Dad and Son, newbies, looking for MKII - Austin TX

[Sh0ty]

I wouldn't be too concerned about learning to drive the MR2. I got one for my first car at age 16 (normally aspirated) and it took serious effort to kick the tail out in dry conditions, even with the throttle nailed to the firewall. I've never driven the turbo car, but I don't think it'd be that bad to drive, especially if you're following basic traffic laws. This week I've been driving a Porsche 944 Turbo with close to 340 hp at the crank and have had no issues controlling it. Any car has the potential to be extremely dangerous, it's entirely up to the driver to decide what happens to the car. Example: SUVs can roll over, not a very pleasant experience, but you don't hear about them being death traps because most SUV drivers don't drive very aggressively (though I've noticed most of them drive very poorly) whereas MR2 drivers may tend to push the car a bit more. I don't know about prices in your area, but I can find a great deal on a turbo car for 5 grand here in southeast Michigan.

Whatever you decide to do, best of luck with it, and welcome to the forums!

[Brags]

Originally Posted by Sh0ty

I wouldn't be too concerned about learning to drive the MR2. I got one for my first car at age 16 (normally aspirated) and it took serious effort to kick the tail out in dry conditions, even with the throttle nailed to the firewall.

That's odd, the Prev gets horizontal at about 30 mph, depending on how hard you yank the wheel.

Having seen enough warnings about the snap oversteer, I just know i have to be careful and alert. we're looking into driving school, as well as getting into a local autocross. One of my buddies is going to get a miata eventually, so he wants to autocross with me.

--edit

Also, is the frunk divide still a firewall if the engine is in the back?

[ebouwman]

Originally Posted by Brags

That's odd, the Prev gets horizontal at about 30 mph, depending on how hard you yank the wheel.

Having seen enough warnings about the snap oversteer, I just know i have to be careful and alert. we're looking into driving school, as well as getting into a local autocross. One of my buddies is going to get a miata eventually, so he wants to autocross with me.

--edit

Also, is the frunk divide still a firewall if the engine is in the back?

Well there's a LOT more weight sitting over those rear wheels on a mid engine car. Think with front engine rear wheel drive cars (which face it, is pretty well what the previa is) have a lot less weight on the rear wheels so they should get loose a bit easier.

I've seen that kid of stuff in winter driving, the mr2 takes bit more to break loose, but rotates FAST, trucks or other F engine RWD cars break loose easy but rotate slow.

And it's not technically a firewall since it's not acting as one, i think it must also be thinner than a real firewall

[Brags]

I've seen that kid of stuff in winter driving, the mr2 takes bit more to break loose, but rotates FAST, trucks or other F engine RWD cars break loose easy but rotate slow.

Right, so because all the weight is on or near the rear wheels, the center of mass is on the back, leading to greater traction. But when your lateral g's overcome friction, its spinning fun time?

[muffinman]

Originally Posted by Rags

Yeah, I know "turbo" is a thousand times cooler than the non. Even so, we're talking about an 18 year old boy / young man. As a dad I'd have some concern about putting him behind the wheel of a speed machine. He's a very safe driver - aware and responsible - but still, I'd be fretting.

On the whole I think we'd rather start with the N/A. I might could be talked into the other but I'd need some convincing (not to mention the mom!).

Maybe this is the place to ask a safety question from MR2 users: What do you think? 18 year old kid in a Turbo, good idea? What do we need to know about driving the MR2?

BTW, the reason we're looking for a '93-'95 is the suspension / rear wheels thing. Seems safer, especially for non-pro drivers like us.

Rags

Before you get pissed listen to what i have to say please. You told us all that you were concerned as to whether your son would be able to handle a turbo car and you said what a safe and responsibe driver he is. Now your son has introduced himself and all his driving stories are of his reckless driving.

I drifted up an empty parking garage with some buddies. It was great fun

Now anytime It's the least bit wet out, I expect it to slide on the wet ground, and it never disappointments me.

That's odd, the Prev gets horizontal at about 30 mph, depending on how hard you yank the wheel.

Your sounds like a good kid and i'm the last one to preach to any one about driving stupid when your 19 , i'm sure we have all done it and learned alot from it. The MR2 is a great car but if you drive like an idiot you may end up in a bad situation. I'm not trying to turn you away from the MR2 because any car can be dangerous but obviously your not with your son everytime he goes out.


Good luck with whatever decision you make and my apologies if you feel my opinion was not needed.

[Bryce Scotti]

hey i have a all black 91 mr2 with a new engine, transmission, eibach suspension, tires, brakes, and suspension bushings. Basically everything has been replaced.

bryce

[Sh0ty]

The MR2 spins quickly partly due to the large lump of iron near the back, but also because of it's short wheel base. Longer wheel bases mean the car is more stable, and easier to control sideways, but generally not as nimble around corners. Based on some of your son's driving stories, I'd say the NA car should be fine, just try to find one with ABS, it's incredibly helpful in panic stops.

Also, congrats Bryce... not too sure it's really relevant, but congrats anyway.

[Brags]

Now your son has introduced himself and all his driving stories are of his reckless driving.

By choice, when I'm on the road, I driver fairly safe.

