11-10-2013, 10:14 AM
Drive both and see how you get on. I've never driven a MK1 MR2, but they look very cool / retro and certainly have a lot of appeal. My concerns would be maintenance however, like the access to the engine / oily bits being in the middle of the car. I've passengered in a Gen2 MR2 'T-top' and they are quite civilised, similar to the MX5 really but maybe a bit less special to sit in. The dashboard in an MX5 is hardly the last word in cabin refinement, but it looks good with the little round air vents and the potential for a double-din stereo.
I found my MX5 surprisingly practical as a daily driver. As a single bloke I could fit all my shit in there, and that included going on camping trips, work sites etc. The parts support is immense, I think to look 'good' they need a roll bar (not chrome hoops though!) and a spoiler / front splitter. I imagine the MR2 thing is similar to that of the MX5 - get an import as they have a better spec. Mine had Bilstein suspension, BBS 15s, front and rear strut brace, lightened fly, metallic paint, A/C, leccy windows and a load of other stuff from the factory, it was basically an 'RS' but without the expensive Kevlar bucket seats! Always buy on condition - not mileage or what 'extras' it might have. Mine had Bilstein suspension, but at ~18 years old it was shit. The shocks needed replacing, hence going down the GAZ route. Don't slam it if you want to drive it quick, they're low enough as standard.
The allure of the MR2 is that mid-engine thing and it's slightly more masculine than an MX5, but I'd do a lot of research first. There must be a reason why the MX5 is so much more common...
Also, to work on an MX5 MK1 is piss-easy. The hardest part of a service is removing the oil filter, which is why a lot of people fit a remote one. So much space in the engine bay, for things like, y'know, a fancy air filter...or a turbo.
Import models are nearly all 'limited editions' and whilst some are rarer than others, most have similar equipment levels. Imports are also more likely to have an LSD and are less likely to have rust...
I found my MX5 surprisingly practical as a daily driver. As a single bloke I could fit all my shit in there, and that included going on camping trips, work sites etc. The parts support is immense, I think to look 'good' they need a roll bar (not chrome hoops though!) and a spoiler / front splitter. I imagine the MR2 thing is similar to that of the MX5 - get an import as they have a better spec. Mine had Bilstein suspension, BBS 15s, front and rear strut brace, lightened fly, metallic paint, A/C, leccy windows and a load of other stuff from the factory, it was basically an 'RS' but without the expensive Kevlar bucket seats! Always buy on condition - not mileage or what 'extras' it might have. Mine had Bilstein suspension, but at ~18 years old it was shit. The shocks needed replacing, hence going down the GAZ route. Don't slam it if you want to drive it quick, they're low enough as standard.
The allure of the MR2 is that mid-engine thing and it's slightly more masculine than an MX5, but I'd do a lot of research first. There must be a reason why the MX5 is so much more common...
Also, to work on an MX5 MK1 is piss-easy. The hardest part of a service is removing the oil filter, which is why a lot of people fit a remote one. So much space in the engine bay, for things like, y'know, a fancy air filter...or a turbo.
Import models are nearly all 'limited editions' and whilst some are rarer than others, most have similar equipment levels. Imports are also more likely to have an LSD and are less likely to have rust...
Disclaimer: The above is not to be taken to heart and is probably a joke, grow up you big girl.
![[Image: Sig500x130.png]](http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq25/chris_rx71/Sig500x130.png)
