Toyota Mr2
11-09-2003, 04:16 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Posts: 223
Toyota MR2s have a reputation of having a snap oversteer tendency when braking, decelerating, or simply not keeping a foot in the gas when going around a turn too fast. Though any vehicle will oversteer when weight is transferred to the front tires during a hard turn, not all have such an "advanced driver only" reputation.
On the MR2 board I saw a post of an ex-second gen RX7 owner telling how easy the RX7 is to drive compared to the MR2. Both cars are very fast when properly prepped and driven on an autocross course. But ultimately, which is superior?
The MR2 has a really cool layout for quick turning - short wheelbase, low polar moment of inertia, ~42/58 f/r weight distribution . . I was dreaming of getting a 93T until I read about how many people have spun them and crashed.
Who here has an opinion on the MR2? Share it!
On the MR2 board I saw a post of an ex-second gen RX7 owner telling how easy the RX7 is to drive compared to the MR2. Both cars are very fast when properly prepped and driven on an autocross course. But ultimately, which is superior?
The MR2 has a really cool layout for quick turning - short wheelbase, low polar moment of inertia, ~42/58 f/r weight distribution . . I was dreaming of getting a 93T until I read about how many people have spun them and crashed.
Who here has an opinion on the MR2? Share it!
11-09-2003, 10:15 PM
#2
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Orange County, NY
Posts: 635
*Raises Hand*
Me me me! FYI I've owned an MR2 Turbo (91 Crimson) and an '87 Toyota Mr2 NA.
As far as driving physics go's, it just makes sense:
The popular word you will hear is "Pendulum." The engine is a big weight in the back (Well MID, to a degree) of the car...and so when you START to spin out, you normally react by letting off the gas or *Gasp* putting on the brakes...this will in effect make your nose dive and let the engine lift and pull you even further around until you are doing 360's....
The cool part about MR (And why every supercar is setup so...) is the ability to accelerate early out of a turn. Keep in mind, all true/real racing doesn't exactly entail "Losing it". So...Mr2's are harder to keep in control when you are losing it (I.E....Drifting...) but this doesn't make them dangerous if you are like me and only do it in safe/big area's and whatnot.
My Mr2-T was fun, and I actually have a vid where I wanted to make a turn in front of a camera (Empty Intersection) and powerslide for a second then even out and dissapear in the horizon....big whoopsie on my part. I actually was on a lot of dirt/dust and spun all the way around!
Anyways, then I sold that and had the MKI Mr2 NA. That was fun! Both are fun even BEFORE their limits because their limits are THAT much higher.
It absolutely sucks driving a FWD integra (Even if it has 30+hp on the Mr2 NA) because I get horrible understeer and handling overall sucks compared to the Mr2's.
Also...The MKI handled *noticably* better than my NA (Both stock suspension, but Mr2-T was on low profile tires...17's).
So to answer your second question, About how it compares to Rx7s:
I can't say exactly which is *better* although the rx7 is super-well balanced, and still light and "quick"....but overall...MR is the best setup for racing. I feel you won't see the MR's extra ability "shine" that much on daily driving, and even at autocross and certain smaller tracks. Plus, your rx7 has the engine pushed way back almost giving it the same MR feel.
Phew, hoped that helps! As a side note, I already plan on selling the Integra someday after winter and picking up an FD in efforts to getting a 91+ NA to throw around. Fun car! T-tops rock!
Me me me! FYI I've owned an MR2 Turbo (91 Crimson) and an '87 Toyota Mr2 NA.
As far as driving physics go's, it just makes sense:
The popular word you will hear is "Pendulum." The engine is a big weight in the back (Well MID, to a degree) of the car...and so when you START to spin out, you normally react by letting off the gas or *Gasp* putting on the brakes...this will in effect make your nose dive and let the engine lift and pull you even further around until you are doing 360's....
