200sx vs MR2

martydunf

Well lads,

I wanted my next car to be a 2 door turbo coupe so I've narrowed it down to these two, the Nissan 200sx and the Toyota MR2 Mk2 GT Turbo T-Bar.

Insurance its almost the exact same on both cars (21, 4 years NCB, Full license 3 years) and I presume performace figures would be roughly the same, if both are left standard, although I know the 200sx has a very tunable platform and I will probably struggle to find a clean, unmodified one.

Which one would be more practical as a daily driver? The MR2 probably wins the contest on looks-wise though.

And would a man of a height of 6' 2" have a problem fitting into any of these two cars?

Also is the MR2 Turbo T-Bar a jap import only? I have yet to come across a UK one.

pablosd

i've driven 98 MR2 Beams (200bhp) and it was an absolute pleasure to drive, go-kart like handling, extremly responsive engine and serious looks(they look twice as good in the real thing than pictures). Im about 6ft1/6ft2 and i didnt have that much problem getting in(with handbrake off) but found it difficult with handbrake on , its not too practical as there is only two seats, and enough boot space for about 100e shopping but an absolute dream to drive, id imagine the turbo must be even better, make sure to buy post 94 facelift model at it had nicer headlamps and better more efficient turbocharger

u can buy either jap import(one ive driven) or uk spec, but its better to buy jap, uk ones are supposed to rust badly enough

i wouldnt be too mad about getting t-bar as some might leak during bad weather especially in winter

never driven 200sx but mr2 would be quicker and handle better not as practical thou

200sx is far more easy to live with as a daily driver. MR2 will p1ss you off with lack of space for luggage, not even luggage but lack of space for the normal crap that one carries about in the boot.

ronanc15

Ive never driven an mr2 but i have been in plenty. I own a 180sx and have driven 200sx's.

Would you not include the 180sx too?

Anyways id much much prefer any of the sx range. I considered a Turbo mr2 before but they're just a pig to live with as a daily driver. As you said the SR20det (nissan) engines are far more tuneable and waaay more practical.

On top of that you have the fact that mr2s are an absolute c**t to work on. mechanics usually end up denting the panels around the engine bay due to the mid engine set up

martydunf

Looks like its swaying towards the 200sx for me.:)

The thing about the 180 is that its a older car and I'm more fond of the looks of the 200 compared to the 180.

How would they cope on our roads being driven every day? Aswel as fuel costs, services etc?
I know they can be a handful in the wet alright.

Atomic Pineapple

Standard v Standard the Mr2 will be a far better car to drive, if your after a 200sx you really should look at getting one with some nice power modifications as the standard version can be very boring to drive.

I'd go for a nicely modified 200sx but you may have to look across the water to get a nice clean one.

http://www.sxoc.co.uk is a great site.

I cant really compare it to the Mr2 as I've never been in one though

martydunf wrote: »

Looks like its swaying towards the 200sx for me.:)

The thing about the 180 is that its a older car and I'm more fond of the looks of the 200 compared to the 180.

How would they cope on our roads being driven every day? Aswel as fuel costs, services etc?
I know they can be a handful in the wet alright.

Even modified versions are meant to be decent enough on petrol, services can be done cheap enough and there are a good few experts in Ireland who will take care of the car for you, the Irish section over on sxoc is one of the best I've come across with great friendly help and bi monthly meets.

Any RWD car will be much harder to drive in the wet anyway just take it easy until you get used to it, I'm also thinking about goin RWD and it coming up to winter

tc20

@ OP - just a left field choice, or maybe one that hadn't crossed your mind -

Fiat Coupe Turbo

couldn't find any Irish models for sale (in a quick search), but plenty of choice across the water -

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1193037.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1150136.htm

Ferris

martydunf wrote: »

And would a man of a height of 6' 2" have a problem fitting into any of these two cars?

I have a 200sx and i'm 6'4" and I've no probs with fitting. Can't fit anyone in the back however. The back seats good for short trips but they're handy place to put stuff. Also the the backrest folds down so you can fit longer items in the car which is pretty useful. I would have thought that its easier to find a clean 200sx than a mr2. 200sx's can rot tho, don't know about the mr2.

JimmyCrackCorn!

Ferris wrote: »

I have a 200sx and i'm 6'4" and I've no probs with fitting. Can't fit anyone in the back however. The back seats good for short trips but they're handy place to put stuff. Also the the backrest folds down so you can fit longer items in the car which is pretty useful. I would have thought that its easier to find a clean 200sx than a mr2. 200sx's can rot tho, don't know about the mr2.

But you wont fit a microwave in the boot of a 200sx s14/14A. (Iv tried!)


I know which one id have. Id suggest the op go and look at both cars.


One warning with the Mr2. When the back goes it takes a miracle to pull it back in line. The 200sx is just a little more forgiving but not much.

Drive them both sensibly, especially on wet shiny sutff.

Ferris

JimmyCrackCorn! wrote: »

But you wont fit a microwave in the boot of a 200sx s14/14A. (Iv tried!)


I know which one id have. Id suggest the op go and look at both cars.


One warning with the Mr2. When the back goes it takes a miracle to pull it back in line. The 200sx is just a little more forgiving but not much.

Drive them both sensibly, especially on wet shiny sutff.

