Tuesday Take

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu) 09/25/2018 at 11:01 • Filed to: MIATA, Toyota MR2

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Pictured: The answer

I got to drive my friend’s NA Miata last week. It was awesome. However, I finally figured out what “MIATA” stands for. MR2 Is Actually The Answer. 

Chuckles > way2blu does a rev update 09/25/2018 at 11:04

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I think they’re both r eally great cars, and which one you like better comes down to how you feel about convertibles.

way2blu does a rev update > Chuckles 09/25/2018 at 11:08

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Agreed. I think the Miata is an excellent vehicle too.

To the point about convertibles, though:

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > way2blu does a rev update 09/25/2018 at 11:12

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“Myt ruck” Is Actually The Answer

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > way2blu does a rev update 09/25/2018 at 11:12

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im pretty sure 2cv is the answer

but thats just coz im busy talking myself into buying one for a ring run... being carless all this time is probably starting to affect my common sense

bob and john > way2blu does a rev update 09/25/2018 at 11:19

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good luck finding a decent MR for miata money though.

seriously, ANY MR2 up in canada is MINIMUM 7K 

Kanaric > way2blu does a rev update 09/25/2018 at 11:21

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This is the worst of the 3 generations of MR2s if we are talking “vs a miata”. The other two are better than the Miata at what the Miata is for. This is the fat flashy showy 1/4 mile at a time car.

If I wanted to beat the Miata at being a Miata I would get a W30. And I could find one in decent condition unlike any other MR2 generation. It’s like a budget lotus elise that won’t get totaled by a small crack in the bumper. If I went for one i’d probably 2ZZ swap it as well or buy one already done.

This generation of MR2 is definitely the best daily driver of the 3 though. It’s just the blue pill MR2. With my budget i’d get a used toyota 86 + supercharger kit. Most of the W20s are a hot mess and nice ones are too expensive for what they are and they need a lot of work, like a turbo swap and all that 25 year old car maintenance, to be made a great track car . At that point you might as well start with a used 86 and put a edelbrock supercharger on and there you don’t have to worry about turbo lag. If I want 300+whp with that kit go e85 or meth injection or the more expensive lower compression forged pistons. Lots of torque from idle, wreck miatas at autocross, no turbo lag. Only thing better would be a LS swap Miata which for sure is better than W20 MR2.

Kanaric > Chuckles 09/25/2018 at 11:22

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W30 MR2 and there you have a roadster and you also have a car that can easily beat the Miata at autocross and a 2ZZ swap candidate. 

ihm96 > way2blu does a rev update 09/25/2018 at 11:25

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Theyre both wrong. The answer is a Z3 Coupe, MGB GT, or any other similar shooting brake

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 09/25/2018 at 11:27

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Corvair is the answer. A Miata, MR2 and 2CV are cars. But a Corvair can be anything!

way2blu does a rev update > ihm96 09/25/2018 at 11:29

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What if I wagonize the MR2?

Mid-engine shooting brake!

Can’t be too hard to 3D print a hatch for it...

way2blu does a rev update > bob and john 09/25/2018 at 11:31

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That sounds really expensive... I know USD/CAD isn’t exact but I got mine (stock, low miles) for about 1/3 of that.

Chuckles > Kanaric 09/25/2018 at 11:33

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True, but the MR2 roadster is a lot harder to live with as a daily driver. The Miata has a usable trunk that let s you bring gear for 2 people going on a long weekend. The MR2 roadster really has no cargo room. Sure it might be better on a track, but if I can't take it on a fun road trip it doesn't work for me. 

bob and john > way2blu does a rev update 09/25/2018 at 11:37

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you also live in cali where they dont really rust.

up here they all became iron oxide 7 years after production

Chuckles > way2blu does a rev update 09/25/2018 at 11:37

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Is there any storage room in that thing? I considered a 3rd Gen MR2 roadster before I bought my Miata, but the lack of a trunk killed it for me. I need to at least be able to fit a weekend bag for 2 people. 

Ash78, voting early and often > way2blu does a rev update 09/25/2018 at 11:39

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I initially read that plate as “WAY2BLO”

Which would actually be pretty awesome on a turbo model.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > way2blu does a rev update 09/25/2018 at 11:43

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Good luck finding a 3d printer than can print a part that large.

ihm96 > way2blu does a rev update 09/25/2018 at 11:50

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Better lines, plus inline six engine tho

Chinny Raccoon > Chuckles 09/25/2018 at 12:13

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If you can do without a spare wheel the front compartment is moderately sized. Hand luggage is about it though, you ain’t getting a hold suitcase in there.

Chinny Raccoon > bob and john 09/25/2018 at 12:15

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The roadsters seem to hold up better, the subframe still rots, but that’s an afternoon on the driveway to replace.

way2blu does a rev update > Kanaric 09/25/2018 at 12:19

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But “vs. a Miata” isn’t the question; the question is, “What’s the answer.”

