Thoughts on the MR2?

*unrealii* · 07-21-2008, 10:22 PM

I currently have a 2001 maxima gle. I'm thinking of buying a 2nd car just for the hell of it. I've been eyeballing the mr2 since its a convertible, fuel efficient and supposedly a blast to drive. Was wondering if anyone has experience with these cars and anything I should look out for. I am looking at years 2004-2005 with a 5-speed.

Also, I may not have space to keep it at my place. Anyone know of any alternatives of where to park the 2nd car when its not in use? Does anyone know of any storage companies which let you park cars in garages?

*98SEBlackMax* · 07-22-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unrealii

I currently have a 2001 maxima gle. I'm thinking of buying a 2nd car just for the hell of it. I've been eyeballing the mr2 since its a convertible, fuel efficient and supposedly a blast to drive. Was wondering if anyone has experience with these cars and anything I should look out for. I am looking at years 2004-2005 with a 5-speed.

I test drove a MR2 spyder a while back and got to toss it around a few corners cause the sales guy was not with me. Steering is light and as expected the car is very tosable around corners. The down side is lack of cargo space, used ones are still over-priced IMO, and the 1ZZ engine in N/A form is lame IMO. It doesn't have the top end of the 2ZZ but it has a decent amount of TQ for it's weight for cruising around. The only problem I've heard of is the pre-cats breaking up and this damages the engine. Alot of people go with aftermarket headers that ditch the pre-cats and makes a little more power. Now that I think about it the MR2 I test drove had alot of rattling and buzzing coming from the engine, this might of been a sign the pre-cats were going. If it wasn't the pre-cats, the engine sounds like crap unless you hammer on it.

Good ways to make power are a 2ZZ swap from a GT-S celica or a XR-S Matrix and they have turbo kits for the 1ZZ.

If you can get past the girly looks and wimpy stock engine, it's not a bad drivers car.

*unrealii* · 07-22-2008, 11:22 PM

Cool, thanks. I'll keep an eye out for the issue with the pre-cats.
Looks: dont mind
Engine: probably better as it is for now as I have little experience with a stick (<5 hours)...and would end up killing myself with something faster.
Space: Dont mind as I still have the maxima.

Currently looking in to see if I lease it that I would be able to write it off. Not sure if it can be pulled off on a used car. I currently drive 90+ miles a day, so anything more efficient and that I can write off would be good.

3g94MaxGXE · 07-26-2008, 12:02 PM

That model is supposed to have great handling even compared to the older models. I'd say you are making a good choice.

Magikone69 · 07-26-2008, 12:58 PM

i see them pretty cheap now a days, looks like a fun in the sun type of car which id love to have here in S Fl. Never driven one but just form looks they seem to be pretty fun to toss around, obviously not a drag racer. get out and test one, if its anything like the mx-5, then id say it should be a swift good handling car...anyone has a comparison between the mx5 and mr2...i remember having a sportcompact mag comparing the 2, dont remember much tho.

Dhunterx · 07-26-2008, 05:36 PM

Personally, you're better off getting one of the older MR2's. They looked way better, had more aftermarket options (I think you can even stick the Camry V6 in there, crazy) and will probably run cheaper.