Looking for toy roadster
 

Since selling my frs for a old 1999 alero.(free car) But I want to possibly get a fun second car that will be for weekend only for about 7500$ max. I am looking at a Toyota MR2 spyder 2002 or a bmw Z3 2000 2.8L. Both have there pros and cons. I am leaning towards the mr2 due to the weight mid engine and might be fun for the random auto cross or track day.

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Miata

Although the mr2 ain't no caddy, if you're under 6', I agree with Teseo.

Assuming you're a DIYer, cost and ease of maintenance are also strongly in the Miata's favor.

I am really not looking at a mitia..

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^This

But if I had to choose between MR2/MRS or Z3, I'll choose MRS

@Rampage

He'll more than likely have the best input on the MR2, even though his is swapped with a 2ZZ-GE.

Ditto.

I would say this might see 1 or 2 events per year if that. Also I like the idea if swaping a 2zz and getting close 200 HP in a 2100lbs car

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Just boost it instead of doing 2ZZ swap. It's cheaper and easier

Smog in CA. Rather not deal with this.

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Miata is dirt cheap, parts everywhere, easy to work. And still rwd

How you gonna by pass the ECU? Can you use 1ZZ ECU?

Yes but I want something different a bit more unique. This not a dd. Plus the mr2 spider is pretty reliable as well. But so is z3 from what I have read

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Cheaper is debatable if you do the turbo right. Reliability is no comparison. The 2ZZ running on a stock 2000 Celica ECU will be factory dependable and problem free.

It is also a myth that the MR-S is hard to work on. In fact, it is one of the easiest cars I have ever worked on. You just have to approach things slightly different. For example, the engine comes out the bottom instead of the top. The only thing difficult at all is doing something on the intake side of the engine.

@OP. If you get serious about the MR2 Spyder then you should stop by Spyderchat.com and check out the buying guide (things to look for when buying). Make sure that you check to see that the pre-cats located in the exhaust manifold are intact. You can check them by pulling the two O2 sensors in the manifold and looking through the holes. Also check for oil consumption. The early 1ZZs are notorious for using oil and when you do not check the oil often enough......poof.

For $7500 you might be able to find a 2ZZ swapped car. They do not have the oil issue and they come with 50 or so extra HP when using the Celica ECU. The only issue you might have is if you live in Ca where passing the visual part of the emissions testing is a bit of an issue.

Thanks. I really think at this point it's between mr2 or bmw z3. I am not going to rush into this.

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About the engine swap: According to the CARB website, the engine has to be from the same type of vehicle. Does the 2ZZ-GE necessarily have to be from a Lotus Elise or Exige with its corresponding Lotus ECU, or can any 2ZZ be used?

Are you assuming lotus because midengined sports car? The law isn't so distinct, they just mean passenger vehicle engines into passenger vehicles not like a commercial towing engine into an F150 or Mustang because they have different emissions standards.


The two tricks are fitting all the emissions equipment from the donor car and finding a donor car that's the same year or newer, so the '00 Celica mentioned above would be a no go into OPs '02 unless the engine is indistinguishable from a later year, which I think is rarely the case as they check known markings and I believe will plug into the ecu which will likely carry a date.

OP drive both before writing one off, I've seen a couple Z3s driven hard and they're not so shabby and the MRS didn't exactly set the world on fire when it was new. Also agreed with above my money would go into a Miata but to each their own, I'd drive the Z3 and MRS before making the final purchase. Good luck.

What about the Pontiac solstice?

I do not believe the Celica ECU shows a date on the test equipment. You can run an newer engine but the later Celicas were drive by wire instead of cable throttles. The reason you want the 00 ECU is the higher fuel cut-off. The 02 ECU would also work but its fuel cut-off in 600 RPM lower. As you mentioned, in California you have to take the Celica exhaust manifold and modify it to fit in the Spyder chassis. It has been done and there are many 2ZZ Spyder certified and being driven in Ca. One will come up for sale about every 6 months or so.

I have nothing against Miatas except that I do not fit comfortably in one (6'2") Past experience has lead me to the point that I have sworn off German made cars.

Anyway, @OP best of luck with your search.

The answer is always miata. Owned a 91 loved it, i would suggest getting a NB model tho. The fixed headlight looks better and interiro is less outdated

You just use a stock 2ZZ ECU, and smog stations won't know the difference. You can also get it approved by a BAR referee, which a bunch of people do.

Or you can use a piggyback and tune the 1ZZ. If the Honda midengine car rumors turn out to be false I'm going to get another MRS and do that (with modified head). The nice thing about the 1ZZ is that it's 13kg lighter than the 2ZZ, and you can pick up used ones for barely any money. 2ZZ with a 1ZZ or Moroso oil pan is the easiest way to get a huge power boost though.

It's not as easy to work on as a front engine car, but most of the stuff you care about is easily accessible after the rear bumper comes off. The biggest problem is storage space, which can theoretically be alleviated if you gut the front, remove the power steering, add gas struts to the hood, and make a custom bin.

The great thing is that lighter battery, wheels, removed spare, some plastic bits, and an exhaust will get you pretty close to 2100lbs. You can get below 2100lbs for a few more k. An Elise is the only post 1990 car that is lighter than that.

Now you know my contingency plan if the Honda midengine rumor turns out to be false :)

And that's why no one likes you itchy taco. MRS = how to royally fuck up a niche/awesome car.


