What do you guys think of the MR2 roadster?
Discussion
We have decided to spend up to £7.5K on a roadster for my wife, and we are looking at an MGF Trophy 160 next Saturday (I had one when new and loved it!)
However, our options are still open (although only £7.5K, it still looks, and is a lot of dosh for a 2nd 'fun' car)I noticed in Auto Trader (website), there are quite a few bargains (on the face of it!) for these MR2 roadsters, insurance is less, I'm sure it'll handle like a dream, abs,some have air con Toyota reliability etc, I am tempted, Chan doesn't like the looks too much (looks a bit amphibion at the front!), but to me, it makes sense on every level, apart from practicality - no boot space, is this true? I just know that an MR2 would cost a lot less to run than an MG, I need to make up my mind in the next week, as I have to buy one or the other before she starts her new job in a few weeks time!
Also, would an import version be more to insure?
Cheers
Chris
However, our options are still open (although only £7.5K, it still looks, and is a lot of dosh for a 2nd 'fun' car)I noticed in Auto Trader (website), there are quite a few bargains (on the face of it!) for these MR2 roadsters, insurance is less, I'm sure it'll handle like a dream, abs,some have air con Toyota reliability etc, I am tempted, Chan doesn't like the looks too much (looks a bit amphibion at the front!), but to me, it makes sense on every level, apart from practicality - no boot space, is this true? I just know that an MR2 would cost a lot less to run than an MG, I need to make up my mind in the next week, as I have to buy one or the other before she starts her new job in a few weeks time!
Also, would an import version be more to insure?
Cheers
Chris
Gazboy said:
Imports tend to be more expensive to insure, and no, the MR2 mk3 has no oot (has cubby holes behind seats). It's not really my cup of tea though.
Thanks for that Gazboy, I thought it had no boot - it needs to be a 'bit' practical! She has her heart set on an '01 Trophy 160, looks immaculate in red, only 22K miles and £6K!! I think I would be a fool not to take it, but wondered about the MR2 before we commit next week.
NiceCupOfTea said:
Driven an MX-5?
We looked seriously at MX5's (was originally going to spend £12K, but we kept some back in case the TVR goes wrong!), but the only MX5s in that price bracket are too old/tatty/too high mileage, they seem to command a £2K premium over an MG of the same age/mileage at the moment, for obvious reasons.
>> Edited by chris watton on Saturday 5th November 19:35
Gazboy said:
Driven an MX-5?
We looked seriously at MX5's (was originally going to spend £12K, but we kept some back in case the TVR goes wrong!), but the only MX5s in that price bracket are too old/tatty/too high mileage, they seem to command a £2K premium over an MG of the same age/mileage at the moment, for obvious reasons.
>> Edited by chris watton on Saturday 5th November 19:35
Probably not a fair comparison, in any way, shape or form, but I drove a MGTF135 back to back against my MR2T, but imo the MR2T is head and shoulders (and chest and belly for that matter) above the MGTF in every respect bar none.
How is the MGF for spares now that MGR have gone under, and would you be able to sell it on easily enough because of that?
All very valid points there, and I am sure that an MR2 is a much better drivers car than a TF, of that I have no doubt. I part exed my Tropy 160 for a TF 160, even had the optional lowered sports suspension, and I hated it, it was no different to a normal hatchback to drive! The Trophy 160 was much better ( I had favorite roads to blat accross, and where the MGF 160 held the corners like a limpet, the TF understeered very badly, around the exact same corners), and I wish I never part exed it (that'll teach me to believe all the high praise the TF got when it was first launched, and not having a test drive first!)
I wouldn't even entertain buying another TF, least of all a 135 (even though they're newer and cheaper than the Trophy 160!), may just as well buy a warm hatch instead.
The MX5 is the sensible choice, but Chan prefers the looks of the F (and the Trophy is a good drivers car, not like the other varients), and I was hoping she'd love the MR2 (for my own selfish reasons!), but she went to look at one today and confirmed there's no 'shopping' space, and it looked too 'square'! Howver, if I listened to Chan all the time, I would have bought a Tuscan instead of a Tamora, and I may well have been dead by now! lol
There is very little space in an MR2.
