Mk3 MR2 SP Turbo 197 v VX Turbo as daily driver & track car?
Discussion
Ok chaps, opinions please! I'm thinking of either buying a MK3 MR2 - say a 2003 for around £5k, and then adding the Silverstone Performance Stage 1 Turbo kit (Power upgraded to 197Bhp, cost = £5697) or buying a 2004 VX 220 Turbo for around £12k.
The total cost of the MR2 + Silverstone Performance package would be around £10.5k vs around £12k for the VX Turbo.
The car would be my daily driver, so would have to cope with year round driving, motorway miles and the urban crawl around London. For the rest of the time it'd have to be able to entertain on a back road, and pound out lap after lap with minimal wear + cost on the occasional trackday (I usually do around 3 trackdays per year).
Which one would you go for?
The total cost of the MR2 + Silverstone Performance package would be around £10.5k vs around £12k for the VX Turbo.
The car would be my daily driver, so would have to cope with year round driving, motorway miles and the urban crawl around London. For the rest of the time it'd have to be able to entertain on a back road, and pound out lap after lap with minimal wear + cost on the occasional trackday (I usually do around 3 trackdays per year).
Which one would you go for?
Interesting choice, I am currently selling an Elise (not too far from a vx220 in terms of practicality), and have considered replacing it with a mk3 mr2 with either a turbo kit fitted or a 2zz 190bhp celica engine fitted (and maybe even super charge that depending on budget could get you to 260bhp).
I am however more likely to buy an s2000 as the mk3 mr2 has no rear boot (in fact the vx220 has more storage space). But would prefer the mk3 mr2 for the light weight.
There was a turboed mk3 last time I was at Bedford aerodrome was going well until it had engine troubles and had to retire.
I am however more likely to buy an s2000 as the mk3 mr2 has no rear boot (in fact the vx220 has more storage space). But would prefer the mk3 mr2 for the light weight.
There was a turboed mk3 last time I was at Bedford aerodrome was going well until it had engine troubles and had to retire.
We're actually seeing a significant increase in the amount of people buying MR2 Roadsters for track use. I'm pretty sure I know the car you saw at Bedford and if it's the same car it turned out to be a failed wheel bearing. That car is currently equipped with the standard 1ZZ and SP turbo kit, but is going 2ZZ turbo very shortly.
We've also installed a 2ZZ compressor engine from a Corolla into an MR2 Roadster - essentially the same setup as the non-intercooled supercharged elise. That went well! We're currently researching more powerful, intercooled SC solutions.
Finally, we're putting together engine and gearbox oil cooling packages for the mk3. I think it's been a significantly underestimated car in the past and with a 2ZZ engine installed can rightfully be considered as comparable with the Elise / VX.
Patrick
We've also installed a 2ZZ compressor engine from a Corolla into an MR2 Roadster - essentially the same setup as the non-intercooled supercharged elise. That went well! We're currently researching more powerful, intercooled SC solutions.
Finally, we're putting together engine and gearbox oil cooling packages for the mk3. I think it's been a significantly underestimated car in the past and with a 2ZZ engine installed can rightfully be considered as comparable with the Elise / VX.
Patrick
might not matter to you but your getting into a specialist market with modified cars and i think you'd loose a packet when/if you wanted to get out of the converted MR2. Stick with he VX they are great cars, may mate had a vx220 turbo, good even when standard, not saying the MR2 is bad by the way.
That's strange, I thought the MK3 MR2 was pretty bullet proof..?
Some great points though lads, many thanks. I am a little worried about spunking a load of cash on something that won't be worth much afterwards though.... Maybe I'd be better off going the VX route....
The only problem with the VX though is things I've heard about leaking roofs and terrible heating in winter, with "only a trickle" coming out of the vents....
Not good if this is to be my year round car... My other thought is to save hard and get myself a 2005 E46 M3 CS......
Some great points though lads, many thanks. I am a little worried about spunking a load of cash on something that won't be worth much afterwards though.... Maybe I'd be better off going the VX route....
The only problem with the VX though is things I've heard about leaking roofs and terrible heating in winter, with "only a trickle" coming out of the vents....
Not good if this is to be my year round car... My other thought is to save hard and get myself a 2005 E46 M3 CS......
I sold an 04 VXT with a stage 3 (260bhp ish) for £10750 earlier this year. Very fast and a lot of fun. Takes a bit of dedication to use it all year round, though. The windscreen will ice up on the inside in winter, there is not a reliable heater mod (heater is rubbish, btw). But... on a sunny day, it is tremendous fun and thoroughly recommended.
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