Undisputed king of the roadster vs rariety / unique-ish

Anonymous · February 2, 2005, 14:22

would you prefer the mr2 to be the undisputed king roadster in the class, and for them to be as common as mx-5's or do you prefer the fact they are quite rare?. I think I prefer it being rare.

Tem · February 2, 2005, 14:55

Rare. Definitely.

Anonymous · February 2, 2005, 14:56

Without doubt the rare nature of the 2 appeals to me.
That said in the close vicinity to where I live there are four 2's and no MX5's or MGF's. However when driving to work each day I see considerable more MX5's and MGF's than 2's.
I would also admit to feeling superior to them. Is that smug or what s8)

s8)

Anonymous · February 2, 2005, 15:21

Definatly rare, although I do see one or two in the morning. I also see a LOT of 5's and MG's and...snigger.......laugh at them!!!! s:oops: :oops: s:oops: s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Anonymous · February 2, 2005, 15:22

In Slovenia, there are only 3 registered MR2's. That's preaty rare... s8)

s8)

Anonymous · February 2, 2005, 16:49

What do you mean by "king of the roadsters"? Sales volume? Performance? Rarity is a given, considering that the Spyder is already out of production. Whatever rolling stock is on the ground now is all there ever will be. A conservative estimate would be about 20,000 vehicles extant, with steady annual losses due to driver error and accidents.

On the U.S. racing circuit, the shootouts between team Miata and team Spyder haven't indicated a performance edge for the Spyder. In fact, the Miata's have more or less proven their technical superiority on the track. The concensus is that because of its mid-engined layout, it's easier to get the Spyder to the limits of its performance envelope. So for us daily drivers, it may offer a better experience behind the wheel.

Visually, in terms of design and in ergonomics, most of the people on a Spyder enthusiast's board are going to give the nod to the Toyota, since we already voted with our pocketbooks. If we thought the Miata was a better car, we'd have bought them. Let me close with a real-life anecdote:

I pull the Spyder into a filling station in a rural area. I walk into the register area to pay, and the clerk is staring out at the pumps, looking at the MR2. He asks me what it is. I tell him. He calls over his workmates and they're all talking and gesturing toward it, "cool car, man!" etc. They wouldn't do that with a Corvette, a Miata, or anything else I can think of short of something exotic.

Anonymous · February 2, 2005, 16:59

urm, I think its only out of production in usa. and by king I mean performance/ looks/ ect

Tem · February 2, 2005, 16:59

Quote from: "southerneditor"Rarity is a given, considering that the Spyder is already out of production.

AFAIK, the MR2 is not out of production. Toyota US just doesn't import it to the US anymore s;)

s;)

QuoteA conservative estimate would be about 20,000 vehicles extant, with steady annual losses due to driver error and accidents.

Again, only in the US, cause of the 5000/year limit. We didn't have any limits in Europe and I'm sure the number is still increasing. And probably will even after the production one day ends as people will import these from Japan.

Anonymous · February 2, 2005, 17:09

Quote from: "southerneditor"I pull the Spyder into a filling station in a rural area. I walk into the register area to pay, and the clerk is staring out at the pumps, looking at the MR2. He asks me what it is. I tell him. He calls over his workmates and they're all talking and gesturing toward it, "cool car, man!" etc. They wouldn't do that with a Corvette, a Miata, or anything else I can think of short of something exotic.

I had some schoolkid take out his mobile phone and take a photo of my '2 while I was in the shop the other day. s:D

s:D

The car's still here so I'm guessing he wasn't planning on stealing it. s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Anonymous · February 2, 2005, 17:11

Quote from: "ekona"I had some schoolkid take out his mobile phone and take a photo of my '2 while I was in the shop the other day. s:D s:D

The car's still here so I'm guessing he wasn't planning on stealing it. s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Then again he could still be looking for a buyer s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Anonymous · February 2, 2005, 17:12

Quote from: "roadsterman99"
Quote from: "ekona"I had some schoolkid take out his mobile phone and take a photo of my '2 while I was in the shop the other day. s:D s:D

The car's still here so I'm guessing he wasn't planning on stealing it. s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Then again he could still be looking for a buyer s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Good point though...

/me runs off to buy electrified fencing

Anonymous · February 2, 2005, 22:18

After i washed my MR2 i went to have a coffee and parked right in front of bar so i could see my car outside through glass. There were some girls having a photo session beside my car s8)

s8) . It was funny to watch. I hope they didn't plan to steal it s:? :? s:?

mrsmr2 · February 3, 2005, 00:38

I'm definitely for rare. But, I suspect the lack of sales is mostly down to boot size issues.

Still, it sorts those that want a more focused car from those that want a more general roadster.

heathstimpson · February 3, 2005, 07:24

Quote from: "mrsmr2"I'm definitely for rare. But, I suspect the lack of sales is mostly down to boot size issues.

That's the good point for our rarity survival; no bloody boot space making it have a very selective audience s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Liz · February 3, 2005, 10:58

I like the rareity of it, mind you when Mark & Chris came over the other day we saw two parked up on the way to the pub, and on patrol yesterday I saw another two - must remember to take some club flyers out with me, I like being rare and I still love the way it turns heads s:D

s:D

Tem · February 3, 2005, 16:58

Quote from: "Liz"we saw two parked up on the way to the pub, and on patrol yesterday I saw another two

s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

I still haven't seen a Spyder, err, Roadster on the road! Can you imagine the pressure on my waving hand? s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Anonymous · February 3, 2005, 21:31

Got between two MGTF's today on the way to work...boy did I make the right choice s8)

s8)

Anonymous · February 4, 2005, 01:59

QuoteGot between two MGTF's today on the way to work...boy did I make the right choice

I dispute you not. But I'm curious - what made you feel that way? I get that impression every time I see a Miata in traffic, but when I see an MG, I can still picture myself driving it.

Slacey · February 4, 2005, 06:40

Quote from: "southerneditor"
QuoteGot between two MGTF's today on the way to work...boy did I make the right choice
I dispute you not. But I'm curious - what made you feel that way? I get that impression every time I see a Miata in traffic, but when I see an MG, I can still picture myself driving it.

It's probably because they are extremely common over here, and certainly don't have a good reputation coming from the MG Rover stable. My father worked as an engineer and then in sales and marketing for them for over 25 years, and let's just say I would never part with my own money for one.
This aslo comes from personal experience as I drove MG / Rover company cars from the age of 17 until I decided enough was enough and bought my own!

Anonymous · February 4, 2005, 08:58

Quote from: "southerneditor"
QuoteGot between two MGTF's today on the way to work...boy did I make the right choice
I dispute you not. But I'm curious - what made you feel that way? I get that impression every time I see a Miata in traffic, but when I see an MG, I can still picture myself driving it.

I don't want to slag off the MGTF as I'm sure that people who have laid out good money are happy with there purchase. But..other than the dual exhaust being incorporated into the rear bumper I cannot see anything else I like about it. Overall it lacks presence and certainly doesn't turn heads like the 2.
In fact when I decided to buy a 2 seater I didn't even consider the MGTF.
And having test drove the MX5 and the 2, there was no real decision to make other than the basic 2 costing £2K+ more than the MX Sport with hardtop. I've never regretted my decision which says it all.