Like, your friend is buying a car and asks you “What’s the answer?”

MR2

Like, taking an exam at school and someone leans over, asking in hushed tones, “What’s the answer?”

MR2

Like, aliens have invaded earth, and they’ve demanded that humanity surrender the most dangerous weapon ever built, in exchange for peace. The governments of the world have selected you to serve as the intermediary. Your mission: to tell the aliens humanity’s choice: will we surrender our technology, or will we fight? The aliens ask you, “What’s the answer?”

MR2

So the aliens buy an MR2 on Craigslist and proceed to reverse-engineer it. But now it becomes clear: the aliens are dishonest, and are not going to keep the promise of peace. The entire alien army beams back down to earth in their shiny new MR2s, to prepare for all-out war against humankind. They accelerate toward your home city, ready to unleash the devastating power of the MR2 that humanity so foolishly handed over for $1650 and a pack of gum.

But you were answering honestly. The aliens know not the danger of the MR2. As they round the corner to attack the city center, where the population is sheltered, their MR2s start to oversteer !

Instinctively, the aliens lift off the gas. This mistake proves to be their undoing. With all the weight so far back, the MR2s’ inertia causes terminal snap-oversteer! Yes, indeed the MR2 is a dangerous machine.

Before their collective hive-mind can complete the thought, holy sh-, they’ve all met trees and buildings and hedges. And without alien-specific seatbelts and airbags, the entire invasion force is no more.

Humanity is saved.

You are asked to give a speech, for the entire world to hear. You keep it short and sweet:

“The aliens asked me for the Answer. I said ‘ MR2. ’ They didn’t catch my drift.”

Chuckles > Chinny Raccoon 09/25/2018 at 12:32

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That's a fair point, but it wasn't enough for me. The MR2 might very well be a better track car, but the Miata was the choice that was easier to live with. I can take a suitcase or multiple duffel bags in my trunk, and I've never been sad while driving it on a twisty road. 

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > ihm96 09/25/2018 at 12:33

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Also costs 3x a decent mk2/mk3 or  5x a decent mk1. Apples to apples, my fellow clownshoe lover.

arl > way2blu does a rev update 09/25/2018 at 12:35

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Bravo sir, bravo. 

ihm96 > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig 09/25/2018 at 13:22

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I got mine for 7K with 130 on the clock. That looks to be about two grand more than an equivalent mr2 based on what I just looked at on cargurus so its really not that much difference for what I think is a pretty solidly better car. 

BlurpleToyotaDishwasher > Chuckles 09/25/2018 at 13:35

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I suppose so, I’ve not seen one up close, but from the looks of it the roof folds down into the space behind the seats where the panels go in the T-Top ones , which would leav e the space in the back. Not super long, but quite deep, maybe 3/4 the amount of space of a Miata .

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > ihm96 09/25/2018 at 14:18

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Every Z3 M coupe I’ve seen is in the 20's still

ihm96 > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig 09/25/2018 at 14:41

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Mine is just the regular 2.8 Coupe, not the M. Its still a very quick car and handles pretty damn amazing. Mine also has some dinan bits as well to make it a little quicker than average

Buk Kow > way2blu does a rev update 09/25/2018 at 15:27

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Let us not forget that the SW20 did in fact come in a convertible... So yes... In every sense the mister is better in every way. Can be had in hard top, sunroof, t-tops AND convertible... In n/a or turbo models. Name another car that has that much variety. Miatas are fun to drive but most ppl that have driven a Miata have not driven an MR2. And the chance of them getting to drive both around a track is slim to none. I haven’t driven a Miata around a track but I have tracked one of my MR2's and autocrossed both vehicles. There’s no comparison between the 2 as long as you have everything right and tight on the MR2. Maybe I'm just being biased because I own three duce's but I just feel you can't beat that go kart feel of the Toyota.

Matt C > Chuckles 09/25/2018 at 16:12

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When I raced mine, I could fit a set of ‘ 93 wheels and tires (3 in the passenger seat, one in the frunk), all of my needed tools/jack/stands/etc, folding chair, and grill w/ accessories. The rear trunk is fine, if you know how to pack and haven’t cut it out to mount a rear-mount intercooler. Weekend bag is easy.

Chuckles > Matt C 09/25/2018 at 16:44

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I’m talking about one of these. What rear trunk are you referring to? I didn’t think that they had a rear trunk at all, and just a small spare tire compartment up front.

Flavien Vidal > way2blu does a rev update 09/25/2018 at 20:07

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Or you could go the JDM way... I can get you a nice RHD turbo for under 9k$ landed. Equivalent LHD version would not be as good (JDM cars are more powerful and with better suspension tuning) and cost nearly twice more...

Flavien Vidal > Chuckles 09/25/2018 at 20:08

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It’s actually quite spacious... The main problem with it that the exhaust is too close to the trunk. You can’t bring any frozen food back home.