Celica GT4 or MR2 Turbo

[Smashed]

Hello all

Looking at these 2 for a next car and I'm struggling to decide between them, as far as I know they have the same engine right? but the MR2 is RWD as opposed to the 4WD of the Celica, but then the celica has a couple seats in the back which can be useful I guess.

what are the weak points of either car or strong points even? any info that will help me decide will be appreciated.

[Marf]

Really comes down to one thing, do you need 4 seats?

If yes, the Celica, if not, drive both and see which you like best. They are very different cars to drive, one a rally slag, the other a pointy MR sports car.

The ST185 Celica GT4 and the Revision 1/2 MR2 share the same engine, but the Celica is much heavier, although it has the advantage of AWD.

The ST205 Celica GT4 and Rev3+ MR2 share the same(more powerful) engine, but again the ST205 is heavier than the MR2.

Edited by Marf on Wednesday 11th March 12:52

[Wadeski]

The MR2 feels more "special" due to its cockpit and MR layout (can't beat the sound of a turbo spooling behind your head). The Celica will be better in crappy weather and has back seats.

[Marf]

Wadeski said:

can't beat the sound of a turbo spooling behind your head

Too true

[octonewt]

I think i started a topic the same as this bout 6 months ago as i wasn't sure either. I ended up getting a Rev 2 Turbo. It's ace! Maybe a bit underpowered at the mo but a good service a couple of nice mods will sort that. i tried both and found that the 2 felt alot more fun. It's a much more lively car, and faster than it's counterparts. I reckon it looks alot nicer too. Also the MR2OC is one of the most helpful and best forums going! Get a 2!

[mr2-turbo-gar]

Marf said:

Wadeski said:

can't beat the sound of a turbo spooling behind your head

Too true

Seconded! its bloody great!
get a 2 mate if you dont really need the room!!

[FastLaneGirl]

My OH has the ST205 GT4, which I drive regularly. I have also had an extended test drive in a Rev 3 MR2 turbo. If you don't need 4 seats, for me there was no contest. Although a great car, the GT4 felt a bit like a lumbering beast compared to the light, spirited feel the MR2 gave. MR2 was much more 'flingable', if you like that sort of thing, and was a real drivers car IMO. Both good cars, sharing the same great engine, but the engine comes alive in the 2 in a way I didn't get from the GT4.

I liked the MR2 so much I bought one I got the N/A in the end as needed something cheap to run for a while, but will be getting a turbo at some point as I fell head over heels for it. The way it delivers the power & the feel it gives was, to me, superior to the GT4 (though I will still drive the old beast while I wait to pick up my 2 )

Edit to add: Now we have all convinced you to get a 2, my OH is selling his GT4 if you want one

Edited by FastLaneGirl on Thursday 12th March 00:20

[RobCrezz]

I chose a Rev3 MR2 in the end. Better looking, faster, RWD. Both are good cars, just make sure you get a REV3 if its the MR2, the engine and turbo are much better.

[Smashed]

mr2-turbo-gar said:

Marf said:

Wadeski said:

can't beat the sound of a turbo spooling behind your head

Too true

Seconded! its bloody great!
get a 2 mate if you dont really need the room!!

ahh you see I have no need for the back seats really. And I would like to have a RWD car too which is swaying me to the MR2 but then the celica is much nicer looking than the MR2. I'm going to have to test drive both I think...

[Smashed]

hmm just looking on parkers and the MR2 is group 16 where as the celica a group 17.

Now is one group difference going to make a lot of difference what sort of price could I expect? I'll be 21 when I actually buy one of these by the way. (still got money to pay on the astra =[)

[cptsideways]

The Celica is rather lame especially in the handling stakes, the MR2 is lighter & RWD plus its at least a sports car job done

[Smashed]

hmmm is £1600 TPFT an acceptable quote for a 21 year old on a Rev 3 MR2 turbo?

[Marf]

Smashed said:

hmmm is £1600 TPFT an acceptable quote for a 21 year old on a Rev 3 MR2 turbo?

