Interior space on mk2 MR2?
Discussion
I'm contemplating a mk2 MR2 for my next motor - however being a tall bloke size is a real concern.
The only other little sports car I've been in recently is my mum's mk1 MX5. How does the MR compare to it?
The main problem is really legroom - in the MX5 my knees are either side of the steering wheel, and so my right knee is squished between the wheel and the armrest on the door! I do physically fit in it, but it's not comfortable enough to own! However I'd wager that with a smaller (300mm?) steering wheel I would be able to fit in it and drive it OK. I've also heard there is some surgery you can do on the foam inside the seat to get a little more space in there. Is there anything similar for the MR? Or is MR2 ownership limited to midgets only?
Of course, if the MR2 is even MORE cramped than the MX5 cockpit, it'll be a complete write-off.
I suppose I could always go and test drive one, however I'm not going to be looking to buy for another month at least and I'm not a fan of messing sellers around on false pretences (as I know I hate it when people do it to me!).
edit: While we're on the subject of MR2s just thought I should ask... I'm a bit baffled by the names of the different models. From what I can see there are:
Normal
GT
GT Turbo
All of which are available in various combinations of T-bar/import. I assumed the GT was the turbo version but apparently the turbo is something else entirely? Argh, I am lost!
The only other little sports car I've been in recently is my mum's mk1 MX5. How does the MR compare to it?
The main problem is really legroom - in the MX5 my knees are either side of the steering wheel, and so my right knee is squished between the wheel and the armrest on the door! I do physically fit in it, but it's not comfortable enough to own! However I'd wager that with a smaller (300mm?) steering wheel I would be able to fit in it and drive it OK. I've also heard there is some surgery you can do on the foam inside the seat to get a little more space in there. Is there anything similar for the MR? Or is MR2 ownership limited to midgets only?
Of course, if the MR2 is even MORE cramped than the MX5 cockpit, it'll be a complete write-off.
I suppose I could always go and test drive one, however I'm not going to be looking to buy for another month at least and I'm not a fan of messing sellers around on false pretences (as I know I hate it when people do it to me!).
edit: While we're on the subject of MR2s just thought I should ask... I'm a bit baffled by the names of the different models. From what I can see there are:
Normal
GT
GT Turbo
All of which are available in various combinations of T-bar/import. I assumed the GT was the turbo version but apparently the turbo is something else entirely? Argh, I am lost!
Edited by OwenK on Friday 2nd May 21:38
I'm 6'2 and have had hard top versions of both the normally aspirated and the turbo version, I managed to fit fine in both and didn't even need to have the seat all the way back. A mate of mine has an early MX-5 and that feels very cramped to me, the MR2 feels a lot bigger inside.
I can't quite remember the exact differences of each one off the top of my head but I think there is the G-Limited (which is import only) and the GTi 16 which are the normally aspirated versions and the GT and the GT-S versions which are turbo (import only), and you can get T top versions of each with various levels of trim...
I can't quite remember the exact differences of each one off the top of my head but I think there is the G-Limited (which is import only) and the GTi 16 which are the normally aspirated versions and the GT and the GT-S versions which are turbo (import only), and you can get T top versions of each with various levels of trim...
silent k said:
I'm 6'2 and have had hard top versions of both the normally aspirated and the turbo version, I managed to fit fine in both and didn't even need to have the seat all the way back. A mate of mine has an early MX-5 and that feels very cramped to me, the MR2 feels a lot bigger inside.
I can't quite remember the exact differences of each one off the top of my head but I think there is the G-Limited (which is import only) and the GTi 16 which are the normally aspirated versions and the GT and the GT-S versions which are turbo (import only), and you can get T top versions of each with various levels of trim...
YepI can't quite remember the exact differences of each one off the top of my head but I think there is the G-Limited (which is import only) and the GTi 16 which are the normally aspirated versions and the GT and the GT-S versions which are turbo (import only), and you can get T top versions of each with various levels of trim...
