Hi to All

I have been saving like mad for a fast car. I wanted something decent to drive and nice sounding with the capability to crush continents and be scary fast.

Trouble is SWMBO has sussed out that if we now have enough money for a TVR Cerbera or Honda NSX, we must have enough for a new bathroom:( I should have seen it coming really. All that enthusiasm for me saving for a new car was just an act. So two choices really. First choice: For sale or exchange, 1 SWMBO, well used with FSH, cooks well... bugger, aint going to get away with that.

So what to do. The bathroom looks like it will cost around 5K. Add the garden rework and bedroom redecorate and another 3 K goes out of the pot, leaving around 8K maybe a little more for a fun car. The Omega is now virtually redundant as the Fabia does so well for longer journeys, so that can go as well. Full elite pack (dual zone climate, full leather etc) and factory sports suspension may see me another

a mk3 supra? 3litre single turbo

a mk3 supra? 3litre single turbo

Hi

I had Supras on the shortlist a while ago until I drove a Jag XJR. I preferred the Jags approach and performance (which on my favourite test B road was quite a bit quicker than the Supra, much to my surprise). Also, I just could not find a decent Supra without a ch@vvy body kit or messed about engine. If an engines going to be messed with, I want to do it myself so I know whats been done.

Still like the Supra a lot though. The MR2 appeals in a different way. More driver involvement than performance, although when I get one, there will no doubt be breathing and ECU modifications to optimise things.

Chris

What about an earlier Elise? Should fit into the 9k bracket. Or does such a purchase have the potential to directly contradict your 'hassle free ownership' qoute above?

Steve

What about an earlier Elise? Should fit into the 9k bracket. Or does such a purchase have the potential to directly contradict your 'hassle free ownership' qoute above?

Steve

Hi Steve

If I were going down that route, I would save a little more and go for the VX220. The engine has a completely different demeanour and thumps the VX down the road in fine style. I like the Elise, but dislike the exapnded K series engines and still remember the acronym:

Lots

Of

Trouble

Usually

Serious

The idea behind the Toyota is really hassle free running, which given my budgetary restrictions is a must. Also, it has just enough creature comfort, particularly with aircon and half decent stereo, to be good for a comfortable weekends touring. Something the Lotus and VX220 are probably less suited to. Waterproof for the winter too.

Chris

You can get some nice non messed around with UK Spec RX-7's for the 9-10K mark MR2's can bite very hard if you get it wrong.......

Or an R33 Skyline, or a lovely example of BMW E30 M3, I normally hate M3's but these are just propa!

Nissan 200SX, Very quick car when tuned, baby skyline really

Late model Porka 968 Clubsport....Probably the Best handling Front engined RWD car ever built or a 944 S2/Turbo and have some spare change!

Some Yankee V8 power???? Vette's and transams, good in a straight line like but 5hite in corners! But there is nothing on earth that sounds like a V8!

Just what came to mind really!

You can get some nice non messed around with UK Spec RX-7's for the 9-10K mark MR2's can bite very hard if you get it wrong.......

Or an R33 Skyline' date=' or a lovely example of BMW E30 M3, I normally hate M3's but these are just propa!

Nissan 200SX, Very quick car when tuned, baby skyline really

Late model Porka 968 Clubsport....Probably the Best handling Front engined RWD car ever built or a 944 S2/Turbo and have some spare change!

Some Yankee V8 power???? Vette's and transams, good in a straight line like but 5hite in corners! But there is nothing on earth that sounds like a V8!

Just what came to mind really![/quote']

Hi

I quite like the look of the Mazda. Running costs can be high and fuel consumption v poor. Good performance and handling. Less than great soundtrack.

The Skylines are quick and have been under consideration before.

BMW M3 in Essex. Everyone has got one. Good car but I really dont want to be thought of as a BMW driver.

Nissan 200SX is another excellent car. Originally I wanted something 6 / 8 / 12 cylinder, but now the budget has been reduced a 4 pot is about the only option. A guy round here has a 450bhp one. Is on his sixth gearbox:eek:

The Porkas are getting well old now. Would have had one a few years ago though.

Yankee V8? Got one of them a 59 Caddy. Soundtrack sublime. This one has to go round corners.

The more I think about it, the more I think that the MkIII MR2 is the way to go. It is easy to get involved in an ever increasing quest for horsepower and grip. Driving an MR2 again reminded me of the appeal of a small light simple car. Sure it can bite if provoked, like any mid engined car it is not idiot proof. What really appeals is the sweet balance under power, the really communicative steering and the instant accurate changes of direction that the front end response enables. You dont really steer it, more just guide it along. The way the car flows along the road is sublime. The car gives a really different take on getting from a to b. The engine has decent enough top end pull but needs to be worked to really get going. Traction and brakes are excellent, brakes being very good indeed with consistent feel right up to the limit (Skoda take note and ditch the cr@ppy emergency brake assist).

Driving it quickly requires planning and concentration, delicate and accurate inputs and all this at road driving speeds. This is the essence of the appeal of the car. There are so many cars out there that require almost no driver skill to propel at a great rate of knots. I really think that although it wont do the continental hop or win any drag races (mind you Evo clocked the six speeder at 7.2s to 60), it seems supple and quiet enough to do longish journeys and running it should cost very little. What it will do is provide plenty of rewarding days out enjoying the art of driving.

