Should I buy a ZZW30 MR2?

"Bytemite" (bytemite)
06/16/2015 at 17:44 • Filed to: None

Hey Oppo,

As some of you know, I am in the market for the AW11 MR2 or NA Miata.

I have been spending a few weeks looking for an Adub MR2 but it looks like they are all bought and sold and tucked away. Plus, the 1st gens have gotten to the point where they are now appreciating in value. I was too late to the party.

So now as a compromise I am looking to get the convertible big brother. They are a bit out of my price range since they are 6-7k, but a lot of sellers can’t seem to get a buyer so I see a lot of craigslist ads for these generation reposted for a month. Probably a good thing this car doesn’t appeal to kids looking for “street cred” or aggressive looks. But it ticks all of my boxes. Which are light-weight, rwd, amazing handling.

This is the car I am looking at right now. (Not the same car as above pic) I think $5000 would be a good price for this.

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DISCUSSION (31)

LongbowMkII > Bytemite
06/16/2015 at 17:48

If you can get a decent one for 5k do it. I’d buy one over an NA.

Bytemite > LongbowMkII
06/16/2015 at 17:50

Yeah, it will definitely be newer and more reliable than the NA miatas. But I don’t like the 2000s safety regulated design. The high waistline that makes it impossible to hang a leisurely arm over, and the thick A pillar.

Uug > Bytemite
06/16/2015 at 17:53

NA Miata is the more tried and trusted choice, but I think an MR-S would be so sweet. The NA does have a way larger aftermarket if that’s the kind of stuff you like

Just look at it

Kinja'd!!!

This one is swapped with a Honda K24 and rips:

Kinja'd!!!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Bytemite
06/16/2015 at 17:54

Hells yeah. From everything I’ve heard these cars are better than the first and second gen cars in almost every way, except looks lol.

and cargo space, the cost of the rag top I suppose.

Bytemite > Uug
06/16/2015 at 17:56

I’m not into molesting my cars with aftermarket though, so that isn’t really a concern.

That body kit on the MR-S looks good though. I’m looking for the lightest cars I can buy and then working on further weight savings. For the MR-S, do you know if anyone has tried removing that huge plastic tub inside the hood? It seems like a giant waste of space to have that covered up in plastic and have a little tub for a spare tire.

Bytemite > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/16/2015 at 17:58

Yeah, most things I heard about them were good.

Like the taut chassis and Boxster level handling for 1/3 the price.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Bytemite
06/16/2015 at 17:59

and you won’t have to tell people you drive a Boxer. ha

Also I do think these cars have aged well. I mean they aren’t to far off of what a lot of knew cars look like 10 years latter. Put a Hyundai badge on it and park it in a dealership lot and I bet most people would think its a brand new car.

Bytemite > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/16/2015 at 18:00

Hey man, the MR-S falls in the same stigma as the Boxster. I just don’t care about what hyper-masculine, uncomfortable-with-their-sexuality bros think.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Bytemite
06/16/2015 at 18:04

I guess my mind is just broken. I probably am the only one who thinks a cool Toyota is cooler than the “lamest” Porsche lol That said I’d totally drive a Boxster, and it’s the only new Porsche I’d buy even if money wasn’t a factor.

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > Bytemite
06/16/2015 at 18:04

Yes, definitely. From what I remember, weren’t a lot of them made with some sort of tiptronic semi-auto?

Uug > Bytemite
06/16/2015 at 18:06

If you’re not interested in the aftermarket then I think the zzw30 will definitely be the more interesting ownership experience, especially if you’re looking for further weight savings. I believe the spare tire tub can be removed along with the plastic covering around it.

Bytemite > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/16/2015 at 18:07

Really?! Even if no money was involved you’d have a Boxster over a 911?

aquila121 > Bytemite
06/16/2015 at 18:10

I drove one and loved it, but I was already at my “two project cars” limit. I’d prefer one of these over an NA Miata, but part of that is owed to a desire to love the unappreciated. One caveat: if you’re looking for wider wheels and tires with which to increase stick, that may prove difficult for this specific car. If I remember correctly, I didn’t see a lot of options in the needed offset/bolt pattern/tire size. Hunt around on TireRack or whatever to see what’s out there before you dive in.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Bytemite
06/16/2015 at 18:12

YUUUUUUUUUP it just has more appeal to me, from looks to size it’s just the kind of car I like. I’m also a Red Sox fan, which means I hate the Yankees, and a I like Spiderman, while hating Superman. I guess I just like to cheer for the little guy.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Bytemite
06/16/2015 at 19:00

About 8 months ago I let my wife pick: have a kid or we can get a MR2 Spyder.

Guess which one she chose?

Bytemite > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
06/16/2015 at 19:09

...the one that sucks your life and money away.

Bytemite > Uug
06/16/2015 at 19:30

I just saw on the internet some people removed the plastic cover and fit a bigger tub in there...to use it as a giant ice cooler. Holy shit what an awesome car.

jkm7680 > Bytemite
06/16/2015 at 19:47

They’re so damn unpractical though.

Bytemite > jkm7680
06/16/2015 at 19:48

Not looking for practicality. =)

If I need to move stuff, I can rent a Uhaul. People who buy full-size trucks because they might go to IKEA or Home Depot a couple times a year are just dumb.

jkm7680 > Bytemite
06/16/2015 at 19:50

But making runs to the airport would be impossible pretty much.

Bytemite > jkm7680
06/16/2015 at 19:57

hmm....you can have a bag with your passenger’s legs. And a bag in the frunk.

jkm7680 > Bytemite
06/16/2015 at 19:58

I’ve heard the frunk isn’t usable.

Bytemite > jkm7680
06/16/2015 at 20:11

Kinja'd!!!

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Bytemite
06/16/2015 at 23:51

The ZZW chassis is epic, but the 1ZZ is a straight up awful engine. If it’s not deteriorating cats that grenade your engine, it’s oil consumption from poor piston/ring design. Honestly my ideal Spyder is with a hardtop and either a 2ZZ or a Honda engine. And this is from a die-hard MR2 guy.

phenotyp > Bytemite
06/17/2015 at 00:33

Spent nearly nine years dailying mine. It's the only car I think I'll ever really love.

MRtwo > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/17/2015 at 14:06

I disagree wholeheartedly. MR-S has its advantages over the AW and SW in certain regards but it is far from “better in almost every way...”

Bytemite > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
06/17/2015 at 14:34

:( I cant do swaps. Its California.

It cant be thaaat bad.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Bytemite
06/17/2015 at 15:00

It really really can. Do a basic search on SpyderChat about the cat issues and oil consumption.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > MRtwo
06/17/2015 at 15:05

well I’m not an expert but I’m under the impression that it’s lighter, stiffer, and slightly more powerful than the earlier gens (except the SW turbo). That’s pretty much every way you can evaluate a sports car on paper.

Bytemite > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
06/17/2015 at 15:23

Yeah i know about those issues, but tha isnt every example. Plus im looking for 2003 model years. Which should be safe.

MRtwo > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/17/2015 at 16:35

If you only care about performance at 100% effort, then yes, those are probably the top metrics that a sporty car should be judged by. And if that is the case, power is right up there and an 2nd gen turbo can be had for a similar price and even with a 3rd or 4th revision turbo engine in them which are significantly more powerful than the zz.

I view the 2nd and 3rd gen mr2’s as two flavors of a similar formula. The 2nd gen is more powerful and a little more practical (storage) however all examples (excluding imported models) are at the minimum 20 years old. The 3rd gen is newer, lighter, although slower and slightly less practical. So it just depends on what an individual buyer values more, one isn’t definitively better than the other.