The boots still a reasonable size and its square too, its just the opening thats awkward.

Anyway the boot doesn't matter. They're two great cars. The 200 suits me better as its comfortable and a better everyday car. Like you said the op needs to try both.

pablosd

JimmyCrackCorn! wrote: »

One warning with the Mr2. When the back goes it takes a miracle to pull it back in line. The 200sx is just a little more forgiving but not much.

.

but its harder to throw mr2 out as all the weight is in the back, friend had a r32 skyline(FR layout like 200sx) and he said everytime he was breaking he could feel back of the car slightly loosing control

i personaly would love to have mr2 as a weekend car as it could be bit**y enough one everyday basis every now and then

Senna

I had an MR2 for 2 years and the lack of space never bothered me, i could even fit two golf bags in the boot.
I'm completely bias towards the MR2, but i test drove a 200 once and they are a very different car, in no way bad, but just a different category of car.
If you do go for a MR2, you are best to either buy one from an owner clubs in the UK (i did) or buy a fresh import. The turbo was only sold in Japan, so there are no UK or Irish ones.
check out www.imoc.co.uk, they have a good few for sale and the prices have dropped like a stone since i sold mine last year.

ronanc15

martydunf wrote: »

Looks like its swaying towards the 200sx for me.:)

The thing about the 180 is that its a older car and I'm more fond of the looks of the 200 compared to the 180.

How would they cope on our roads being driven every day? Aswel as fuel costs, services etc?
I know they can be a handful in the wet alright.

What year Silvia are you thinking about? 180sx go up to 98.

Mine is my daily driver, surprisingly good on our roads, fuel isnt extortionate and parts are easy to come by. (that being said i have only had to replace a 10euro exhaust gasket in the year ive had it)

--Kaiser--

Senna wrote: »

I had an MR2 for 2 years and the lack of space never bothered me, i could even fit two golf bags in the boot.

I assume we're all talking about the old style MR2, my mate has the new style and the most he can fit in the boot is two loaves of bread

martydunf

ronanc15 wrote: »

What year Silvia are you thinking about? 180sx go up to 98.

Mine is my daily driver, surprisingly good on our roads, fuel isnt extortionate and parts are easy to come by. (that being said i have only had to replace a 10euro exhaust gasket in the year ive had it)

00 or if I have to a 99 dont want to go that far back but I'd like to get the 200sx either way. For some reason Quinn wont quote me on a 180, maybe its bcause its a jap import?

Insurance on the 200sx is very reasonable for me IMO.

smash

tc20 wrote: »

@ OP - just a left field choice, or maybe one that hadn't crossed your mind -

Fiat Coupe Turbo

couldn't find any Irish models for sale (in a quick search), but plenty of choice across the water -

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1193037.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1150136.htm

Alfa GTV is so much better looking and better place to be!

but back to the OP's question - go for the SX!

Definetely the 200sx op. I would advise on going for one with at least some mods though as if you buy a standard one you will find yourself wanting to mod it and its much cheaper to buy a modified one than do it yourself.

An example is a friend of mine who bought a very tidy standard one and after less than a year he wanted more power and thought about modding it but couldnt justify the price so he went over to the UK and bought a another one with stage3 (b) mods. It is about 350bhp and 420nm of torque. All the work was done by Horsham developments in the UK and cost over 5k only a few months before he bought it. After clearing the modded one only cost about 2k more than he sold the other one for so he got 3k of parts and professional work for nothing.

You wouldnt believe how hard it pulls in every gear its a beast of a car.

ronanc15

There is any amount of modded ones around, pretty much cheap as chips.

And as mentioned SXOC is an excellent resource. If you decide on a rough spec drop me a pm and ill have a look about

martydunf

Eddie Kind Horsefly wrote: »

Definetely the 200sx op. I would advise on going for one with at least some mods though as if you buy a standard one you will find yourself wanting to mod it and its much cheaper to buy a modified one than do it yourself.

An example is a friend of mine who bought a very tidy standard one and after less than a year he wanted more power and thought about modding it but couldnt justify the price so he went over to the UK and bought a another one with stage3 (b) mods. It is about 350bhp and 420nm of torque. All the work was done by Horsham developments in the UK and cost over 5k only a few months before he bought it. After clearing the modded one only cost about 2k more than he sold the other one for so he got 3k of parts and professional work for nothing.

You wouldnt believe how hard it pulls in every gear its a beast of a car.

Is the Stage mod decided by the BHP of the car or the ECU remap level (which would depend on other modifications such as induction, exhaust, correct?)

What exactly determines the stage mod that the car is at?

martydunf

martydunf wrote: »

Is the Stage mod decided by the BHP of the car or the ECU remap level (which would depend on other modifications such as induction, exhaust, correct?)

What exactly determines the stage mod that the car is at?

The stage mods are decided by what upgraded parts have been added and the ecu map, There are no exact BHP figures for the different stages but more ball park figures.

Here is a breakdown of the stage mods.

http://www.h-dev.co.uk/index.php?cPath=42_47 (the prices shown are just for the ecu map)

stage3(b) isnt really an official stage put its sometimes used when extra mods are added on top of stage3(a)

As said above SXOC will be your best bet for info. I just have picked up bits and pieces about 200's through my friend.