Should I get a 2001 MR2 Spyder?

[dragonskullinc]

I am currently looking at replacing my current car with 2001 MR2 Spyder. My current car is a 96 eagle vision ESi. With the 3.3 v6. Ive modded it quite a bit with a turbo new throttle body, exhaust etc. But its getting old and I'm looking for something that I can really work on without having to macgyver to many things as I have had to do in this eagle. I love the eagle but the tranny just cant handle the power anymore.(i replaced it with the autostick tranny from the TSi model). I test drove the mr2 and love it. Sure im loosing a lot of storage space but I never used it that much anyway other than for my subs.(the eagle has 16+ cubic feet of storage capacity the mr2 roughly 1.9). I want a supra but in virginia they are fairly hard to come accross and even harder to find for sale. SO What can you tell me about the advantages and disadvantages of getting this car. the other two im looking at are a vw jetta and a 2004 miata. Im fairly mechanically incline so dont hold back on technical details. I want all the information i can possibly get so i make the best decision.

[MR2Jedi]

I had a 2001. They're fun to drive, but I thought it was grossly under powered.
140hp & 125ft.lb/tq . If it wasn't for it only weighing 2195lbs, it would be a slug. But given that weight, it was fun to drive.
The 1ZZ engine is very dependable, good on fuel-even at 80mph. I lightly modded mine-Team Moon dual exit MagnaFlow exhaust, Unorthodox Racing 8lb Aluminum Flywheel, and Kevlar clutch. Unorthodox Racing lightened crank and alt. pullies and a CAI with K&N cone filter.
It was quick and high reving, and like I said a kick to drive.
As you already know, almost no storage space. Vision is very bad in the 2 rear quarters with the roof up.
They also tend to let water in the car if you don't keep the rear quarters where the roof folds down into clear of any leaves or debris.
There's a decent aftermarket support for them if you decide to go turbo. MoneyWrenchRacing carries a a bunch of stuff for them.

[dragonskullinc]

Yea, Well the gas mileage would be far superior than my eagle. And it will out perform my eagle for the most part till I get into the higher gears. My eagle is pushing 350hp. Although its got an auto tranny and weights about ehhhh 3500lbs or so. Kinda heavy.(0-60 about 5.7-6.4 with only 4 gears) I do intend on putting a turbo on it at some point in time no matter what car get. althought the vw jetta looks like it would be a bit difficult to put a turbo on. and as for the miata..... Ive never been a fan of mazada other than their rx7 series but it looks like a decent car and puts out a tad more hp. As for storage I'm not really worried about it. I have access to a jeep and truck if i need to haul something big. personally ive always been a muscle car person. But they generally are out of my price range and guzzle gas. And insurance for muscle cars is pretty high(im almost 21 so insurance has not dropped much) this mr2 is going to about 11k with 40k miles on it. From the looks it has an after market exhaust system(lack of precats and 2.5 exhaust) and it has a stage 2 clutch from what I can see.

[zythr]

Why not get a Mustang or Trans Am/Firebird?

[dragonskullinc]

mustangs are alright but there are to many of them here(you see one for every 2 or 3 minutes you drive quite literally). as far as trans ams I have looked for one but I can find one that is close.

[Russell D]

have you considered a Honda S2000? It's a honda, we don't need to go into the aftermarket support...

[dragonskullinc]

Ive Looked for one of those as well. I live in the roanoke virginia area. Sporty cars other than mustangs and camaro's are hard to come by.

[VaSpyder757]

Whats up man, I live in chesapeake va. about 5 hours from roanoke. I drive 2000 Mr2 Spyder with a recent 2003 engine swap. The car is 100% sound perfect and mechanicaly perfect. It catches everyones eye. The ONLY FLAW it has is it needs a new top..... sadly the top will rip after years of being taken down and up etc. It costs $475 on ebay maybe cheaper in other colors as well....




http://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/1686782342.html

[Russell D]

To me, the right car is worth driving for. When I bought my Mr2 I drove 14 hours; from Wisconsin to Ohio and back in the same day. And I wouldn't hesitate to do it again!!

[AmanO]

How tall are you? If you are 6 even or shorter, go for it.

I am 6'2" and it is a go kart for me.

A fun one, but no comfortable. Would rather have a Rolla S or XRS. Maybe even a tC.

tC convertible.........mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. How bout it Toyota?

Speaking of tops...........what can one do to prolong the life of one???????????

[MR2Jedi]

Originally Posted by AmanO

Speaking of tops...........what can one do to prolong the life of one???????????

Keep it clean and use a good convertible top treatment to keep it from getting dry and cracking/splitting.