MR2 v MX5 v MG F

py2006

Guys, I am rattling my brains over the last few weeks about these 3 cars. I don't know an awful lot about cars but I hope to go for one of these.

Judging by the opinions I have been reading and talking to people I have come to certain conclusions.

MR2: Pricey but looks great. Very little storage room. $20,000-€21,000for a 00-01

MX5: Great reviews, apparently better in every area than the other 2. Hard to find decent 2nd hand one. I wouldn't go earlier than '99 myself €14,000-€15000 for '99-'00

MG F: Good price on these 2nd hand. They look good. Don't think I have ever seen a bloke drive one. ROVER!!

I would really value your impressions and opinions, especially from those who have experience of one or more of these.

Thanks

MR2


MX5


MGF

Ernie Ball

py2006 wrote:

MX5: Great reviews, apparently better in every area than the other 2.

Surely you jest. About the only area in which the MX5 is better than the MR2 is storage space. In every other area, the MR2 is superior. It also looks a lot less girly IMO (since you seem to be concerned about that).

You should read this review and then get back to me. It's been scanned from a magazine so use the little arrows at the bottom of each page to get to the next page.

You might also read this JD Power survey from 2003.

I haven't seen any reviews that rate the MX5 more highly than the MR2 (and I've looked). Perhaps you can point me to some?

prospect

Personally i am an MX-5 fan and therefore would recommend it.
(One of the top ten cars in the reliability index)

Also like the MR2, (but not as much )..

But what ever you do, stay away from the MG, unless you like dealing with oil leaks...

bp_me

Would anyone seriously consider buying a rover at the moment??? wtf??

Seriously though as has been said if you like having no boot (at all, the storage in the mr2 isnt worth talking about) buy the mr2.

If you need a boot for your golf clubs buy the mx-5 (though I believe the ride is a bit hard in them)

Other possibles
SLK 200
Z3 - hideous but anyway

De Hipster

MR2 definitely!

Stay away from the MGF, we had one...nightmare, too many problems to list. Prob even more of a prob now that rover have gone.

SLK200 also a fine motor.

py2006

Ernie Ball wrote:

I haven't seen any reviews that rate the MX5 more highly than the MR2 (and I've looked). Perhaps you can point me to some?

As I said, I am not really all that knowledgeable on cars. I cant remember the site where I saw the review but it was literally the first review I looked at.

But you seem to know what your talking about so I trust ya!

How little space in the MR2 are we talking about??? (I dont play golf)

Ratchet

mx5 would be my choice,

I don't like new MR2, looks from the front like Chineese Porsche boxster replica.

and wouldn't care about mx5 image, you are driving the car for your own pleasure

py2006

I like the MX5, I think it looks classy. The MR2 kinda looks like a "tossers" car but for some reason I am warming to them. Not that I am a tosser or anything.

I just read through a brief review there and the MR2 apparently comes out on top for cost of running and reliability. But it lacks storage space and its uncomfortable. Hmmmmm

Ernie Ball

py2006 wrote:

How little space in the MR2 are we talking about??? (I dont play golf)

We are talking about very little space. Like this much behind the seats:



and this much under the bonnet:



Basically, you won't be taking any suitcases in it. Soft sided duffle bags are good, though.

You can also get a rack for over the boot and put granny's suitcase on there if you need to. But that's an extra expense.

Ernie Ball

py2006 wrote:

I just read through a brief review there and the MR2 apparently comes out on top for cost of running and reliability. But it lacks storage space and its uncomfortable. Hmmmmm

I don't find the MR2 to be uncomfortable and I'm 6 foot 2. In fact, most reports say that the MX5 is less comfortable and spacious inside (space for gear is another matter).

bazz26

If its storage space you want then I think it is pointless looking at these type of motors. If you can live with this limitation then I would choose the MR2. The MX-5 on the other hand is probably more plentiful and alot cheaper to buy.

I would forget about the Rover altogether, they will be a potental money pit especially with Rover now gone into the wall.

Armen Tanzarian

Shouldn't this be in the Hairdresser's thread??

prospect

Having driven both (MK1 MX-5 and MK2 MR2),

I found the MR2 much more sporty,

But in terms of involvement and handling, i'm afraid the MX-5 won hands down.

I would question the claim that the MR2 is more reliable, but whether it is or not, both cars are much better built than nearly all production family cars, so this isn't really a deciding factor.

I wouldn't concern myself with storage space either, these cars are not about that.

Also, who cares about what others think of the image (tosser or girly), i have guys who drive third hand diesel lagunas try to slag me about my MX-5!!! (i have nothing against diesel or lagunas, but people in glasshouses .!.!.!)

Check out both, if you can't decide which you prefer, test drive them, if you still can't decide, go for which ever you can get the best deal on...

