it was poor at high speed. it would start to take off, steering would go light and wipers would blow up the window at nearly 160mph. scariest moment in a car ever
Edited by nottyash on Saturday 23 August 21:59
I bought a rev 1 mr2 (1990) for £1000 I had it from August to November2012 during that time it was recovered 8(!) times I can't remember all of the faults but one of them was the alternator plug went on fire and the head gasket blew. When it worked it was great but tbh it wasn't as quick as I expected although above about 5k rpm it was good.
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