Has anyone driven both a Puma and a Mk3 MR2?
Discussion
Just wondering really, I have, but my drive of the MR2 was something like 7 years ago, so my memory of it has faded a fair amount, so I don't feel qualified to truly compare...
I'm asking because I always intended the MR2 to be my next car, next year, but the Puma is proving more fun than I ever thought it would be. If I were to keep it, I don't mind throwing a few quid its way to make it even better.
Ignoring the obvious advantages of putting the roof down, and, arguably, RWD, would I have more fun in the MR2 than in the Puma?
FWIW, I actually think the Puma is just as much, if not more fun than a Mk1 MX5, and I never actually thought I would hear myself say that (grabs flame proof jacket!).
I'm asking because I always intended the MR2 to be my next car, next year, but the Puma is proving more fun than I ever thought it would be. If I were to keep it, I don't mind throwing a few quid its way to make it even better.
Ignoring the obvious advantages of putting the roof down, and, arguably, RWD, would I have more fun in the MR2 than in the Puma?
FWIW, I actually think the Puma is just as much, if not more fun than a Mk1 MX5, and I never actually thought I would hear myself say that (grabs flame proof jacket!).
daemon said:
Having owned both a Puma 1.7 and a mk3 MR2...
....hmmm.. not sure.
MR2 i guess because you CAN put the roof down, although i'd probably walk past both for an mx5.
You seem to be in the minority on here, from what Ive read (not that its a rule!) most people seemed to prefer the mr2, tend to be seen as the keen drivers car, mags seem to agree. I suppose its not a useable as the mazda.....hmmm.. not sure.
MR2 i guess because you CAN put the roof down, although i'd probably walk past both for an mx5.
Not having driven a puma, Im not much use, but I love my MK3 MR2
There is no real way to answer this. It will come down to what you 'personally' consider fun and your driving style.
For instance, on a hot sunny day, the MR2 can be fun at 30mph with the roof down and the stereo on. The Puma never will be.
The MR2 will also reward a smoother driving style, clipping apexes and precise driving, getting the line just right.
The Puma on the other hand is far more chuckable. It's FWD so you can fling it about much more violently on the public roads. Far less precise, but maybe more manic. They have a nice gear change too.
In the wet or slippery conditions the MR2 may be less fun, being precise all the time might get more wearing and being mid engined it'll bite harder. If it's noise and leaks it may get on your nerves.
Not having anywhere to put anything in the MR2 can also be less fun is you often need to carry stuff.
For instance, on a hot sunny day, the MR2 can be fun at 30mph with the roof down and the stereo on. The Puma never will be.
The MR2 will also reward a smoother driving style, clipping apexes and precise driving, getting the line just right.
The Puma on the other hand is far more chuckable. It's FWD so you can fling it about much more violently on the public roads. Far less precise, but maybe more manic. They have a nice gear change too.
In the wet or slippery conditions the MR2 may be less fun, being precise all the time might get more wearing and being mid engined it'll bite harder. If it's noise and leaks it may get on your nerves.
Not having anywhere to put anything in the MR2 can also be less fun is you often need to carry stuff.
Fantuzzi said:
daemon said:
Having owned both a Puma 1.7 and a mk3 MR2...
....hmmm.. not sure.
MR2 i guess because you CAN put the roof down, although i'd probably walk past both for an mx5.
You seem to be in the minority on here, from what Ive read (not that its a rule!) most people seemed to prefer the mr2, tend to be seen as the keen drivers car, mags seem to agree. I suppose its not a useable as the mazda.....hmmm.. not sure.
MR2 i guess because you CAN put the roof down, although i'd probably walk past both for an mx5.
Not having driven a puma, Im not much use, but I love my MK3 MR2
Theres a lot to recommend it, being mid engined, etc, etc, but i'd prefer an mx5 as an all rounder.
Probably just a personal thing with me.
daemon said:
Having owned both a Puma 1.7 and a mk3 MR2...
....hmmm.. not sure.
MR2 i guess because you CAN put the roof down, although i'd probably walk past both for an mx5.