The name means 'poo' in french.
It's not an MX5
I would have thought you could find a nice MX5, but I guess it depends what you are after. All these Jap cars do go on forever! The MR2 probably looks a but more unusual, as there are a lot of MX5s around.
OH, BTW DON'T buy an MGF. They are not sportscars (which I assume you want, otherwise maybe think about some of those 206cc type cars)
The name means 'poo' in french.
It's not an MX5
I would have thought you could find a nice MX5, but I guess it depends what you are after. All these Jap cars do go on forever! The MR2 probably looks a but more unusual, as there are a lot of MX5s around.
OH, BTW DON'T buy an MGF. They are not sportscars (which I assume you want, otherwise maybe think about some of those 206cc type cars)
I have had my MR2 Roadster for just over 2 years now, & love it. I am as happy with it now, as I was the day I bought it!
The only downside is that it has 2 very small compartments behind each of the seats, & also a small amount of space in the bonnet but this space is also shared with the spare wheel. It is personal preference, and it is also true that you see a lot less Roadsters than MX5's that is one of the reasons I fell for the MR2.
I think maybe its not everyone's cup of tea, as the storage space does let it down. Happy car hunting which ever choice you make.
>> Edited by HAZE on Sunday 6th November 16:49
The only downside is that it has 2 very small compartments behind each of the seats, & also a small amount of space in the bonnet but this space is also shared with the spare wheel. It is personal preference, and it is also true that you see a lot less Roadsters than MX5's that is one of the reasons I fell for the MR2.
I think maybe its not everyone's cup of tea, as the storage space does let it down. Happy car hunting which ever choice you make.
>> Edited by HAZE on Sunday 6th November 16:49
HAZE said:
I have had my MR2 Roadster for just over 2 years now, & love it. I am as happy with it now, as I was the day I bought it!
The only downside is that it has 2 very small compartments behind each of the seats, & also a small amount of space in the bonnet but this space is also shared with the spare wheel. It is personal preference, and it is also true that you see a lot less Roadsters than MX5's that is one of the reasons I fell for the MR2.
I think maybe its not everyone's cup of tea, as the storage space does let it down. Happy car hunting which ever choice you make.
>> Edited by HAZE on Sunday 6th November 16:49
As I have said, I have no doubt the MR2 is the pick of the roadsters (MGF/MX5/Z3) for driving pleasure/economy/reliability, I am sold on it, but my wife isn't unfortunatley
, she would need to do weekly shops in it sometimes! I really do believe that if Toyota had managed to add a small boot space at the back, it would have killed sales for other roadsters (except the nigh on perfect MX5) Jazzgirl, I also agree that the standard MGF is no better than a hatchback, both in performance and handling, but the Trophy 160 version is totally different, I know, I drove it very hard a lot of the time and loved it (more than I can say for both the vanilla F and TF160)
We had a look at the new MX5 last week, have to admit, I didn't like it, they had the older shape next to it, and it looked perfect!, The new one looks wrong; the bonnet is way too high, almost SUV-like!
Gazboy said:
I really do believe that if Toyota had managed to add a small boot space at the back, it would have killed sales for other roadsters
That's what people said about the mk1, so for the mk2, they made it (a lot) bigger and added a substantial boot. Then people/journo's bitched about the weight, so they removed the boot and made it smaller, now people bitch about the lack of stowage, so Toyota said "fk you", and pulled the plug on the whole thing, no more MR2's.
LOL, can't win, can they?? Reminds me a bit of the new BMW Z4, journalists complained about the stodgy handling of the Z3, so BMW address that, and now the people who normally buy BMW moan that the ride's too hard on the Z4!!
I have to stop looking on AutoTrader, am very tempted by this;
Seems like a decent price!
autotrader said:
2000 W Reg MAZDA MX-5 1.8i SE Convertible
2 Doors, Manual, Convertible, Petrol, 44,000 miles, Silver. Alloy wheels, Driver airbag, Electric windows, Front armrest, Head restraints, Immobiliser, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Sports seats, ABS, CD, Foglights. Factory Hardtop included means one of the few Cabriolets genuinely usable throughout the year !! - Tonneau Cover and Wind Deflector also included. Full Thatcham 3 Cobra Alarm fitted. For larger pictures and more details go to www.simply-g.co.uk or click on Dealer Website >> Thanks for viewing £6,995.