2nd model mr2 ftw I say. Although they are a bitch to work on.


But seriously a Miata would be the most sensible/logical choice if you ever come around to it.

Right~
https://40.media.tumblr.com/0ee0ec94...6a4o1_1280.png

Is that the Technopro Spirit MR-S? Damn that looks good! :D

Now that I have seen your MR-S, I raise you the ultimate MR2:

Attachment 127715

A word from the philosophers:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8HGbIbcuFo"]Touge Showdown 3 - Hot Version International - YouTube[/ame]

Yes sir, one of well respected/drooled MR-S. Of course, there are awesome MR-S as well

https://ra64freddy.files.wordpress.c...mrs.jpg?w=1000

Is that MC8-R? If you read the specs only, MC8-R is "ultimate" MR2. V8 twin turbo, pushing near 600hp... but overall, haven't left any good record at all. It keep breaking and had to retire most of the races.

and a word to live by. :)

That's what I saw too. Shame.

If not Miata, then MR-S all day.

If you want something newer but still also pretty cheap, quick, and fun get a used 2012 Fiat Abarth. Tons of aftermarket go-fast parts. Real easy to get above 200WHP/WTQ at 2200 lbs. and run reliably.

http://maydaygarage.com/wp-content/u...2012/11/16.jpg
http://www.carpron.com/multisite/d/5...2_race_15q.jpg

I've already answer to that MC8-R

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...1&postcount=28

Damn, why couldn't they have made the MR-S look half this sexy?

Cuz if it did, it'll cost over NSX (back then) & it would be reliable. Few pushes on the road & engine will be toasted... Parked on side of the road.

If they kept it NA & sold it to compete against NSX, it would of been interesting

Yeah I didn't mean I expect them to make a car with the drivetrain and everything exactly the same as the racecar, just that a fixed headlight design didn't necessarily have to be fugly like the MR-S

I'm going to go in a TOTALLY different direction in answering the OP's question. I bought the FR-S because it was the first car I've driven in a VERY long time that reminded me of the go-kart, light-bodied handling of the first car I owned that really excited me. That car was a Fiat Spider.

Yeah, they're finicky mechanically, and yes, they're old. VERY old now. HOWEVER, find one in good shape, and you're still well under your $7500 ceiling. Easy enough to work on if you like working on cars. If you don't, then stop reading now. They handle wonderfully, very much like the FR-S albeit with a bit more body lean but not much, and with a little less acceleration, but they have that low-to-the-ground solid feeling, and 100mph in them feels wonderful and very well controlled. The real wood dash and styling.. well, it's just a gorgeous little fun car. I'll eventually buy another one. Loved that car. Just didn't have the mechanical skills at the time to keep it running in tip-top condition.

I drove a few BMW Z3s. Meh. I liked the handling of my 325i better. The Z3 felt too heavy for a small roadster to me. I like Miatas, and would have bought one rather than the FR-S except I need to carry gear at times so the Miata was out. In hindsight, I'm GLAD I bought the FR-S, even from purely a driving standpoint.

If you have a chance, comb Craigslist and see if you can find a late 70s Fiat Spider to test drive. You may fall in love. Of course, it'll require a long-term commitment like any other kind of love.

Have fun..

Barry

If you lower it, in certain colors the look grows on you a bit, especially the earlier ones. The 03+ ones made the front bumper uglier.

The MR2 is a car that needs a lot of love (read: modification) to unlock its potential, but even stock it's just so much fun. My FR-S, Porsche Cayman, they just don't compare.

The issue is that all over the car there are these little things that you as an owner will itch to fix/upgrade, because they suck and there are generally relatively cheap fixes. Stock suspension rides so high it's a joke. The chassis groans from flex. The soft top sucks and should have been a hard top. The power steering should not be there. The frunk is horribly designed. The gearbox needs another gear. The exhaust system is horribly restrictive and heavy. The engine is wimpy.

The replacement parts are generally cheap, but putting them on is generally frustrating. For example, unless you have elf hands, you're going to have to take off the whole front bumper to get the headlamps off to change the bulbs. You get used to leaning over the car awkwardly to do anything in the engine bay, and coming up with creative ways to get to the stuff under the firewall. Yes, under. Thanks for making the car a ragtop Toyota.

Yeah, the suspension is ridiculously high for a car that sits so low. Body roll is no freaking joke. Had the car for about a year myself and deciding on coilovers or just do a full Sportivo kit since the FRS already is a little too racecar so the comfort is nice. I personally like the soft top for the fact that it is manual.

Luckily I have elf hands though so while still a PITA I can leave the bumper on to swap the headlight bulbs lol.

With all that said I love the damn car and can't wait to put a little money into mods and see how it reacts. I highly recommend LSD as well. Driving a buddies compared to mine feels way more like the car is trying to kill me vs the controlled slides I get.

I am currently debating the 2zz/6spd vs turbo 1zz and am constantly going back and forth. Really want to drive a 2zz swap to see what its like. CARB is a big deal also since I am way to lazy to swap every 2 years

For California I think doing a 7700 rpm 1ZZ build with an emanage ultimate is probably the way to go, since you can have stock looking everything. It's around the same price as a 2ZZ unfortunately.

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I'm clearly a SW20 fan.. but if I wanted an MR2 that wasn't a project car..... MR-S.