Standard power

[skidmark]

My Caddy Van only has 69bhp and was more fun than the BM, unless I was doing lots of motorway miles.

More than happy with my Caddy + MR2 combo  s:) s:)

God I'm getting old   s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

[JoeCool]

For me it's not even about the power. It's more just having am engine that revs high and has a bit of fizz and character. I loved the 118bhp 4age in my mk1's because of the TVIS kick and the noise of it. I love the 2ZZ for the high lift cam, induction noise and frantic revving nature of it.

It just adds character to the car and encourages you to drive it more than the 'dull' economy focus of the 1ZZ.

[1979scotte]

Never found the 1zz to be dull just dont like reving the nuts off it to get anywhere.
Which is why i went turbo over 2zz.

[mikeonsea]

But if you want more power isn't it just more practical to go buy a S2000 or boxter S, the Roadster was designed by Toyota to be the car it is, surely the chassis and brakes are based around standard power?

[wotugonado]

The roadster was built to be driven, toyota were imo conservative with what the chassis can handle, it copes easily with standard output and with a few small brace mods can easily handle larger power increases. It's a great car out the box, but for me with a little extra power added it becomes a fantastic car   s:) s:)

[JoeCool]

But if you want more power isn't it just more practical to go buy a S2000 or boxter S, the Roadster was designed by Toyota to be the car it is, surely the chassis and brakes are based around standard power?

My car owes me less than half of an S2000, boxster or its closest analogue an elise/vx220.

It's a toy. Those cars wouldn't be toys, I'd be worried about them.

The brakes are fine, good tyres help a lot, and the suspension is a work in progress. They handle an additional 50bhp way better than most cars would. Toyota aimed the Roadster squarely at the mx-5 (and in my judgement missed the mark primarily.on practicality). You dont see anyone complaining when people bump the mx-5 to 200bhp with a supercharger - if mazda had a direct swap engine with 50 more bhp, owners would do that too!

They're sports cars. They need a fizzy engine. The 2zz is twice as fizzy as a 1zz, it's just maths.

[StuC]

The 2zz is twice as fizzy as a 1zz, it's just maths.

You can't argue with that maths!  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[1979scotte]

But if you want more power isn't it just more practical to go buy a S2000 or boxter S, the Roadster was designed by Toyota to be the car it is, surely the chassis and brakes are based around standard power?

Boxster would cost a fortune if something went wrong.
In comparrision my turbo went last year cost me 400 quid.
S2000 does not handle like a an mr2 not having it sorry. Great engine to you are happy reving like a nutter.
Elise is the closest and i am not driving from London to Scotland in. Uncomfortable seats. Ask jrichards what a body panel cost when you smack it.

The consenus seems to be 240bhp is enough.
I would like more.   s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted:

[mikeonsea]

For me the mid engine layout of the MR2 is what attracted me to the car in the first place, it's slightly querky, and as with others it's just a toy for me so practically is not important, I for one would not consider the Masda mx because it's just a normal car without a roof!

[cptspaulding]

I think that a car that weighs less than a ton and has 140 bhp isn't to shabby,
Am I missing the point somewhere?

So after going round the houses...

Have you taken the 2 round the roads you used to enjoy in the Spitfire yet? If not, then go do that & tell us what you think.   s:) s:)

[Jrichards20]

Elise is the closest and i am not driving from London to Scotland in. Uncomfortable seats. Ask jrichards what a body panel cost when you smack it.

A tiny bump at 3mph into a small bollard that only cracked the fibreglass cost £1000, and that's travelling down towards Southampton for a cheaper indie specialist. Would have cost well over £1K taken anywhere else.

I also had an old guy reverse into the front of me, luckily went through insurance, but the cost of a new front body panel (clam), headlight and some other bits and bobs came to £7000... Baring in mind a similar bump in an mr2 probably wouldn't have caused any damage.


Don't forget the cost to run for some of those other cars as well, a boxster and S2000 is considerably heavier, things like brakes, tyres and consumables are much more expensive.

If you take an early elise to a mainstream dealer for a service and mot, you'll be lucky to come out with a bill under £1000. Most of the maintenance work requires taking half of the body off. Baring in mind there are only two "body panels" that cover the whole car, so its a fair amount of labour before you have even got to fixing the problem.


As been mentioned many times on here before, bang for buck, I really struggle to think of anything that comes close. Even if you drop £8K into an MR2 for a V6, upgraded brakes, suspension etc etc. You still have only paid the same as it would cost to buy a standard boxster or elise. And the MR2 is going to be faster, handle relatively similar to the elise, and be a lot more comfortable. So if you want more power, upgrading the mr2 certainly isn't a silly alternative to buying a more powerful car.

[tomaky]

My problem is my ego, I'm not afraid to admit it, I like a bit of competition every now and then. Being able to give it the beans at a set of lights or on a dual carriage way and finally be able to not get humiliated by a family diesel would be nice.

Don't get me wrong, I love the corners, which is everything that this car is about, but I also enjoy a bit of power.

For me on track its the 'Hot Hatch' being overtaking by one then having to re-overtake the damn thing.

[MRob2]

Having read a lot of reviews before buying I was expecting the performance of a standard MR2 to be a bit lacking and a 2zz swap was going to be an early change however, I am finding it to be surprisingly good especially up the revs and I've previously had Lotus Elise's and my other car is a mk5 Golf GTI.

