Opinions on an Toyota MR2 turbo
Discussion
Ive had a '93 turbo for 18mnths now, previous to that I had both an original shape (aw11) naturally aspirated mr2 and the later (sw20) one like the turbo.
The 90-94 cars run 10psi as standard and put out 220bhp on 100RON petrol (premium unleaded in Japan). an 210 lb/ft I think (its certainly slightly over 200 anyway)
The post 94 cars run 13psi (i think) and are 240bhp. so it depends on your wallet really, the post 94 cars are best suited to Massive BHP if thats your thing.
I have to say the 1987 car was the best balanced of the lot if not the fastest on the road (although bear in mind on a track theyre all pretty much equal). The Turbo is great fun though and now I've wound the boost up to 14psi it is pretty quick. Handling is good on all MR2's no matter what people will tell you, you just have to get used to driving them. Once you have you can really have some fun!
These are NOT supercar beaters though (for some bizaar reason some people think they are), running standard boost mine FELT much faster than it actually was, though still not slow! For the money you'll pay they are hard to beat as an all rounder. To give you an idea, a friend of mine has an Elise SPort 160, in a straight line my car is quicker (just) but on the twisty bits I can't touch him. Don't let that put you off though, my car cost 5K and his 29K!
Hope that helps
The 90-94 cars run 10psi as standard and put out 220bhp on 100RON petrol (premium unleaded in Japan). an 210 lb/ft I think (its certainly slightly over 200 anyway)
The post 94 cars run 13psi (i think) and are 240bhp. so it depends on your wallet really, the post 94 cars are best suited to Massive BHP if thats your thing.
I have to say the 1987 car was the best balanced of the lot if not the fastest on the road (although bear in mind on a track theyre all pretty much equal). The Turbo is great fun though and now I've wound the boost up to 14psi it is pretty quick. Handling is good on all MR2's no matter what people will tell you, you just have to get used to driving them. Once you have you can really have some fun!
These are NOT supercar beaters though (for some bizaar reason some people think they are), running standard boost mine FELT much faster than it actually was, though still not slow! For the money you'll pay they are hard to beat as an all rounder. To give you an idea, a friend of mine has an Elise SPort 160, in a straight line my car is quicker (just) but on the twisty bits I can't touch him. Don't let that put you off though, my car cost 5K and his 29K!
Hope that helps
I have to agree with Neilr on the performance of the different models on the track.
A long time ago I used to have a MR2 Mk1. I had the suspension really stiffened/lowered etc. At Donnington I was lapping 7 seconds faster than a Mk2 turbo with HKS bits on making 240bhp. I was able to corner so much quicker, with really nice four wheel slides, whereas the Mk2 was fighting the car round the corner all the time. It wasn't driver ability either, it was my first track day, and he has much more experience. We also know each other and were trying to beat each others times.
On the road though his car was really quick, no comparison.
A long time ago I used to have a MR2 Mk1. I had the suspension really stiffened/lowered etc. At Donnington I was lapping 7 seconds faster than a Mk2 turbo with HKS bits on making 240bhp. I was able to corner so much quicker, with really nice four wheel slides, whereas the Mk2 was fighting the car round the corner all the time. It wasn't driver ability either, it was my first track day, and he has much more experience. We also know each other and were trying to beat each others times.
On the road though his car was really quick, no comparison.
Have had a 93K GTS Turbo fo 18 months after previously owning NA Mk2. It is much quicker! Stiffer suspension means a hard ride but does corner better. Have now got a TVR Chimaera so am selling the MR2, but would definitely keep it if insurance wasn't so steep for both cars (can't use NCB for both)
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