MR2 vs 208 GTI BPS
Discussion
Hello there, a few months ago I picked up an MR2 for £1700 and so far it has been surprisingly excellent at providing amusement.
However to stop it from turning into bran flakes this winter I'm probably going to need to leave it to rest when things get frosty.
Meanwhile, I am becoming increasingly curious about the Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport and there's one for sale not too far away for what appears to be a reasonable sum. This car seems to be well rated and would address a couple of issues with the MR2 - it has a boot and it's probably a bit more comfortable on a longer journey. However, it is arguably more boring, especially on days when I could get the roof down.
What would you pick?
However to stop it from turning into bran flakes this winter I'm probably going to need to leave it to rest when things get frosty.
Meanwhile, I am becoming increasingly curious about the Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport and there's one for sale not too far away for what appears to be a reasonable sum. This car seems to be well rated and would address a couple of issues with the MR2 - it has a boot and it's probably a bit more comfortable on a longer journey. However, it is arguably more boring, especially on days when I could get the roof down.
What would you pick?
I’ve drove loads of 208 GTIs and owned 2.
Spring this year I very nearly purchased an MR2 but it fell through when negotiating as someone paid asking price blind over phone. Ended up in a MX5 in the end.
They are very different cars.
The 208 GTIs does everything better and is just simply a better car. Especially the Peugeot Sport ca they are proper well sorted machines and hidden gems. It’s still a fun car and loves getting on 3 wheels and lift off oversteer so wouldn’t worry about fun.
The MR2 is more unique but and putting the roof down makes a massive difference that the Peugeot can’t replicate. It drives like an old car as well which has its charms. I love them and it offers the more unique ownership experience.
There is no right answer unfortunately I’d just say both cars are great and pick what suits you.
Spring this year I very nearly purchased an MR2 but it fell through when negotiating as someone paid asking price blind over phone. Ended up in a MX5 in the end.
They are very different cars.
The 208 GTIs does everything better and is just simply a better car. Especially the Peugeot Sport ca they are proper well sorted machines and hidden gems. It’s still a fun car and loves getting on 3 wheels and lift off oversteer so wouldn’t worry about fun.
The MR2 is more unique but and putting the roof down makes a massive difference that the Peugeot can’t replicate. It drives like an old car as well which has its charms. I love them and it offers the more unique ownership experience.
There is no right answer unfortunately I’d just say both cars are great and pick what suits you.
MR2, drives like very little else.
One of the few cars that you can steer with the throttle (and I dont mean smoking slides, I mean trimming the line with slight adjustments to the throttle) and on the original, sticky Advan tyres could out corner most things this side of an R500 on slicks.
Mind you, I found mine didn't grip that well with all four wheels pointing at the sky...
One of the few cars that you can steer with the throttle (and I dont mean smoking slides, I mean trimming the line with slight adjustments to the throttle) and on the original, sticky Advan tyres could out corner most things this side of an R500 on slicks.
Mind you, I found mine didn't grip that well with all four wheels pointing at the sky...
macron said:
Useful thread for the chalk and cheese options,
Sure someone can clarify, pre 2016, maybe 2015, something up with the Pug engine? Is it the Prince which is in the Mini etc, hence is plagued with things that then got sorted out with the facelift..?
This resurfaces all the time on here as some undying urban myth. Sure someone can clarify, pre 2016, maybe 2015, something up with the Pug engine? Is it the Prince which is in the Mini etc, hence is plagued with things that then got sorted out with the facelift..?
Peugeot upgraded all the engines in 208 GTIs.
It’s not a thing.
Facelifted engines are stronger and have additional torque which make them nicer to drive.
CG2020UK said:
This resurfaces all the time on here as some undying urban myth.
Peugeot upgraded all the engines in 208 GTIs.
It s not a thing.
Facelifted engines are stronger and have additional torque which make them nicer to drive.
Facelift yes, but this thread has dealers on and well know PHers all saying the early ones had Prince problems.Peugeot upgraded all the engines in 208 GTIs.
It s not a thing.
Facelifted engines are stronger and have additional torque which make them nicer to drive.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
As does the 208 owners website
https://www.208ownersclub.co.uk/threads/gti-buying...
So assuming facelift, all seems much better. But the "it's not a thing" does not seem to apply to all, only the later ones.
Edited by macron on Wednesday 4th November 21:57
macron said:
CG2020UK said:
This resurfaces all the time on here as some undying urban myth.
Peugeot upgraded all the engines in 208 GTIs.
It s not a thing.
Facelifted engines are stronger and have additional torque which make them nicer to drive.
Facelift yes, but this thread has dealers on and well know PHers all saying the early ones had Prince problems.Peugeot upgraded all the engines in 208 GTIs.
It s not a thing.
Facelifted engines are stronger and have additional torque which make them nicer to drive.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
As does the 208 owners website
https://www.208ownersclub.co.uk/threads/gti-buying...
So assuming facelift, all seems much better. But the "it's not a thing" does not seem to apply to all, only the later ones.
Edited by macron on Wednesday 4th November 21:57
The car I've seen is a 2015, so probably quite an early BPS. I think they were in production until 2017.
Gary C said:
MR2, drives like very little else.
One of the few cars that you can steer with the throttle (and I dont mean smoking slides, I mean trimming the line with slight adjustments to the throttle) and on the original, sticky Advan tyres could out corner most things this side of an R500 on slicks.
Mind you, I found mine didn't grip that well with all four wheels pointing at the sky...
I bought the MR2 to relive the joys of mid-engined motoring, having run a mk1 around 2010. The mk3 has been quite a revelation, it is so wonderfully immediate in its responses and I have felt that lovely neutral balance and really quite friendly mobility of the rear saying hello. One of the few cars that you can steer with the throttle (and I dont mean smoking slides, I mean trimming the line with slight adjustments to the throttle) and on the original, sticky Advan tyres could out corner most things this side of an R500 on slicks.
Mind you, I found mine didn't grip that well with all four wheels pointing at the sky...
Interestingly, the 208 offers a similar attitude with lift-off oversteer.
macron said:
Facelift yes, but this thread has dealers on and well know PHers all saying the early ones had Prince problems.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
As does the 208 owners website
https://www.208ownersclub.co.uk/threads/gti-buying...
So assuming facelift, all seems much better. But the "it's not a thing" does not seem to apply to all, only the later ones.
I’m on that original thread. It’s a generic statement on why Prince engines had issues and doesn’t mention the 208 GTI. No one mentions an engine going boom. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
As does the 208 owners website
https://www.208ownersclub.co.uk/threads/gti-buying...
So assuming facelift, all seems much better. But the "it's not a thing" does not seem to apply to all, only the later ones.
Edited by macron on Wednesday 4th November 21:57
I can’t see the 208 forum but it’s hardly a shocker that a small hot hatch has problems and 1 in 100 join the forum to complain but fail to mention their dodgey remap and no servicing. If you want to find a problem you will.
Facelifted engines are better however there is nothing wrong with the earlier cars. It also doesn’t apply to any of the by Peugeot Sport cars or 30th edition as these all run facelifted engine.
Prince engine mini bad. 208 GTI Prince engine fine.
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