lowlander

Hi there,

Looking at cars around 2003 vintage for everyday use. Any commetns or advice as to which is best?

Performance? - MR2 win.
Handling? - not sure as have only driven an MX-5 (which was very good!)
Practicality? - MX-5 win.
Looks? - personal opinion but I prefer the more traditional look of the mazda.
Reliability? - Not sure. Any commenst on this?
Comfort? - again, not sure.
Depreciation? - probably not much difference.

All the best.

Martin.

AudiLover

Hairdressers cars.

McWRX

No their not I had one and am not a hairdresser...

lowlander

some people may have a problem with the image of some cars. Most people who own these types of cars are just to busy having fun driving them to worry about it!

The mx-5 could be viewed as a modern day MGB. Would you also consider that a hairdresser car?

All the best.

Martin.
(Engineer not hairdresser)

Daft Lad

Yes, for the more 'mature' hairdresser' perhaps

alloy

true

If you can get past the hairdresser comments, then i'd say handling wise the MX5 would be better than an MR2. Performance wise the MR2 would be better and have greater capacity to be modded. MR2 are gettin on a bit now, but it's a turbo car so potential for stuff to go wrong. Get on some of the owner forums and ask the same questions. Obviously they will be bias towards their car but you'll still get some answers and from both sides of the story

AudiLover

If I was to get one.... for my sister Id get the MX-5.

I myself wouldnt be seen dead in one. But then again I only buy cars that seats 4 or more people.

luke m

He's looking at the MR2 mk3, not the mk2.

There's far more tuning gear available in this country for the MX-5 than MR-2. The supercharger conversion is relatively popular. That's not to say you cannot retro fit a turbo to the mk3 MR2, if you've got the readies.

alloy

The Mk3 or MRS is it, looks like a flimsy barbie doll car, sorry but i would reluctantly buy the MX5

scoobyjimbo

Cant comment on the mx5 - but i do think this is a girls car.
I owned a mr2 for 2 years and it was superb, best car other than the scoob i have owned in terms of the all round package, it handes well, it is quite quick, and makes you feel good. only downside is luggage space, there isnt much, but if that doesnt bother you go for the mr2.

PM if you want any more info.
J

DodgeT

ex had an mr2 roadster, not the fastest of things in a straight line, but around country roads, the handling was fantastic, loads of fun.

think it was last year in evo mag, (some car mag anyway) they did a feature on best drivers car to buy for £20k, BMW M5 was first, mr2 roadster 2nd. They did the test in wales i think.

I personally wouldnt have either, but if it had to be a choice of the 2, it would defo be the mr2.

Hanslow

Wow Dodge, ain't seen you around these parts for a while I still remember the blat round Dono in that Westy of yours

I had an MR-2, tried the MX-5, but preferred the '2. It has more room inside the cabin and accomodated me fine (6'1"). Luggage space is not too bad, I managed a week away with the missus in the lake district with a weeks worth of walking clobber, but it is fiddly to get some bits in.

Some people have had problems with pre-cats, others haven't. Can lead to a dead engine

Had mine two years and was immense fun on twisty roads

Enjoyment wise, gave me far more enjoyment than the Scoob ever did Unfortunately it had to make way for a more sensible car (VW Golf ) but plans are afoot to get an Elise later in the year as a weekend toy

Allan

iTrader: (1)

Hi Martin,

Wifey has owned a 2002 MX5 virtually from new, reliability has been fantastic, as was her previous MX5. Personally I find the car too underpowered, however it is great to drive. It all seems to make sense once you get the roof down

Comfort wise we've done some long journeys and had many w/ends away, we've never wished we had taken the Scoob. The boot space is surprisingly good.

My only advice on buying one is to avoid anything with heavy over sized aftermarket alloys. The 5's ride can be trashed with the wrong wheels.

Allan

dsmith

I loved driving the Wife's MX5. Handling is just superb. If you need to be on full boost doing over 3 figures up a slip road to get your kicks stay away - if you enjoy driving for the experience of playing with a well sorted chassis regardless of the actual speed you're doing it at get an MX5.