I've had 2 MX5s now, and while I do like them, they're a bit thirsty; This car is to be used to drive to work and back, and 25 MPG would annoy me in a car with slower performance than the Puma I drive now and get 35+ no matter how I seem to drive it.....hmmm.. not sure.
MR2 i guess because you CAN put the roof down, although i'd probably walk past both for an mx5.
I know the MR2 is good on juice also. I remember it being quite kart like but so is the Puma. The roof is a definite advantage of the MR2. That said, the practicality is a definite advantage of the Puma.
I have no real preference towards FWD or RWD, RWD takes more skill as said, but I love the liberties that can be taken with the Puma.
Very hard decision.
Oh and my memory, which I don't really trust too much in this instance does remember the engine in the MR2 feeling a little flat in comparison to the Puma which is quite manic and does seem to egg you on, it also feels much faster than it is, which is important to me, because I like my cars to feel quick even if they aren't.
doogz said:
It's not the peakiest engine in the world.
The VVTi provides a decent spread of torque across the mid-range, and while it still revs to 7200rpm (I think) it doesn't feel as peaky as some 16v engines, things like the Honda B16, K20, or even the Peugeot TU engines. (Picked to use here as I have experience with them all, not because these 3 are the very best examples. Although, the Hondas kinda are)
Arguably makes it more 'useful' and less fun.
Not that bothered if it's not peaky, I quite like the brisk midrange as offered in the Puma, is that similar to the way the MR2 drives, does it feel like it has some "meat" to the delivery? The one I drove I'm sure had pre-cat issues as it was belching smoke out of the back, which is one reason why i don't go off that particular memory.The VVTi provides a decent spread of torque across the mid-range, and while it still revs to 7200rpm (I think) it doesn't feel as peaky as some 16v engines, things like the Honda B16, K20, or even the Peugeot TU engines. (Picked to use here as I have experience with them all, not because these 3 are the very best examples. Although, the Hondas kinda are)
Arguably makes it more 'useful' and less fun.
Buff Mchugelarge said:
My mx5 does 40mpg tank to tank, Give it some welly and it will drink though.
The choice is yours tbh. Everyone likes different cars, I personally love my mx5, but I do appreciate the love for pumas.
Is yours a Mk1 though?The choice is yours tbh. Everyone likes different cars, I personally love my mx5, but I do appreciate the love for pumas.
I had 2 Mk1s, neither of them ever bettered 34 MPG no matter how gently they were driven; Indeed, the 34 MPG I got out of my RS Limited was doing a steady 60 for about 40 miles. I can get more than that driving like an absolute nutter in the Puma!
Don't get me wrong though, I love the MX5, but its just too thirsty for what it is. If I got another MX5 it'd have to be a Mk2.5 RS which might be too costly to buy.
I have driven both, and although they are very different cars, I understand your dilemma.
Circumstances are such that I will soon need to buy a "sensible" modern car that the wife can drive. As neither of us commute by car I really can't justify having a third vehicle in the household, so one of my current two has to go.
Problem is, I literally cannot work out which one I like more. They are different, but both epically fun to drive. I've been trying to decide for the last six months, and I just can't.
Circumstances are such that I will soon need to buy a "sensible" modern car that the wife can drive. As neither of us commute by car I really can't justify having a third vehicle in the household, so one of my current two has to go.
Problem is, I literally cannot work out which one I like more. They are different, but both epically fun to drive. I've been trying to decide for the last six months, and I just can't.
If the car you have now is near perfect why change?
My cousin has a Puma. It replaced an original Mini Cooper which she'd had for a decade. She's going to keep the Puma until it's totally disolved, and then buy another one.
Alternatively if the car you think you might prefer is common and cheap why not go on a test drive and refresh your memory?
My cousin has a Puma. It replaced an original Mini Cooper which she'd had for a decade. She's going to keep the Puma until it's totally disolved, and then buy another one.
Alternatively if the car you think you might prefer is common and cheap why not go on a test drive and refresh your memory?
Captain Muppet said:
If the car you have now is near perfect why change?
You need to have a browse through some more of TRD's posts. (can be a bit confusing due to at least one name change). But in general they change their car a lot. Never seem happy, everything is always wrong with it, despite often having a parallel thread on how great the vehicle is.Every car they have always has a major issues... and it's never cheap enough to run, although I'm sure they've stated money isn't an issue on multiple occasions.
