mr2 or mx5
Author
Discussion

DEKE

Original Poster:

224 posts

223 months

Monday 30th May 2011
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Hi All

Iam looking at buying a wee thing for the summer months and wondered if you can give me some advice as to what might be the better car. I may also enter a couple of sprints just for fun.I am looking at spending upwards of £1500 to £3500.I have looked at some of the 97 models but with 100,000 miles on some of them they are still asking around £1800.What model of mx5 would you consider the best buy?

I am based in the north East of Scotland.

There is also a RX 8 up for sale with a knackered engine, would this be a good project recon engine etc are their any drawbacks with taking out and replacing..

Any info appreciated.
Deke

5paul5

664 posts

194 months

Monday 30th May 2011
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Mk 1 mx5 with a turbo or supercharger

MountainmanJohn

11 posts

201 months

Tuesday 31st May 2011
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My wife has a MR2 93 and I drive it all the time, real fun. But to be honest, maybe the mazda you will find a better car for the money. If I were in your position, Id have to find one of each to drive. Make your mind up on what feels best for you. Both cars look great and have alot of aftermarket options.

StormLoaded

889 posts

202 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
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If it's for the summer you surely have to go with the 5? Much as I love rev4 MR2s you can't beat the top down experience

DEKE

Original Poster:

224 posts

223 months

Wednesday 8th June 2011
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Hi
Thanks to all who replied, kinda edging towards the mx5 but probably should have said mr2 roadster
deke

JFReturns

3,783 posts

194 months

Thursday 9th June 2011
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MK1 MX5 with change to make it mint.

Otherwise a MK1 MR2, they are so cool. I wouldn't bother with an MR2 roadster on that budget...

Kateg28

1,370 posts

186 months

Friday 10th June 2011
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JFReturns said:


Otherwise a MK1 MR2, they are so cool.
So much more interesting than an MX5. How many do you see? Problem is getting a really good one as the rarity means some of them need a lot of work whereas good MX5s will be plentiful.

However PH seems to be full of MX5 lovers and us MR2 lovers tend to stay a bit more quiet about it in fear of being bullied boxedin

JFReturns

3,783 posts

194 months

Friday 10th June 2011
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Have you got a thread on your MR2 Kate? I want to know more!

Kateg28

1,370 posts

186 months

Friday 10th June 2011
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Which one?

The blue one, had for four years, needed lot of work, went to a restorer who did it up beautifully and sold on to another enthusiast in the North East. I loved this car.

The new red one, that is a long story. Will try and condense;
Very rare (colour/variant/bodystyle), saw for sale, fell in love, sold blue one.
Negotiated, agreed, collected from Ireland.
Lovely weekend with my dad, driving it home (16/17 April)
Failed MOT.
Went to specialist restorer, had lots of work done. Still there.
Now passed MOT and waiting for paperwork from DVLA as need tax and new reg no.
Paperwork due today, so hopefully will be picking it up : TOMORROW. bounce
Drive it around showing it off.
When I actually get this car I will put up some info and pictures, possibly Sunday, on this site and also the Mk1 club site.
Will talk to anyone who shows vaguest bit of interest in it, even if by accident

dblack1

230 posts

184 months

Tuesday 14th June 2011
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If you plan on using it in winter conditions get the MX5. Both are good cars, but the MR2 sucks under slippery conditions (both do actually, but the MX5 fairs decent with snow tires). If your buying it for summer use, go for a test drive, both are fun, however I have found my old MR2 was much funner to drive than my current MX5 (MR2 felt much more responsive than the MX5, but my MX5 is much faster).

steve_bmw

1,591 posts

198 months

Tuesday 14th June 2011
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get a z3. smile

JFReturns

3,783 posts

194 months

Tuesday 14th June 2011
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Whatever you do, don't get a Z3.

Agent57

2,309 posts

177 months

Saturday 18th June 2011
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Both are fine cars. I am on my second MR2 (1997 model) and have owned them for the last 14 years.

I guess it comes down to personal preferances, but I would say the MR2 is better to own overall, but on the right day and the right twisty road, the MX5 would be more fun to drive.

Get an MR2 GT t-bar revision 4 and you can't go wrong. But then I am biased.

Edited by Agent57 on Sunday 19th June 21:57

_Al_

5,618 posts

281 months

Sunday 19th June 2011
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I loved my MR2 Turbo with a passion, but I have to say the MX5 (in the form of my totally knackered mk1) is a million times better to drive.

The MR2 wins on looks by a long way though.

Evil.soup

4,047 posts

228 months

Tuesday 21st June 2011
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DEKE said:
Hi
Thanks to all who replied, kinda edging towards the mx5 but probably should have said mr2 roadster
deke
As much as i love the MR2 Roadster and think it is a better car than the MX5 i would go for an MX5 on the budget you have. At that price you could see issues!

TVRWazzock

1,653 posts

246 months

Wednesday 22nd June 2011
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An MR2 Mk2 gets my vote over an Mx5 any time. I think the mx5 is an excellent car but the MR2 Mk2 looks much better. I have owned an MR2 Mk2(non-turbo) for 11 years now and it's my everyday car. I am now on my 3rd one (R-reg T-Bar). I have not driven an mx5 but the MR2 can be a bit twitchy around the bends especially in the wet. The performance of the MR2 is exceptable and the reliability is good.

5paul5

664 posts

194 months

Wednesday 22nd June 2011
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TVRWazzock said:
An MR2 Mk2 gets my vote over an Mx5 any time. I think the mx5 is an excellent car but the MR2 Mk2 looks much better. I have owned an MR2 Mk2(non-turbo) for 11 years now and it's my everyday car. I am now on my 3rd one (R-reg T-Bar). I have not driven an mx5 but the MR2 can be a bit twitchy around the bends especially in the wet. The performance of the MR2 is exceptable and the reliability is good.
Drive an Mx5, you might well change your mind !

TVRWazzock

1,653 posts

246 months

Wednesday 22nd June 2011
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5paul5 said:
Drive an Mx5, you might well change your mind !
Yup, a fair point and would like to drive an Mx5 at some point as it's probably a better drive, but as I have said I'd choose an MR2 Mk2 any time simply for the looks alone. The MR2 Mk2 is a better looking car with a good performance, but not to good handling.

.... if I want to drive a car for it's handling, stunning performance, and excitement, then I'll take my TVR out for a drive biggrin

This is another reason why I'm impressed with the MR2. I was involved in a head on collision (not my fault) last year and the MR2 looked after me:





My latest MR2 with 18" wheels:



Wadeski

8,829 posts

236 months

Wednesday 22nd June 2011
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SW20s are EXTREMELY strong. one reason why they are heavier than you would expect for a sportscar of that age.

i've seen some horrendous wrecks on IMOC but they really look after you (the whole front being an engineless crumple zone being a big part of that).

ChiChoAndy

73,668 posts

278 months

Wednesday 22nd June 2011
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I wouldn't say the MR2 doesn't handle well. It's not designed for lairyness, rather it seems setup for a precise driving style. Drive it as though you want to go sideways everywhere, and I don't think it is suited at all. Drive it precisely, and smoothly through the bends, and it's lovely.