Cheers

P.S. But seriously, MG, no, no, no, no .. . . .

py2006

prospect wrote:

P.S. But seriously, MG, no, no, no, no .. . . .

heheh, nobody seems to be having a good thing to say about MG.

I am not too worried about the girly image. The space thing wouldn't concern me a whole lot as I wouldn't be putting a suitcase into but I would like to have a couple shopping bags here and there. (now I am beginning to sound like a girl)

elexes

dont suppose uve thought about importing a s2000 from the uk ? (year 2000 )

py2006

elexes wrote:

dont suppose uve thought about importing a s2000 from the uk ? (year 2000 )

What in the name of jaysus is that?

Eoin

Some more convertible ideas for you from carzone:

BMW Cabriolet €8,950
BMW Z3 €14,975
Lotus Elan €14,995
Saab 900 €13,950
Toyota Celica €6,750

Eoin

Ernie Ball

The VRT on an S2000 would be insane. Second hand ones here sell for nearly €50,000.

The S2000 is Honda's roadster.

py2006

eoin_s wrote:

Some more convertible ideas for you from carzone:

BMW Cabriolet €8,950
BMW Z3 €14,975
Lotus Elan €14,995
Saab 900 €13,950
Toyota Celica €6,750

Eoin

Hmmm interesting, thanks for that Eoin

prospect

Ernie Ball wrote:

The VRT on an S2000 would be insane. Second hand ones here sell for nearly €50,000.

The S2000 is Honda's roadster.

According to VRT website,

A 2000 reg S2000 with 30,000 miles would carry nearly €7500 in VRT alone...

py2006

prospect wrote:

According to VRT website,

A 2000 reg S2000 with 30,000 miles would carry nearly €7500 in VRT alone...

Yeap, they were looking for over 5000 on an MR2

Ernie Ball

py2006 wrote:

Yeap, they were looking for over 5000 on an MR2

Before I got mine, I was thinking of buying one from a guy in Down. I checked the revenue site and VRT was about €4,000. Nothing to sneeze at, but there are some good values up there that might be worth checking out even with the VRT.

Ratchet

py2006 wrote:

heheh, nobody seems to be having a good thing to say about MG.

I am not too worried about the girly image. The space thing wouldn't concern me a whole lot as I wouldn't be putting a suitcase into but I would like to have a couple shopping bags here and there. (now I am beginning to sound like a girl)

i would still consider MGF if the price is right,

Ernie Ball

prospect wrote:

Having driven both (MK1 MX-5 and MK2 MR2),

I found the MR2 much more sporty,

But in terms of involvement and handling, i'm afraid the MX-5 won hands down.

We're not talking about the Mk 2 MR2 (which isn't a convertible and looks like a little Ferrari). We're talking about the Mk3 Roadster, 2000-present.

The handling on the MR2 roadster is at least equal to that of the MX5.

prospect

Ernie Ball wrote:

We're not talking about the Mk 2 MR2 (which isn't a convertible and looks like a little Ferrari). We're talking about the Mk3 Roadster, 2000-present.

The handling on the MR2 roadster is at least equal to that of the MX5.

Oh , apologies,

I can't comment, as i have not driven that myself. (I have a policy of only making a firm comment on a car that i have personally driven, not what i have read or heard second hand!)

I will have to trust your judgement on that one. Once again, apologies, although now that i think about it, it was pretty obvious, duh, I think i'll go back to bed...

bazz26

Just a warning don't end up like this:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=206822 :eek:

py2006

bazz26 wrote:

Just a warning don't end up like this:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=206822 :eek:

Oh I hate them, fecking scanger cars!

Ernie Ball

bazz26 wrote:

Just a warning don't end up like this:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=206822 :eek:

Grurple is my favourite colour!

Eoin

Ernie Ball wrote:

Grurple is my favourite colour!

does Grurple mean the mix of green and purple, or the retching / vomiting noise you would make when seeing the car?

unkel

If you are willing to spend up to €20k, I'd seriously consider a 200SLK, or better, a 230SLK

Depreciation is glacial, it's very fast, status and style obviously a class above the others and the rectractable hard top is a big bonus (best of both worlds). The turbo gives a great flat torque curve so acceleration is there at any speed in any gear nearly. Much more luggage space than any of the others

The Honda S2000 is the only true sportscar of all the cars mentioned (although top speed same as merc and 0-100 less than a second quicker - to put things into perspective) but it is likely to be way out of your league to buy and insure...

py2006

unkel wrote:

If you are willing to spend up to €20k, I'd seriously consider a 200SLK, or better, a 230SLK

Depreciation is glacial, it's very fast, status and style obviously a class above the others and the rectractable hard top is a big bonus (best of both worlds). The turbo gives a great flat torque curve so acceleration is there at any speed in any gear nearly. Much more luggage space than any of the others

The Honda S2000 is the only true sportscar of all the cars mentioned (although top speed same as merc and 0-100 less than a second quicker - to put things into perspective) but it is likely to be way out of your league to buy and insure...

