My new MR2 roadster.
Discussion
I just bought this 2 weeks ago, to replace my aging mr2 mk2. This will be my daily/track car.
It is a 2000 X reg MR2 roadster with 1.8L vvti engine. It has Tien S springs with standard dampers, facelift leather seats, 15x6 team dynamics 100+ alloy rims with NEXAN CP641 tyres fitted. It has recent engine fitted. It has new replacement engine with material in catalytic converter removed. (known issue for CAT material breaking up, and sucking the material back into engine, stratching the bores)
The ride is quite firm with tien S springs but is not crashy. I can feel every bumps on road surface. but its not skittish or bouncy. this will be excellent on track day.
Handling is really good, much more alive than my mk2 mr2. very sharp quick steering but at the absolute limit this car is geared to understeer for safety reason, can still slide though if you wanted to. It is progressive, it doesn't snap back which is good. (this car is mid engined). I don't feel this car weight in corners unlike my old mr2. there is decent feedback from steering wheel but not quite good as pug 205 GTI.
car has few issues, the front bumper is heavily stone chipped. I will replace this in summer time. I might change the tyres, but there is nothing wrong with it. There is few marks on paint work but its expected as its almost 14 year old car. the headlight cover is cloudy, and previous owner stuck on eyebrow thingy on it, which I removed it first thing I got home and sold it for good money. Driver side's Hand brake cable need replacing, which I just ordered new cable for £25.
So far I done is underseal the car floors, and replaced the rubber bushing on gear linkage for pair of bearings for better feel on shifts on gearbox. I am not going do lots to car, I am going to drive this car.
It is a 2000 X reg MR2 roadster with 1.8L vvti engine. It has Tien S springs with standard dampers, facelift leather seats, 15x6 team dynamics 100+ alloy rims with NEXAN CP641 tyres fitted. It has recent engine fitted. It has new replacement engine with material in catalytic converter removed. (known issue for CAT material breaking up, and sucking the material back into engine, stratching the bores)
The ride is quite firm with tien S springs but is not crashy. I can feel every bumps on road surface. but its not skittish or bouncy. this will be excellent on track day.
Handling is really good, much more alive than my mk2 mr2. very sharp quick steering but at the absolute limit this car is geared to understeer for safety reason, can still slide though if you wanted to. It is progressive, it doesn't snap back which is good. (this car is mid engined). I don't feel this car weight in corners unlike my old mr2. there is decent feedback from steering wheel but not quite good as pug 205 GTI.
car has few issues, the front bumper is heavily stone chipped. I will replace this in summer time. I might change the tyres, but there is nothing wrong with it. There is few marks on paint work but its expected as its almost 14 year old car. the headlight cover is cloudy, and previous owner stuck on eyebrow thingy on it, which I removed it first thing I got home and sold it for good money. Driver side's Hand brake cable need replacing, which I just ordered new cable for £25.
So far I done is underseal the car floors, and replaced the rubber bushing on gear linkage for pair of bearings for better feel on shifts on gearbox. I am not going do lots to car, I am going to drive this car.
You mention the handbrake, These are known for the cables needed adjustment, there is a screw you can get with a bit of fiddling past the rubber around the lever. In the year the misses had hers i adjusted it twice.
Nice cars, hope you have air con in the summer with the roof down you will roast.
Nice cars, hope you have air con in the summer with the roof down you will roast.
I've heard of mk3s running with 185s front and back for trackdays, makes them super alert I guess.
vrooom said:
Alpha Accelera.. is that really bad? it gives me uneven yawing braking from hard braking, understeer in wet but not dangerous one.
best get new tyres all around then...
I'd honestly put my money where my mouth is, and say you'll really notice a big difference, undoubtedly in the wet, when you've got rid of them, I found them that bad.best get new tyres all around then...
Edited by vrooom on Wednesday 27th November 13:32
For budget / decent grip I'd be tempted to look into Yokohama Parada Spec 2's. They seem to be quite marmite, but I've found them great for fast road / light track work for the money. For 195/50/15's they're around £46 each iirc, and they look good
They have a much softer sidewall than the likes of Toyo 888, but they're far cheaper and obviously more road focused than track, but I found them a million times better than the Toyo T1R etc, I really couldn't get on with the sidewall on them, they felt like the folded under the car when you were pushing on.
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