I can't deny that more power would be exciting but I'm not sure how often there would be opportunity to make use of it in road driving.

[1979scotte]

I can't deny that more power would be exciting but I'm not sure how often there would be opportunity to make use of it in road driving.

I suppose it depends on your interpretation of the road traffic act   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  

You are correct tbh. The way mine picks up speed in the first 4 gears   s:scared: :scared: s:scared:

[mikeonsea]

Yes I have and the 2s  handling and performance is light years ahead of the spitfire, I would say for 99% of owners the factory set up will be more than ample to put a smile on thier face!

[Jrichards20]

Yes I have and the 2s  handling and performance is light years ahead of the spitfire, I would say for 99% of owners the factory set up will be more than ample to put a smile on thier face!

I do agree, but those who wish to track day it or are used to a bit more power may wish to invest in a few more Hp  s;) s;)

[stavros58]

I'm 57 and constantly get told off by my sons for driving to quick in the MR2 my brother made me laugh he's nearly 60 and has had so many accidents, fines on cars and bikes I can't keep count. I recently took his young daughter 13 out for a drive and his granddaughter as well after aged 11 and he gave me a lecture about not driving to fast each time. I thought he was taking the proverbial. But why the stock MR2 is so much fun it handles lovely, it feels fast and the engine is very responsive, seating position, firm suspension all go to making it great fun. From the outside to others it looks fast as well and I often get people looking grumpy on country roads because they think I'm going too fast because of what they hear and what they perceive as its a red sports car which can be a bit annoying when you are travelling at the same speed as all the other traffic. Tbh though there are times I would love a turbo just for the extra confidence when overtaking on A and B roads or simply just to make an overtake possible. On motorways I'm not that bothered but then mine doesn't have a turbo so it's hard t compare. I had a 3 series BMW for a week with flappy paddels and sports plus mode etc etc and it went like the clappers a really lovely car but when I got back in the MR2 I genuinely thought I prefer it in so many ways and it's mostly handling and driving position they are great plus dropping the hood on a two seater is just so right and enhances the car so much that even handling feels better and more in touch. If I had the spare cash I would turbo it but really can't justify it especially to the Mrs lol   s:D s:D  apparently 2 week holidays are more important   s:( s:(

[Ardent]

Stavros
Great post. Totaly agree.

[billyw]

I think its a matter of only engaging with other more interesting road users when you can play to the cars strengths. Ive no interest in caning the car on straights

The car and by extension the driver lives for the bends and corners.

Considering the relative lack of power compared to other cars it punches above its weight and is fast enough when properly caned through the gears but does get caught out in certain circumstance hence why I mention not engaging unless in the cars favour.

[The Other Stu]

I've heard people bang on about 5000RPM and onwards.
I feel like I'm working it far too hard over about 4000 (I'm used to driving 75mpg dirty diesels that shout at you if you don't change at around 1500RPM).

Am I likely to damage it doing 60 in 3rd? I had a Hyundai Coupe years ago (Mk1 - the low, sporty one before it became a functional box). It used to red line at 8000RPM and was great fun doing 60 in 2nd.

[MRob2]

Providing the engine is up to temperature (I reckon after 20 mins or so as the oil takes longer to warm up then the coolant) and it's well maintained I can't see it doing any harm taking it up to the red line from time to time. The famous 'Italian tune up' from what I understand is all about driving a car hard for a period to clear all the muck out the engine and breathers so maybe it's even beneficial!

[JoeCool]

I've heard people bang on about 5000RPM and onwards.
I feel like I'm working it far too hard over about 4000 (I'm used to driving 75mpg dirty diesels that shout at you if you don't change at around 1500RPM).

Am I likely to damage it doing 60 in 3rd? I had a Hyundai Coupe years ago (Mk1 - the low, sporty one before it became a functional box). It used to red line at 8000RPM and was great fun doing 60 in 2nd.

If you don't rev past 4,000 you only ever generate about 2/3rds of the cars available power.

The red line is where it is for a reason. The engine is specced so that it won't harm itself within its normal rev range. OK, things will wear faster but so long as it's well maintained nothing will suffer beyond spec. Anecdotal I know but police driving school cars spend all day everyday above 4,000 rpm and last well beyond 100,000 miles before replacement.

I'm not advocating driving everywhere at max revs, but at times when you need maximum performance like joining a motorway it's perfectly acceptable to use all the revs. it's also actually less stressful in terms of cylinder pressures to spin the engine faster, lugging it from lower revs generates higher pressures and more risk of damaging bearings etc because the forces going through rods etc are higher.

[1979scotte]

If you dont hit the limiter once in a while you own the wrong car.

[The Other Stu]

If you dont hit the limiter once in a while you own the wrong car.

Yeah, I know the rules. Roof down, red line!

I guess I'm just getting used to it. Like I said, when you drive dirty diesels all day, it's an entirely different driving style.

[shnazzle]

If you dont hit the limiter once in a while you own the wrong car.

Yeah, I know the rules. Roof down, red line!

I guess I'm just getting used to it. Like I said, when you drive dirty diesels all day, it's an entirely different driving style.

Too true. It's horrible when I've driven the MR2s for a while and then get in the Audi. You expect it to do one thing, and it totally doesn't do it. And diesels do NOT like being revved hahaha