Full details here
http://www.mr2oc.co.uk/Knowledge_Base/op=show/kid=...
OwenK - I've got a Mk2 if you want to check out what the driving position is like. I'm in the Crawley area from time to time. PM me if interested.
Red Devil said:
Yep
Full details here
http://www.mr2oc.co.uk/Knowledge_Base/op=show/kid=...
OwenK - I've got a Mk2 if you want to check out what the driving position is like. I'm in the Crawley area from time to time. PM me if interested.
Thanks - useful link! I'm still a tad confused though. It sounds like there was a GT model sold in the UK - this is naturally-aspirated 3S-GTE - and also a GT model sold in Japan (therefore, an import), which is turbocharged 3S-GTE? Am I correct in that? All the sites I've looked at have been a little vague in their wording. So the UK GT model is NA? Only the import GTs are turbo'd?Full details here
http://www.mr2oc.co.uk/Knowledge_Base/op=show/kid=...
OwenK - I've got a Mk2 if you want to check out what the driving position is like. I'm in the Crawley area from time to time. PM me if interested.
Red Devil, I'll PM you in a sec, thanks!
3S-GTE's were never N/A'd. That would be the 3S-GE which was found in the MR2's and Celica's (also in BEAMS form in the IS200). I'm not as tall as you are (6'0) but can say that i had the same issue in the MX5 but the MR2 is much roomier! Amazing cars and decent handling add to the experience.
BTW, I have an MR2 for sale at present, its a Revision 2 T-Bar turbo imported in red. Im in Watford so Gatwick isnt that far, you could by all means always pop down and have a look.
BTW, I have an MR2 for sale at present, its a Revision 2 T-Bar turbo imported in red. Im in Watford so Gatwick isnt that far, you could by all means always pop down and have a look.
TotalControl said:
3S-GTE's were never N/A'd. That would be the 3S-GE which was found in the MR2's and Celica's (also in BEAMS form in the IS200). I'm not as tall as you are (6'0) but can say that i had the same issue in the MX5 but the MR2 is much roomier! Amazing cars and decent handling add to the experience.
BTW, I have an MR2 for sale at present, its a Revision 2 T-Bar turbo imported in red. Im in Watford so Gatwick isnt that far, you could by all means always pop down and have a look.
Oh! Duh. That'll be what the T stands for then. BTW, I have an MR2 for sale at present, its a Revision 2 T-Bar turbo imported in red. Im in Watford so Gatwick isnt that far, you could by all means always pop down and have a look.
Sorry, I'm never usually one for engine codes!It's really tough to find a straight answer on this subject, it always seems to be worded slightly confusingly... let me just put it as a straight yes/no question.
Are the UK-spec "GT" models turbocharged?
Or is it only the imports that get the turbo?
No UK market models were turbo charged.
There was no such thing as a uk market GT model really. Unfortunately alot of UK MR2 GTi owners list their cars as "MR2 GT" when they sell them as it was refered to as the GT Coupe.
The Jap market MR2 GT was the top spec MR2 offered, it had the 3SGTE turbo charged engine and came with air-con, climate control, steering fog lights, electric mirrors, leather/alcantara interior etc as standard. A Limited Slip Differential was an option.
The MR2 GT-S with the same turbo charged engine had none of these as standard but all were available as options so many GT-S models do have some of the above.
The MR2 G-Limited was the Jap market top spec N/A that too came with a number of the comforts mentioned above but not leather/alcantara seats.
No turbo charged models were officialy sold in the UK, all are grey imports.
The top spec UK MR2 was the later BEAMS engined model, essentialy Toyota's VTEC equivalent.
