Snappy mr2's

[egor110]

I'm on the hunt for a little run around.

Now locally theres a MR2 for a decent price but ive always had fwd hot hatches, how lairy is the mr2 ?

Can you reduce the snappiness by using a certain brand of tyre or changing suspension components ?

[ucb]

Mine (MK3 pre facelift Roadster) has wet track day tyres, 15mm spacers, the wider 15inch wheel all round, underbody bracing, and Tein springs.

It's not snappy at sane road speeds.

[stargazer30]

Watch out for aftermarket alloys, the stock setup has wider tyres on the rear to front. Also avoid cheap rubber on these cars and check the tyre pressures. People think as it’s only 138bhp they are no drama but it’s still a mid engine rwd with no stability control so don’t try and drive it like a fwd hot hatch. These cars are all about balance.

Still miss mine. I had a sp240 and later a 176bhp tte version.

[MikeyMike]

egor110 said:

I'm on the hunt for a little run around.

Now locally theres a MR2 for a decent price but ive always had fwd hot hatches, how lairy is the mr2 ?

Can you reduce the snappiness by using a certain brand of tyre or changing suspension components ?

Which model is it? The very first mk2s (revision 1, SW20) are the ones that garnered a reputation for unpredictable handling. As long as you're not too ham-fisted they're all fine really.

[egor110]

MikeyMike said:

egor110 said:

I'm on the hunt for a little run around.

Now locally theres a MR2 for a decent price but ive always had fwd hot hatches, how lairy is the mr2 ?

Can you reduce the snappiness by using a certain brand of tyre or changing suspension components ?

Which model is it? The very first mk2s (revision 1, SW20) are the ones that garnered a reputation for unpredictable handling. As long as you're not too ham-fisted they're all fine really.

it's a old x reg mk3.

[egor110]

stargazer30 said:

Watch out for aftermarket alloys, the stock setup has wider tyres on the rear to front. Also avoid cheap rubber on these cars and check the tyre pressures. People think as it’s only 138bhp they are no drama but it’s still a mid engine rwd with no stability control so don’t try and drive it like a fwd hot hatch. These cars are all about balance.

Still miss mine. I had a sp240 and later a 176bhp tte version.

Yeah that's the bit that worries me , i'm used to clios and mini's , the mini had masses of grip you just sent it in and it came out the other side.

[stargazer30]

egor110 said:

stargazer30 said:

Watch out for aftermarket alloys, the stock setup has wider tyres on the rear to front. Also avoid cheap rubber on these cars and check the tyre pressures. People think as it’s only 138bhp they are no drama but it’s still a mid engine rwd with no stability control so don’t try and drive it like a fwd hot hatch. These cars are all about balance.

Still miss mine. I had a sp240 and later a 176bhp tte version.

Yeah that's the bit that worries me , i'm used to clios and mini's , the mini had masses of grip you just sent it in and it came out the other side.

Not what you want to hear but I went from a mk2 focus st in my twenties to my first mr2, drove it the same and it spat me off the road backwards. Once I learnt how to drive it though, it was probably one of the most fun cars I’ve ever had.

[Another project]

egor110 said:

it's a old x reg mk3.

A mk3 is tame as far as spitting you out into a hedge is concerned but a mid engine rwd car will handle differently when you're pushing on. I'd definitely advise building up confidence in the car before really giving it some. Also decent tyres and a wheel alignment can absolutely transform a car

[paulguitar]

MR2s grip like crazy in the dry, on decent tyres.


Always drive with caution in the wet, in anything...

[rodericb]

The obvious thing is that the MR2 is midengine. Midship Runabout and all that! I think a lot of people jumped out of whatever FWD hatch or some other stbox into a MR2 and drove it the only way they know how - which was usually how you don't drive a mid-engined car. No wonder they biffed them but unfortunately laid the blame at the feet of the car....

[egor110]

Tyre wise what do people recommend ?

[GiantCardboardPlato]

Four

[ucb]

egor110 said:

Tyre wise what do people recommend ?

Join www.mr2roc.org

There are whole threads about tyres

[moorx]

paulguitar said:

MR2s grip like crazy in the dry, on decent tyres.


Always drive with caution in the wet, in anything...

This. I've had a 2004 Mk3 for 10 years and it's fine as long as you drive to the road conditions. Brilliant little car!