The only time I've forced an oversteer was going up that parking garage. Which is where I pulled the estimated speed of 30 mph from, though I suspect I was going slower.

It's not that I drive recklessly when the ground is wet, It's more that when it's wet out, I expect the rear end to slide at some point. It almost always does, on a very specific turn, so I know to be ready to correct it.

I've driven the Prev for a while now, and I've grown very used to it's handling and mechanics, if, or when I get a new car, I'd take a lot of time to learn how it drives. I guess that's what autocross is for.

It seems that in the range of 16-20 something, we feel like we're invincible. Nothing can bring you down, until something actually does. If you're lucky, it was a friend, if you're unlucky, it was the ER.

--edit
And thanks for pointing that out, muffinman. It helps to have someone who will pull you back down to earth every once in a while. Any opinion is needed, especially if you think the person in question might be headed for disaster.

Also, isn't any story you tell about driving going to be about reckless driving?

[ebouwman]

Originally Posted by Brags

Also, isn't any story you tell about driving going to be about reckless driving?

Of course!

[goixoye]

Welcome...even though you're looking at starting on the "dark side" of MR2 ownership (MKII)....jk.

As a 45yo father I would NEVER let my son start with a turbo. I've read too many sad stories about teenagers killing themselves and their friends in cars they should have never been driving at such a young age. That said a person can get killed while driving "recklessly" in ANY car. But IMHO it's more likely that someone would try to be showing off in a turbo than a N/A.

My oldest son (19) has an 87 Celebrity wagon. The younger one (15.5) isn't going to be as easy...he wants something with a little more zip & appeal...but wanting it and getting it are two different things. The wisest thing is probably to go the conservative route and the Previa seems OK there.

I don't think I'd rule out an MR2. IMO when you drive the speed limit it's not much different than other cars. So with the proper amount of respect it should be OK as a 2nd car (after the Previa) and even as a 1st car. To a new driver any platform is going to have it's peculiarities (FWD (at least older ones) exhibit a little torque steer, RWD can get tail happy, etc). I would definitely vote for NA (for $ & HP reasons). If Brandon likes the MR2 enough to stay with it he can either mod an NA or step up to a turbo. Just be careful not to give him too much rope if you know what I mean.

[David]

Well, I got my 91 NA two months ago from tommorow... And I'm already looking at swapping in a turbo engine. All I need to do is get a full-time job for the summer and blow all the money I get on a JDM 3SGTE. Oh and btw, I'm only 15. I never get a chance to drive like an idiot because I only have my learner's permit, and that means I have to have a 21+ yr old adult in the car with me at all times. The most reckless thing I've ever done, if you can call it reckless, was hitting 90mph on the way back from an MR2 show last month... But I only did that because I was driving back along side an MKI, and they decided to start doing 95. So I just followed.

[Rags]

Where else can you get MR2 views and advice from a 45 year old fellow dad and a 15 year old kid with a learner's permit?! This is amazing.

About the MKI and MKII, Goixoye, I'll reveal myself: for whatever reason I just don't like the lines of the MKI. Never did. I've joined the dark side!

We're definitely on the hunt for an N/A rather than turbo. Multiple reasons, e.g., budget, safety, wisdom, repairs / maintainance, etc. BRags will be 2 hours away from me and he won't have a garage.

Even with an N/A we're looking into "driving school" together. Another fun father-son thing to do together. My advice to BRags will be to keep it stock (or reversable) as much as possible, knowing that in 2 years he might want to sell and switch to a turbo.

If he get's into trouble with the MR2, he knows the '95 Previa will be waiting for him! I do understand what you mean my "too much rope." He's being great about all this. We're having a blast. Got a couple N/As we're looking at around the country....

It's a beautiful day in Austin. Hope it's the same for you. We prayed for our servicemen and women this morning, that God would bring them home safe and sound.

Rags

[David]

My dad is turning 47 next month. I would love to go to a driving school, but it would cost too much. But my dad would trust me with a turbo, and he trusts I would be a safe, responsible driver...

[Rags]

More power to 'ya, David48 (no pun intended), with the Turbo. Be safe, keep your head on your shoulders (literally), listen to your Dad, and live to be his age. Your father's trust is a treasure in your keeping.

Tampa seems like a great place; my daughter and I were out there last summer touring colleges.

I appreciate your comments about getting a turbo. Yeah ... not for us, at this time. We've never been a sportscar family; just minivans for the last 20 years! We'll ease into the fast lane with an N/A.

Rags

[David]

I'm gonna try to learn how to handle the whole MR layout before I go for the turbo though. The NA provides more than enough power, and it just seems like your going much faster with MR2. I guess it's because of the the ride hight and how the interior holds you.

[Brags]

That's exactly my plan. I'll keep it stock for a while, maybe drop in a turbo as a college senior project or something. There's got to be some good engineers and mechanics at A&M. It all depends on money and availability.

[ebouwman]

Originally Posted by Brags

That's exactly my plan. I'll keep it stock for a while, maybe drop in a turbo as a college senior project or something. There's got to be some good engineers and mechanics at A&M. It all depends on money and availability.

Good, don't bother modding the 5sfe, because the 3sgte will always be there, and you'll kick yourself when you spend a kagillion dollars souping up an engine that is plainly not as good.