The cool part about MR (And why every supercar is setup so...) is the ability to accelerate early out of a turn. Keep in mind, all true/real racing doesn't exactly entail "Losing it". So...Mr2's are harder to keep in control when you are losing it (I.E....Drifting...) but this doesn't make them dangerous if you are like me and only do it in safe/big area's and whatnot.
My Mr2-T was fun, and I actually have a vid where I wanted to make a turn in front of a camera (Empty Intersection) and powerslide for a second then even out and dissapear in the horizon....big whoopsie on my part. I actually was on a lot of dirt/dust and spun all the way around!
Anyways, then I sold that and had the MKI Mr2 NA. That was fun! Both are fun even BEFORE their limits because their limits are THAT much higher.
It absolutely sucks driving a FWD integra (Even if it has 30+hp on the Mr2 NA) because I get horrible understeer and handling overall sucks compared to the Mr2's.
Also...The MKI handled *noticably* better than my NA (Both stock suspension, but Mr2-T was on low profile tires...17's).
So to answer your second question, About how it compares to Rx7s:
I can't say exactly which is *better* although the rx7 is super-well balanced, and still light and "quick"....but overall...MR is the best setup for racing. I feel you won't see the MR's extra ability "shine" that much on daily driving, and even at autocross and certain smaller tracks. Plus, your rx7 has the engine pushed way back almost giving it the same MR feel.
Phew, hoped that helps! As a side note, I already plan on selling the Integra someday after winter and picking up an FD in efforts to getting a 91+ NA to throw around. Fun car! T-tops rock!
11-09-2003, 10:20 PM
#3
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Orange County, NY
Posts: 635
I thought I'd add that the only 2 reasons I am ditching MKII Mr2-Turbo for an FD is more power and more exotic.
The mr2 gens, like the rx7s...are light, very unique (Nobody made a competitive MR 4-cyllander turbo car), great handling, and overall a blast to drive.
Something about the front end of the MKII mr2's "irks" me though...oh well.
The mr2 gens, like the rx7s...are light, very unique (Nobody made a competitive MR 4-cyllander turbo car), great handling, and overall a blast to drive.
Something about the front end of the MKII mr2's "irks" me though...oh well.
11-09-2003, 10:42 PM
#4
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Posts: 223
Thanks!
I need to get my hands on one for a test drive. My 7 is finally somewhat sorted out in the suspension department so it would be cool to compare the two.
One thing that caught me by surprise is that the curb weight of the MR2 T approaches 2800 lbs while the engine produces 200 BHP. For some reason I thought they were lighter than that.
I need to get my hands on one for a test drive. My 7 is finally somewhat sorted out in the suspension department so it would be cool to compare the two.
One thing that caught me by surprise is that the curb weight of the MR2 T approaches 2800 lbs while the engine produces 200 BHP. For some reason I thought they were lighter than that.
11-09-2003, 11:00 PM
#5
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Orange County, NY
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Originally Posted by 88IntegraLS' date='Nov 10 2003, 12:42 AM
Thanks!
I need to get my hands on one for a test drive. My 7 is finally somewhat sorted out in the suspension department so it would be cool to compare the two.
One thing that caught me by surprise is that the curb weight of the MR2 T approaches 2800 lbs while the engine produces 200 BHP. For some reason I thought they were lighter than that.
I need to get my hands on one for a test drive. My 7 is finally somewhat sorted out in the suspension department so it would be cool to compare the two.
One thing that caught me by surprise is that the curb weight of the MR2 T approaches 2800 lbs while the engine produces 200 BHP. For some reason I thought they were lighter than that.
Try out a stock MKI Mr2. Also a nice Mr2-T. Compare the two, they are somewhat different.
The 200horses wasn't enough for me...I didn't give it THAT much of a chance but I didn't want the car to become a project...especially when I already decided I still wanted a more exotic sports car as my main car.
I had mine boosted from stock 7psi to 14psi at the touch of a Profec B controller....definitely more kick...but just not enough lol.
