MR2 Performance

Anonymous · June 19, 2003, 14:46

I like the idea of "evoness" as it is a made up word that can be used when people (like us!) incorrectly use "better".

I agree that it does sound a bit pretentious but I understand completely what it means. Is a '2 'better' than, say, an MX-5? It might not be much better in terms of speed, practicality, value, all those easily measurable things, but it's more "evo"!

I guess it's just a BS way of saying "my car's better than yours", using a quantification that can never actually be measured, and therefore you can never be proved wrong!

--H--

juansolo · June 19, 2003, 14:51

Quotebut it's more "evo"!

I visibly cringed when I read that...

But otherwise, spot on.

I have written a review that includes a comparison between the MR2 and MX-5 for this site somewhere (gave it to that mph blokey s:D

s:D ), not once did I mention evoness...

... though I have used 'better' once or twice s:oops: :oops: s:oops:

Anonymous · June 19, 2003, 14:57

LOL!

I don't actually use the word "evo" in real life! But it's difficult to describe what you actually mean when you say "better", and inevitably when you do say "better" someone will pick you up on it with a pedantic, but completely accurate, "in your opinion"!

--H--

Anonymous · June 19, 2003, 15:33

Oi!!! You two!! You're BOTH right, now LEEEEEAAAAAAAVVVVEEE ITTTTTT!!!!!! s:wink: :wink: s:wink: s:roll: :roll: s:roll: s:wink: :wink: s:wink: s:wink: :wink: s:wink: s:oops: :oops: s:oops: s8)

s8) s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Else I will have to get all "Evo" on ya! s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Seriously, I can see both points here. Outright speed cannot be accurately measured when you are comparing different cars on different surfaces, tracks, lanes blah blah blah. I think that "percieved" speed is a little bit TOO vague cos some cars really don't measure up. For example, you couldn't take say, a Polo GTi and put it up against an Evo VIII on either a track or a Scottish B-road cos it would get murdered cos plain and simple, the Evo IS faster, IS better. But of cars that are deemed of a certain performance, there are sooooo many variables, that you really can't measure one against theother (unless, in reality they are nearly identical, e.g Evo VIII and Impreza STi). Pointless argument, but interesting debate all the same........

I think the "Evoness" is a bit pants to be honest, but I have to say, it does kinda sum it up really. Shame they had to name it themselves from thier own magazine. I don't think it would have been seen as so pretentious if they had made something totally different and not relating to them up. s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

juansolo · June 19, 2003, 15:46

Quotethe Evo IS faster...

Yes, there is no disputing it would be faster in both the scenarios you suggest.

Quote...IS better

That depends on how you define 'better'. Better at being faster, yes...

This could never end.... s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted:

QuotePointless argument

Absolutely, the point is that it is pointless s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Anonymous · June 19, 2003, 17:27

ta DAAAAA!!!!!! s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

zud · June 19, 2003, 17:50

Tee hee, I quite enjoyed reading that little exchange! Probably pointless, and certainly an argument without a definitive answer... but nearly as much fun watching my 85yr old father-in-law arguing (over a pint) with his 70yr old mate about whether Frank Sinatra was the greatest singer or not!

Personally, I propose another measure of "betterness" (or whatever)... and that's "grins per pound".... my rusting, £900 Triumph Spitfire scored well on this measure (16 years ago), but I've never owned a car that beats my '2!!! s:D

s:D s:D

s:D

Anonymous · June 19, 2003, 21:26

Yeah, I would go with that. Now that IS a good measure of the car. grins per pound. I like that.

So, cars high on the list would be:

The '2 obviously
Elise
VX220 (Turbo?)
Caterham/Westie
Impreza and Evo

Cars NOT on the list....

Nissan QX
Lexus SC430
Maybach
Wartburg

Any other suggestions?

juansolo · June 19, 2003, 23:18

Grins per pound:

Proper Mini Cooper
Caterham Classic
Pug 205GTi

All cheap and all will leave you grinning like a fool s:D

s:D

Anonymous · June 20, 2003, 09:59

Mk1 106 Rallye.

s:D

s:D

--H--

Anonymous · June 20, 2003, 10:27

Yeah, would agree with all of the above, especially the Mini! What a car! Had two now and still want another...........

Grins per pound....

How about Detla Integrale? Drove one and for a road car, still haven't felt a steering as nicely balanced and weighted as that......(except Elise....)

Cossie Escort?

Anonymous · June 20, 2003, 10:47

Quote from: "John Woodward"Cossie Escort?

*kris puts his hand up* - yup, that would be the one for me... love that car.

Anonymous · June 20, 2003, 10:53

Kris, you driven one? One of the few Fords I actually like. Would love to have a go in one.........

Anonymous · June 20, 2003, 10:57

not driven (unfortunatly) but been taken out in one... the feeling of getting pushed back into your seat when the turbo comes in is superb!

Golf GTi MK2 are a bit quick round a track!

Also the porsche 911 carrera 2 was a bit of a beast - same effect with the power delivery - get your skin stretched off your face!

