FRS vs. MR-S (MR2 Spyder)

[hmong337]

@regal

It looks like you know what you want. A 2zzge mr-s would put a hurting on a stock frs that's for sure. Again... apples to oranges there. But if you're really inclined to the car and it suits all your needs, go for it.

Sorry to hear about your DI issues. I hope it's not an engineerng flaw but rather a manufacturing error at the factory. Maybe you got the lemon. Who knows.

It's still much to early to tell the fate of our fa20 motors. I personally like the motor. It's not the greatest but it's good enough and gets the job done. I always wished Toyota would've stuck something like a newly developed all aluminum BEAMS into the car. I can see why they went ahead with the boxer for ultimate balance and low CG. A high slung inline 4 would've made the gt86 just another FR car that handles sloppy. But at least the BEAMS was proven and a longitudinal motor in the 86 would be even easier to work on. Hopefully the fa20 will have no unforeseen engineering issues down the road.

[daschtick]

This thread makes me want to replace the 1zz with a 2zz in my MR2 Spyder!

I test drove the FR-S last September, and as much as I liked the car, I just could not see going from my sub 2200 pound, mid-engined roadster to an FR-S. The lightness and balance of the MR2 is just more satisfying to me. I can understand those that need additional seating or cargo capacity will dismiss the MR2, but if neither of these items poses an issue, this is the most connected car I have driven other than the Lotus Elise.

I also wish that the 2zz would have come from the factory, as it is the best engine for the chassis. Sure, a K-series is arguably a better powerplant, but a friend of mine tackled a supercharged K24 swap into a Lotus Elise, and although it is the most explosive accelerating car I have ever experienced, it has all but lost its OEM reliability. It is now relegated to track days, and the infrequent car show.

It is really cool to see some appreciation for what I consider to be one of the most overlooked sports cars of modern times.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by daschtick

This thread makes me want to replace the 1zz with a 2zz in my MR2 Spyder!

I test drove the FR-S last September, and as much as I liked the car, I just could not see going from my sub 2200 pound, mid-engined roadster to an FR-S. The lightness and balance of the MR2 is just more satisfying to me. I can understand those that need additional seating or cargo capacity will dismiss the MR2, but if neither of these items poses an issue, this is the most connected car I have driven other than the Lotus Elise.

I also wish that the 2zz would have come from the factory, as it is the best engine for the chassis. Sure, a K-series is arguably a better powerplant, but a friend of mine tackled a supercharged K24 swap into a Lotus Elise, and although it is the most explosive accelerating car I have ever experienced, it has all but lost its OEM reliability. It is now relegated to track days, and the infrequent car show.

It is really cool to see some appreciation for what I consider to be one of the most overlooked sports cars of modern times.

a supercharged k24 isnt representative of k swaps. if you supercharge a 2zz, oem reliability is lost as well.

[s2d4]

Originally Posted by fatoni

a supercharged k24 isnt representative of k swaps. if you supercharge a 2zz, oem reliability is lost as well.

Barely if you do it right like the lotus.

[daschtick]

Originally Posted by fatoni

a supercharged k24 isnt representative of k swaps. if you supercharge a 2zz, oem reliability is lost as well.

It's not just the supercharging that is the issue. It is also things like the conversion BACK to a cable operated throttle, hondata interface, shift linkage adaptation, etc. To me, I prefer OEM designed and qualified versus backyard fabrication. Swaps like that may be fine for some folks, but just not my cup of tea.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by s2d4

Barely if you do it right like the lotus.

im not saying a supercharged k24 cant be oem reliable. im just saying that its not representative of k swaps in general. also, i was unaware that lotus supercharged k24s into anything.

[Anaxilus]

Originally Posted by hmong337

oh and another HUGE thing... it's not a mechanic friendly car to fix! ask me how i know. i've been dabbling with these mid-engine toyotas forever and leaning over that rear c-pillar to get at the engine gets old quick!

What C-pillar? It's a freaking convertible.

Btw, I might be willing to sell my MR-S to the right person for the right price. I'll make an add later in the classified and update this post. It's an '05 black w/ black hardtop, SMT + LSD, stock everything with only 11.5K miles on the chassis, motor/trans. Bronze CE28Ns, Carbing braces, uninstalled whiteline sways and KW v.3 coilovers.