The layout, and seats are very nice, very comfortable.
You might find Frestyle chime in here, I met him at the Mr2Club forums, and followed him here to a sense..
I was going to ditch the Mr2-T for Supra...but now I am using that money towards an FD
11-10-2003, 01:07 AM
#6
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Schofield Barracks, HI
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i used to have one along with dan....we were on the forums and ****....and i made him come here
anyways...i had a semi-modded 91 mr2 turbo....theyre awesome, and very fun
although i would never get one again instead of my rx7....im looking to get a cheap mki mr2 na for a DD though...anyways
i had a blitz EBC to 15psi, spec stage 2 clutch and pp, fidanza flywheel, custon 3" downpipe and exhaust, suspension techniques sway bars, eibach pro kit, kyb agx struts, trd short shifter, powerslot rotors, greddy front strut bar, cusco rear strut bar, apexi intake kit, blitz, hks, and apexi bovs - tried them all out all were gay, 99 wing, jspec turn signals, greddy boost gauge, greddy egt gauge, blitz turbo timer....prolly more cant think now
even all those mods though, couldnt compare to my FC...
still badass cars, did very very well in autox, was pretty fast in the straights..just so precise to handle ... everything else dan said also
try them out, fun as ****,....whatever you do dont get an mkii na, the 5sfe engine is shitty, its got some torque but shitty balance, if u get / want na swap in a 3sge....or get an mki with a 4age (kick *** engine)
peace
anyways...i had a semi-modded 91 mr2 turbo....theyre awesome, and very fun
although i would never get one again instead of my rx7....im looking to get a cheap mki mr2 na for a DD though...anyways
i had a blitz EBC to 15psi, spec stage 2 clutch and pp, fidanza flywheel, custon 3" downpipe and exhaust, suspension techniques sway bars, eibach pro kit, kyb agx struts, trd short shifter, powerslot rotors, greddy front strut bar, cusco rear strut bar, apexi intake kit, blitz, hks, and apexi bovs - tried them all out all were gay, 99 wing, jspec turn signals, greddy boost gauge, greddy egt gauge, blitz turbo timer....prolly more cant think now
even all those mods though, couldnt compare to my FC...
still badass cars, did very very well in autox, was pretty fast in the straights..just so precise to handle ... everything else dan said also
try them out, fun as ****,....whatever you do dont get an mkii na, the 5sfe engine is shitty, its got some torque but shitty balance, if u get / want na swap in a 3sge....or get an mki with a 4age (kick *** engine)
peace
11-10-2003, 08:20 AM
#8
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Orange County, NY
Posts: 635
Originally Posted by FrestyleFC3S' date='Nov 10 2003, 03:07 AM
....im looking to get a cheap mki mr2 na for a DD though...
When do you plan on buying?
For me, I won't be doing it until AFTER I buy FD. I just don't want to spend any more money or waste any more time switching cars up....
11-10-2003, 09:03 AM
#9
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Culpeper, VA
Posts: 572
I've got a 91 NA and I can say that it handles way better then my T2. My MR2 also has been dropped 2 1/2" with the stock 14's still on there. That car had absolutly no body roll and I could go around any turn with out roll. I also had 215's no the front and 225's on the rear. If my RX7 was modified in that way, it could probally handle just as good. Also, what phoenix was saying, that you can start accelerating earlier, hell yeah. I miss driving my MR2 and so does the girlfriend. She likes it sooo much better than the RX, just because the RX looks like a box?? 
11-10-2003, 11:02 AM
#10
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Schofield Barracks, HI
Posts: 2,259
2.5" drop..... ugh...thats gaudy
mine dropped it 1" in front and 1" in rear with nice 17s...
anyways...dan im looking around spring to summer...this rebuild took all the money i was planning for suspension and a daily driver
mine dropped it 1" in front and 1" in rear with nice 17s...
anyways...dan im looking around spring to summer...this rebuild took all the money i was planning for suspension and a daily driver