Yes that was brilliant, MeAnBoy was being chased by two Mk1 MX5's
It's the most fun I've had in the thing, by far.
MX5 Vs MR2
- Thread starter Joshy
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It's the most fun I've had in the thing, by far.
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Just the sort of man I needed to hear from!
Surely the MR2 (The NA one in particular) was still a pretty good handling car? I understand that it perhaps would be as good as the lighter, Five, but it isn't a pig in the twisties, is it?
One of the best driving experiences I can remember in my MX5 was at a small OCUK meet before I had the supercharger, blasting through some lanes hot on the tail of MeAnBoy in his mk1 MR2. It was absolutely brilliant fun and such an amazing rushPower isn't everything
I haven't found anything that beats that kind of experiance motoring wise on a budget.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
[TW]Fox;17198290 said:Am I missing something here, if you want top down action surely the MR2 is irrelevent as only the Mk3 MR2 is a convertible
Purely on a point of pedantry, mk2 and mk1 droptops were produced but there are very few of them. You simply won't find a genuine mk1 droptop, about 10 were produced as pre-production prototypes, although others have been DIY converted. Mk2s are a little easier to come by (there are some in the country at least) although they're too expensive to be considered as an alternative to an MX5
[TW]Fox;17198290 said:Am I missing something here, if you want top down action surely the MR2 is irrelevent as only the Mk3 MR2 is a convertible
As usual you're right (ish as the post above explains), but it does mean that you are being a bit of a pedant
.A T-Bar is good enough for me
.mk1_salami
mk1_salami
Mr2: better built, quieter, more comfortable, more refined, better stereo.
Mx5: more fun.
The MR2 really isn't too bad a handling car and could certainly be described as capable.
The turbo can be hustled down a road at silly speeds but its what happens over the limit that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It's simply an unforgiving car when you over step the boundaries of your tyres, which in turn makes it less fun to explore the errr... limits of tyre adhesion (spelling?).
It also isn't as Sharp a tool as an mx5 and when compared side by side it just feels a bit more .... 'stodgy'.
Of course handling characteristics aren't the only consideration when buying a car. The n/a mr2 has a nice enough engine and sounded great with a cone filter and mongoose decat and cat back. It also feels a little bit more of a special car which I think is purely down to the 'supercar' style engine layout.
Both cars available at similar prices but are actually quite different. Personally I prefer the Mx5, but I can't speak for everyone. Try them both and see what you prefer.
Mx5: more fun.
The MR2 really isn't too bad a handling car and could certainly be described as capable.
The turbo can be hustled down a road at silly speeds but its what happens over the limit that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It's simply an unforgiving car when you over step the boundaries of your tyres, which in turn makes it less fun to explore the errr... limits of tyre adhesion (spelling?).
It also isn't as Sharp a tool as an mx5 and when compared side by side it just feels a bit more .... 'stodgy'.
Of course handling characteristics aren't the only consideration when buying a car. The n/a mr2 has a nice enough engine and sounded great with a cone filter and mongoose decat and cat back. It also feels a little bit more of a special car which I think is purely down to the 'supercar' style engine layout.
Both cars available at similar prices but are actually quite different. Personally I prefer the Mx5, but I can't speak for everyone. Try them both and see what you prefer.
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I've got a '99 N/A MR2, its a good all rounder. Good mpg, fairly comfortable, well built, reliable and looks good. It's more of a tourer though, off the line performance isn't exciting due to its weight and the same goes for its handling. Great for me as a daily drive but if its thrills you are after go for the MX5.
Oh and the T-Bar is a bit of a novelty, you will soon tire of stowing those panels behind the seats every time.
Oh and the T-Bar is a bit of a novelty, you will soon tire of stowing those panels behind the seats every time.
I was chatting to Chris Franklin about the MX-5 and he tells me about a project car one of the chaps we know is running. Spent 2K on the motor, added about 2K to get the suspension bang on and he says it is simply incredible, not only the best MX-5 he has driven but one of the best cars he has driven. Got it really sharp, really well planted and damped and on road and track he reackons power asside it runs rings around most stuff in the twisties...and we are talking about limits of grip too not just easier to drive quick.
With added power he feels it will be simply awesome and to get a car like that so quick for so little tells you that the fundemental ingredients are bang on. I've only driven a couple of MR2's over the years and my memory of them is far from fresh, but I don't recall any of them being as well sorted as a bogo MX5, though perhaps quicker due to more power.
With added power he feels it will be simply awesome and to get a car like that so quick for so little tells you that the fundemental ingredients are bang on. I've only driven a couple of MR2's over the years and my memory of them is far from fresh, but I don't recall any of them being as well sorted as a bogo MX5, though perhaps quicker due to more power.