In a bit (maybe a few months, maybe a year) I'm looking to get my sister a car for her first car. I'm thinking a Miata but your wonderful points on the MR2 are well taken and I must ask.. think they are worth getting over the Miata?

It has to be in the 4-6k range (6k being MAX), manual transmission, and obviously RWD (which is no problem with either).

The reason I'm getting my sister this car is so she really takes away some true driving skills with her first car, that she can keep for the rest of her life. She is upset about getting a manual, but if she's my sister she has to know how to drive one :) Even my mom can drive a manual. Besides once she owns a car with a manual tranny, she will know it for the rest of her life.

Anyhoo, just asking for your advice, what kinda model years would I be looking at etc, and what kinda options, all that jazz.

Preciate it! :)

for what it's worth, i've had a little time in an MR2, and they are spectacular sports cars... given that it's a Toyota (can you spell "bulletproof"??... as long as it wasn't tracked, obviously), and they're usually a helluva lot cheaper than a Miata (the demand for M1's is INSANE... more expensive than an RX-7 for christ's sake)...

i'd say pick up a much better MR2 for the same money. that, and it's just bloody cool to have the engine right behind you.

First off both the MR2 and the Miata are fine cars as you know. Can't really go wrong with either, especially with the budget you're considering. $4-6k will get you an *awesome* pristine SC MR2. I don't think I've ever seen an NA MKI MR2 go for that much. $3500 tops. I sold one for $3400 a couple years ago that was very nearly perfect. Garaged, fully loaded, the whole bit. Most NA AW11s (that's the chassis code, like FC or FD etc) are closer to $2k. That might be the wisest choice, because that way there will be money left over for a little freshening of the mechanicals and any upgrades you might want to do like stereo/alarm systems.

Or you could go for a MK2 MR2 (91-95) NA, most early (91-92s) will be under $6k. They're a little bigger, a little porkier, but still fun and capable. Gorgeous car too, one of the best designs to come out of Japan IMO.

wakeech is right, it is awesome having the engine behind you. I really like the feeling.

One thing to consider with Miatas is the tops need replacing every few years. If your sis likes open top motoring, some AW11s (all SCs for that matter) came with T-tops, which are lockable and stow neatly behind the seats in little leather bags where they are strapped in. Many also came with sunroofs, which can tilt up or be removed entirely and secured in the front trunk ("frunk", we MR2 guys call it ;)) with clips. Hardtop MR2s are more rare, but they're out there.

AW11s were imported to North America for model years 85-89. There was a semi-significant model update for 1987, which added the T-top option, updated interior panels, taillights, front bumper and air dam, side vent, brake discs (bigger), revised rear suspension geometry, and various other little things. There is no "best" year AW11. It all depends on what you're after. For more info on model year changes, head on over to www.mr2.com and find the "AW11 Archive" link (or is it MKI Archive? I forget).

One thing you might want to mention to your sister is the unique handling properties of a mid-engined car at the limits. I don't know if she'll be doing any autocrossing or aggressive driving, but even in emergency maneuvers the one thing you don't want to do is crank the wheel and hit the brakes, or suddenly lift off the throttle in the middle of a turn near the limits. Those things spell instant oversteer, which if you're not ready for it, will be very difficult if not impossible (depending on the situation) to react. I don't say this to scare you or her, but it's something to be aware of, to be sure you don't do it. For me, driving the MR2 fast has become instinctual, so I don't even think about it. It's what I learned on.

I don't know where you're from, but if rust is a concern in your area, check out AW11s carefully. Unfortunately it's common for them to rust around the rear wheel arches. I don't have to worry about that where I live. :D No rust on my MR2s.

Any questions? Fire away! Over the past 4 years I've amassed a lot of useless knowledge on these cars. :)

RandyC on this forum (if he's still around... haven't seen him lately) is also an MR2 expert. In fact he was 1999 Solo2 national champion in his 91NA (or was it a '92?).

Edit -- oodles of photos of my MR2 (and a couple others thrown in for good measure) are in this directory: http://home.earthlink.net/~bryan64/pics/ . Feel free to poke around in there. :) Some nice racing shots in the "Thunderhill" directory.

Hrmph the only MR2 I'm finding have over 120k miles on them in my price range :)

I think I might stick with the Miata just to get a lower mileage car... Time will tell though. I think this summer I will build a 'shed for my cars.. just a big area where they can be parked under a deck. Will take me some work but I think it will come out well.. let's see though.

Well it's hard to find any MKI MR2 with under 100k on it. :) Owners tend to like them enough to drive them everywhere! They're really very reliable cars, and even if the engine does go kaput you can get another one for $400 or less. It's a common engine. I personally chose this more expensive route, going Supercharged, because, well, it's the perfect opportunity/excuse to put in a stronger, faster motor. :)

The MR2 I sold had 146k on it. Ran great all the way until the next owner's daughter wrapped it around a pole.

Originally posted by BryanH
wrapped it around a pole.

...must lifted off the throttle when going too quick... it's because the car's some 4% heavier on it's rear wheels, eh??

anyhoo, yeah Herc, as i said before it's a Toyota: milage isn't something you should be afraid of, especially when the same engine is in every friggin' small Toyota vehicle of that vintage.
(i got yer back B-H... he'll buy a non-Mazda yet ;))

it's all about the SMG's on the new MR2 spyders. drop top, mid engine, SMG....for 20-25g's? how can you not have fun?