The MkII MR2 is also broken down into revisions ( 5 in total)
Rev 1 3SFE engined UK N/A 119bhp
Rev1 and 2 UK N/A Cars had 158bhp 0-60 around 7.5sec
Rev 3 and 4 UK N/A Cars had 170bhp 0-60 around 7.5s
Rev 5 BEAMS UK N/A 200bhp 0-60 6.9sec
Jap Market
Rev 1 and 2 GT and GT-S 220bhp 0-60 5.7 sec
Rev 3, 4, 5 GT and GT-S 241bhp 0-60 5.2 sec
www.imoc.co.uk is the best UK MR2 forum imho.
There's loads of room in an MR2, im 6'1" and have plenty of head and leg room.
There was no such thing as a uk market GT model really. Unfortunately alot of UK MR2 GTi owners list their cars as "MR2 GT" when they sell them as it was refered to as the GT Coupe.
The Jap market MR2 GT was the top spec MR2 offered, it had the 3SGTE turbo charged engine and came with air-con, climate control, steering fog lights, electric mirrors, leather/alcantara interior etc as standard. A Limited Slip Differential was an option.
The MR2 GT-S with the same turbo charged engine had none of these as standard but all were available as options so many GT-S models do have some of the above.
The MR2 G-Limited was the Jap market top spec N/A that too came with a number of the comforts mentioned above but not leather/alcantara seats.
No turbo charged models were officialy sold in the UK, all are grey imports.
The top spec UK MR2 was the later BEAMS engined model, essentialy Toyota's VTEC equivalent.
The MkII MR2 is also broken down into revisions ( 5 in total)
Rev 1 3SFE engined UK N/A 119bhp
Rev1 and 2 UK N/A Cars had 158bhp 0-60 around 7.5sec
Rev 3 and 4 UK N/A Cars had 170bhp 0-60 around 7.5s
Rev 5 BEAMS UK N/A 200bhp 0-60 6.9sec
Jap Market
Rev 1 and 2 GT and GT-S 220bhp 0-60 5.7 sec
Rev 3, 4, 5 GT and GT-S 241bhp 0-60 5.2 sec
www.imoc.co.uk is the best UK MR2 forum imho.
There's loads of room in an MR2, im 6'1" and have plenty of head and leg room.
Edited by MikeyMike on Saturday 3rd May 12:26
Edited by MikeyMike on Saturday 3rd May 12:44
Beaten to it with all the info 
Get yourself over to IMOC-UK, it's got more things to read than you could ever need and a good classified section. http://www.mr2dc.com/ has some good buying guides.
There's bundles of room in the Mk2 - I've just got a Rev2 T-Bar, it has a hugely-adjustable seat, loads of headroom especially with the t-bar covers removed, and the steering wheel is height-adjustable and goes really high.
Get yourself over to IMOC-UK, it's got more things to read than you could ever need and a good classified section. http://www.mr2dc.com/ has some good buying guides.
There's bundles of room in the Mk2 - I've just got a Rev2 T-Bar, it has a hugely-adjustable seat, loads of headroom especially with the t-bar covers removed, and the steering wheel is height-adjustable and goes really high.
MR2s are spacious inside, unfortunately do not provide a perfectly symetrical seating position (mind you still better than Boxsters). With long legs and a large steering wheel you may have a slight problem with your left side (too cramped while too much room on the right). Shouldn't be anything major though.
Not a whole load to add, but would second the general consensus that there's plenty of room in a MkII MR2. I'm 6 foot and there's plenty of room to set the seat back another few notches and spread out a bit.
Haven't found any problems width-wise with the cockpit, but mine's an auto with plenty of room to rest my left foot!
Additionally, if you're looking for one I'd recommend Rev3 onwards (1994 IIRC) - they have a one piece spoiler on the trunk, and round rear lights amongst other things. This rev had a few more fundamental additions (fatter rear tyres and better suspension) to sort out the handling and reduce the likelihood of snap oversteer.
You won't regret it if you get one. Sound, solid motors. IMO.
Haven't found any problems width-wise with the cockpit, but mine's an auto with plenty of room to rest my left foot!
