FTO or MR2

[Big_M]

Only got 4 months until my mega endowment payout and being able to spend about £10,000 on a car - but will probably end up spending £12,000

It needs to be an automatic - ie no clutch - as I have a crumbling patella in my left knee and my journey to work (40 miles a day)can often include heavy traffic. So do I go for the FTO tiptronic or the MR2 Semi auto version? I have always wanted an FTO but do have concerns about servicing and finding a good one - they seem to be getting rarer.

I like the thought of the convertible MR2 - I don't need 4 seats and it looks like it will be cheaper to insure.

Comments please

[mrflibbles]

IMHO the FTO is all show and no go.

and, if IIRC EVO did an automatic / tiptronic / sequential gearbox test, and IIRC the MR2 sequential did quite poorly.

Sorry to be pessimistic and not much help!

[Big_M]

mrflibbles said:

Sorry to be pessimistic and not much help!

errr - any other suggestions then? Needs to be economical as well so V12s are out of the question.

[mustard]

MR2 SMT roadsters are dreadful things, and the gearbox problems are not unknown

[andy mac]

The FTO looks a hell of a lot better than the mk3 MR2, BUT, the MR2 will run rings around it on the road. Why not get a mk2 beams? That has 200 bhp. Or you could opt for an RX7, which is a great car!!

[andy mac]

Auto is pretty much the same for any car, unless you are gonna spend a shitload.. Forgot about auto anyway... Do wreck 7's come in autos? Thesmt on mr2 is bad. You change gear and you count to 10 before it does anything!

[Mr E]

Hmm. A mate runs a new MR2 with a sequential box. He claims it's not a SMT (steptronic) but a real gearbox much like the SMG in the M3.

He swears by it. Worth a look perhaps.

Or just buy a Griff 500 and leave it in 3rd......

[Big_M]

Mr E said:

Or just buy a Griff 500 and leave it in 3rd......

Got one of those already - Mr Big does let me drive it but it is wearing on my knee.

Another option is spend less and get a Honda CRX DelSol - anyone any experience of these? They come in an auto version. Seems to be a gap in the market for a reasonably priced auto coupe or two seat convertible. Can't afford a Mazzer or Jag.

[Big_M]

Thanks sweetie

[andy mac]

have you ever considered an MX5, or a lotus Elan? MX5 can be turbo'd if you want big power with simple bolt on kits www.mx5parts.com for 2K, and the elan, well its a lotus! great handling cars, and the MX5 turbo really is a sleeper!

[trooper1212]

Big_M said:

Another option is spend less and get a Honda CRX DelSol - anyone any experience of these?

Drove one of these when I was looking at buying my MX5.

ahahahahahahahahahahahahah <cough> ahahahahahahaha...

... No.

[andy mac]

The del sol is just a rebodied civic....

[trooper1212]

andy mac said:

The del sol is just a rebodied civic....

and a nice enough car in manual form, the automatic is laughable.

[Hates_]

You don't want FWD [tongue]

[dejoux]

Ive got a (manual)del sol SiR. Ive been more than happy with it and plan to keep it for a year or two yet. But...

An auto wont give you startling performance itll do a low 17 1/4 unless you get a SOHC which will probably be closer to 20 in auto form :P

Stay away from small Honda autos. Its a great car (for its price) in manual form but combine a motor that needs to be revved with a detuned motor for autos and higher drive train loss theyre pretty lethargic.

Id suggest any of the three other cars mentioned in this thread over an auto del sol. Dont really have experience with them though so wont make a suggestion

Hows that for an unbiased answer

[Big_M]

Gaz - do you know the age of the FTO? Apparently the later models (P onwards) had a five speed tip box and not the four speed which is better.

Think I am going to have to try each one out before I make my mind up. Both are going to be a lot more gutsy than my Nova.

[seaton]

200sx
Love mine, but never driven an auto.

Can I just say i've been reading PH for a while now, and it's quite obvious you realy want an FTO, you'll kick yourelf if you dont get one, trust me.


>> Edited by seaton on Monday 26th July 16:58

[tuttle]

Have to agree with Seaton.SX's are a really fun run & very easy to up the horses.(I've seen a couple dyno'ed @ 400 +420-the exhaust manif was glowing bright red tho
If your set on MR2 or FTO got the MR2 route defi