Originally posted by visitor
it's all about the SMG's on the new MR2 spyders. drop top, mid engine, SMG....for 20-25g's? how can you not have fun? By spending that 20-25 :)

I have a limit of 6k and that's stretching it.

... OR, you COULD get her an S5 engine'd FC... not a perfect '91, but a not-so-bad 1989, which would have a little stretching room, and USEABLE storage room!! :eek:!! ... and failing you find a nice +'89 example, you could find an incredible '86-'88 for $6k American...

...don't you think you'd be more proud getting her a car with the ancestor to the RENESIS?? ;)
seriously!! do it!! get her the RX-7!! c'mon man!! RX-7!! RX-7!! RX-7!!

j/k man... but it may be another option, and still a helluva driver's car... also, milage isn't something to worry about (see justinm2's post sayin' 320k miles on an FB, no rebuild?) :D

Originally posted by wakeech
...must lifted off the throttle when going too quick... it's because the car's some 4% heavier on it's rear wheels, eh?? Closer to 10-12%, but who's counting. ;) I'm not sure how the car was wrecked, all I know is that rain was involved.

it's all about the SMG's on the new MR2 spyders. drop top, mid engine, SMG....for 20-25g's? how can you not have fun? The problem is, this is a very basic SMT system. No matter how hard you're pressing on the gas, there is only one upshift speed, and it's not terribly fast. The SMT version loses to the 5spd in acceleration tests even when the gear ratios are identical. For '03 the SMT is a 6spd and the true manual remains a 5spd, so I'm not sure of the difference now. What I do know is the traditional clutch-operated unit is the more sporting one.

Do you know of any good forums for MR2s. This thread has peaked my interest in them.

The problem with the naturally aspirated S5 FCs is that unless you find one of the very rare 89-90 GTUs's, you're stuck with either the luxury GXL or the GTU (which is what the base model was called in 1989-90, before just being the Coupe in 1991).

If you want to go N/A you're really better off getting an 86-88 model, unless of course you can find an 89-90 GTUs. The N/A models to look for are the 86-87 Sport and the 88 GTU, which differed from the later GTU by having the suspension and brakes from the Turbo, while not having nearly so many heavy options as the GXL.

The 86-88 models are also, on average 100+ lbs lighter, and arguably better built. They lack the annoying automatic seatbelts, they're far more likely to have the speed-sensitive power steering which is superior, IMO, to the RPM-sensitive unit, plus they're also more likely to have no-power steering which is best of all. :)

Turbos are a different story, the later Turbos have the same goodies as the earlier ones (and include the speed sensitive steering) and the higher weight of the later models is better offset by the more meaningful power increase on the Turbos. On the other hand the earlier Turbos can take more boost due to their lower compression and stronger rotors.

Most people like the monochromatic styling and taillights of the S5 cars, though. I'll admit that should I come across the parts I'll probably put S5 tails, nose, and rear bumper on my 88 GTU.

hey herc sheck this baby out it had over 100,000 miles and it has turbo. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2404098893&category=15289

Originally posted by unemployedpimp
hey herc sheck this baby out it had over 100,000 miles and it has turbo. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2404098893&category=15289
go check out ebay motors its has a nice selection of mr2s.:)

this one below has 40,000 miles but its doenst have turbo
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2404240039&category=15289

Have you considered the 240SX? You should be able to find a nice S13 that's in your budget.

Originally posted by BryanH
The problem is, this is a very basic SMT system. No matter how hard you're pressing on the gas, there is only one upshift speed, and it's not terribly fast. The SMT version loses to the 5spd in acceleration tests even when the gear ratios are identical. For '03 the SMT is a 6spd and the true manual remains a 5spd, so I'm not sure of the difference now. What I do know is the traditional clutch-operated unit is the more sporting one.

for 25g, the fact that you can play with SMT is appealing enough. the next step up would be an M3, or the next z4, or a flight to europe.

Originally posted by cueball1029
Do you know of any good forums for MR2s. This thread has peaked my interest in them. http://board.mr2faq.com is pretty big. :) I go by the same handle there.

What about maintenance on a mid engine car? Especially the SC MR2? I remember seeing how very tight it was to get to anything..

It's not too hard. The SC is a little tighter to work with but you can remove the intercooler in no time and have access to more stuff easily. It's basically like a FWD car, with the transversely mounted engine and transaxle setup. No steering pump or linkage to deal with in the engine bay of an MR car though.

Other stuff, like the starter, oil filter, O2 sensor, are reached from the bottom of the car.

What about intake manifold, spark plugs, timing belt? Just curious.

Intake manifold is right there, easy to get to. Spark plugs are super easy, they're right up top in a row. Timing belt is a little harder, but you don't have to drop the engine or anything. There just isn't a whole lot of space between the timing belt side of the engine, and the inside of the rear quarter panel.

Edit - and the MR2 engines are non-interference designs. So if you snap the timing belt you won't damage the engine.

wow, sounds like you know that engine inside and out.
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Not quite. :) My good friend has disassembled and re-assembled his MR2 more than once, now he's the one who knows them inside and out. That's why I'm trusting him to do my engine swap. Should be a piece of cake for him.

crazy kid lol
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