(Never driven an MR2)

scoobynutta555

Get an Elise

I've recently bought one for an everyday car, 8.5 grand for a minter T reg. Blow the other two away in every department IMHO, in fact I didn't even consider the mx5 or an mr2 they're a bit too

Fabioso

I wouldn't listen to anyone who says "I won't buy a certain car becos its gay.............."

Apparently "every roadster means you must be a hairdresser" comment is the biggest load of bollicks unless ur that insecure about your masculinity.

To me its down to a test drive and which you prefer to drive. Both have their good points and i have seen alot of positive comments made about both cars. Reliability isn't an issue with both being Japanese.

To me, either looks like a good drive........go try and tell us what you think.

Jamescsti

I've driven both, personally i'd go for the MR2, being 6ft4 I find there's more room in the MR2, I personally preffered the drive of the MR2 as well

Echo

I had an MX5 and did 90,000 miles in it, great fun on country roads. The 1.8 is nippy enough but if I ever get another will get a turbo kit. Found it drew venom from white van man though.

The Chief

I came so close to buying an MR2 Roadster its untrue - if not for the d**khead salesmen losing the keys!!!!!

I really did my homework on these and a buddy dug out an old EVO comparison where it absolutely demolished the opposition - in fact they did a further test comparing it to a boxster and of course it was not as fast but handling was terrific.

Ok now they only have 138bhp (i think) but this is easily raised to 160bhp+

with a uni-chip and a full H&S exhaust system. go over to MR2ROC for more info.

160 may not sound much but in a car that weighs 975kg it will make it quite quick.

If you want to go daft you can get a turbo comversion for 2k

MooseRacer

yep probably a good choice - one of the best handling (that's handling not grip, VAGHAG) cars available. Your sister obviously realises that.


Oh well.

mightyyid

MX5 all the way. Better handling without a doubt, a cult car and while people will give you ****, it's because they are generally 'closet's' themselves. I have had 2 5's and loved them both - the second one blown with the aid of an s/c that I installed and was a wicked car.

How many more 5's do you see on the road than MR2's - loads more...

The Chief

have you driven an MR2????

In the EVO test the MR2 trounced the MX-5 easily.

I'm not saying the MX-5 is a bad car - it just aint as good as an MR2

although i will say the storage of an MR2 is beyond a joke

DodgeT

probably got a lot to do with the price.....

wrxseeker

iTrader: (1)

Was lucky enough to be invited to the launch of the MR2 Mk3 (MRS) a few years ago at Milbrook proving ground.

Went round the bowl at an indicated 130 MPH no problem but it was on the hill circuit that the car really impressed.

It wasnt mega powerful but so nicely balanced and light to drive. You could set it up into nice drifts through the corners or with a bit of rough handling power slide it out of the tight corners. Brakes were good also.

Drove an Elise around the same circuit and although ultimately it was a faster car you could get a lot of confidence and hence more fun out the MR2 more quickly. As everyone says though luggage space is pants.

Cant comment on the MX5 as I havent driven one.

krislex

i dont know why but i just love da mx5, i know i could get a better car, hell funny that just before i saw this post i was thinkin bout tha mr2, but still, i think tha mx5 just has style..

krislex

but i is talkin bout a 91 mx5 with an RB20 engine installed

scoobynutta555

CrisPDuk

That's strange, I'm 6'1" and found the opposite was true it must depend on whether you're long in leg or body (I'm the latter).
MrsD's MX5 is the best handling (sorry 2nd best, I've driven Olly's VX220), most fun car I have ever driven, in those two categories it blows my scoob away I don't physically fit into an MR2 so can't comment on the handling

It might also have something to do with the total lack of luggage space in an MR2, MrsD can go and do the weekly shop in her '5 quite easily, I doubt she'd be able to do the same in an MR2. Sad but true, this is the sort of thing a woman looks at when buying even a fun car

CrisPDuk

In what way can an MX5 be seen as a modern day MGB?

An MX5 is lightweight, reasonably powered, thoroughly engineered, well built, well finished and extremely reliable They handle superbly, never break down, and never ever leak

Having worked on and driven one or two in my time, I feel I can safely say that not one part of that description could be applied to a B