So what do we do when there are no MR2s left?

[stargazer30]

Serious question.   MR2s are getting older and older, getting crashed, broken for parts etc..  Even the latest 06 plates are coming up to 10 years old!  Lower mileage one's are getting rarer than hens teeth.  

The trouble is there's no alternatives I can think of that fit the bill and can do what our MR2s do.
A Boxter is the obvious alternative but these cars cost much more to buy and run and they are heavier/more grown up sports cars.  Not nearly as economical to run either.
MX5 mk3 - heavier, worse on fuel, and its front engine RWD so its not like driving an MR2.
GT86 - again Front engined/RWD and its not a convertable.

I'm hoping to keep my 2 going at least another 3 to 5 years but honestly I have no idea what to buy when it finally falls to bits.
The new 2015 MX5 looks promising.  They made it lighter and gave it a bit more BHP but not sure if I can live with the front engine layout.

[nadeemxb]

Was thinking the same myself! Crashed last week and my car has been written off. "Gutted" doesn't even begin to cover it.

Been looking at what to buy next and have gone through all the options you've mentioned and decided pretty much the same. I'm strongly considering an Elise at this point but still open to suggestions. I'd done so much to my 2 that I just don't think I could face building another one up to where mine was.

[s12vea]

I'm waiting for the gt86 as its slowly dropping in price, it will be sub £10k soon

[MrStev3]

The gt-86 will be the future for me

[Lee H]

S2000 were made for a few years longer and has a mid engine layout albeit mid front rather than mid rear.

[JoeCool]

Bite the bullet and get an Elise.

(by get, I mean finance)

[SteveP]

I intend keeping mine for at least another ten years and have just parted with my GT86 after less than 3 years ownership build quality is not the same as Toyota's and is no where near as much fun, have now owned the Mr2 for 5 years and have done only about 7K in that time as the sun has to be out before it leaves the bat cave.

[mr mr2]

I'll never get rid off mine it's so much fun and the good thing is no 2s are the same with all the mods that go on in the club

[Jiff Lemon]

Can't believe your thinking like this to be honest.The "youngest" Mk1 is 25 odd years old now and yet you can still get yourself a decent one and spares are still obtainable.

[stargazer30]

S2000 is a good shout but they seem to be gaining in price these days for a low miler stock example.  Insurance is bad too, more than the porker.

I'll have to keep my fingers crossed that years down the line when my current 2 finally does become too expensive to practically keep going I can find a low/mint 06 TF300 instead.

[Lee H]

My S2000 is cheaper than my 2ZZ or turbo roadster was to insure, however prices are definitely firming up as you say.

[Ardent]

Would like it to be an86. But ruled out as no soft top.
Elise or caterham

[4dvti]

I was looking on howmanyleft some weeks back and it seems there are still many thousands of roadsters left. I am personally against breaking cars unless it is absolutely necessary.

Take a look at how many are left here: type in mr2 in the search box.

 m https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?utf8= m ✓&q=Mr2

[Spooky]

Probably back to a Nissan like a GTR or a Fairlady I would think when there are no more MKIII's left  s:( s:(

[widermuller]

I'm quite sure if mk1's have survived in reasonable numbers by enthusiasts, and backed by a good club. I'm quite sure you can apply the 'logic' to the roadster.

However... only the strong will survive, and others will have to die, for others to live, I'm afraid.

[steve-m-uk]

A few of us have moved on to the VX220/Elise , fantastic cars if a little more focused. If you can accept the rawness then you will revel in the razor sharp handling and fantastic feedback.They aren't as inpractical as folk make out either, you learn to pack better etc but i'm taking my VX on a camping trip to Scotland this week  so they aren't that bad. VX's are enjoying a huge rise in popularity recently with values rising.
I recommend one to anybody looking for the next step from a 2.

[1979scotte]

I'm not sure where i would go to next.
I know an elise or vx would not be for me.
No soft top on the gt86 so not really comparable.
Certainly not an mx5 just plain dirty.  s;) s;)
Would be between an S2000 and a boxster i think.

[puma2]

when i lost(crashed) my black one and it went" 2" heaven. i was left in the same problem  s:? :? s:?  
i started to looking at looking and make enquires on the following

boxster my  thoughts were high running cost eg tyres and servicing

TT a lot of problems on the early ones. i need more money to find a possible good one.

S2000 my favourite  choice, insurance group way to high after getting quotes

SLK to heavy and don't trust the roof of a old one.

the  offer to buy what  i got now came up and did the deal on my yellow 2  s:bounce: :bounce: s:bounce:    s:bounce: :bounce: s:bounce:  

i often think what i would get now mind  s:? :? s:?    s:? :? s:?

[Anonymous]

My partner replaced her mr2 - now my mr2 - with A 350z roadster. It's similar in some ways but also very different !

I think the gt86 captures similar essence of the mr2, but in coupe form obviously.

S2000 as others have said, boxer maybe but can be VERY expensive!

Great question, hard to answer!

[nadeemxb]

Some interesting ideas here!

I'm having a test drive of an Elise s2 tomorrow with the 1zz-fe I've been driving the last 8 years! May as well see what it's like.  At least gives an indication of whether I'll like a VX220 too. Keep seeing people mention the Elise having more storage. After seeing one - no chance! With the frunk and the behind seat storage the 2 has plenty more space IMO.

Was reading into the GT86 today and based on pricing hitting around £10k AND Cosworth's staged upgrades I'm quite interested but just don't think I could get away with a non-convertible.

Guess I'll be starting a garage clear-out soon too!  s:( s:(

[Eastsoutheast]

I am sure roadsters will be in decent supply for another 10 years. It's hard to find many people with anything bad to say about them so most will be happy to spend money keeping them on the road.

If I had to buy a replacement it would be one of the following,

Alfa Romeo spider - preferably chrome bumper model.
Honda S2000
Lotus Elise
Vauxhall VX220 Turbo

The Boxter S, TT etc are I am sure great cars but they are very different to what makes the MR2 so great. Simple, lightweight, wheel at each corner, great balance, nothing that's not needed, pretty, well built, cheap to run and insure, fun to drive, simple roof the list goes on hence why we all love them so much.

Simple decision, let's keep as many on the roads as possible, I can't wait for my son to be able to drive mine and understand why I think it's such a great car (he does not share my enthusiasm but has not sat in the drivers seat).

[Mightyquin]

I do think the MR2 is a definite future classic - it's a pretty unique car.

[Joesson]

I am sure that an Alfa spider ( with chrome bumpers) will have had a long and likely troublesome life but survived.
Similarly there will be 2' s that survive, even some in OE form  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

[Joesson]

I find it difficult to compare an Elise or a VX to a 2, simply on acquisition cost, let alone cost of replacement parts.
Surely comparisons should be made within some parameters and the most finite I suggest is price.
I also suggest that at the moment the 2 represents very good value on the smiles per mile per £ (spm£).
There will certainly be those that disagree but the only cars that could be in the same group on the above basis  would be:
MGF and MX5!
We will all have our opinions of these marques and so unless you want to end up with one of those....
Be sure to look after your 2  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

[Bernie]

No sensible alternative in my opinion so look after your 2 cherish it and keep it going as long as you can