Walkies decision to go the same way was pretty influential in this as well. It was a car that had completely slipped my mind until he was on the research path. I recommended he try one, having driven one myself, and now with the chancellor cutting my expentiure, the idea suits me as well.

I have a feeling that the missus cutting my budget may turn out to be a good thing. Thinking about this, I cannot really think of any of the cars on my

Very interesting to read.

What you have written is exactly the reasons why I want one. Its just a shame a lot of people looked at paper statistics and chose to ignore this car.

Excellent write up, puts mine to shame, but then you strike me as if you know what your talking about

Very interesting to read.

What you have written is exactly the reasons why I want one. Its just a shame a lot of people looked at paper statistics and chose to ignore this car.

Seems to be why they have stopped making them. It is a real shame that the world has got tied up in making bigger heavier more powerful more expensive cars. The MR2 is just such a delight to drive that it would be nice if other manufacturers tried to include some of its nimblenes in their everyday cars. Should even be cheap to run with low weight' date=' good fuel economy, cheap servicing and I would guess, good tyre life and relatively cheap tyres.

Excellent write up, puts mine to shame, but then you strike me as if you know what your talking about

I just re read you write up and thought it very good. I have been driving fast stuff on two wheels and four, road and track for 24 years now. You get a feel for what counts and how cars attributes compare with experience. I have made a point of driving as many interesting cars (and a few dull ones) as I can get my hands on. Having been involved in professional authorship helps with the write up. Other highlight cars, Ford Ka, the true spiritual successor to the Mini? Talking of which, had one of those for a while and loved it. Ford Fiesta 1.4 Zetec, the 1996-9 models. These had factory sport suspension and were really standard setting for handling in their day. Lotus Esprit, really subtle and nicely balanced car. Lotus Elise, fanbl00dytastic. Smile from ear to ear, quite a lot like an MR2, but lottery reliability and the harsh stretched K series puts me off buying one.

Are you going for the later revision 03 on car? The differences are quite marked in the way they handle, the later one having a distinct edge in stabilty terms. The other thing that springs to mind is the engine. The one you drove was I assume new? I drove a new (pre reg 40 miles) one and the engine felt tight. I also drove 50,000 mile one and the engine felt really free revving and crisp, so you have that to look forward to.

Hows the hunt going? I saw that Cat D one and thought about it, but I just dont like the idea. Trouble is will the shell work well in a second impact, will everything be aligned properly? Clocked a red one with hard top and air con that looks nice at 40,000 miles. Oh and have you tried one with a hard top? Just like a small coupe, excellent sound and weather insulation. Takes about hallf a minute to take off / put on (2 person job though).

Chris

Guys - did you both see the MR2 write-up in Evo a couple of issues ago? I seem to recall them mentioning the later revision model was the better bet too.

I can scan it in and make it available, if necessary.

Steve

Well after your write up, a few other opinions and research I really think I should go for 03 onwards.

IIRC the 03 have a LSD aswell? The ideal car I am looking for is an 03 onwards, black with red leather interior, low mileage and air con. If I have to ditch the leather seats in order to get an 03 within my budget then so be it.

Theres a few I am looking at tomorrow, if they grab my fancy I'll be purchasing one next weekend, so fingres crossed

Havent tried one with a hard top, might see if I can tomorrow.

Guys - did you both see the MR2 write-up in Evo a couple of issues ago? I seem to recall them mentioning the later revision model was the better bet too.

I can scan it in and make it available' date=' if necessary.

Steve[/quote']

Hi Steve

Thanks for that. I have all the Evo issues from the first test of the 03 shape. Walkie, I can try and scan the road tests and group tests if you are interested.

Chris

OK, no probs Chris

Steve

Hi Steve

Thanks for that. I have all the Evo issues from the first test of the 03 shape. Walkie' date=' I can try and scan the road tests and group tests if you are interested.

Chris[/quote']That would be brilliant

I read the little bit in Evo about the MR2, last issue I think, RIP cars.

Well after your write up' date=' a few other opinions and research I really think I should go for 03 onwards.

IIRC the 03 have a LSD aswell? The ideal car I am looking for is an 03 onwards, black with red leather interior, low mileage and air con. If I have to ditch the leather seats in order to get an 03 within my budget then so be it.

Theres a few I am looking at tomorrow, if they grab my fancy I'll be purchasing one next weekend, so fingres crossed

Havent tried one with a hard top, might see if I can tomorrow.[/quote']

Hi Walkie

The main 03 revisions were as follows:

Mechanically:

6 speed gearbox

Revised springing an damping

Increased rear wheel diameter (15 front and 16 rear)

LSD (Limited Slip Differential)

Equipment:

Improved radio

Cosmetically:

Dual lamp headlights

Revised rear light clusters

Revised rear bumper vents

Revised side intake grills

Revised front bumper and spoiler.

I personally think both drive well, but preferred the later one as it felt better in higher speed corners and is more resistant to roll oversteer. This was really noticable on the test drives, the earlier car getting quite fiesty if lifting off on a 60mph bend, the later one just protesting a little on the same bend.

The car felt more rigid with the hard top in place.

Chris

That would be brilliant

I read the little bit in Evo about the MR2' date=' last issue I think, RIP cars.[/quote']

Just remembered they (Evo) ran one as a long term test car as well. Plent of scanning to get through tomorrow night then.

Chris