Opinions on what to buy (MR2 or GTI-6)

[KSaiyu]

heh, never thought I'd be making one of these posts.

My old fiats died and would cost to much time/money to fix, so I'm gonna move on and buy one of my dream cars. Now that insurance isn't as much of an issue (21 in a few months plus can use my dads no claims ), and I have enough for a relatively nippy handler, I'm stuck at deciding which would be best. I've narrowed it down to the SW20 MR2 turbo version (UK spec if they're too expensive though), and the 306 GTI-6 or Rallye model from 97 onwards.

Heres two I like from autotrader

Any opinions on other cars that might fit the criteria are welcome (good handling small car, around £3000 is my limit), and I also like classic cars so any advice on '60s or '70s sportscars is cool too (my first choice was an 70s alfa spider, but my dad steered me away because of the rust issue with them).

 

[Tom_IW_Racer]

Both nice cars, but ive always liked the MR2 due to its looks and the fact it is mid-engined, i wouldnt mind getting one when i can afford it and when i'd be able to get insured for one.

 

[Luca]

Hmm... well, they seem rather dissimilar. The MR2 is really impractical - mid-engine, teeny tiny trunk, just two seats. But of course, it's an MR2, so you have RWD and that sweet engine position.

The Pug is a hot hatch so you have cargo room, room for four people, and (blah) front wheel drive.

It really just depends on what you need. If your decision hinges entirely on the car being fun to drive, definitely go with the MR2. But if you need cargo or passenger space then it isn't really an option.

 

[JCE]

MR2 MR2 MR2 MR2

The 2nd gen MR2 is by far and away one of the best little sports cars ever. As much as I like that GTI the MR2 for me between these two is a no-brainer. Either way I don't think you'll make a bad chioce. 👍

 

[Dave A]

They are two very different cars, so it depends what you want from your car. Both are very good, the 306 is more practical and will be cheaper to own and it handles absolutely fantastically, possibly a more fun car to drive fast than the MR2. The MR2 will be quicker, but it will cost more to own and well, it's a sportscar.

 

[KSaiyu]

They are two very different cars, so it depends what you want from your car. Both are very good, the 306 is more practical and will be cheaper to own and it handles absolutely fantastically, possibly a more fun car to drive fast than the MR2. The MR2 will be quicker, but it will cost more to own and well, it's a sportscar.

Yeah, that's where I ended up as well, the costs with the MR2 versus the GTIs, but also the sportscar appeal of the MR2 against the hot-hatch style of the GTI. Space isn't really an issue, hence why I narrowed it down to two different styles of cars, I'm just stuck at deciding which one I would want to own.

The 2nd gen MR2 is by far and away one of the best little sports cars ever. As much as I like that GTI the MR2 for me between these two is a no-brainer. Either way I don't think you'll make a bad chioce.

Thanks

It really just depends on what you need. If your decision hinges entirely on the car being fun to drive, definitely go with the MR2. But if you need cargo or passenger space then it isn't really an option.

Yeah, it basically comes down to driving pleasure, and these two were the best I could come up with at the price range - just happened to be one was a hot hatch and one a sports car. Running costs are an issue too I suppose, didn't really give that much thought....

Both nice cars, but ive always liked the MR2 due to its looks and the fact it is mid-engined, i wouldnt mind getting one when i can afford it and when i'd be able to get insured for one.

Yeah hehe, I remember when I was a learner I always wanted a AW11 as a first car

 

[backspace]

Yeah hehe, I remember when I was a learner I always wanted a AW11 as a first car

The mr2 will be much more fun to drive, more expensive to maintain, and easier to wrap around a tree. I suggest doing a lot of research on an mr2 turbo before buying one.

I've got a supercharged MK1 MR2, and if you can find a decent S/C MK1 and dont mind the wedge-like looks, they handle better, and are almost as quick as the MK2 turbo's (and much cheaper)

 

[IMADreamer]

I have always had a thing for the MR2 so I would probably go for that. However you really need to decide what you want to use the car for because your choices are very different. Good luck to you and have fun car shopping!

 

[Scaff]

The mr2 will be much more fun to drive, more expensive to maintain, and easier to wrap around a tree. I suggest doing a lot of research on an mr2 turbo before buying one.