Don't expect a super 'deal' or lowball as I don't mind keeping it and driving it for the next three years or more. No hurry to sell. PM if interested.

[hmong337]

Originally Posted by Anaxilus

What C-pillar? It's a freaking convertible.

Btw, I might be willing to sell my MR-S to the right person for the right price. I'll make an add later in the classified and update this post. It's an '05 black w/ black hardtop, SMT + LSD, stock everything with only 11.5K miles on the chassis, motor/trans. Bronze CE28Ns, Carbing braces, uninstalled whiteline sways and KW v.3 coilovers.

Don't expect a super 'deal' or lowball as I don't mind keeping it and driving it for the next three years or more. No hurry to sell. PM if interested.

Lol my bad was thinking about my car. But simply just stating that mid-engine cars are not a walk in the park to fix.

[s2d4]

Originally Posted by fatoni

im not saying a supercharged k24 cant be oem reliable. im just saying that its not representative of k swaps in general. also, i was unaware that lotus supercharged k24s into anything.

Your reference was to 2zz supercharged hence my previous comment.

[Anaxilus]

Originally Posted by hmong337

Stock vs stock. The mr-s gets mopped up by the frs. There is no comparison. The mr-s loses in every comparison against the frs/brz

Dude, you are so full of it, you have no idea what you are talking about. My stock SMT MRS kills the FRS/BRZ in acceleration, braking, handling and every metric except for cargo space and MPG. Your inexperience w/ the MRS is plain to see for anyone here who has driven both. Even once my FRS gets down to 2550-2600lbs and 250hp, it will likely never out drive or outperform my MRS except maybe in a drag race. Maybe....

[Anaxilus]

Originally Posted by daschtick

I test drove the FR-S last September, and as much as I liked the car, I just could not see going from my sub 2200 pound, mid-engined roadster to an FR-S. The lightness and balance of the MR2 is just more satisfying to me. I can understand those that need additional seating or cargo capacity will dismiss the MR2, but if neither of these items poses an issue, this is the most connected car I have driven other than the Lotus Elise.

Bingo. QFT. Spoken like someone that has actually driven/owned both. FRS for cargo and convenience, and massive aftermarket support.

[serialk11r]

Wooo I love threads about my car.

I think stock FRS has slightly more power/weight than MR-S, and I wouldn't be surprised if it had more grip considering how people on Spyderchat seem to really really like their suspension modifications. It's the most sporty car I've driven so I can't say but over there they say it's soft in stock form.

@hmong337 while what you're saying is somewhat correct I think you're quite biased and incorrect on a few points. The 1ZZ is a Corolla engine...but so is the 2ZZ. The 2ZZ pretty much bolts straight in, that's very different from the swaps you mentioned. Also the K20 is not massively superior to the 2ZZ in any sense. I'm also guessing your car is harder to work on than the ZZW30 because we don't have C pillars and we have a shorter rear end. You might think the Miata looks better, but in my experience, everyone thinks I have a "really nice" Porsche but no one looks twice at a Miata. Some (not all) of the people who call Miatas girly will say the MR-S is a cool car.

The luggage space problem is alleviated if you remove the spare and have an easier way to access the frunk, and it's mostly solved if you get rid of the soft top permanently, as the space behind the seats is actually pretty good and would be even better if it were easily accessible. It's not the prettiest car, but it has a bit of flair and that's why I got it. It's also midengine, and that automatically makes it cooler than any front engine fare.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by s2d4

Your reference was to 2zz supercharged hence my previous comment.

that makes a lot of sense although if youre doing things like lotus, a supercharged k24 would be at least as reliable. if youre doing things like lotus then you end up with a 45k mrs

[autobrz]

Originally Posted by autobrz

brz is more practical. as already been pointed out mrs has got lots of room in the engine bay withouta trunk u cant take ur experience w the sw20 and carry it over to the spyder

Originally Posted by hmong337

I am? c

Now hmong337 finally understand what I am talking about after realizing mrs doesn't have a c-pillar... i just wish it didn't take so long, lol...