87newbie

should i get an n/a rx7 or an n/a mr2 mkI. i like them both, rear wheel rotary engine or mid engine small gas engine. both can be had for about the same price, mr2 a little cheaper. mr2 easier to work on, rx7 got a nice rotary engine. now i need you guy's help with deciding on which to get. as much info as possible would be very helpful.

87newbie

no one?

pmr2000

Obviously you are going to get RX-7 bias here. I disagree with the MR2 being easier to work on. I had a friend with 1st gen MR2 and let me tell you that was not easy to work on, would imagine newer MR2's even harder. Parts may be cheaper though since MR2 engines are in other Toyotas if I remember correctly. RX-7's are pretty easy to work on and 2nd gen parts are available.

cbrock

iTrader: (1)

1st gen MR2's rust out like a bitch. I would stay away...now second gen is a different story.

Icemark

The FC is radically easier to work on than the Mister Two. The FC is front mid-engined instead of rear mid-engined, and much easier even to get to the simple things like the oil filter or belts.

Performance wise the N/A mk2 Mr2 is about the same as the N/A FC, but the mk1 is really not in the same ball park and closer to a FB.

And you must admit that the FC is 1000 times better looking and has about 100%-200% more interior and storage room than either.

The Mr2 probably is a little more reliable (aside from the funky electrical power steering and a few other things) and gets better mileage, though so it might be a better choice if you need a commuter car.

Of course the cost of the Mr2 will be considerably higher as well

KiyoKix

Personally I would easily suggest the FC N/A. I have both of them here (well okay one is out driving right now, but still you know what I mean ). I love the MK1 MR2 and all, but it doesn't compare with the FC N/A at all. Fuel economy is better in the MR2, but if you're thinking about a sports car who really cares that much. The car is pretty damn agile too, driving position is okay (pedals are in GREAT POSITION, shifter is a bit high to me). I'm not a big fan of the shifter itself, the throws aren't that great, the accelerator is excellent...it gives a very good feel of what's going on. The brakes aren't bad at all and also have good feel to them. The steering (no P/S) leaves a bit to be desired, it's not terribly hard or anything (it's a bit tough at low speed though...nothing killer, but you'll get bigger arms driving it ). It's a bit darty at higher speed, storage room is not too bad if you don't mind having to get out everytime you wanna get to something (all hail the hatchback!!!). There are 2 trunks (one up front...not bad MUCH BETTER than the MR-S I was looking at, and one in the rear...so so). As far as performance it's gonna be a bit of effort to work with. You need some money to get much out of the N/A model. It's got plenty of potential (hell it only weighs 2300# and some change), gearing is GREAT (100km/h@3500rpm...that's where you can just leave it in 5th and roll on the accelerator...no need to change gear cuz that's the sweet spot and will put a smile on your face time after time ). The car is great fun to drive. Changing the oil is a bit annoying (the oil filter location is a BITCH!, if you wanna do other work like cam gears and all that good stuff you're gonna get pissed off cuz the engine is mounted closer on one side than the other). If you get one though, GET "T" TOPS! Speakers are okay, I wouldn't advise on getting some crazy wheels (I don't really recommend ANYTHING over 15"...16 is even discouraged to me...it comes with 14s).

Now compared to the FC N/A...it's a straight up death beating. As much fun as the MR2 is to drive, I would murder it's *** with my stock FC (it's not stock now, but you get my point...and it's a GXL 2+2...well it was a 2+2 ). The car overall is nearly perfect in my opinion, the fuel economy isn't bad for a sports car at all, but not as good as the MR2 (don't care...we have a bigger fuel tank by 6 gal...16.1 vs. 10). The shifter is perfect, pedal position is great, feel is excellent, there really isn't much I can say bad about the car. Ummm...the backseat is pointless (thus my car is FORMERLY a 2+2...besides it's a sports car we don't need no stinkin' back seat) and I'm a little guy (5' 7" 150#). It's not nearly as cheap to modify as the MR2 if you buy parts (aka you don't have the ability to make custom stuff...or work on it yourself like myself ). Neither motor really takes that much more maintenence than the other (they're both sports cars so don't expect them to go w/out maintenence for huge amounts of time). The rotary is a bit more delicate, but it's a much better engine IMHO. Power is much greater in the FC also (much flatter/broader powerband than the MR2). Gearing is very good...well I hate 5th gear (still trying to decide on what 5th to replace it with...but trust me 4th is plenty...unless you really need to go more than 200km that much ). The FC is heavier, but it holds it's weight quite well...it's pretty much all down low where it's needed (better handling). Weight dist. is much better in the FC than the MR2. Looks is a NO CONTEST...FC hands down. The MR2 looks great and all but the FC slaughters it.

Overall it's really not quite fair to compare the FC N/A to the MR2 (AW11), more fair is a comparison to the MR2 (SW20) N/A. The supercharged version is a better comparison (AW11 supercharged) to the FC N/A...don't even try to compare the turbo version vs. either . Unless you compare the SW20 turbo...and start modifying and it's over again .

Both are great, but drive them both before you decide...don't just listen to us it's YOUR MONEY.

KiyoKix

Sry, that was a bit long winded but I could've went along MUCH LONGER. I hope it helps you out though.

sub9lulu

iTrader: (7)

come-on
this is rx7 forum

why FC is good coz both car weight about the same weight dis is 50/50, mr2 is 35/65 ?
fc got tons of space in front engine bay you can work on, mr2 only got tiny engine space in the back.
aftermarket part availibity should be about the same.
and rx7 got the KICK *** ROTARY 13b(t), if mr2 want to beat it they at least need a 3sgte swap or something

we all know rx7 is the best thats why we are here

if you dont like our answers then go try some civic forum, they'll tell you civic is the best

KiyoKix

Is this a cool points thread or are we really trying to help the guy. If you don't have any useful information shouldn't you just move on to another thread :\.

Anyhow, I also second the rust thing, there are a few spots that did rust on the car. We've replaced the trunk lid on the car already, I forot the other rust spots. If you pick up an MR2 w/T tops make sure that you check the seals in the wet if possible. We've already replaced ours, not sure how many miles, but they did leak so try to check them out. Interior pieces are in pretty good shape, no real cracks, etc. I meant to say earlier that you should really think about a serious aftermarket intake and NOT just a cone on a piece of piping in the engine bay. You WILL get heat soak and it'll really suck *** even though it'll sound better and you will gain a little power. I would rather get a scoop for the intake (the air funnel that rises to the roofline similar to JGTC mid engine cars cars...look for a TOM'S Scoop to see what I mean). The engine does sit much higher than the FC so the car will rotate easy if you want it to (but nothing crazy like most people think)...either way be careful cuz it will step out on you if you're careless or don't have the skill to drive the car fast (no offense to you or anyone, but I'm talking about driving seriously, not just thinking you can drive fast...). If I think of anything else I'll try to help you out.

Also here is a good forum to visit if you want more info from other MR2 owners, and a look at what you can do with the car from what they know (remember that none of us know everything so nothing is law here...just what we know/believe). http://www.board.mr2faq.com

Good people over there too