Driven a ferrari testarossa... s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted:

Anonymous · June 20, 2003, 11:11

Nice........... s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted:

Suprised you said that about the GTi. My uncle has had one of each mark up tothe Mk4 and he said that the best one he drove, still to this day was the Mk1.

As for the Carrera, I can imaging that being fast, but I always think they SOUND faster than they really are. I'm sure it's an illusion, but would still like to drive one. They do tend to divide opinion on how they drive.....

And how did you get to dive the Medallion Machine too? s:wink: :wink: s:wink: What was that like?

Got some track time coming up cos I won a Top Gear competition for a diving course where I can choose the track and event I want. Might try the supercar experience at Silverstone......F355, 911, Viper and Esprit. See what else is on offer first though.......

Anonymous · June 20, 2003, 11:25

The Mk2 GTi is a faster machine, and TBH would be my choice but the old Mk1 probably gives you more grins as you can chuck it about like a cart!

I very nearly bought a Mk2 GTi 16v about a year ago.

The Mk3 and especially the Mk4 IMHO are pants.

--H--

Anonymous · June 20, 2003, 11:44

Yeah, driven my uncles Mk3 and 4 and I thought it was like driving a lead weight! The Mk2 is the one a lot of reviews go for if they were to pick a Golf, but the Mk1 IS the classic "hooners" car. A good laugh and we're back to the "grins per pound" issue again. Suppose that one can be put on the list....

Anonymous · June 20, 2003, 13:02

I have been lucky enough to own acouple of Mk2 Golf GTIs in the past and they were belting cars....not desperately quick but so incredibly chuckable. On 'give and take roads' not much would get away from you!

Remember having one run on roads that I knew well, following a mate in his Porsche 3.0 Carrera 911. He couldn't believe that I was able to stay with him over about 5 miles of A and B roads.

It wasn't down to my greater driving ability as he was then driving TVR Tuscans for the factory, in the race series. Pretty handy chap.

The Golf was just belting fun!!

A more recently disposed of vehicle was a 2.0litre 16v Vauxhall engined Caterham 7. With 210 bhp in a car weighing 520 kg the performance was breathtaking, but on the road, again in give and take situations, I believe that the MR2 would stay pretty close to even that car....on a track, well that would be a different kettle of fish!!!

I am very content with the MR2 as it is and relish its steering, handling and general nimbleness. A lovely road car!

Just my two penneth......

Andrew

Anonymous · June 20, 2003, 13:13

Quote from: "John Woodward"Nice........... s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted:

Suprised you said that about the GTi. My uncle has had one of each mark up tothe Mk4 and he said that the best one he drove, still to this day was the Mk1.

As for the Carrera, I can imaging that being fast, but I always think they SOUND faster than they really are. I'm sure it's an illusion, but would still like to drive one. They do tend to divide opinion on how they drive.....

And how did you get to dive the Medallion Machine too? s:wink: :wink: s:wink: What was that like?

Got some track time coming up cos I won a Top Gear competition for a diving course where I can choose the track and event I want. Might try the supercar experience at Silverstone......F355, 911, Viper and Esprit. See what else is on offer first though.......

The MK2 was on an airfield, just before being let out in the testarossa and the mondeal (i think thats right)... was a present from an ex for my 21st birthday. s:D

s:D Got a nice photo of me next to a Ferrari GTO in bright yellow overalls.... nice s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

The porka was a mates mums - we were in the car (i was squashed in the back) and he said "aint this where you usually put your foot down?" - a moan from the mum and she droped it and slamed her foot down... bloody quick car! s:o

s:o

Jammy Git! do the silverstone one - F355 will be a beast, 911 - classic, Viper... SCARY! and last but not least, the esprit... every child from the 80's dream! LOL!

juansolo · June 20, 2003, 14:41

Best of the Golfs IMO was the original Seat Cupra Sport 16v. Golf Mk2 chassis, Mk3 16v engine, stripped of most heavy stuff. Absolutely great car and the only FWD I've ever regretted selling. I really, really want another as I sold it just before I started doing track days and I know they make a top track machine. There is a Welsh dude who goes to Anglesey a lot with one and is always one of the quickest guys around there.

Chris · June 20, 2003, 17:35

Quote from: "krisclarkuk"the mondeal (i think thats right)...

Nearly!! it's mondial s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

my mates dad has got one... s:)

s:)

Anonymous · June 20, 2003, 19:57

Now i found that more fun than the 'rossa... it was easier to drive... however, my shoes were too big and i had to take my shoes off and drive in my socks... not an easy thing! still had a riot though!

Anonymous · June 23, 2003, 09:56

You should have taken the socks off too. I drive with bare feet quite a bit, although it makes heel and toe difficult of course.

--H--

Anonymous · June 23, 2003, 10:02

i think in a normal car i could have got used to it but in the ferrari the pedals are metal and REALLY hard to press... also they work like a proper sports car... when you put your foot down, its flat on the floor, rather than like pushing your foot to the end of the footwell as with a normal car.