I've got a supercharged MK1 MR2, and if you can find a decent S/C MK1 and dont mind the wedge-like looks, they handle better, and are almost as quick as the MK2 turbo's (and much cheaper)

Sound advice, I've always prefered the Mk1 to the Mk2 as well.


@KSaiyu

Have you ever driven a rear wheel drive car and/or mid-engineed? If not make sure you put aside a small amount of your budget (a few hundered pounds will do it) for some training at a skid-pan, I'm not joking in this regard it will be the best performance mod you will ever buy and certainly will allow you to get more out of the car.

Have a long hard think about the MR2 and practicality, do you have easy access to another car should you need to transport a few mates around, move some boxes, go camping, etc.

Of the two Pugs my personal choice would be the Rallye if you can live with the rather sparce nature of the car, if not the GTI-6 is a good pick.

As far as costs remember that Toyota dealers are almost all excellent in the UK, but they are pricey and a good specialist may be a better bet (MR2 owners club will help out here), Pug dealers on the other hand are normally very poor and not a great deal cheaper. Given the more reliable nature of a well serviced Toyota in may well cost you less in the long run.

If I was you, at 21 (in later years you will most likely have to own the more sensiable car), I would go for the MR2. In the long run it will be more fun, you will learn more out of it (if you take the leasons) and if you need a bigger car get your mates to drive or borrow your dads car.


Regards

Scaff

 

[NSX-R]

If you live in the north with a lot of snow, forget the MR2.

Shortwheel base + MR + No TCS or ESP = Crash

However if you live in a warm place, and not a lot of stuff to haul around, MR2 would be a sportier choice.

 

[KSaiyu]

Great advice, thanks for all the replies 👍

@KSaiyu

Have you ever driven a rear wheel drive car and/or mid-engineed? If not make sure you put aside a small amount of your budget (a few hundered pounds will do it) for some training at a skid-pan, I'm not joking in this regard it will be the best performance mod you will ever buy and certainly will allow you to get more out of the car.

Only RWD experience is with a lot of old volvos, although I admit they weren't driven in anger. Never thought about the driving school, but that does sound like a good idea, especially if I want to keep my no claims building up.

Of the two Pugs my personal choice would be the Rallye if you can live with the rather sparce nature of the car, if not the GTI-6 is a good pick.

That's what I was thinking too, plus those rallye tags on the black bodywork look real nice!

As far as costs remember that Toyota dealers are almost all excellent in the UK, but they are pricey and a good specialist may be a better bet (MR2 owners club will help out here), Pug dealers on the other hand are normally very poor and not a great deal cheaper. Given the more reliable nature of a well serviced Toyota in may well cost you less in the long run.

I should be able to service them both, have no idea on the parts prices on either, but it's good to hear a well-serviced mr2 should give less grief.

If I was you, at 21 (in later years you will most likely have to own the more sensiable car), I would go for the MR2. In the long run it will be more fun, you will learn more out of it (if you take the leasons) and if you need a bigger car get your mates to drive or borrow your dads car.

haha, sounds good to me

I've got a supercharged MK1 MR2, and if you can find a decent S/C MK1 and dont mind the wedge-like looks, they handle better, and are almost as quick as the MK2 turbo's (and much cheaper)

Yeah I heard they handled better, although I have to admit I was swayed more to the MK2 because of the styling . I'll have to check what the prices are for a Supercharged version are, thanks for that.

However you really need to decide what you want to use the car for because your choices are very different. Good luck to you and have fun car shopping!

thanks, as scaff said, the sensible cars will come later in life

If you live in the north with a lot of snow, forget the MR2.
However if you live in a warm place, and not a lot of stuff to haul around, MR2 would be a sportier choice.

Nooooo, very south - North West London.

 

[Dave A]

He lives in London, not much snow in London, plenty of rain though and not exactley a hot place. Worth taking that into account though, you will be driving in the rain quite a bit.

Money wise the 306 will be cheaper to buy and insure, the MR2 will be more realiable but parts will cost more, the car will cost more and the insurance will cost more. The 306 might (like mine) never break down (I'll be damned if mine doesn't start tomorrow) but theres a higher chance it will than the average MR2, but if you get a well kept 306 you could save a lot of money, if you get a lemon, you won't. A well kept 306 shouldn't cause any problems, but neither should a well kept MR2. Parts wise the Toyota parts will cost more, but again when talking about value it really depends on if you buy a good 306 or a bad one, which may not be fully apparent until after you buy it.

