£1.5k Mr2 v Audi TT V??
Discussion
Hi all, Looking for something fun for the odd summer weekend this year, Ideally under 1.5k.
Looking at a TT or MR2 roadster, no caveats other than its cheap and fun, and prefer a "sporty" look
Any pointers, or other options appreciated.
Cheers.
Looking at a TT or MR2 roadster, no caveats other than its cheap and fun, and prefer a "sporty" look
Any pointers, or other options appreciated.
Cheers.
Edited by garpat32 on Saturday 3rd February 21:06
Both cars will fit your bill of a fun car.
Your problem will be finding a nice example for £1500
The MR2 should be more reliable, but look out for rust.
I love the Mk1 TT but they can have quite a few issues at that sort of budget.
Same as spending £1500 on any car though, pot luck whether you get a reliable one, or one that goes wrong.
Your problem will be finding a nice example for £1500
The MR2 should be more reliable, but look out for rust.
I love the Mk1 TT but they can have quite a few issues at that sort of budget.
Same as spending £1500 on any car though, pot luck whether you get a reliable one, or one that goes wrong.
It depends on how you define "fun", really.
The TT is a fine looking vehicle, but it's essentially a coupe version of the Golf/A3. This means it will drive OK, but won't necessarily be "fun".
The MR2 is a purpose-built sports car, so will give a sharper drive.
More examples...
Sporty to look at: Hyundai Coupe, Ford Probe, Ford Cougar, Vauxhall Calibra, Alfa Romeo GT, Mercedes-Benz SLK
Sporty to drive: Mazda MX-5, Alfa Romeo GTV (916), Fiat Coupe, Fiat Barchetta, Ford Puma, Toyota Celica
Caveat: I'm not suggesting you can get examples of the above cars for shed money, I'm just listing old coupes.
The TT is a fine looking vehicle, but it's essentially a coupe version of the Golf/A3. This means it will drive OK, but won't necessarily be "fun".
The MR2 is a purpose-built sports car, so will give a sharper drive.
More examples...
Sporty to look at: Hyundai Coupe, Ford Probe, Ford Cougar, Vauxhall Calibra, Alfa Romeo GT, Mercedes-Benz SLK
Sporty to drive: Mazda MX-5, Alfa Romeo GTV (916), Fiat Coupe, Fiat Barchetta, Ford Puma, Toyota Celica
Caveat: I'm not suggesting you can get examples of the above cars for shed money, I'm just listing old coupes.
Ive had quite a few PH worthy cars for my age and currently have a mk3 MR2 and i love it! My favorite car ive had. They dont rust like mx5s (except rear sub frame) and mines been really cheap to run.
Ive also had a mk2 and i didnt really rate it. Drives no where near as sporty as it looks.
Eta. I paid £1650 for my roadster with spare front toyos and 110000 miles on clock. Now on 142000 miles
Ive also had a mk2 and i didnt really rate it. Drives no where near as sporty as it looks.
Eta. I paid £1650 for my roadster with spare front toyos and 110000 miles on clock. Now on 142000 miles
garpat32 said:
Would I be mad in looking at a Z3 for this kind of price?
Not mad, but for £1500 you need a bit of luck on your side to get a good one.People like to slate the 1.9's but they do drive well, and are still fun.
Not as sharp as an MX5
If you go Z3 then join Zroaster.org. Easily the most friendly forum I've found, and very helpful members.
Z3's can need a lot of prep, many bits are shared with a 3 series so not so expensive, but costs can quickly mount up. But again. no different to any other £1500 car. The MR2 would probably be the most reliable.
Trevor555 said:
Not mad, but for £1500 you need a bit of luck on your side to get a good one.
People like to slate the 1.9's but they do drive well, and are still fun.
Not as sharp as an MX5
If you go Z3 then join Zroaster.org. Easily the most friendly forum I've found, and very helpful members.
Z3's can need a lot of prep, many bits are shared with a 3 series so not so expensive, but costs can quickly mount up. But again. no different to any other £1500 car. The MR2 would probably be the most reliable.
JoinedPeople like to slate the 1.9's but they do drive well, and are still fun.
Not as sharp as an MX5
If you go Z3 then join Zroaster.org. Easily the most friendly forum I've found, and very helpful members.
Z3's can need a lot of prep, many bits are shared with a 3 series so not so expensive, but costs can quickly mount up. But again. no different to any other £1500 car. The MR2 would probably be the most reliable.
Cheers for the info mate.
MR2 roadsters are a hoot, I bought one new and it was one of the first 10 in the country.
fantastic on back roads, pin sharp handling. The only car i have ever driven that has something of the lotus elise about it. The early cars were sharper in the handling department, they softened them later due to some reports as being 'too sharp'
Strong as well, flipped mine end over end then rolled back down the bank, and the doors still opened.
My polo lease runs out soon, and im seriously considering getting another one.
Some reports of engine problems with the 1-zz-FE engine upto 2005-6
fantastic on back roads, pin sharp handling. The only car i have ever driven that has something of the lotus elise about it. The early cars were sharper in the handling department, they softened them later due to some reports as being 'too sharp'
Strong as well, flipped mine end over end then rolled back down the bank, and the doors still opened.
My polo lease runs out soon, and im seriously considering getting another one.
