How much money to spend?

[Petrus]

On a side note to further up about a boxsters.. .they are whole different league to the mr2 so much more capable, easier to drive quickly, etc etc just a very grown up MR2 . When I can get another I will.

But I will still be in the mr2 because it is a lot cheaper fun and cheaper when it goes wrong.

I very much like the Cayman/Boxster but I hate the long gearing.
It's purely driven by economy emissions etc and totally stupid in a sports car.

Quickly in a 2 is a very different speed to quickly in a porsche.

The latter is a pointer to whether that is a thing to want or not.
The Boxster is perhaps two steps up in design refinement and quality.
The problem is that it pushes the limits of the car way up too, the more so because it has the enging to push it there.
Those limits are móre than two steps up real world back roads, never mind the twisties in the mountains.

The modern Porsches are the extreme of the 911 versus the 912. The 912 could be pushed with confidence and the 911 engine was the next step up. The car and roads not so much. Ah and the driver... Most people were and will be quicker with the 912 on back roads, will enjoy it só much more. That is imo the forte of the Spyder; you can actually úse car and not brown your pants.

I have my Spyder well under 900 kg and the n.a. 1ZZ can push it way beyond the mountain twisties here.
Yes I tried the Boxster before going MR2 and is simply overkill to the point of useless and way too heavy/powerfull.
Yes I would lóve an ´overtake made´ switch occasionally but the rest of the day the n.a. 1ZZ is quite quick enough.
This morning I went down the A-7075 from Concepcion to Málaga. It was pure joy. It would have been same in a 912 and a pain in a Boxster.
The real world is NOT like the Nürburgring. The MR2 Spyder is a real world roads car. You can thrash it no worries over back roads in OEM trim. HÚGE return for the money. Reliably.

[pistol pete]

Yes completely agree.. the mr2 is all the sports car you'll ever need.
The Porsche is sooo competent that the cars boundaries are so much higher.. just my view they can't really be compared.. two similar cars used for different reasons in completely different price bracketd

[1979scotte]

Yes completely agree.. the mr2 is all the sports car you'll ever need.
The Porsche is sooo competent that the cars boundaries are so much higher.. just my view they can't really be compared.. two similar cars used for different reasons in completely different price bracketd

Except used the prices aren't so different

[Dev]

Yes completely agree.. the mr2 is all the sports car you'll ever need.
The Porsche is sooo competent that the cars boundaries are so much higher.. just my view they can't really be compared.. two similar cars used for different reasons in completely different price bracketd

They are entirely two different cars. My BIL had a Boxster S for years which I drove often and had with me for a time. It is a nice car, refined and capable but it rode more or less like a front end GT car than a lightweight roadster. As scotte mentioned the gearing was too long.  My BIL loved it for this reason that it was more or less inline with road comfort in mind. In a race the Boxster would be king but you wouldn't feel it was and that is the best way to describe it.

 The Roadster follows more or less the same ethos as the MX-5 Miata and Lotus Elise which is light weight and in the raw. You cant get that at any price if you keep developing a car which is trying to appeal to a more upscale opulent segment, there will be compromises. 
 I remember my BIL telling me a story of a co worker that bought a lotus and how he had the better car, I had to break it to him that it wasn't at least for what the Elise driver wanted over the Boxster. 
 
 If you want to get into potentials the Boxster comes fully capable especially since it has a dry sump. When you modify one of our cars that distance narrows quickly because the potentials were greatly offset. I would like to think that our cars were dumbed down from the factory and what you do to it has exponential returns especially at its price point even with simple things like changing the tires.

The MR-S and MX-5 actually feel closer in the way it drives similar to a 80s 911. My BIL is planing to buy a 356 replica that is built on a modern chassis with better suspension and Subaru motor because he now understands the appeal over buying a newer Porsche.

 

[1979scotte]

Yes completely agree.. the mr2 is all the sports car you'll ever need.
The Porsche is sooo competent that the cars boundaries are so much higher.. just my view they can't really be compared.. two similar cars used for different reasons in completely different price bracketd

They are entirely two different cars. My BIL had a Boxster S for years which I drove often and had with me for a time. It is a nice car, refined and capable but it rode more or less like a front end GT car than a lightweight roadster. As scotte mentioned the gearing was too long.  My BIL loved it for this reason that it was more or less inline with road comfort in mind. In a race the Boxster would be king but you wouldn't feel it was and that is the best way to describe it.

 The Roadster follows more or less the same ethos as the MX-5 Miata and Lotus Elise which is light weight and in the raw. You cant get that at any price if you keep developing a car which is trying to appeal to a more upscale opulent segment, there will be compromises. 
 I remember my BIL telling me a story of a co worker that bought a lotus and how he had the better car, I had to break it to him that it wasn't at least for what the Elise driver wanted over the Boxster. 
 