I'm not really taken with mercs to be honest. I did a quick look at cbg.ie and your talking 20,000 for a 91 reg.

unkel

py2006 wrote:

I did a quick look at cbg.ie and your talking 20,000 for a 91 reg.

You're looking at the wrong model

The SLK was introduced in 1996 and is the first car in the world with a retractable hard top

Ratchet

or you can just buy this little jap rocket which will make you smile everytime turbo kicks in.

ds20prefecture

unkel wrote:

The Honda S2000 is the only true sportscar of all the cars mentioned (although top speed same as merc and 0-100 less than a second quicker - to put things into perspective) but it is likely to be way out of your league to buy and insure...

Oh I think the Lotus Elan turbo could be classed as a sports car, even if it is FWD.

py2006

Ratchet wrote:

or you can just buy this little jap rocket which will make you smile everytime turbo kicks in.

Thats a nice mx5, is that your one?

Ratchet

it's suzuki cappuccino

not mine , was driving one just recently. great fun rwd rocket

parts are very expansive


http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/user_reviews/readReviews.aspx?deriv=8477&model=868&id=17625

py2006

Ratchet wrote:

it's suzuki cappuccino

not mine , was driving one just recently. great fun rwd rocket

parts are very expansive


http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/user_reviews/readReviews.aspx?deriv=8477&model=868&id=17625

Ahhhh, my bad! :rolleyes:

unkel

ds20prefecture wrote:

Oh I think the Lotus Elan turbo could be classed as a sports car, even if it is FWD.

Aye I missed that one. Able wee car but the price has always been wrong. Cost as much when introduced in the states as a 911 :rolleyes:

py2006

If only I could find an MR2 for about 17,000

Borzoi

py2006 wrote:

If only I could find an MR2 for about 17,000

It will be hard to find a good convertible at this time of year - most sellers will hold on untill after our so called summer. It took me about 8 months to find mine, at the right price, age, condition.

That was a over 4 years ago though, and though soft tops are more common, they're still not very common

py2006

Borzoi wrote:

It will be hard to find a good convertible at this time of year - most sellers will hold on untill after our so called summer. It took me about 8 months to find mine, at the right price, age, condition.

That was a over 4 years ago though, and though soft tops are more common, they're still not very common

8 months????? I would die!!

Ernie Ball

unkel wrote:

The Honda S2000 is the only true sportscar of all the cars mentioned

Define 'true sportscar,' your holiness...

Delta_ie

How can you NOT call the s2000 the only true sportscar there?

First the engine has about 240bhp and redlines at 9000rpm and all that from a 4 cylinder 2 litre engine, that I think is hand finished by Honda on every model.
Then the chassis has perfect 50:50 weight distribution with double wishbones, coils and an anti-roll bars, and a 6 speed transmission.
Then in the interior you got that pretty nice digital dash.

I am not saying that the other cars don't have elements of the s2000 but it is faster than the three cars mentioned above, plus I think it looks the best.

But out of the three cars mention it would have to be the mx-5 for me.

Also not trying to speak for unkel just giving my opinion...

bp_me

Delta_ie wrote:

How can you NOT call the s2000 the only true sportscar there?

First the engine has about 240bhp and redlines at 9000rpm and all that from a 4 cylinder 2 litre engine, that I think is hand finished by Honda on every model.
Then the chassis has perfect 50:50 weight distribution with double wishbones, coils and an anti-roll bars, and a 6 speed transmission.
Then in the interior you got that pretty nice digital dash.

I am not saying that the other cars don't have elements of the s2000 but it is faster than the three cars mentioned above, plus I think it looks the best.

But out of the three cars mention it would have to be the mx-5 for me.

Also not trying to speak for unkel just giving my opinion...

Of course, that 240hp is only if you are running on unleaded 98 (or better). Something which is getting harder (or almost impossible) to find.

Delta_ie

Ya, but you are still looking at 200hp+ with 95, the drop in power is not that large on a production NA car.

Ernie Ball

No question the S2000 is a better performing car than the others (at twice the price, mind). It's a leap from there to say that it's the only 'true sportscar' of the group. The others are also 'true sportscars' by any reasonable definition.

py2006

hey guys, stick to the topic here.

I'm all about Mazda MX5's and Toyota MR2's at the moment.

ambro25

I drive that:



around Dublin. Just reg'd it IE last month. '98, 1.8i, 130 bhp, 44 kmiles.

