Rotor_Newbie

Just wondering if anyone here traded in their 91 MR2 turbo for a RX8.

How would you rate the RX8 compared to MR2 turbo? Which would you prefer to drive on a daily basis? Which would you take to the track? Are you emotionally attached to the MR2 turbo like myself? Although the 8 does handle better than the mid engine MR2.

I have a 91 MR2 turbo and couldn't/wouldn't get rid of it. Loved the car too much to get rid of it. Still drive it every other day, however, its days is close to an end. It burns up more oil than the 8.

John

Gigolo Jason

Mid engine all the way.

Mikelikes2drive

u gotta love the midship engines.

jonnyb

an mr2 will be fast in a straight line and i find it hard to believe the 9 handles better than it.

but the 8 has all the benefits of being a brand new car compared to one that is 13 years old.

how about an elise?

Rotor_Newbie

I don't know if the 8 really does handle better than the 2. That has alot to do with the driver. For me.. It's hell of alot easier to drive fast in the 8 around corners than it is with the 2. Maybe the 8 has better tires..

I still like the 2 cuz its easy to throw the rear end around..

Feras

iTrader: (1)

while the elise will be affordable ~40k it will come along with anything from a 6-12 month waiting period, demand is expected to be very high, its like a 2300lb car right, only 190hp but it makes it to 60 in like 5.1s...i think

Ike

It's under 2000lbs and should be sub 5s 0-60 and some are reporting the 1/4 may hit 12s.

John, where are you at. I've been looking for a decent MR2 for some time now, though the burning oil is a bit troubling...

Rotor_Newbie

I live in northern california. My MR2 is mistic grey, body is in good condition considering the amount of miles it has. The engine needs some work aside from the oil burning saga. The exhaust manifold needs to be replaced or bolts tightened, cuz its loose. Some sensors will need to be fixed. Other than that, the car is still running strong.

I guess these japanese cars dies a slow death. They warn you before the heart fails.

Are you looking to buy a MR2 as a race car?

I would love to get my hands on an elise.. Perhaps if I can make some side money selling houses.....

John

Ike

It would be a dedicated track/autox car. What I'm really wanting is an MR2 turbo with under 100k miles and aesthetic issues to drive the price down... There just aren't many of them available and when they are they're snapped up fast for the same reason why I'm looking for one

Rotor_Newbie

I got lucky when I purchased mine. Got it for 4.5k and the night I went to check it out. another dood were schedule to be there thta same night but an hour later. He was going to buy it cuz I met him at a shop several days later and he asked me if I had purchased it recently. It was funny cuz he was mad that I picked it up hours before he did.

jonnyb

grey is a rare color on mr2s.


ike i know how you feel, ive been looking for a turbo 2 for awhile now.

Ike

I found one yesterday, it's a 95 with low miles and the guy wants 22,500 for it, I don't think he even really intends to sell the car.

Hanzo

MR2 turbos are a bit nervous in the rear. They are very cool cars with great engine but for track use it is not the ideal.

jonnyb

jeez he must be on crack. 95's are rare but theyre not that rare.

Rotor_Newbie

Your right about the rear. It does tend to step out during hard cornering. This is advantageous if the driver can control it. It takes a great driver to control this beast. Its not easy driving the 2 at the limit. But once you master it. Its hard to beat. These MR2s do really good in autox, i dunno about track though.

Hanzo

The local AutoX event is actually dominated by a modded MRS. That thing can tear up some tight corners.

titaniumgrey

isn't the MR2 spyder a completely different car ? I know its still mid ship , but it's non turbo and kind of slow compared to the mr2 turbo , even tho modded out , I know those things are fasttt

jonnyb

actually the turbo mr2 you are thinking of is the oddball of the mr2 family being that it is heavier than and doesnt handle as well as the mkI mr2 and current spyder.

Hanzo

Yeah, the current MRS is slower in a straight line compare to the old turbo model but that's about it. It only has 138hp but it only weighs 2185 lbs. It can take corners at very high speed with just some good tires (Falken Azenis). I would say the handling is more less "on rails" with just wider and stickier tires. The mid and entry corner speed is almost if not on par with an evo in medium and tight corners.

Here is my brother's MRS.

jonny

The current MR2s styling is pretty weak IMHO; it is probably one of the most impractical vehicles this side of the Lotus Elise--there is vitually no storage space. Toyota needs to get on the ball--they don't have any current exciting offerings.

jonnyb

if you want practicality go buy a mini van. sports cars are sports cars for a reason.

Paradox

I had a steel mist grey 91 mr2 turbo prior to my 8. It was my daily driver, just like my RX8 is now. I will never forget the turbo whine in my right ear, and the torque spool-up as the turbo came on. I loved the t-tops that never leaked and made for an awesome spring ride. I'll also never forget the naughty rear end which loved to surprise me with tailspin at the worst times. Even having it for years, it was a difficult car to drive hard and master. I'll also never forget the parking brake which froze anytime the temp was below freezing, and the broken speedo cables I had to replace (both problems common to this car.) It was one of the most enjoyable cars I've driven, very unique. That is the same reason I bought the 8, a very unique and memorable driving experience. I have to say, the 8 is a far superior car, and much more enjoyable for my day to day experience.

jonny

If I wanted a sports car I wouldn't get a weak MR2 Spyder--give me the 2nd gen MR2 Turbo--by practical I mean there is no storage space at all--no trunk--only a pocket--if I wanted a more practical sports car than an MR2 Spyder I could get anything--hell u might as well get a crotch rocket.

Rotor_Newbie

yeah.. the turbo whine is pretty addicting and then you feel the boost.. speaking of common problems with the MR2 T. you forgot about the exhaust manifold. I had to replace one already, looks like I'll have to replace another really soon.. yay..... NOT..