It really depends on what you want, what you will do with a car, and what you really need from one. I'm commenting more on the 306 simply because I own one, they are both great cars, but I've never owned an MR2.

 

[exigeracer]

Of the two, I'd drop into an MR2, for all of the reasons mentioned. It is a desirable car, I couldn't imagine myself being disappointed in one.

Like mentioned, the best mod is the best advice. It is something very often overlooked, and if you fall victim to lift-off oversteer, your chances of finding something solid are large. Scaff: 👍 +10

Are you interested in the Volkswagen Corrado? It seems to be in your budget, and they are very enjoyable cars on the road*

*I've heard horror stories from the garage.

 

[Scaff]

Of the two, I'd drop into an MR2, for all of the reasons mentioned. It is a desirable car, I couldn't imagine myself being disappointed in one.

Like mentioned, the best mod is the best advice. It is something very often overlooked, and if you fall victim to lift-off oversteer, your chances of finding something solid are large. Scaff: 👍 +10

Are you interested in the Volkswagen Corrado? It seems to be in your budget, and they are very enjoyable cars on the road*

*I've heard horror stories from the garage.

Thanks for that and I quite agree the 'modification' that most people forget (and is the one that will always make the biggest difference) is the driver. Driver training is both eye-opening, informative, will make you faster and almost certainly will help save your life.

The Corrado is a good choice, but clean examples in the UK can be very hard to track down and due to the quite unique design (very little componant sharing for a VW so a lot of the parts are hard to source and expensive - particularly bodywork) is very expensive to have worked on in the UK, even by specialists.

Still a damn fine car.

Regards

Scaff

 

[Pink_the_Floyd]

MR2, definitly

Harder to get, OK they're more expensive but they've got 240 bloody horsepower!

Those engines in there are very famous, the 3M-GTE, correct me if I'm wrong.

That's the engine which powers the worlds fastest road racing Japanese sportscar, yup the Top Secret GT300 👍

Remember, it's a '90's Toyota, best engines, unlike today


I wouldn't doubt a second...

 

[NSX-R]

Only top of the line MR2s have 200+ horsepower, and there are not a lot of them around (especially the lady-driven ones)

Usually you get 160 horses, plus wear and tear, reduce to about 150.

Relax, a chip will bump that up.

 

[Max_DC]

MR2 for sure...

 

[niky]

MR2? Maybe if it isn't your only car. And that's the only thing left to consider, although I knew a guy that used one (the boxy old kind) for his daily driver... of course, he never had to carry anyone else, so he just stuck his groceries on the passenger seat.

 

[NSX-R]

AW111 is TINY, SW20 is a bit bigger.

Don't MR2s have two trunks? Front and back?

 

[Poverty]

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WW...urce=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

 

[Azuremen]

Those engines in there are very famous, the 3M-GTE, correct me if I'm wrong.
...
Remember, it's a '90's Toyota, best engines, unlike today

I wouldn't doubt a second...

Its the 3S-GTE, the M serious was in the MKIII Supras, I believe. Many people feel the 3S-GTE was more a race engine than the 2JZ, in that you can double output with bolt ons.

I own two AW11's, and yes they are small, but they also weigh about 500 pounds less. The SW20's are more of a grand touring car compared to the Lotus like idea behind the AW. Personally, if I were to get an MR2, it would be the Spider - ZW30.

Honestly though, if you want to haul anything at all, you are basically screwed with an MR2. Just the breaks. But I full force recommend it - the driving experiance is unlike any other

 

[Pink_the_Floyd]

Saw a blue one yesterday, you really have to buy the MR2 man

It's loooow...

 

[Jay]

Many people feel the 3S-GTE was more a race engine than the 2JZ, in that you can double output with bolt ons.

Most if not all of these Japanese turbocharged engines can double standard output with just bolt-ons.

(Not disagreeing with what you said about 3S-GTE being a race engine, even Toyota themselves thought it was a good idea to switch to 3S-GTE in JGTC)

 

[1X83Z]

AW111 is TINY, SW20 is a bit bigger.

Don't MR2s have two trunks? Front and back?

In theory, yes. But the passenger seat is really the optimal place for storing cargo.

 

[Metar]

The 306 is a really fun car (from observations). It's pretty grippy and has a nice handling, but I can't comment on the power, since we own the 306 1.4l (with around 75hp)