TRD will no doubt throw insults and hatred my way now, but it's all there in black and white via their profile and PH post history is you want to seek proof.
Nothing constructive to add as per usual there 300bhp, as I said, I don't have to prove to anyone what you're like, its here in black and white. After all, you're coming on my thread trolling me but I'm apparently the troublemaker 
Anyhow, lots of petrolheads change their cars, the MR2 was the car I wanted originally, but £3K for a 2003+ model, so I went for the Puma to save a few quid, thing is I like the damn thing more than I expected to and am now not sure. Its called getting bored. I'm not bored in this case, I just want to know whether to commit some money into making the Puma the best it can be or saving up for the car I thought I originally wanted.
I think the thing is to have a test drive.
Oh and FYI I only changed my name once in 12 years, what about you?
Anyhow, lots of petrolheads change their cars, the MR2 was the car I wanted originally, but £3K for a 2003+ model, so I went for the Puma to save a few quid, thing is I like the damn thing more than I expected to and am now not sure. Its called getting bored. I'm not bored in this case, I just want to know whether to commit some money into making the Puma the best it can be or saving up for the car I thought I originally wanted.
I think the thing is to have a test drive.
Oh and FYI I only changed my name once in 12 years, what about you?
TameRacingDriver said:
Nothing constructive to add as per usual there 300bhp, as I said, I don't have to prove to anyone what you're like, its here in black and white. After all, you're coming on my thread trolling me but I'm apparently the troublemaker
Curious, but why do you do this?? You know make stuff up people haven't said. You were doing this yesterday in the 14k turbo what car thread and the short gearing thread.For the record I don't think (in your words) you are a
, or a troublemaker or any of the other things you claimed people said but didn't.
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TameRacingDriver said:
Anyhow, lots of petrolheads change their cars, the MR2 was the car I wanted originally, but £3K for a 2003+ model, so I went for the Puma to save a few quid, thing is I like the damn thing more than I expected to and am now not sure. Its called getting bored. I'm not bored in this case, I just want to know whether to commit some money into making the Puma the best it can be or saving up for the car I thought I originally wanted.
I think the thing is to have a test drive.
I believe the upper and lower strut braces are meant to tighten the Puma up a lot if you fancy spending a couple of quid on your current ride.I think the thing is to have a test drive.
What's that about then if it's not supposed to be a deliberately inflammatory post? I didn't ask you to come on here, and write this now have I?
What's the problem anyway if I change my cars often?
I don't deny my brain is a messed up place, it always has been, but is there any need for this?
What's the problem anyway if I change my cars often?
I don't deny my brain is a messed up place, it always has been, but is there any need for this?
300bhp/ton said:
You need to have a browse through some more of TRD's posts. (can be a bit confusing due to at least one name change). But in general they change their car a lot. Never seem happy, everything is always wrong with it, despite often having a parallel thread on how great the vehicle is.
Every car they have always has a major issues... and it's never cheap enough to run, although I'm sure they've stated money isn't an issue on multiple occasions.
TRD will no doubt throw insults and hatred my way now, but it's all there in black and white via their profile and PH post history is you want to seek proof.
Anyway, the reason for the thread is to decide whether to save my cash for the MR2, or make my existing ride as good as it can be, not because I'm "never happy".Every car they have always has a major issues... and it's never cheap enough to run, although I'm sure they've stated money isn't an issue on multiple occasions.
TRD will no doubt throw insults and hatred my way now, but it's all there in black and white via their profile and PH post history is you want to seek proof.
TameRacingDriver said:
Anyway, the reason for the thread is to decide whether to save my cash for the MR2, or make my existing ride as good as it can be, not because I'm "never happy".
I like the MR2 and think it'd making a cracking daily and it's an open top sports car.But the Puma is a fantastic daily IMO and a car I wanted to buy (but couldn't afford at the time).
I'd say for me it'd be about rust. If your Puma is clean, then keep it and make it the best. If it's got any sign of tin worm, then don't spend too much on it as you'll never get it back.
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