Prospective buyer

[Tribesman2004]

Hiya all.

I am getting ready to move out to California, after just getting back from overseas. I had a little Nissan Micra over there, and wanted something a little... well, less of a go-cart to drive.
Obviously, I was thinking about a Toyota MR2, or I wouldnt be here. I'll go out on a limb here, and assume most of you love your MR2s. My question though, was what generation/year would most of you recommend? I really like the styling of the 3rd Gen, but I wanted some other oppinions, on things such as performance and maintanability. Also, any other cars in the same class that might be worth looking at as well would be appreciated.

Thanks for your time!

[tHa kNiGHt FaLL]

Originally Posted by Tribesman2004

Hiya all.

I am getting ready to move out to California, after just getting back from overseas. I had a little Nissan Micra over there, and wanted something a little... well, less of a go-cart to drive.
Obviously, I was thinking about a Toyota MR2, or I wouldnt be here. I'll go out on a limb here, and assume most of you love your MR2s. My question though, was what generation/year would most of you recommend? I really like the styling of the 3rd Gen, but I wanted some other oppinions, on things such as performance and maintanability. Also, any other cars in the same class that might be worth looking at as well would be appreciated.

Thanks for your time!

second gen... better styling and performance

not to mention toyota OBDI motors are practically indestructable. and easy to work on when things do go wrong

[MRtuned]

gen 2 ftw! the styling is awesome! if you get the turbo motor the engine is bullet proof, the n/a is a typical Toyota that will just run forever. the newest mr2's are lighter though, and I believe insurance is less, I have a friend with a turbo MR2 and he's paying $1000 for 6 months liability, but i doubt his record is clean. also, the n/a has 25% lower insurance.

[keck03]

drive a mk2 (91-95) first with the boost set at 15psi and then drive the mk3 (convertible). i love the mk3 styling, they just feel *limp*. a 2zz swap or turbo kit wll fix it but for the cost involved i dont know. mk3 where i live tend to resell quite high.

mk2 - buy 93-95. better brakes and a more forgiving rear suspension
mk3 - buy late 2002+. redesign in 2003 with nicer headlights/tailights. the first two years
had an issue where the precats would fall apart and all the junk would get in the engine and kill it. beware really
good prices on a used 2000-2001. toyota wuld replace the engines under warranty for some.

[keck03]

duplicate

[moogleX]

if you like the looks of the mk3, then go for it. i was very unimpressed by the lack of grunt, but keep in mind it weighs nothing so it is decently quick and the handling is amazing. wont win any drags, but hit some corners and you will leave cars with twice the hp in the dust.
maitianability? its a newer toyota. bulletproof.
power? there are a few things to add. obviously swaps are a pricy option, other option is beefing up for a turbo, though if power is your goal, stick with a mk2

[Tribesman2004]

Thanks for the advice all,

I think I will still get the 3rd Gen Spyder. I havent had any fast cars yet, and I think for my own safety, a slower, lighter 3rd gen would help my life expectancy. And, down the line, once I'm not so reckless (if I live that long) I could always put more power in it.

Again, thanks for the help. and I'll probably be back here in the future

[MRtuned]

idk, i think a gen 2 might be safer, its heavier, which means it probably has a thicker frame, and if you roll either one the gen 2 is def. better than a convertible in a roll. plus i don't think there is any kind of storage at all on the mk3...