FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

I know exactly what you mean, because I was initially looking into an MR2 back when I was looking to buy a car.

The MR2 is a Toyota, so reliability is in a different ballpark altogether than that of the FD.

But, the MR2 has a single turbo and is nowhere nearly as fast as the FD, nor does it handle incredibly like the FD.

Also, the FD isn't just about it being a car...it's unique in so many ways. It's rare, it's a rotary, it's twin turbo, it's blindingly fast, and it's got a following like I've never seen for any other car.

So there are pros and cons to both cars, and it's really going to come down to what you're looking for. If you're looking for fairly reliable sporty and fast car, get the MR2. If you don't mind a money pit, a car that's unreliable, but has legendary handling characteristics, and is really a unique icon of the sports car era, the FD is for you.

pugg57

MR2 is an MR layout... that makes it fairly unique too... aren't too many cars out on the market (in a reasonable price range) that are like that ya know? with a little tweaking though on the 3S engine (i think its like 3SGTE or something, can't remember) and a good turbo you can get gobs of power from a second gen MR2. the MR-S is nice also, but severly lacking in the power department. it handles like its on rails though... i'll even go as far as to say its better stock for stock than an FD (my dad has a 2002 MR-S and i've driven it back to back with my FD). there are some good body kits available fro the MR-2 also that can keep it really clean and actually make it VERY sexy but who knows.... it really is an issue of cost, or at least it was for me when i was making this decision

redsuns_fd

Well, cost is somewhat an issue with me. I don't want to really spend more than 15k on my next car. FDs in my area retail anywhere from 10k-25k. MR2 turbos are 7k-20k. I recently looked at a 94FD with 40k Mi on it. They wanted 13k. Looked like it had the crap driven out of it.
I really need to test drive both cars I guess to get a feel for what I want. Hey anyone have an FD or MR2 that will give me a ride and live near Spanaway WA????

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

pugg57, you're right...the mid engine layout is indeed a rarity. I think only exotics have that, save the MR2. But I dunno...I see MR2s ALL over the place. And my mindset is that of "hey if I'm going to fork over a pretty penny for something, it's not gonna be in something everyone else has..."

If it was an issue of cost, how'd you end up getting an FD?? lol My FD ran me right about $15K, and I could have gotten an MR2 in just as good condition (which is practically mint) for $9 - $12k!

Redsun, test driving them is definitely the way to go...because I don't know about you, but I have literally sat in other cars for like 3 seconds flat, and been like nope, I don't like it. Just like that. Don't care how it drives...I just ain't feeling the cockpit at all. The test drive begins with sitting inside, doesn't it? The FD, however, I just instantly melted into it hehe (after I wiggled around trying to figure how to get in right my first time! hehe) I was sold before I even put the key in the ignition...

Sidenote: Pugg, I didn't know you're in MD! Where in MD are you?

AnthonyA182

I have an MR2 turbo and it really is a very difficult decision between the two cars. I was actually at a crossroads as well, but being a poor college student forced me to select the more reliable and cheaper car at the time. I'm seriously considering selling my deuce for an FD soon.........

But both are outstanding cars. These guys have already covered the FD so I'll give you my opinions of the MR2 after driving both back to back.

First of all, the FD is in a different league. The MR2 was not toyotas flag ship like the RX-7 was for Mazda. The MR2 interior is great and the ergonomics are great (it is a toyota) but the RX-7 definately has the more sports car interior. The one thing that I noted was that the MR2 seemed quite a bit more spacious. I'm 5'11 185, so I'm of average size. The main difference was in the footwells, the MR2 seemed to have a lot more room. Cargo space is pretty much a toss up. There isn't too much in the RX-7 but it does have a hatch. The MR2 has a very small one up front and a decent sized one in the back.

As for looks, both cars are great looking, but the RX-7 is obviously one of the most gorgeous designs ever. The biggest complaint I have about the MR2's styling is the front end. If its front end had some curves on the hood (like the RX-7) it would look much better.

Handling wise, the mid-engine, RWD layout on the MR2 is awesome. There's a reason that exotics elect to utilize this layout Compared stock to stock, the RX-7 seems to handle much better because its downright scary to drive the MR2 at its limits. The car has a lot of snap oversteer, especially the 91-92's (before the suspension geometry was revised). But, in the hands of people who can really drive it right, I'd put it right up there with the FD.

Performance wise the FD feels significantly faster stock. I don't know how high you can turn up the boost on a stock FD, but on a MR2-T you can turn the boost up from 10 psi to up to 15 psi before the stock turbo runs out of breate. 5 more psi on top the the factory 200 hp and you're up near a stock FD now. Not too shabby Plus the 3SGTE is bulletproof and can take pretty much anything you throw at it.

Just my 2 psi