Advice Required, Should I Or Shouldn't I?

[Anon3010]

Hi all,

Rather than reading how fantastic the MR2 is from dealers and toyota themselves, I'd rather hear the opinions of people who own one.

I'm thinking of getting a nice new black one as my main car (I also have a motorbike). Luggage space is not an issue for me so that's not an issue.

Where I live, there are a lot of poorly maintained roads and lots of speed bumps. Do you recon going over these every day would cause an MR2 problems? Are they low enough to ground out on speed bumps?

I'd like to know what everyone thinks of the hard top over the soft top. Is it worth going for the hard one as I doubt I'd drive with the top down much. What are the pro's and cons of each?

Trundling up and down the M25 is my daily routine, Is the MR2 suitable for this sort of driving? Stop start most of the way to work?

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[dudeone]

Hi & welcome, :D

When you say getting an MR2 which MK and which Model?

I have a 95 Mk2 Rev3 and we have speed bumps which does not cause me any problems, I have not so far ground the chassis on them, but you do need to take it slowly over each one, my 2 has been lowered by 30mm as well.

The crap roads you drive on nr your home could be reasonable to hard but this will depend on how hard the ride is on the 2 you buy etc.

Go for it you will never regret getting one and go Tubby. B)

That’s my advice

Dave

[newtomymr2]

Dont get a brand new one, get a late tubbie and spend the difference on tuning it

[Roytoner]

Wellcome to the Dark Side

Off course you get a "2" wroug forum to get told anything else :D

[midmotorsteve]

Most people here have the previous model MR2, the new ones are very different cars. The new ones are more sports car than GT car like the previous model.

The new ones are very good little cars, they don't have any luggage space but if this isn't an issue you should find it perfect. As standard they don't have any ground clearance problem, they are also very reliable and quite cheap to run as they are such light cars, not to hard on tyres, brakes etc.

I suppose the best way to describe them is like a more comfortable, less focused Elise; (less track focus more road tamed).

I'd have one tomorrow :D

They arn't 'that' rapid in a straight line, come into their own on the B roads.

If you do get one and think it needs more power, Turbo conversions are getting popular..

http://www.millwayvehiclespecialists.co.uk...netuningSMT.htm

or like others have said If your looking at a new roadster then maybe consider importing a 1997 MK2 Turbo. 245bhp out of the box :D

[dawolf]

The new ones are very good little cars, they don't have any luggage space but if this isn't an issue you should find it perfect.  As standard they don't have any ground clearance problem, they are also very reliable and quite cheap to run as they are such light cars, not to hard on tyres, brakes etc.

I've heard the new mk3's are not as reliable as the mk2's, they seem to have niggly problems and yes there's hardly any luggage space. BUT having said that the mk3 handles very well and kitted up it can look quite nice. Could do with a bit more poke though.

[swales_p]

The MR2 is easily the best car ive ever owned!! looks great, handles well and is just great fun to drive.

HOWEVER!!!!! dont buy one if your travelling long distances per week as these cars are bad, and i mean BAD when it come to fuel. They drink it like its going out of fashion!

Apart from that, buy one - make it a tubbie (turbo version) and im sure you will have a big smile on your mush every day :D

Cheers

[Anon3010]

Thanks for all your replies, I think I may be going for it soon, join your gang.

No one had any comments on the hard / soft top option. Any pro's and con's of each?

Cheers

[BLOODUK]

HOWEVER!!!!! dont buy one if your travelling long distances per week as these cars are bad, and i mean BAD when it come to fuel. They drink it like its going out of fashion!

Cheers

←

Yes if you drive like you got a turbo

[james1760]

i have a t bar uk GT and it is great, if you get a t bar there is a good chance you will get the tbar blinds which make the car feel like it has a tin top, and in the summer it is fantastic with the t bar off!

[BLOODUK]

I err didnt have any covers the parent of the family lost em :!Removed!:

I think ill get them blacked out window tinted

[c_master]

Luggage space is not an issue for me so that's not an issue.

←

Guess that's not an issue then! :group-cuddles:

Sorry fella!

As stated, most people who use this forum have the mark2 MR2. It sounds like your after a Mk3... The boxy froggy looking one. So thats probably why no-one has fed back on the soft top option. I doubt your wanting a MK2 so i wouldn't bore you with any pros and cons on it.

The Mk3 is more of a roadster (not really sports car!?) than the mk2 which is a gti really. Best thing to do is test drive an mr2 and try other roadsters like

elise, MG etc.

And if youve got £15k+..... Buy a TVR cerbera!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ZeroBlade]

I havta say that personally I'd go for the mk2 even if you can afford a mk3 then spend the money saved on the mk2 also.

Be it on a kit or engine mods, you'll be grinning like a chesire cat, not that you won't even if you left it standard, but... :D

-Z

[Darth Paul]

Sure, go for a MK3 Roadster. I'm now in my second roadster, and it is a brilliant car. It's a very different driving experience to the MK2. The MK2 was a much heavier (and in standard guise) slower car. More GT than razor sharp. The MK2 turbos were a different matter...

In a straight line the MK3 is 'nippy' rather than outright fast. In the bends it comes into it's own, and had been described as a cheaper Elise in many reviews. Not as hardcore, and more everyday friendly.

Luggage space isn't a problem either. There are two storage bins behind the seats, and one under the bonnet. Ditch the space saver spare from under the bonnet and you'll get much more room. I have a couple of cans of Tyre Weld in there instead. If it ever becomes a problem, then you're in the wrong car and you should have bought a Focus! I bought mine for the smiles per miles.

As for the hardtop – it depends on what you need. I have one, though it only goes on for three months during the winter. It has rain gutters, whereas the soft top doesn't, and stops a waterfall into the car when you open the doors when it's raining! Good for the winter. But for the rest of the time I use the soft top. The top goes down in TWO SECONDS – no exaggeration, needs no tonnau as it folds with the inner lining face down, and has a glass heated screen. As long as it isn't raining, the top's down. Warm or cold. Day or night. The heaters are excellent and with the windows up it's toasty. On warm days the windows are down and it feels great. :D I do 60 miles a day, mostly motorway, and the car is very stable. 30ish to the gallon, Group 13 insurance (£550) and £80 for a service. Cheap motoring.

Go for a post 2003 as it was updated. I've now had both and the new one is better. More rigid and much brighter projector headlights. I've also got leather, air, bodykit, spoiler – the whole shooting match!

There are similar cars out there, the MGTF and MX5. Dismiss the MG – !Removed! horrible cars. The MX5 is a great car, and is not as hardcore as the MR2. I prefer the drive and handling of the MR2 (obviously) and would say to you – DO IT!!

For more advice/testimonials/info see the MR2 Roadster site:

MR2 Roadster Owners Club