27 replies to this topic

[Steve B]

So anyone owned both? I suspect they have as I've seen VX's for sale in the Roadsters owners club forum I have been reading to try and get an idea of what to look for. I think as a daily driver they maybe better suited to the job, taller so more visible to other road users, cheaper and made of metal so not stressful to leave parked etc. What are opinions? I think I want a 2003 year car as it gets a 6spd box, bracing and staggered wheels but is before crash safety rules jacked up the ride height and added more heavy crash structure. Am I correct? Have many 190 conversions been done should I look for one?

[jakepeg]

sorry are you being serious? You want to become a hairdresser? As for practicality, I beg to differ, frankly not much difference between the two. As for street cred need you ask? MR2 will be reliable and good car, but will never have the soul to make you smile from your belly.

[Steve B]

sorry are you being serious?
:poke: You want to become a hairdresser?

As for practicality, I beg to differ, frankly not much difference between the two.
As for street cred need you ask?

MR2 will be reliable and good car, but will never have the soul to make you smile from your belly.

Any helpful replies welcome.

Sorry I will buy another 220 or Elise for track but sick of dodging / failing to dodge morons on the roads and the last car loosing incident has put me right off.

I don't give a monkeys about street cred, or being accused of being a hairdresser sure the mk3 MR2 will be able to shift around the odd track day perfectly well. I just need input on model year etc to go for someone called markiii is selling a nicely Modded VXR On the Mr2 roadster forum so I won't be the only person who has given them a go who has also had a VX.

[Ouchie]

I looked briefly before getting the VX but the 2 cubby holes for a boot put me off before I got into dynamics. No help really other than you need to pack lighter or in smaller bags than you would even for the VX.

Edited by Ouchie, 04 April 2011 - 05:07 PM.

[Steve B]

I looked briefly before getting the VX but the 2 cubby holes for a boot put me off before I got into dynamics.
No help really other than you need to pack lighter or in smaller bags than you would even for the VX.

Yes, that's initially why I spent more and bought a VX back 2 years ago. However I've used the boot maybe 10 times and that's it so that no longer puts me off the MR2. The VX is far superior in dynamic terms than the.MR2 I'm sure, but I think the MR2 maybe the next closes alternative for road use?

[ghand]

Get a MR2 turbo.Very underrated car.Check one out.Will give most cars a run for their money Wolf in sheeps clothing.My car of choice after the vx.

[Steve B]

Get a MR2 turbo.Very underrated car.Check one out.Will give most cars a run for their money Wolf in sheeps clothing.My car of choice after the vx.

Had them in the past back in the mid 90's, junk compared to the VX weighing in at 1300kg, trackdays I'd murder 300+ bhp mk2 MR2's in my n/a VX. IMHO

Mk3 Mr2 is sub 1000kg and praised as the best handling MR2, better than the mk1 even - which was good, had them as well back in the day.

[ghand]

Get a MR2 turbo.Very underrated car.Check one out.Will give most cars a run for their money Wolf in sheeps clothing.My car of choice after the vx.

Had them in the past back in the mid 90's, junk compared to the VX weighing in at 1300kg, trackdays I'd murder 300+ bhp mk2 MR2's in my n/a VX. IMHO

Mk3 Mr2 is sub 1000kg and praised as the best handling MR2, better than the mk1 even - which was good, had them as well back in the day.

Interesting, the one i went out in seemed very very good. Liked it a lot.

[Bobby]

I came from a 2005 MR2 Red and it is a good car, handles well. But much softer than the vx. I know Silverstone Performance do a turbo kit that can get it to na levels. I would say the vx is more practical for me because the cubby holes are practically useless and I do occasionally need a boot. Not having to assemble and disassemble the roof is something I miss

[R20BY_M]

I had a 51 plate mark 3 for 20 months before entering VX ownership. Yes, it is a bit softer than the VX and not as fast in standard guise, but if was one of my favourite cars, far more easy to live with as a daily driver and great on long drives. Very minimal buffeting with the roof down (much less than the VX and my current Saab 93 vert) Have to rev the nuts off of the VVTI engine to get the most out of it. Back end can be unpredictable when damp (I nearly spun it a couple of times). Luggage space can be an issue, but you have the Frunk as well - just need appropriate sized bags, boot better in the VX. Mechanically sound, get the precats out as they are prone to breaking up and getting sucked into the engine - not good. Oddly, would have one all over again but probably not a VX. I loved my VX, just not as a daily driver - the MR2 ticked all boxes.

