Well, that's just it. The FRS in many ways reminds me of the NA version of the sw20. It's surprisingly similar how both drive as both are ~2700lbs, low hp, and agile. Albeit the FRS is the better handler (also being 25 years newer in design) much of the same qualities exists in both cars.

If anything, I wish Toyota would've continued to develope the BEAMS or 2zz further and stuffed it under the hood of our ft86. Sure the CoG will be higher but they could also shove it way back against the firewall too and go after 50/50. I still am not too much a fan of our fa20 as after decades of technological improvememts in the auto industry, it still only puts out what a BEAMS puts out over 10 years ago. I suppose it gets the job done but it's still very lack luster and average at best. I would've been much more happy if the FA20 would have gotten some sort of varible lift over the shotty D4S system. Something like a boxer with all the 2zz fixings would've totally ticked all the boxes. Can't have it all I guess...

Had a sw20 and it was the funnest car I've ever owned! Realiable, quick, and good looking. I sold my FRS and am in the process of scouting for a 94-95 T.

I thought the 2zz was the future design but that died in no time :thumbdown:

I had a 2000 Celica GT-S and that 2zz is something special!

Yes. This.

Buying and fixing old cars is a passion of love, not a logical time/money investment. If that's a passion for you then do it.

I would honestly buy a well kept turbo version for more $, and go from there. Unless you want to swap it, that 5S-FE is a dog.

Not dissimilar from an AE86 SR-5 vs GT-S. If you settle for an SR-5 (non-turbo MR2 in this case), make sure it has pros that any turbo you find will be hard to match for the price savings from buying the NA. Like the white coupe in my sig, it should have no rust, clean history, complete and clean interior, original shiny paint, all accessories working, etc.

Just my $0.02

In regards to the FA20, from posts above, there's a hard difference between what a car company CAN produce at a given price range, and what they MUST produce given current regulations.

4age or 3sge mr2. Any other mr2 engine blows.

What sucks about mr2 cars is the lack of space to work on them and modding. Get a engine lifter if you buy one. I drove a 4age mr2 for a little over a month and never had issues!

Also, because of lack of front weight, it was scary driving 55mph through wet train tracks.

LOL dude, you just suck at driving. For sure its not a first time learners car.

80% of all MR2 owner have had "oh shit" moments. The average person would say fuck this car it sucks. But the enthusiast would learn the limits and how to correct the "snap understeer" when it happens.

Any other motor is just as good, the problem is you 110% riced it out. Working on it sucks but it's not that bad. You just need the right tools.

As much as people say they like the Beams engine the fact is those are super rare engines, I have only seen 3 in California.

Pound for dollar, the 3SGTE dominates in relaiablity and power. Even if I had the option of the Beams, I'll still go 3SGTE.

NA cars are near bulletproof. These are, in the best case, 21 years old so rubber and other shit will fail. That doesn't mean the cars are unreliable, just old. Your friend probably just bought the wrong car. It can happen with any car and as the MR2 became cheap (especially in NA trim) a lot of people bought them who couldn't really afford them.. and you get a shitty car as a result.

Both are mine are reliable for a 20+ year old car (certainly more than my M3 is) and I drove mine with over 225,000 miles on it from Portland, OR to Tampa, FL.

Here are my 2s...
http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/MR...T/IMG_1630.jpg

My first one had nothing to do with snap oversteer (I assume you mean that ;) ) but instead had to do with cruise control decided that it really didn't like the set 80MPH speed and wanted to try to set a record and basically floored the car... 275whp can fairly quickly try to propel you into a semi you are following with 4 car lengths between you.. and then you hit the clutch instead of the brake pedal.. car doesn't slow well that way.. offroading at ~90mph in the california desert kinda sucks.

I own a 91 turbo, bought it like right after highschool as a project car. The car was in pieces, literally. It took me about 7yrs to build it up with some friends help. Took it slow and made sure we didn't cut corners, had to buy some stuff several times because I was learning as I went a long. Taught me a lot but it was a money pit and not an easy car to work on. Driving though the car is great! Not a lot of power but the weight is low and the traction's on the rear tires so it takes off like nothing. My BRZ is super easy to recover if it steps out the rear, the MR2 however is not. Snap oversteer is a real thing. I'm sitting on KW coilovers and autocross this car from time to time and my first event I spun about 3 times in 5 laps, now sometimes once an event. Respect the car and enjoy it, it'll be good to you.

As I was reading this, this cartoon was on my desk calendar. Dilbert strikes again....

http://assets.amuniversal.com/ab0377...99001dd8b71c47

Yeah seems my friend didn't get the car inspected and ended up buying a lemon. Maybe once he fixes everything wrong it will be a good car for him haha!

I went a completely different route then an MR2 not even a car :D I actually justified it by calculating it out and it pays for itself when you drive it