Seems like a decent price!
I've driven both cars on more than one occasion (my review of the TF 160 should be appearing on this website soon - I submitted it under 'members reviews', but it was rather long so the moderator said he might move it).
To sum up, I'd take the MR2 everytime as a driver's car, though I know if I was choosing for my girlfriend or Mum (neither of whom are car enthusiasts), I'd go for the TF because it has a decent boot. The TF has a silly steering wheel and a very high driving position for us taller blokes. It also never 'keys in' to the road and in general doesn't feel like a driver's car. Also, the VVC engine, whilst feeling great in an Elise or Caterham, feels lifeless in the heavier MG.
The MR2, by contrast, feels 80% as good as an Elise in the way that it rides and handles. The performance isn't fast, but it is sufficient, and comfort levels are good. The MR2 gets my vote every time
To sum up, I'd take the MR2 everytime as a driver's car, though I know if I was choosing for my girlfriend or Mum (neither of whom are car enthusiasts), I'd go for the TF because it has a decent boot. The TF has a silly steering wheel and a very high driving position for us taller blokes. It also never 'keys in' to the road and in general doesn't feel like a driver's car. Also, the VVC engine, whilst feeling great in an Elise or Caterham, feels lifeless in the heavier MG.
The MR2, by contrast, feels 80% as good as an Elise in the way that it rides and handles. The performance isn't fast, but it is sufficient, and comfort levels are good. The MR2 gets my vote every time
I replaced my civic R with a Mr2 roadster
It's a great little car, slightly underpowered for what the chassis will handle, but great to chuck about
Storage is a PITA, the majority of it is behind the seats which means you need to mess about tilting the backs forward to gain access. Also if you remove the spare wheel from under the bonnet and replace it with tyre foam you add some area.
Actual cubic inches of space is equal to the vx,tf,mx etc but awkward if you need it all the time.
It's a great little car, slightly underpowered for what the chassis will handle, but great to chuck about
Storage is a PITA, the majority of it is behind the seats which means you need to mess about tilting the backs forward to gain access. Also if you remove the spare wheel from under the bonnet and replace it with tyre foam you add some area.
Actual cubic inches of space is equal to the vx,tf,mx etc but awkward if you need it all the time.
I had an MR2 roadster for 2.5 years. Never regretted it for a second. Most of the points above are valid. Reliable, great fun, roof's great, and never really had a problem for storage. Remember that the "boot" under the bonnet is not water-tight though.
I only replaced it because I wanted more power, although there's at least one 2ZZ-GE (190bhp Celica Engine) conversion in the UK, and several in the US.
However I went the S2000 route. You can pick up a second hand 99 S2000 for about £10000 now. Similar handling, bigger boot, more comfortable and much quicker.
I only replaced it because I wanted more power, although there's at least one 2ZZ-GE (190bhp Celica Engine) conversion in the UK, and several in the US.
However I went the S2000 route. You can pick up a second hand 99 S2000 for about £10000 now. Similar handling, bigger boot, more comfortable and much quicker.
Hmmm, I know what you mean, but I don't think there's a huge amount in it. I never tracked the MR2 which I regret now, having taken the S2000 on the track a few times, including a pilgrimmage to the Eiffel mountains 
However I test drove lots of cars when choosing the S2000 and I think I picked it because it was the closest handling to the MR2. I would say the S2000's handling is slightly off the MR2, however the power more than makes up for it.
However I test drove lots of cars when choosing the S2000 and I think I picked it because it was the closest handling to the MR2. I would say the S2000's handling is slightly off the MR2, however the power more than makes up for it.
Interesting how opinions vary. I thought that the S2000 was beautifully built, and had a really nice gear change; but the MR2 was leagues ahead in terms of ride and handling prowess. In addition to that, although I know the S2000 is miles quicker, they felt very similar to me under full throttle.
The S2000 was a lovely bit of kit though - beautifully engineered.
The S2000 was a lovely bit of kit though - beautifully engineered.
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