 If you want to get into potentials the Boxster comes fully capable especially since it has a dry sump. When you modify one of our cars that distance narrows quickly because the potentials were greatly offset. I would like to think that our cars were dumbed down from the factory and what you do to it has exponential returns especially at its price point even with simple things like changing the tires.

The MR-S and MX-5 actually feel closer in the way it drives similar to a 80s 911. My BIL is planing to buy a 356 replica that is built on a modern chassis with better suspension and Subaru motor because he now understands the appeal over buying a newer Porsche.

 

A modified 2 won't ever be as good as a boxster or a Cayman or an elise imho.
I think my 2 is more fun than a Cayman may even be quicker in a straight line but can't corner as fast or brake anywhere near as well.
I watched a 987 Cayman and a 981 boxster both S models disappear into the distance on a bumpy cumbrian road. I would of bounced into a dry stone wall had I tried to keep up. The only upgrade I could try to even the odds would be KW coilovers as I already have MeisterR.

On the same trip further up the road we were all completely done by an EK9 Civic TypeR. Massively modified obviously but then the modifications are readily available unlike for our 2s.

[shnazzle]

A lot is down to the driver being able to put the power down.

On one Scottish run where we were going.. Err... Rapid.. We struggled to keep up with an older lady in a Yaris who had obviously driven those roads since she was 16.

I reckon it's actually massively underestimated what a difference the driver makes.

[1979scotte]

A lot is down to the driver being able to put the power down.

On one Scottish run where we were going.. Err... Rapid.. We struggled to keep up with an older lady in a Yaris who had obviously driven those roads since she was 16.

I reckon it's actually massively underestimated what a difference the driver makes.

I'm not a great driver but Tom and his OAP mate aren't any better.

Obviously local knowledge counts for a lot.

[Petrus]

A lot is down to the driver being able to put the power down.

On one Scottish run where we were going.. Err... Rapid.. We struggled to keep up with an older lady in a Yaris who had obviously driven those roads since she was 16.

I reckon it's actually massively underestimated what a difference the driver makes.

[1979scotte]

A lot is down to the driver being able to put the power down.

On one Scottish run where we were going.. Err... Rapid.. We struggled to keep up with an older lady in a Yaris who had obviously driven those roads since she was 16.

I reckon it's actually massively underestimated what a difference the driver makes.

Not safely.

We won't agree me and you.
Porsche and Lotus build some of the best sports cars of all time and have done it consistently.

[Petrus]

Not safely.

Again, it depends.

Porsche and Lotus build some of the best sports cars of all time and have done it consistently.

Have you actually réad what I wrote about the Boxster? Maybe do it again.

[1979scotte]

Not safely.

Again, it depends.

Porsche and Lotus build some of the best sports cars of all time and have done it consistently.

Have you actually réad what I wrote about the Boxster? Maybe do it again.

Yes.
I read every post on this board.
Doesn't mean I remember them all.
Especially when England are loosing in the rugby.
However I don't think I've typed anything I shouldn't have.

[Dev]

Yes completely agree.. the mr2 is all the sports car you'll ever need.
The Porsche is sooo competent that the cars boundaries are so much higher.. just my view they can't really be compared.. two similar cars used for different reasons in completely different price bracketd

They are entirely two different cars. My BIL had a Boxster S for years which I drove often and had with me for a time. It is a nice car, refined and capable but it rode more or less like a front end GT car than a lightweight roadster. As scotte mentioned the gearing was too long.  My BIL loved it for this reason that it was more or less inline with road comfort in mind. In a race the Boxster would be king but you wouldn't feel it was and that is the best way to describe it.

 The Roadster follows more or less the same ethos as the MX-5 Miata and Lotus Elise which is light weight and in the raw. You cant get that at any price if you keep developing a car which is trying to appeal to a more upscale opulent segment, there will be compromises. 
 I remember my BIL telling me a story of a co worker that bought a lotus and how he had the better car, I had to break it to him that it wasn't at least for what the Elise driver wanted over the Boxster. 
 
 If you want to get into potentials the Boxster comes fully capable especially since it has a dry sump. When you modify one of our cars that distance narrows quickly because the potentials were greatly offset. I would like to think that our cars were dumbed down from the factory and what you do to it has exponential returns especially at its price point even with simple things like changing the tires.

The MR-S and MX-5 actually feel closer in the way it drives similar to a 80s 911. My BIL is planing to buy a 356 replica that is built on a modern chassis with better suspension and Subaru motor because he now understands the appeal over buying a newer Porsche.