NCB, convictions, location?

[Smashed]

Marf said:

Smashed said:

hmmm is £1600 TPFT an acceptable quote for a 21 year old on a Rev 3 MR2 turbo?

NCB, convictions, location?

1 year NCB, no convictions, live in a quite village in the midlands. My friends have always said my insurance is much higher than anyone elses...

Just wandering what sort of price is reasonable for this car. I'd happily pay up to 2k to be honest.

[Marf]

Smashed said:

Marf said:

Smashed said:

hmmm is £1600 TPFT an acceptable quote for a 21 year old on a Rev 3 MR2 turbo?

NCB, convictions, location?

1 year NCB, no convictions, live in a quite village in the midlands. My friends have always said my insurance is much higher than anyone elses...

Just wandering what sort of price is reasonable for this car. I'd happily pay up to 2k to be honest.

http://www.carinsuranceexplained.com/car_insurance_explained/insurance_postcode_risk.htm <-- work out the risk factor based on your post code.

Does sound a little high, but then you do only have 1yrs NCB. Give A-Plan a call(they insure my 2), also try Admiral, they were reasonable when I was getting quotes. Don't bother with Flux, Sky, Keith Michaels or Chris Knott, all require 7-12 months experience in a similar car before they'll touch you.

[Smashed]

Marf said:

Smashed said:

Marf said:

Smashed said:

hmmm is £1600 TPFT an acceptable quote for a 21 year old on a Rev 3 MR2 turbo?

NCB, convictions, location?

1 year NCB, no convictions, live in a quite village in the midlands. My friends have always said my insurance is much higher than anyone elses...

Just wandering what sort of price is reasonable for this car. I'd happily pay up to 2k to be honest.

http://www.carinsuranceexplained.com/car_insurance_explained/insurance_postcode_risk.htm <-- work out the risk factor based on your post code.

Does sound a little high, but then you do only have 1yrs NCB. Give A-Plan a call(they insure my 2), also try Admiral, they were reasonable when I was getting quotes. Don't bother with Flux, Sky, Keith Michaels or Chris Knott, all require 7-12 months experience in a similar car before they'll touch you.

Thanks for the info =]

EDIT: Group B hmm, it bungs me into the same group as the nearest town which is kinda annoying

Edited by Smashed on Thursday 12th March 12:58

[Steve Evil]

MR2 NA is group 16, MR2 Turbo is up with most of the other 2 litre imports in group 20, so I'd say £1600 is a bargain at your age. Surprised anyone will insure you on one at all, I struggled at 21 to insure mine, but Dorset were providing specialist cover for the owners club way back then.

[RobCrezz]

Smashed said:

hmmm is £1600 TPFT an acceptable quote for a 21 year old on a Rev 3 MR2 turbo?

Thats not bad to be honest. Im 24 with 4 years NCB, 3 points and all mods declared (around 300bhp) and mine is about £700 fully comp.

Try Adrian flux, they got the best quote by miles for me.

edit: just saw marfs post about similar car. I didnt know that, but they did ask me previous cars, to which I mentioned 200sx and Prelude vtec.

Edited by RobCrezz on Thursday 12th March 14:23

[Marf]

RobCrezz said:

edit: just saw marfs post about similar car. I didnt know that, but they did ask me previous cars, to which I mentioned 200sx and Prelude vtec.

When I tried the insurers I mentioned they wouldn't accept my 5 years of driving 200hp/tonne turbo hatches as similar cars, no doubt they want to see experience on cars of equal or greater insurance groups.

[RobCrezz]

Marf said:

RobCrezz said:

edit: just saw marfs post about similar car. I didnt know that, but they did ask me previous cars, to which I mentioned 200sx and Prelude vtec.

When I tried the insurers I mentioned they wouldn't accept my 5 years of driving 200hp/tonne turbo hatches as similar cars, no doubt they want to see experience on cars of equal or greater insurance groups.

Thats weird, my old prelude and 200sx were hardly the last word in performance