views upon mk2 N/A MR2's
Discussion
i'm thinking of getting a practical (ok...more practical than my cars atm) car but also something that is fun and RWD, and cheapish to insure being 20 in a couple of weeks time and all. ive got an insure quote off confused for a 2.0l 1992 mr2 for 1 grand from admiral insurance. sounds ok, but i wanted any views upon the cars in general.
oh and i know the turbo is much much better but it just isnt an option.
any views would be appreciated and other suggestions of cars for the same insurance bracket even more so
oh and i know the turbo is much much better but it just isnt an option.
any views would be appreciated and other suggestions of cars for the same insurance bracket even more so
The Mkii is far more practical to live with than the Mki. For a start it has a properly usable boot, more interior space if you're tall adn is generally a more refined car if you have to cover any large distances at all.
From a running costs point of view, I would imagine the mkii is actually cheaper as you won't have any rust issues to worry about. Otherwise, they are both bombproof.
Driving-wise, the purists will tell you that the mki is superior. Perhaps it is in terms of balance, but it's at the expense of grunt and grip which are more important if it's you're everyday motor - particularly through the winter. Oh, and the mkii will still run rings round many more modern and suposedly superior cars - personally, I think the are fantastically balanced.
Purchase costs seem to be pretty similar on Autotrader, so take your pick and enjoy.
From a running costs point of view, I would imagine the mkii is actually cheaper as you won't have any rust issues to worry about. Otherwise, they are both bombproof.
Driving-wise, the purists will tell you that the mki is superior. Perhaps it is in terms of balance, but it's at the expense of grunt and grip which are more important if it's you're everyday motor - particularly through the winter. Oh, and the mkii will still run rings round many more modern and suposedly superior cars - personally, I think the are fantastically balanced.
Purchase costs seem to be pretty similar on Autotrader, so take your pick and enjoy.
I dont know how much you were planning on spending, but if you can find an MR2 1993/4 onwards and go for an import you will be potentially be getting a better car.
The earlyier mark 2s developed less power than the post 1993/4 cars, due to a different ECU. The earlier cars also had smaller brakes and a lower spec suspension as standard.
Generally the imports have lower mileage and often come with Air con and other such luxurys. However many imports dont have any Japanese history at all (it may turn out to be a complete dog!) If you want the ultimate NA mark 2 MR2 go for one with the BEAMS engine.....apparently 200BHP!
Hope this helps
The earlyier mark 2s developed less power than the post 1993/4 cars, due to a different ECU. The earlier cars also had smaller brakes and a lower spec suspension as standard.
Generally the imports have lower mileage and often come with Air con and other such luxurys. However many imports dont have any Japanese history at all (it may turn out to be a complete dog!) If you want the ultimate NA mark 2 MR2 go for one with the BEAMS engine.....apparently 200BHP!
Hope this helps
*PHIL* said:
I dont know how much you were planning on spending, but if you can find an MR2 1993/4 onwards and go for an import you will be potentially be getting a better car.
The earlyier mark 2s developed less power than the post 1993/4 cars, due to a different ECU. The earlier cars also had smaller brakes and a lower spec suspension as standard.
Generally the imports have lower mileage and often come with Air con and other such luxurys. However many imports dont have any Japanese history at all (it may turn out to be a complete dog!) If you want the ultimate NA mark 2 MR2 go for one with the BEAMS engine.....apparently 200BHP!
Hope this helps
The 158 bhp mr2's were actually quicker than the later 178 bhp mr2's, as the latter required cats, and Toyota upped the hp to compensate... The rev 3 would be the best bet, but performance wise, the 158 and the 178 are no different.
I have a rev 3 NA (G Limited)...
F*cking ace car!
It went like the proverbial clappers with the cat out, and made a hell of a noise into the bargain (vvvvWWWWAAAARRRRRRRMMMMMMMMMMppppppp-pop-pop-pop-BANG type stuff). With an induction kit it also sounded like I had Darth Vader sat in the engine bay behind me, so it pretty much made all the cool noises associated with turbocharged cars, even though it wasn't.
Eventually it blew up (cambelt actually, methinks) and is currently sat on my driveway whilst I decide what to do with it.
Bloody ace car though - Not as fast as a tubby by any means but so what; it still kicked large amounts of arse and handled brilliantly and, when the cat was out, was sufficiently quick to hassle an S2000 round some twisties, keep up with a 2nd gen RX7 on the M3 (until hitting the limiter) and even out-drag a Ferrari! (It was an old one from the early 70s by the look of it).
Bags of fun and also felt really safe*, and when the arse end stepped out it was a nice, predictable, progessive slide - Not snappy at all really. This might have been down to tyre choice (very important with MR2s).
But anyway - Get one.
*Especially compared to the Ibiza GTi I now have, which feels like it's trying to kill me all the time. Wobble wobble wobble, torque steer, more wobble...
>> Edited by DanBoy on Monday 7th November 12:38
F*cking ace car!
It went like the proverbial clappers with the cat out, and made a hell of a noise into the bargain (vvvvWWWWAAAARRRRRRRMMMMMMMMMMppppppp-pop-pop-pop-BANG type stuff). With an induction kit it also sounded like I had Darth Vader sat in the engine bay behind me, so it pretty much made all the cool noises associated with turbocharged cars, even though it wasn't.
Eventually it blew up (cambelt actually, methinks) and is currently sat on my driveway whilst I decide what to do with it.
Bloody ace car though - Not as fast as a tubby by any means but so what; it still kicked large amounts of arse and handled brilliantly and, when the cat was out, was sufficiently quick to hassle an S2000 round some twisties, keep up with a 2nd gen RX7 on the M3 (until hitting the limiter) and even out-drag a Ferrari! (It was an old one from the early 70s by the look of it).
Bags of fun and also felt really safe*, and when the arse end stepped out it was a nice, predictable, progessive slide - Not snappy at all really. This might have been down to tyre choice (very important with MR2s).
But anyway - Get one.
*Especially compared to the Ibiza GTi I now have, which feels like it's trying to kill me all the time. Wobble wobble wobble, torque steer, more wobble...
>> Edited by DanBoy on Monday 7th November 12:38
I would echo the comments already posted having had a couple of mk1's(couple of superchargers on ebay just now I think) and now a mk2. Both cars will handle the daily crawl with ease, but the mk2 being the bigger car will be generally more comfortable; the mk1 being a bit buzzy on the motorway. Mk1 also tends to rust around the arches and sills so make sure you get a good look, otherwise, as they say, its a Toyota...!
I recently managed to get a hold of a Rev 5 Mk2 BEAMS. Basically a mk2 with a 200hp (sorry, 200ps) engine. Goes like the clappers and is pretty much on the pace of a (STANDARD) tubby, but without the higher fuel and maintanance costs. Only ever made 1000 so pretty damn rare and possibly out of your budget if you can find one in the first place (I was lucky).
You will not be disappointed in any generation MR2 IMHO, makes you wonder why the're goin to stop making them............
I recently managed to get a hold of a Rev 5 Mk2 BEAMS. Basically a mk2 with a 200hp (sorry, 200ps) engine. Goes like the clappers and is pretty much on the pace of a (STANDARD) tubby, but without the higher fuel and maintanance costs. Only ever made 1000 so pretty damn rare and possibly out of your budget if you can find one in the first place (I was lucky).
You will not be disappointed in any generation MR2 IMHO, makes you wonder why the're goin to stop making them............
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