T-Bar or Coupe?

[mr2aw11]

As my PH alias will suggest, I have a thing for Mk1 MR2s; so much in fact, that I want another now I'm bored of FWD A to B 'safety'(my last, an '88 T-Bar died of rust a couple of years ago).

Here's my question: are any PHers experienced of both the t-bar and coupe Mk1s, (or Mk2s for that matter) as I've read there are differences in the way they handle. My old t-bar handled well enough for me - instant turn-in, minimal understeer (compared with FWD), oversteer if you tried hard in the dry, or whenever you wanted in the wet... Great fun at moderate speeds.

But... I've read they're 'sloppy' compared to the coupe, obviously with more body-flex, perhaps a bit more weight to compensate. It has me wondering if the handling differences are noticable at (fast) road speeds, or if one would need to be at track speeds to appreciate the coupe?

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is if the roof off motoring is worth sacrificing the nth degree of handling finesse?

Opinions greatfully received, ta

[timmy30]

T-Bar

T-BAR

TBAR

[turbo-tastic]

I had a T Bar, and loved it. Although, on a warm (but not hot) day, the T Bar was a bit excessive. At least with the coupe models, you can pop the sunroof up, and on hot days remove it completely and store it under the bonnet.

However, if I were to buy another one (and I will one day) it would be a T Bar, as I would probably only drive it on hot sunny days

As for the handling point, I found even with stock suspension, the handling of my T Bar was all I would ever need.

HTH

[mr2aw11]

timmy30 said:

T-Bar T-BAR TBAR

That would be the t-bar then?

Thinking back, I never really found my old t-bar wanting through the twisty bits, and with the roof off, driving the Lake District roads with the exhaust note bouncing off the road-edge walls was kinda exhilerating. Plus, I've never actually tracked a car - yet.

I guess I have a bit of a hunt ahead of me to find another AW11 that hasn't got a terminal case of rust.

P.S: thanks for the response guys, I was thinking I'd have to find a tumbleweed smily from somewhere!

>> Edited by mr2aw11 on Thursday 9th March 18:06

[fidgits]

IIRC the T-bar's are slightly heavier.

from the feel of the handling, you probably wouldnt tell much difference, but if you want a track toy, you want the hardtop for maximum effect!

[System-G]

Personally I'd go coupe... always have (with my MKII's as well) and always will. Once you've owned a T-bar and a coupe, you'll realise why

T-bar chassis are more "flexible" and they leak.

However, when summer comes around, it would be nice to get the roof off...

Depends what you're after... performance or posing

[timmy30]

System-G said:

Personally I'd go coupe... always have (with my MKII's as well) and always will. Once you've owned a T-bar and a coupe, you'll realise why T-bar chassis are more "flexible" and they leak. However, when summer comes around, it would be nice to get the roof off... Depends what you're after... performance or posing

Rub vaseline around the rubber seals on the T-bar frame, it stops the leaking, which is any case only occurs when the rubber seals have perished.

C'mon summers evening, roof off, sound of the engine, it's unbeatable. It's not so much posing as just more of a 'sports car' experience.

....though it depends whether you are a speed nut or more someone who goes for a blatt on the country roads on a nice day I suppose. I guess I'm the latter... TBH if I wanted the fastest car possible there's plenty of other cars that are much more stable at higher speeds than the MR2 and as affordable, but they don't have the T-bar option or the sporty feel IMO.

Well it's an ongoing debate the tin-tops versus the T-bars

[N1_RRK]

Most people ive spoken to say there is no difference unless your looking for those last tenths on the track and I tend to agree with my track knowledge in general.

Get the late spec rod guides and you will have no leaks (mk2 not sure about mk1).

Got to love the roof out on a sunny day. Have been know to have the roof out on - degree days great fun! (do get somefunny looks though )

[timmy30]

N1_RRK said:

Most people ive spoken to say there is no difference unless your looking for those last tenths on the track and I tend to agree with my track knowledge in general. Get the late spec rod guides and you will have no leaks (mk2 not sure about mk1). Got to love the roof out on a sunny day. Have been know to have the roof out on - degree days great fun! (do get somefunny looks though )

I was blatting around the lanes the weekend before last with the lid off, my PH fleece hat on and a pair of sunnies, beautiful, crisp clear winters day, nice dry roads....... the old ears got a bit chilly though

[choc]

get a nice MK2 T-BAR, i love taking the top off the CRX, cant beat it!