Some reports of engine problems with the 1-zz-FE engine upto 2005-6
SCEtoAUX said:
Big vote for the MR2 from me. I'm on my second and really rate them.
£1500 is unlikely to buy a face lifted version (2003 onwards) though, and most seem to suggest that's the one to go for.
people say that, as they think facelift models don't have the oil burning issue but its actually nonsense (I'm a member of the forum), they do have slightly different oil control rings but dose not stop the problem the secret is for it not to have missed oil changes !£1500 is unlikely to buy a face lifted version (2003 onwards) though, and most seem to suggest that's the one to go for.
i have a Y reg mr2 roadster and its a right giggle
Of the two you list, the MR2 would be the better drive by a large margin. TT's all drive like Golfs; competent but very uninspired. (If you are content with a car that drives with a FWD hatch then get one with four seats and a decent boot as well ... )
Any reason why you don't list an MX5 as a possibility?
Any reason why you don't list an MX5 as a possibility?
Be the MR2 for me, if you like an engaging drive. If you want a nice daily and something a bit more comfortable, it'd be the TT. Just be aware with the Audi that while they are cheap to buy, they won't be cheap to run in comparison with the Toyota
I'd probably go for an MX5 over them both though. Standard PH answer but uber reliable and fun to drive. Just need to keep on top of the rust.
I'd probably go for an MX5 over them both though. Standard PH answer but uber reliable and fun to drive. Just need to keep on top of the rust.
Lots of useful pointers above. I thought that I wanted a cheapo 4 wheel drive for track days and decided that a TT would be ideal...until I drove one. After my MX5s and my current, gutted Corolla TSport, the TT felt heavy, understeery and ultimately rather bland. I'm sure that a few suspension geometry mods would have addressed most of my criticisms, but I lost my inspiration!
The mk3 MR2 is great fun and cheap as chips. The engine is the irno block Celica/Corolla motor, so as long as it's been serviced and used, it'll be pretty bullet proof. Check for emulsion in the coolant and oil smoke when booted after it's been ticking over for a while. The rear subframe rot kills some of them off. I looked at an immaculate-looking car recently and the rear subframe was beying repair it was so rotted out. I also looked at an older CAT C write off (with a scrape all down one side) that was completely rust free. If you find a nice one, you won't regret buying it.
I've had several MX5s - they are great fun, generally mechanically tough and they are cheap to maintain and repair. For £1500, you'll be looking at a lot of rusty heaps. However, for £3000, you'll also be looking at a lot of the same rusty heaps once they have had local rust repairs and paint to cover up. The sills (Inner and outer), inner and outer rear wheel arches and the front chassis rails all rot badly...on most cars. The subframes were not all well painted, so some have rusted badly too. However, there are lots around and many have been very carefully cared for, so there are some bargain cars to be had.
You need to pick the model quite carefully because the pauper versions had no LSD, ABS, and after 1996 the MK1 1.6 had 25bhp deleted too (so avoid UK 1.6 cars after N registration). If in the mood for an MX5, my tip would be to look for a MK1 1.8iS - as they all had ABS, bigger brakes and LSDs. Really good MK1s are being advertised for many £thousands now, so if you find a genuinely nice one, you might make money on it in time.
There's not much to choose between the higher output (still quite feeble) 1.6 and the 1.8 for daily driving. The 1.8 does ultimately have a bit more umph, but it also feels harsher and less willing than the 1.6 that is happy to scream all the way up to peak revs. MK2s seem to rot even more than the MK1s, but of course they are a bit newer.
The mk3 MR2 is great fun and cheap as chips. The engine is the irno block Celica/Corolla motor, so as long as it's been serviced and used, it'll be pretty bullet proof. Check for emulsion in the coolant and oil smoke when booted after it's been ticking over for a while. The rear subframe rot kills some of them off. I looked at an immaculate-looking car recently and the rear subframe was beying repair it was so rotted out. I also looked at an older CAT C write off (with a scrape all down one side) that was completely rust free. If you find a nice one, you won't regret buying it.
I've had several MX5s - they are great fun, generally mechanically tough and they are cheap to maintain and repair. For £1500, you'll be looking at a lot of rusty heaps. However, for £3000, you'll also be looking at a lot of the same rusty heaps once they have had local rust repairs and paint to cover up. The sills (Inner and outer), inner and outer rear wheel arches and the front chassis rails all rot badly...on most cars. The subframes were not all well painted, so some have rusted badly too. However, there are lots around and many have been very carefully cared for, so there are some bargain cars to be had.
You need to pick the model quite carefully because the pauper versions had no LSD, ABS, and after 1996 the MK1 1.6 had 25bhp deleted too (so avoid UK 1.6 cars after N registration). If in the mood for an MX5, my tip would be to look for a MK1 1.8iS - as they all had ABS, bigger brakes and LSDs. Really good MK1s are being advertised for many £thousands now, so if you find a genuinely nice one, you might make money on it in time.
There's not much to choose between the higher output (still quite feeble) 1.6 and the 1.8 for daily driving. The 1.8 does ultimately have a bit more umph, but it also feels harsher and less willing than the 1.6 that is happy to scream all the way up to peak revs. MK2s seem to rot even more than the MK1s, but of course they are a bit newer.
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