Mk3 MR2 - 3k budget

[anonymous-user]

Evening all,

I'm considering moving on my FN2 Type R in the new year in order to free up some cash and try something new. I've recently passed my motorbike test and have bought a bike this Friday. Having now had a taste of riding I'd like to switch to either a comfortable car or a drop top. PH logic says a Mk3 MR2 seems a good choice for low cost fun and reliable miles.

Any other cars I should consider? Looking to spend no more than 3k on the car. That seems to bag a facelift without the cat issues.

Anyone ever moved from a hot hatch to a drop top and if so what are your thoughts?

[pistolpete12]

i love an mr2. if you don't need the 4 seats or boot space(in a mk3)... go for it!
you might be able to grab a 2zz converted mr2. or really clean standard car at that price. Make sure you get a facelift one

[Ian Geary]

I have a street triple, and for a while had an mr2 mk2.

My only observation would be whether you need to ever carry stuff bigger than will fit in a rucks sack?

Bikes really aren't great at it, and from what I read, the mk3 isn't either.

But the mk3 is supposed to be a cracking car for the cash.

My brother was considering one (along with an mx5) but he opted for a r53 cooper s.

But he was coming from a dodge ram hemi...

I would think the move from an fn-2 to r53 is somewhat diagonal, especially as he seems to have the sub frame off it every other weekend.

Hth

Ian

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say go for a Toyota but maybe lose the droptop side of things & go for a Celica T Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I say this because having something a bit practical will make sense rather than having a more impractical car.

If you want a reliable convertible I'd go for one of these:

MX-5 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Audi A4 S Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

3.1 but these having heavy road tax:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Z4 2.5i

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

330i Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLK 320

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for the feedback Gents, it's appreciated.

I'd definitely only look at the facelifts cue to all the issues with the cats and oil usage of the pre-facelifts.

In terms of carrying capacity, it's my biggest concern. On one hand I'd like to own an Elise and the MK3 MR2 seems the perfect opportunity to get a cheap taste of it. On the other hand, space is a big problem and I do like to store most of my possessions in my car; don't ask me why!

From what I've read it appears that space consists of the passenger seat and floor area. A small bin section behind the seats and the spare tyre in the front if you take it out. My choice is an MK3 MR2 or a MK3 Mondeo but I'm torn..

[ZX10R NIN]

Get the Mondeo but with a stretch of budget you can land the more interesting 2.5T Mondeo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or the ST220

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

Get the Mondeo but with a stretch of budget you can land the more interesting 2.5T Mondeo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or the ST220

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Thanks for the links ZX, the Mk3 ST220 looks so much better in my eyes than the Mk4 2.5t. Is the MK4 significantly better car than the MK3? I much prefer the MK3 visually but I'm concerned they're a bit long in the tooth; especially for the performance version! My aim is to save money on a cheap, reliable, and somewhat engaging car, so I can put money towards a house purchase and a more interesting bike.

[ZX10R NIN]

AB57 said:

Thanks for the links ZX, the Mk3 ST220 looks so much better in my eyes than the Mk4 2.5t. Is the MK4 significantly better car than the MK3? I much prefer the MK3 visually but I'm concerned they're a bit long in the tooth; especially for the performance version! My aim is to save money on a cheap, reliable, and somewhat engaging car, so I can put money towards a house purchase and a more interesting bike.

The 2.5T is still a good steer & it's reliable too, visually the ST220 is the better looking IMO but the 2.5T still has character & obviously it has the potential to be made even better.

A good alternative to the Mondeo is the 2.5 Mazda6 which is based on the Mondeo but a N/A 2.5 which means even less chance of an unexpected big bill, they're easier to find than the 2.5T Mondeo & come in saloon & hatchback form.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[ericmcn]

Try out a Subaru Legacy 3.0 Spec B, you might be surprised...I'd have one over a Mondeo. How did this thread go from a MR2 to a 4 door saloon...?

https://youtu.be/Dikq-9gLocs

Liberty= Australia slang for Legacy, apparently not enough UK folk do track days in a Legacy SpecB...

[ReverendCounter]

AB57 said:

From what I've read it appears that space consists of the passenger seat and floor area. A small bin section behind the seats and the spare tyre in the front if you take it out.

If you leave the roof up there's a decent bit of parcel shelf type space which is useful. Re the bins behind the seats, you can take the side panels out of them to increase space, as well as remove the bin/hatch doors. You can get a couple of shopping bags in with the spare tyre in place. There's a bit of space behind the seats as well, depending on how much you can move your seat forward.

In short, for a car with very little dedicated storage space, you can get more in than you think (ie x1 5 man tent, x2 decent size camping chairs, x2 pillows, x2 sleeping bags plus a bit more).

[TameRacingDriver]

Echo the above comment. It’s not particularly practical but assuming you don’t need more than a few squashy bags or a small tent, its fine. Also one of the most fun cars I’ve driven regardless of price let alone the sub £2k i paid for mine. Mondeo might be better if you do more wafting.