How does the MR2 compare?

[Anonymous]

For those of you that have owned other sports cars I would love to hear your feedback on how the MR2 compares in such areas as handling and performance.

Look forward to the replies

Cheers
Kevin

[Anonymous]

Define performance?

[Anonymous]

I suppose performance as in perceived or actual (as in lap times), however you wish.

I know some cars feel alot faster than they are, which is perception, but others on track can give hard facts.

[Anonymous]

Cool, in that case...


MR2 vs S2000
Handling: MR2
Performance: S2K
Both driven on road and track

MR2 vs 987 Boxster S
Handling: Boxster
Performance: Boxster
Road only

MR2 vs VXR220
Handling: VXR
Performance: VXR
Road and track

MR2 vx Elise S2 111S + 111R
Handling: Elise
Performance: Elise
111S track only, 111R road only

MR2 vs MX-5 mk3 Sport
Handling: MR2
Performance: MR2
Road only

MR2 vs Clio 182
Handling: MR2
Performance: Clio
Road only

MR2 vs 350Z
Handling: 350Z
Performance: 350Z
Road and track


There's other stuff as well like a 997 C2S and an E46 M3, but the price comparison simply isn't fair so I won't even bother as it's obvious which wins there. The closest competitor I've found so far in terms of money, feel and sheer fun is the Clio 182. Wrong wheel drive perhaps, but I'd say they're on a par in terms of fun and practicality. S2K is hugely fun round track and very easy to balance on the limit, but I still gave the MR2 that one as it feels slightly more tight. Apart from the Clio and the mk3 MX-5 (which is awful IMHO), the MR2 is beaten by everything else. Of course, they also cost a lot more in every case, and there's other ways of measuring ownership, but that's how I see it anyway.

[OlberJ]

Add 2zz in to the mix and a lot of those performances will swing the other way i would imagine?

[Anonymous]

Dan thats great, good ideas of comparisons there, afew surprises too including the 350Z, I would have thought the MR2 would have handled better down to it weighing alot less.

Thanks again
Kevin

[stargazer30]

To balance this out a bit you could add MPG and service/maint/insurance costs into the mix and the MR2 would beat the lot of them!  Well maybe the MX5 might be on par?

[Anonymous]

Like I said, there's more to ownership than just how it handles and how quick it goes. If we're judging on other things though, then I guess you'd have to go for the Clio. Yup, they really are that good as a fun package as well as being a millionty times more practical than the '2.

[stargazer30]

Like I said, there's more to ownership than just how it handles and how quick it goes. If we're judging on other things though, then I guess you'd have to go for the Clio. Yup, they really are that good as a fun package as well as being a millionty times more practical than the '2.

You must be joking they are made of paper.  I had a Clio for 2 years it was the worst car I've ever owned in my life for reliability and I bought it from new   s:shock: :shock: s:shock:  It wasn't a sport though.

[cclarke99]

In my experience the Boxster is just like the MR2 only better and the BMW Z4 not as good - a bit dull to be honest. MX-5 (mk 2) is nice but the engine is a bit weedy. The Clio 182 is not the same thing, great to drive, but suffers all the problems of a very large engine FWD car plus iffy Renault quality.

[Anonymous]

I had a Clio for 2 years... It wasn't a sport though.

Well there you go then. An RS Clio is a billion miles from a 1.2 shopping trolley.

[kentsmudger]

In my experience the Boxster is just like the MR2 only better ...

On the other hand, at least one member here (Liz) went from an MR2 to a Boxster and then came back to an MR2, albeit a turboed 2.

[Anonymous]

OK,i dont know why people try to compare the mr2 with every-thing else.i have had two twin-turbo supras in the past and they  are great for staight line performance but not alot else,the mr2 to me for the money is the best little sports car on the road,good looks,ex-handleing,fair perfomance,and ten times better with the roof down.cheers.  s:bounce: :bounce: s:bounce:

[Anonymous]

I drove the 350Z in Corfu last year and thought it a wallowing beast compared to the MR2

[cclarke99]

... for the money is the best little sports car on the road,....

Couldn't agree more, Boxster is a lovely car but running costs would be double the MR2 and a could think of better things to spend my 12K on.

[Anonymous]

les,you are right ,these super-cars are realy to heavy that is where the MR2 shines,going round pot holes,road works,islands,this little car does it with flying colours,any-way i think as we are empty-nesters we should now a little bit about cars!!!!

[muffdan]

I agree with you Les on the 350Z handling. In terms of lap times, the MR2's handling is way better and by that I mean it will go around a bend faster. MR2's were leaving me behind over the alpine passes on the twisty sections. An MR2 will change direction much quicker than a 350Z. The 350Z has better handling in terms of control over the rear end though. As the weight is in the front, I was hanging the rear end out at will, all the time. I was able to do it very comfortably and confidently which was great fun. Depends on your definition of handling I suppose.

[Anonymous]

In terms of lap times, the MR2's handling is way better and by that I mean it will go around a bend faster.

No chance. Stock for stock, or modified for modified, I can get a 350Z to corner quicker than a '2.

[markiii]

have to agree with Dan

stock for stock teh extra weight and mechanical grip of teh Z allows it to corner faster as a stock MR2 will be suffering way to much body roll and the rear end will start to slide

a modified 2 will likely beat a stock Z, but you'd be surprised how well a modded Z will corner, the bracing tweeks on Dans alone are seriously impressive, I hate to think what upgraded shocks would acheive

[Anonymous]

Sssshhhhh that's on me list for next year

[muffdan]

In terms of lap times, the MR2's handling is way better and by that I mean it will go around a bend faster.

No chance. Stock for stock, or modified for modified, I can get a 350Z to corner quicker than a '2.

Fair enough I don't doubt your ability to do that.

Stock for stock, modified for modified, I can get an MR2 to corner quicker than a 350Z.   s:D s:D  

I guess this proves it's just a matter of opinion. More seriously, driving styles comes in to it. Different drivers are going to set proportionally different lap times in different types of car, and the MR2 and 350z are very different. It's the driver/car combination that matters and it's going to be different for everybody. That's why I love The Race of Champions. It equals the field and the true greats show themselves.

[Anonymous]

Stock for stock, modified for modified, I can get an MR2 to corner quicker than a 350Z.   s:D s:D  

Really? Didn't seem like that when I came past you at Anglesey  s;) s;)    s:mrgreen: :mrgreen: s:mrgreen:

[stargazer30]

How does extra weight aid cornering exactly?  I mean my physics isn't that brilliant but can't see the logic in that.

[markiii]

grip is  a function of weight and rubber (and a lot of other stuff)

comparing a stock z to a stock roadster this equates to more grip

its not quite that simple, as you get into weight distribution, understeer e.t.c e.t.c

however in my experience with this particular setup

and comparing Dans stock Z to many stock mr2s I've driven

the z wins

[OlberJ]

Aha, but are we talking grip and speed cornering or agility and handling cornering?

Take a Lotus Elan for example, not very quick but the handling is immense fun. Mr2 is similar (but not the same) as this.