Mk3 MX5 or Mk3 MR2
Discussion
Having got bored with my FN2 Type R, feels too heavy and easy to drive fast, I'm looking at selling up. Some of the money will be going into my house savings which is a bonus but it only leaves me with 3k tops to play with. I was considering going back to a white goods vehicle, Mk2 Focus, but I've been convinced by a friend to go for a something far more enjoyable but still cheap to run.
Enter the Mk3 Mx5 and Mk3 Mr2. Going to get a test drive in each of them, had a drive in a mk3 mx5 several years ago, to see which I prefer but I was wondering if anyone has owned one and has any advice/ownership experience to share?
In my mind the Mx5 is going to be more playful while the MR2 more rewarding to drive. In my head I'm leaning towards the MR2 for looks and driving experience. I'm going to budget in for a suspension refresh to bring them back to how they should drive, so will be looking at high mileage examples.
Enter the Mk3 Mx5 and Mk3 Mr2. Going to get a test drive in each of them, had a drive in a mk3 mx5 several years ago, to see which I prefer but I was wondering if anyone has owned one and has any advice/ownership experience to share?
In my mind the Mx5 is going to be more playful while the MR2 more rewarding to drive. In my head I'm leaning towards the MR2 for looks and driving experience. I'm going to budget in for a suspension refresh to bring them back to how they should drive, so will be looking at high mileage examples.
Early MK3 are starting to get rust in the sills. Bootlid on a roadster is ali so won't rust but PRHT (which I have is steel)
They are very sensitive to oil level, needs checking regularly, some cars use oil, others don't. Engine replacement is not a quick job & engines are pretty expensive, especially 2Litres. Other option if you need a new lump is a 2.3 or 2.5 from a saloon/hatch Mazda.
Later Mk3.5 (2009 on) got a stronger engine with higher rev limit. But probably out of your budget.
Sensitive to tyre make & geo set up. Early ones had compromised suspension for some weird reason. Later ones much better. Mines on Billies with an LSD & is fine.
Mine is a Mk3.5 PRHT Sport Tech. Toured all over Europe with it. Very comfy & quiet for touring. Also compared to a Mk1 or 2 more economical.
In 59000 miles (I bought at 44K) and 4 1/2 years apart from a EGR valve mine has just had servicing at my local indy. The EGR valve is a pig of a job, not unknown & quite expensive at 550 quid. My indy hates doing them. Apparently you can use a Mondeo valve which is cheaper but still the same amount of labour,
They are very sensitive to oil level, needs checking regularly, some cars use oil, others don't. Engine replacement is not a quick job & engines are pretty expensive, especially 2Litres. Other option if you need a new lump is a 2.3 or 2.5 from a saloon/hatch Mazda.
Later Mk3.5 (2009 on) got a stronger engine with higher rev limit. But probably out of your budget.
Sensitive to tyre make & geo set up. Early ones had compromised suspension for some weird reason. Later ones much better. Mines on Billies with an LSD & is fine.
Mine is a Mk3.5 PRHT Sport Tech. Toured all over Europe with it. Very comfy & quiet for touring. Also compared to a Mk1 or 2 more economical.
In 59000 miles (I bought at 44K) and 4 1/2 years apart from a EGR valve mine has just had servicing at my local indy. The EGR valve is a pig of a job, not unknown & quite expensive at 550 quid. My indy hates doing them. Apparently you can use a Mondeo valve which is cheaper but still the same amount of labour,
Thanks for the feedback, it's appreciated. The MX5 sounds potentially troublesome. I knew of the typical mx5 rust issues but it sounds like the mk3 is not built very well. Might give that a miss in favour of the MR2.
I did manage to have a look and sit in a facelift MR2 today, but couldn't test drive as the bloody seat belt wouldn't secure in place..
The interior was er, a significant step down. Didn't like the leather seats, very slippy! Looks like I might be sticking with my Type R for a while longer. Going to keep my eyes open for a local MR2 still with cloth seats and hopefully get out for a drive in it in nice weather!
Anyone with experience of Mk3 MR2 ownership? I know the cats must go..
I did manage to have a look and sit in a facelift MR2 today, but couldn't test drive as the bloody seat belt wouldn't secure in place..
The interior was er, a significant step down. Didn't like the leather seats, very slippy! Looks like I might be sticking with my Type R for a while longer. Going to keep my eyes open for a local MR2 still with cloth seats and hopefully get out for a drive in it in nice weather!
Anyone with experience of Mk3 MR2 ownership? I know the cats must go..
I've not driven a Mk3 MX5, but I have owned both an FN2 and Mk3 MR2 and have owned 2x Mk1 MX5s.