 

A modified 2 won't ever be as good as a boxster or a Cayman or an elise imho.
I think my 2 is more fun than a Cayman may even be quicker in a straight line but can't corner as fast or brake anywhere near as well.
I watched a 987 Cayman and a 981 boxster both S models disappear into the distance on a bumpy cumbrian road. I would of bounced into a dry stone wall had I tried to keep up. The only upgrade I could try to even the odds would be KW coilovers as I already have MeisterR.

On the same trip further up the road we were all completely done by an EK9 Civic TypeR. Massively modified obviously but then the modifications are readily available unlike for our 2s.

 It all depends on how deep the wallets are. If we want to compare metrics there has been a few tests where a modified MR-S outshined a stock Elise. But then again a modified Elise will probably outshine a modified MR-S.
 It depends on the kind of race and class but when the modified MR-S is put in front of cars that are far more capable it was able to hold its own which is remarkable. 
 There is an owner with a K swapped car with modified KW suspension that did really well at a pikes peak tournament that it was considered a fluke. I have seen several modified MR cars easily pass Boxsters on related videos but that could also be due to the drivers skills as they were also passing much larger cars. 

 The stock car is far more dumbed down compared to cars that are not in its class and that is where the magic starts to happen. With larger cars the diminishing returns are higher but then again they have access to more variety and higher end parts budgets permitting. 
 Then there is no escaping the kind of road where the MR-S shines. There are some mountains tight twisty roads that only light weight cars like the MR-S and Elise dominate. 
 
 I do not know about the new Boxters as I am sure they are better but the one I dove didn't stop any quicker perceptibly than the MR-S but what I did notice is the brake modulation for the Spyder was better even though the S version has the large Brembo calipers.


 

[Petrus]

I have seen several modified MR cars easily pass Boxsters on related videos but that could also be due to the drivers skills as they were also passing much larger cars. 

A lighter, moderately powered, yet quick enough car is less scary to wring out than a high end performance one with more weight/power/everything.
See the very simple 912 vs 911 comparison.

Then there is no escaping the kind of road where the MR-S shines. There are some mountains tight twisty roads that only light weight cars like the MR-S and Elise dominate. 
 

and I am in no doubt whatsoever that an S1 Elise will be quicker than mine.

[Dev]

I have seen several modified MR cars easily pass Boxsters on related videos but that could also be due to the drivers skills as they were also passing much larger cars. 

[/quoate]

A lighter, moderately powered, yet quick enough car is less scary to wring out than a high end performance one with more weight/power/everything.
See the very simple 912 vs 911 comparison.

]
 Then there is no escaping the kind of road where the MR-S shines. There are some mountains tight twisty roads that only light weight cars like the MR-S and Elise dominate. 
 

and I am in no doubt whatsoever that an S1 Elise will be quicker than mine.

Yours sure but someone else's well that is not always the case.

[Petrus]

To put some clocked perspective behind it:

In ´Touge Battle´ the 718 beat the 911S, Tsuchiya's AE86 was quicker than the 718 and the Spirit MR-S quicker still.

[MRSwede]

A lot is down to the driver being able to put the power down.

On one Scottish run where we were going.. Err... Rapid.. We struggled to keep up with an older lady in a Yaris who had obviously driven those roads since she was 16.

I reckon it's actually massively underestimated what a difference the driver makes.

Got to Love those Swedish Bricks 

[Joesson]

A lot is down to the driver being able to put the power down.

On one Scottish run where we were going.. Err... Rapid.. We struggled to keep up with an older lady in a Yaris who had obviously driven those roads since she was 16.

I reckon it's actually massively underestimated what a difference the driver makes.

Got to Love those Swedish Bricks 

Strangely the estate version did better than the saloon around the track.

[Petrus]

Strangely the estate version did better than the saloon around the track.

That was marketing dear Joesson; it made much, MUCH more impact that way.

[DantSaperon]

Good handling of the machine largely ensures the safety of movement on it. Therefore, if something bothers you in the operation of the car, it is better to contact the repair shop for a professional inspection and diagnosis, as you did. For me, the most important components are shock absorbers, steering tips and rods, and stabilizers. These are the things that I do not spare money for because they provide good handling and control of the car. Last time I even had to take out a mortgage from Mortgage Broker Sunderland because I had an accident due to poor handling of the car. I needed to change almost half of the parts in the car.

[shnazzle]

For me, the most important components are shock absorbers, steering tips and rods, and stabilizers. These are the things that I do not spare money for because they provide good handling and control of the car.

And you're a wise man to do so.