mx5 vs mr2

[phatmanace]

so following this posting
[url]www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=4&f=71&t=326698&h=0[/url]
I've read and digested all of the advice (many thanks to all of you who contributed :-) )

I'm thinking that the best thing to do it to sell my mx5 and buy an already modded one as it will be much cheaper!

.. but then I got to thinking about an old (1992 ish ) MR2 (perhaps a turbo)

my mates at work seem to think that it will be more boring car to drive than my mx5 - even though it has more power, it's mid engined and RWD. wondered if anyone had any views/experience on the matter!

-Ace

[steve bowen]

Stick with the MX5 unless you have a big budget. I've done the MR2 turbo thing and If I was doing it again i'd get nothing older than a 1994 rev3 turbo in mint condition, then be very careful how its modded. No matter what you do to it it'll never be as easy to drive fast as an MX5. I loved my MR2's but to get them "right" i.e. 250bhp/ton & sorted suspension you need to go out and blow £10K and then spend £1K a year on insurance and put up with every chav asking about it whenever you use it.

[mr2mk1chick]

agree with going for somthing like a rev 3 mr2 tubby, however a mk1 supercharger with some mods can give an mx5 a run for its money

[steve bowen]

mr2mk1chick said:

agree with going for somthing like a rev 3 mr2 tubby, however a mk1 supercharger with some mods can give an mx5 a run for its money

very true

[benjc]

They are very different animals. Having owned a standard 5 that turned into a turbocharged 5 and then evolved/devolved (matter of opinion) in a NA Rev2 Mk2 MR2, I would say I am fairly well placed....

I love/d all three for different reasons! The standard 5 was pure, an exceptional drive which gave a huge amount of feedback and a massive amount of pleasure. Turbocharged it was a beast...but time consuming, quick in any situation, 230hp and 950kg can bring a smile to anyones face. However it wore me out, literally. The constant gear changing the thought of "I am sure I have never heard that noise before" took its toll over a 2 year period of a 60 mile commute.

Now I drive an MR2 and most recently came back from a 1k round trip on the continent which was awsome, it lapped up the miles at a pace that the 5 would be deamed to be too noisy and uncomfortable for any decent amount of time. It's no 5 in the hadling dept, but then not much is. But what it does do is grip, grip and grip some more, and is fun to drive!

Parts on the 2 are more expensive, but that's to be expected on a car that retailed considerably more expensive when they were both initially sold.

Anyway...get out there and drive a couple to find out what is for you....

www.mx5ocforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=14567 a list of FI MX5 owners offering rides....

[Andy Mac]

If you want convertible, get the 5, otherwise the MR2 drives much nicer, in my opinion. The NA will match the 5 for speed, but feels much better planted in corners. The turbo is something else. Same ability in the corners, but on straight bit, its unreal

[steve bowen]

Andy Mac said:

The NA will match the 5 for speed, but feels much better planted in corners. The turbo is something else. Same ability in the corners, but on straight bit, its unreal

Don't agree with that, the mx5 you drove must have had poor alignment. The average mx5 turbo will be faster to 100mph than the average MR2 turbo, not immediately off the line but mid range is where its at. It'll also physically go round corners faster. The weight of the MR2 is very noticable round the tight bends. Ok the MR2T's got a higher top end, but how often will you use it?

ex MR2 turbo with greddy IC, Owens Stage1 hybrid, unichip, HKS vernier pullies, extremeboost decat & Apexi Hayabusa pipe, H&S coilover & RAY'S rimmed owner

If dual carriageway cruising with a few blasts to blow away audi TT's is your bag MR2T, if its a drivers car you want MX5 or as said MR2 Mk1 supercharger.

I will admit I'd have another MR2T, (but only a rev3 tin top) again for a use everyday commuting car, few trackdays, general motor.

Edited by steve bowen on Wednesday 3rd January 19:08

[shadowninja]

I had to choose between the MX5 and the MR2 Turbo. The MR2 won because it is impressively quick. Surprisingly, it handles rather well. In fact, it's as quick as my old Chimaera and handles much better. Shame it doesn't look as nice nor sound anything half decent...

[phatmanace]

So - I went to test drive a couple of MR2 turbo's this weekend.

First one - [ & most expensive!] was awful - body kit was broken and when you put your foot down the engine coughed and juddered.. not nice and I ran a mile! - oh - and it was £5.7k

Second one - much better - 95K miles and £2.7K - Really good nick, nice interior - no silly mods, really addictive "suck" sound through the air filter when the turbo came in.. it just seemed a little too cheap [sounds like an odd thing to say I know].

It was definatley heaver than my Mx5 - but felt more planted and I was loving the turbo rush.

.. I'll just have to have a think now about what the best plan is - keep mine - or change and plump for more power.

[Captain Muppet]

Just have one of each like me. MR2 for fun driving and an MX5 for fun driving.
My cars are worth maybe 3k in total.

I do have "my other car is also gay" bumper stickers

[shadowninja]

My MR2 turbo will be for sale in early summer...

[phatmanace]

hmm - do you want to send me the spec and I'll have a look [pics would be good too !!]

-Ace

[shadowninja]

will do tonight. it's only slightly modified - just the way I like them. Targa so great for summer (hence why I want it on the market in spring).

[Top Trump]

phatmanace said:

So - I went to test drive a couple of MR2 turbo's this weekend.

First one - [ & most expensive!] was awful - body kit was broken and when you put your foot down the engine coughed and juddered.. not nice and I ran a mile! - oh - and it was £5.7k

Second one - much better - 95K miles and £2.7K - Really good nick, nice interior - no silly mods, really addictive "suck" sound through the air filter when the turbo came in.. it just seemed a little too cheap [sounds like an odd thing to say I know].

It was definatley heaver than my Mx5 - but felt more planted and I was loving the turbo rush.

.. I'll just have to have a think now about what the best plan is - keep mine - or change and plump for more power.

Shop around dude: they really do VARY. Spend as much as you can and ignore all advice and get one with decent engine modifications from an enthusiast, if you feel up to it! Check out: www.imoc.co.uk/forums/

They can be made to go significantly faster than standard. The revvy engine and turbo are good for 300bhp+ with the right ECU and boost control mods. Huge fun. E46 M3 quick in this state of tune with more torque. Outdrag all manner of stuff from TTs to SL500s.

Edited by Top Trump on Tuesday 13th February 12:06

[steve bowen]

phatmanace said:

So - I went to test drive a couple of MR2 turbo's this weekend.

First one - [ & most expensive!] was awful - body kit was broken and when you put your foot down the engine coughed and juddered.. not nice and I ran a mile! - oh - and it was £5.7k

Second one - much better - 95K miles and £2.7K - Really good nick, nice interior - no silly mods, really addictive "suck" sound through the air filter when the turbo came in.. it just seemed a little too cheap [sounds like an odd thing to say I know].

It was definatley heaver than my Mx5 - but felt more planted and I was loving the turbo rush.

.. I'll just have to have a think now about what the best plan is - keep mine - or change and plump for more power.

Most important thing to do is pull the cam breather off and check for excessive oil, if there is a ringland will be cracked (a very common problem just read imoc), you won't get it fixed for under £1K, infact my old car was sold with a known cracked ringland to someone who is now half of 2Bar tuning (MR2 tuning company) and it cost him over £1k to put right.