[ChrisS1]

Precats is the main issue. Make sure you buy a facelift model or an earlier one that has had the precats removed (unless you want to remove them yourself). Other than that just normal issues. There is a good buyers guide on MR2OC.

[Steve B]

Thanks for the info guys Does sound ideal for the road, maybe just a change of suspension to firm it up a bit?

[ghand]

Get a MR2 turbo.Very underrated car.Check one out.Will give most cars a run for their money Wolf in sheeps clothing.My car of choice after the vx.

Had them in the past back in the mid 90's, junk compared to the VX weighing in at 1300kg, trackdays I'd murder 300+ bhp mk2 MR2's in my n/a VX. IMHO

Mk3 Mr2 is sub 1000kg and praised as the best handling MR2, better than the mk1 even - which was good, had them as well back in the day.

Mr2 turbo 0 to 60 5.5s 0 to 100 14s tops out at 155 all standard,most are re mapped and a lot faster. So on the track yes vx na , on the road MR2 by a good bit over the na me thinks. 4s faster to 100 is out of sight(till the bends)You call them junk, i like them ,each to his own and can you fit a roof air intake to a vx

[markiii]

Ok my thoughts Mk3 mr2 Roof is the best of any convertible, vx is hardly difficult but this is better Feels more solid Gearshift is better Very happy on track and loves being ragged A few choice mods make it very close to the vx Better brakes than the vx Less understeer than the vx Takes less effort to drive well than the vx Luggage space on a pat with the vx as you have the drunk and rear bins A heater that works Vx Handles better once you learn to drive it Steering is so, so much better, mr2 feels dull, lifeless and over assisted by comparison Just as comfortable if not more so when your in it, even on motorways noisier and smaller inside than the mr2 The vx is the better drivers car, the mr2 is the more useable everyday proposition Having driven mr2s since, I prefer the VXR by a country mile, but the mr2 is more convivial when your not in the mood Horses for courses, Both great cars it depends where your priorities ly

[markiii]

On the road my old 269bhp mk3 would keep the VXR honest On track the VXR pissed all over it

[Steve B]

Thanks Markiii I'm beginnnig to think I'll like it as a road car. Plan of action I think will be buy MR2, still not sure what age car I should go for is a 2003 6speed manual the one to look for? The finish my Mx5 project and sell it and buy another VX or Elise for the track. I loved my VX but after my recent accident (getting hit by a people carrier that didn't see me) I'm beginning to think all you want on the raod is something cheap you don't care about and special cars should be kept to be driven somewhere safe like the track.

[markiii]

I'd go for as late a car as you can afford as the bracing is better and so is the interior consider lowering springs an essential mod as it will have huge amounts of body roll without them. facelift models started in september 2002 and have the 6 speed box and changed lights e.t.c 6 speed box is nice for cruising, the earlier 5 speed has a nicer change whatever year you make sure you have done your reading up on Precats as they are the one achilles heel of the mk3 and make sure its not burning oil as oval bores are not an uncommon problem

[R20BY_M]

One more thing to mention is around the hardtop. It was only cars that came with the hardtop that had a/c. Also, it wasn't impossible, but was damn expensive for fixings to retrofit/add a hardtop in the future, so if in your minds eye, consider the extra £500 ish now for a car with hardtop. Also, early cars had 15's all round and later cars 16's on the back and 15's on the front. If I think of anything else, will let you know.

[Whiteboy]

Steve, if you are going to have a look at an MR2, please have a look at a MX5. I drove both and as a everyday car the MX5 is miles better. If you go for a 2.0 you also get a lsd, I am really enjoying mine. Steve

Edited by Whiteboy, 05 April 2011 - 11:26 AM.

[markiii]

One more thing to mention is around the hardtop. It was only cars that came with the hardtop that had a/c. Also, it wasn't impossible, but was damn expensive for fixings to retrofit/add a hardtop in the future, so if in your minds eye, consider the extra £500 ish now for a car with hardtop.

Also, early cars had 15's all round and later cars 16's on the back and 15's on the front.

If I think of anything else, will let you know.

not so

cars with hardtop from the factory got aircon by default. however you could buy it in its own right as a £500 option

adding a hardtop post sale is a pice of p*ss, £500 for the hardtop (2nd hand), £250 for the fitting kit brand new from Toyota