Additionally, if you're looking for one I'd recommend Rev3 onwards (1994 IIRC) - they have a one piece spoiler on the trunk, and round rear lights amongst other things. This rev had a few more fundamental additions (fatter rear tyres and better suspension) to sort out the handling and reduce the likelihood of snap oversteer.
You won't regret it if you get one. Sound, solid motors. IMO.
Ta for the help guys - I believe it was Red Devil (?) actually contacted me the day of my post and popped round for me to have a sit in and such (and a little spin round the back roads!)
Pedal room and headroom seems fine, however he had a standard size steering wheel and I think I'd have to have one a bit smaller to be really comfy in it as my left knee gets squashed up against the centre console. Will definitely be looking for one soon though! Just got to scrape together a few pennies first...
Pedal room and headroom seems fine, however he had a standard size steering wheel and I think I'd have to have one a bit smaller to be really comfy in it as my left knee gets squashed up against the centre console. Will definitely be looking for one soon though! Just got to scrape together a few pennies first...
OwenK said:
Ta for the help guys - I believe it was Red Devil (?) actually contacted me the day of my post and popped round for me to have a sit in and such (and a little spin round the back roads!)
Pedal room and headroom seems fine, however he had a standard size steering wheel and I think I'd have to have one a bit smaller to be really comfy in it as my left knee gets squashed up against the centre console. Will definitely be looking for one soon though! Just got to scrape together a few pennies first...
Guilty as charged. Pedal room and headroom seems fine, however he had a standard size steering wheel and I think I'd have to have one a bit smaller to be really comfy in it as my left knee gets squashed up against the centre console. Will definitely be looking for one soon though! Just got to scrape together a few pennies first...
Could I point out a couple of things though
- The MR2 standard steering wheel size is 380mm (14.96"). My aftermarket one is 330mm (12.99")
- I have only once had the back end step out (driver error) - I have never
it! 
Get saving mate. You know you want one!
Red Devil said:
Guilty as charged.
Could I point out a couple of things though
- The MR2 standard steering wheel size is 380mm (14.96"). My aftermarket one is 330mm (12.99")
- I have only once had the back end step out (driver error) - I have never it!
Get saving mate. You know you want one!
Cripes! I didn't know the original wheel was that much bigger. That's huge. I may not even be able to drive a standard one! That might cause problems when I start going for test drives... We shall see.Could I point out a couple of things though
- The MR2 standard steering wheel size is 380mm (14.96"). My aftermarket one is 330mm (12.99")
- I have only once had the back end step out (driver error) - I have never
it! Get saving mate. You know you want one!
But the bank balance is slowly rising... got to pay my debts first, then in a few weeks' time, I can start seriously poking through the classifieds...
OwenK said:
Red Devil said:
Guilty as charged.
Could I point out a couple of things though
- The MR2 standard steering wheel size is 380mm (14.96"). My aftermarket one is 330mm (12.99")
- I have only once had the back end step out (driver error) - I have never it!
Get saving mate. You know you want one!
Cripes! I didn't know the original wheel was that much bigger. That's huge. I may not even be able to drive a standard one! That might cause problems when I start going for test drives... We shall see.Could I point out a couple of things though
- The MR2 standard steering wheel size is 380mm (14.96"). My aftermarket one is 330mm (12.99")
- I have only once had the back end step out (driver error) - I have never
it! Get saving mate. You know you want one!
But the bank balance is slowly rising... got to pay my debts first, then in a few weeks' time, I can start seriously poking through the classifieds...
I've also had the backend step out, but no spinning. Mine's been from power oversteer - once from standing and once from a low speed coming off a roundabout. Slightly over-exuberant right foot usage each time! A great chassis and setup though, if you look after it, it will look after you.
ETA: Just checked my steering wheel which is original on my Rev3: 360mm (approx 14")
Edited by JohnnyPanic on Monday 26th May 14:39
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