Sorry had to reply... mikeswickednick I agree with you "mr2xstyle- who are you trying to convince?" mr2xstyle talks about "driving good" yet in the same paragraph talks about driving "illegally for 1 year." I learned how to drive when I was 11, but I was off-road in my dad's 1948 Willy's jeep. Driving this jeep off-road (deer hunting and trails) taught me how to drive a stick. I was taken to tracks and go-kart racing as a kid too. I was NEVER allowed to drive on the streets illegally. My dad would have killed me for attempting such a thing. Most of us here on this board speak from experience, I mean I have been driving and racing cars longer than you (mr2xstyle) have been alive. I can tell you truthfully that there is an equal amount of teenagers that know what they have in an MR2 and they treat it with respect, just as there are those that will act a fool no matter what kind of car they have. What most of us really need to say is that... IF you are buying this car out of your own $$$ and paying your own insurance then you probably have some LEGAL driving experience and will be MUCH LESS LIKELY to act crazy in your car (MR2) that YOU buy. I had to buy every car I ever owned and pay the insurance too. I knew my parents could afford to get me a car. But, I quickly learned why they chose not too. Why? It made me treat the car better and I was much less likely to wreck it (which I did not do to any of my cars). mr2xstyle are you likely to wreck a MR2 when you get one?? Probably NOT, because you know what a special and uniquely different car it is to drive and the MR2 is what YOU WANT. But, seeing how you talk of illegally driving it makes me wander if you will be careful. I think you will just because of your knowledge of the MR2. But, those out there with NO or limited experience with fast cars and especially mid-engined fast cars should be wary of the MR2.
Sorry if I have offended anyone, it has not been my intention to do so. But, being a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Memphis Fire Dept. for 11 years now I have seen my share of auto accidents and do NOT wish to see kids destroying a good car nor especially their life (or worse someone elses life).
To me it all comes down to MATURITY behind the wheel. My young friend with the 94T is more mature than some 30 year olds I know. And I would never offer an MR2 (especially MR2 turbo) to those inmature and inexperienced older drivers, just because of the nature of this car. I think what makes the MR2 so dangerous is that it is cheap to purchase, which is NOT like most really fast cars out there (i.e FD rx7's, 300zxTT, 3000gtTT, SupraTT, Corvette, etc...). Just be smart and use a LONG learning curve and ANY driver can learn and get used to the MR2. LOL
Daniel