Absolutely the bestest car ever, IMO - and I have had some (other currently is a 2.0 Impreza, and I have also owned a Delta Integrale, amongst others of note). Still on same set of tyres 3 years and 12k miles on, passed first NCT last month with flying colours with just a dust/polish/oil change since last service 6k miles ago... it's just...well, how to put it... hard to described in words, simply: it justs puts a smile on the face no matter what! Kids adore it, pulling factor is in the cosmic range (ignore the hairdresser-type comments - only jealous people, BUT BE READY FOR GRIEF once you drive around in that, you just wouldn't believe the hardship in that respect).

I've test-driven the MG, MR2 (in yellow, which didn't help) and battled with those and a few Elises on European M'ways.
_The MG I found uninvolving (but it was a stock version, perhaps the MG-'tweaked' one (MG-Z or somesuch) is fun?)
_The MR2 was fun but a LOT less practical than the MX5 (inasmuch as you can say anything's practical about these), storage-wise and it felt more 'plasticky' (though my MX is walnut dash/leather, a bit biased admittedly) + wind buffering was more severe AND car does not keep you as warm in mid-season when top is down.

Pissed on any of them in 'brawls', and bettered a fair few of the Elises, which admittedly accelerate harder, but the 1.8i MX has 'longer legs' (135 mph speedo - scary thing with roof down and no helmet, I tell thee ).

I could go on and on and on... well, that's my input

Ernie Ball

ambro25 wrote:

Pissed on any of them in 'brawls', and bettered a fair few of the Elises

If you 'pissed on' either an MR2 or an Elise with your MX5, it's only because the person driving the other car didn't know what he was doing. Both of those cars have superior acceleration and straight-line speed to the MX5. The MR2 is 3/4 of a second faster than the 1.8l MX5 going 0-60 according to Road and Track magazine (7.3 vs. 8.0). The Elise would be at least another second faster than that. The MR2 is half a second faster on the quarter mile than the MX5 (15.6 seconds v 16.1). For what it's worth, it also has much shorter braking distances (60-0 in an incredible 115 feet vs. 150 feet for the MX5).

I can accept that there is not a lot of difference between the MR2 and the MX5 and I take the point about practicality. But I think every review you'll find will confirm that the MR2 outperforms the MX5 as a pure driving machine.

ssh

I'd definitely weigh in in favour of the SLK... I've had a 230K for 6 months now. It's very fast, looks great with both the roof up and down (which I can't totally say of the Mx-5), handles incredibly well, has a hard-top that is automatically folded into the boot in about 25 seconds. By merc standards, it's quite light too. It's a wonderful car, the only bad thing I can say about it is the automatic transmission, but that's just my preference.

I'm sure you could get one over from the UK for 16 or 17k all in.

py2006

ambro25 wrote:

I drive that:



around Dublin. Just reg'd it IE last month. '98, 1.8i, 130 bhp, 44 kmiles.

Absolutely the bestest car ever, IMO - and I have had some (other currently is a 2.0 Impreza, and I have also owned a Delta Integrale, amongst others of note). Still on same set of tyres 3 years and 12k miles on, passed first NCT last month with flying colours with just a dust/polish/oil change since last service 6k miles ago... it's just...well, how to put it... hard to described in words, simply: it justs puts a smile on the face no matter what! Kids adore it, pulling factor is in the cosmic range (ignore the hairdresser-type comments - only jealous people, BUT BE READY FOR GRIEF once you drive around in that, you just wouldn't believe the hardship in that respect).

I've test-driven the MG, MR2 (in yellow, which didn't help) and battled with those and a few Elises on European M'ways.
_The MG I found uninvolving (but it was a stock version, perhaps the MG-'tweaked' one (MG-Z or somesuch) is fun?)
_The MR2 was fun but a LOT less practical than the MX5 (inasmuch as you can say anything's practical about these), storage-wise and it felt more 'plasticky' (though my MX is walnut dash/leather, a bit biased admittedly) + wind buffering was more severe AND car does not keep you as warm in mid-season when top is down.

Pissed on any of them in 'brawls', and bettered a fair few of the Elises, which admittedly accelerate harder, but the 1.8i MX has 'longer legs' (135 mph speedo - scary thing with roof down and no helmet, I tell thee ).

I could go on and on and on... well, that's my input

Wow, thanks for the response dude!

I saw 3 MX5's yesterday, each of them had 2 women in them! It got me thinking "Oh god, I cant be driving one of them, the abuse I would get". So I started leaning more towards a '00 MR2 which is quite costly at approx. €20,000.

But I have to admit the MX5 is classier looking. The MR2 is more sporty looking or something. Its really nice and all but not sure I can afford it.

I guess I am still undecided.