I rated my lightly modded MR2 as one of the best drivers cars I've ever had. Best fun I've had with my pants on. I certainly enjoyed it more than either MX5 even though I thought they were great fun.
You can pick one up for sub £2k, they are not as rusty as an MX5, and with a few mods it was really good. Exhaust, wheel alignment, belly brace, was all I did. I eventually did the springs but only because one snapped. It would have been absolutely fine on standard items but the lowered springs did improve the looks.
Totally impractical of course, but I loved that little car. Leather seats are as you note not the best, but easily sorted if you feel the need. It followed a Z4C 3.0Si and I'd swear the MR2 was more fun despite half the power on paper.
I rated my lightly modded MR2 as one of the best drivers cars I've ever had. Best fun I've had with my pants on. I certainly enjoyed it more than either MX5 even though I thought they were great fun.
You can pick one up for sub £2k, they are not as rusty as an MX5, and with a few mods it was really good. Exhaust, wheel alignment, belly brace, was all I did. I eventually did the springs but only because one snapped. It would have been absolutely fine on standard items but the lowered springs did improve the looks.
Totally impractical of course, but I loved that little car. Leather seats are as you note not the best, but easily sorted if you feel the need. It followed a Z4C 3.0Si and I'd swear the MR2 was more fun despite half the power on paper.
Less trouble with tinworm on the MR2 than the Mazda for sure, but they aren't totally immune. Rear subframe loves to rot through next to the exhaust. Unfortunately it's not easy to check for if the rear undertray is in place.
A new piece is £350 and easy to fit so long as the bolts haven't rusted too badly (I got lucky).
As you say, pre-cats need to come out if they haven't already been removed. Easy to check if they've been gutted with a cheap borescope and a 22mm O2 sensor socket. If they're still in there and look irregular/broken up, run away.
Go for an '05/'06 car if you can - revised piston design leading to fewer problems (the cats are still in on my recently purchased '05 and look fine - car hardly uses any oil, half litre every 3k miles maybe).
I would agree with TRD about the fun factor - brilliant things to throw about, bags and bags of grip and feedback with properly sorted suspension and good tyres.
A new piece is £350 and easy to fit so long as the bolts haven't rusted too badly (I got lucky).
As you say, pre-cats need to come out if they haven't already been removed. Easy to check if they've been gutted with a cheap borescope and a 22mm O2 sensor socket. If they're still in there and look irregular/broken up, run away.
Go for an '05/'06 car if you can - revised piston design leading to fewer problems (the cats are still in on my recently purchased '05 and look fine - car hardly uses any oil, half litre every 3k miles maybe).
I would agree with TRD about the fun factor - brilliant things to throw about, bags and bags of grip and feedback with properly sorted suspension and good tyres.
Edited by mrtwisty on Monday 16th March 08:35
Mk3 MR2 owner views. Mine is an '03, so facelift, has done 155k (40k of which was me).
It's had no engines issues or excess oil consumption, despite still having the pre-cats intact. From the research I did at the time, most of the issues were resolved on the facelift.
It's great fun to drive and throw around, but you may feel the urge for a bit more power from it. The 2zz enginer conversion is fairly common.
There is reasonable luggage space behind the seats and in the front. We've done a couple of camping weekends and a weeklong Euro road trip in it without any issues though. But It is definitely less space than available in the MX5 boot.
Another point to note is that while the majority of the enigne is shared with other Toyotas, most of the car beyond that is not. Therefore parts can be hard to find or expensive if you need them.
If it weren't for our dog coming on more and more trips, I wouldn't be looking to get rid of mine.
eta, on normal driving I get around 40mpg. drops a bit if pushing. But at the end of the day it's a 1.8 in a light car so doesn't drop too much.
It's had no engines issues or excess oil consumption, despite still having the pre-cats intact. From the research I did at the time, most of the issues were resolved on the facelift.
It's great fun to drive and throw around, but you may feel the urge for a bit more power from it. The 2zz enginer conversion is fairly common.
There is reasonable luggage space behind the seats and in the front. We've done a couple of camping weekends and a weeklong Euro road trip in it without any issues though. But It is definitely less space than available in the MX5 boot.
Another point to note is that while the majority of the enigne is shared with other Toyotas, most of the car beyond that is not. Therefore parts can be hard to find or expensive if you need them.
If it weren't for our dog coming on more and more trips, I wouldn't be looking to get rid of mine.
eta, on normal driving I get around 40mpg. drops a bit if pushing. But at the end of the day it's a 1.8 in a light car so doesn't drop too much.
Edited by bridge87 on Monday 16th March 12:16
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