Quote:
Originally Posted by Rampage
I agree with this! My 2ZZ swapped Spyder saved me from spending $25K+ on a FR-S.
The 2ZZ is, as you say, "bulletproof" if you keep oil in it. Low oil plus extended hard cornering equals spun rod bearing on #4 cylinder!
Not so sure about this. I have 181WHP with the stock 2000 Celica ECU and a 2223 curb weight with the hard top. If a FR-S is putting down 240-250 WHP at 2750LB it would be pretty close if not faster. A PFC will add about 13-18 more HP to the Spyder but then you lose OBDII testing compatibility.
The MR-S is certainly an acquired taste. The hard top changes the whole character of the car. I am constantly asked if it is a Lotus or a Porsche and then people do not believe me when I say it is a 13 year old Toyota. The convertible top has been removed completely from my car which doubles the storage space in the cabin. My son and I have taken weekend trips in the car with all our luggage and folding chairs, a cooler and umbrellas without a problem. Still the car is not a station wagon by any means. I have done what I can to eliminate the "Pikachu" look of the front of the car.
Girls do not like my car. While they like the look, it is a little too "raw" for them. Too loud, too fast and too low. They cannot get out of it wearing a skirt without showing off the "goods".
I find the Spyder very easy to work on. It is much easier than the 91 MR2 that I had years ago.
The FR-S is a more practical car to live with on a day to day basis. But being civilized is also why the FR-S weighs 500LBS more and is not quite as good a pure sports car as the MR2 Spyder.
IMHO Toyota really blew it when they did not put the 2ZZ in the Spyder.
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I always loved the Spyder - we don't get them up here in Canada, but with the 10 year expiration, there are a couple starting to pop up in Toronto.
Images of the Best Motoring videos of 2zz-swapped MR-S's destroying much more powerful cars (and of course, with styling MUCH improved by addition of the hardtop and widebody kits) and images of the ARTA JGTC300 MR-S's make this car incredibly desirable.
That plus it would've been a car that lets people who appreciate Miatas have something other than a Miata.
That, plus "LIFT, yo!"