Seriously considering an MR2...in place of my MINI ?!

amazingrando · 05-21-2009, 03:28 AM

Hello all.

My name is Randy and I'm native to the Portland, OR. Metro area, and as the title would suggest, I'm seriously considering a MK II MR2, to the tune of selling my beloved 07 Turbo Mini Cooper. The big question on my mind as of lately, do I love the mini enough to endure another 3 years of hefty car payments? I'm not so sure I do. Hence the possibility of me selling it for a project car. You see, I've learned some things about myself in the process of owning the mini. I enjoy modding/working on my car. It's also nice to be able to fix most things myself, that can be somewhat difficult on a modern BMW. I also enjoy high performance driving. I'm 35 years old and I did my first HPDE event recently at PIR and had a blast! that may have been the most fun I've had doing ANYTHING. It's completely exilirating, I loved it.
So here I am, contemplating. I think a N/A to Gen 3 conversion would be right up my alley. So far the MR2 seems about the most bang for my buck option. I also have a 93 toyota truck to daily drive as well. So are there any other previous mini owners on this board?

goixoye · 05-21-2009, 06:32 AM

I wanted to own a Mini...but gave up. I just could/can not justify the expense. I owned a 2003 Ford Focus SVT which was equivalent (on paper) to the Cooper S at the time (only $7,500 less). I liked the Focus...but there was something missing. Sold the Focus...because I really wanted a Caterham 7 (even more than a Mini)...and I realized I would never get a Caterham while making payments on a Focus. Can't and probably will not ever be able to afford/justify the expense of a Caterham and settled on a '06 Miata...which I traded on an '07 Colorado...which I still have. And then I found my dream/time machine....an '86 MR2. I always wanted one. I love the car but wish it was white instead of red...at least I think I do.

I never really considered a MK2...they are a little too expensive + I like the shape of the MK1 better. I'm not sure what HPDE and PIR are...probably some sort of racing / autox. If that's where you're heading you may consider an MK1...they're lighter. They also seem to have many options for engine modding depending on how far you want to push the envelope. Just something to think about...you could start with a lower initial investment and have more money to satisfy the modding bug. Modding might be less expensive too...at least wheels & tires are because they're smaller.

I still like Minis but have mostly come to terms with my plight. I still like Ferraris & Caterhams too. So I'm used to "settling". Although I must say that at the moment the only way I would part with my red MR2 is if I could find a comparable white one.

Good luck & welcome...sorry to ramble...I know you didn't ask for that...

amazingrando · 05-21-2009, 12:07 PM

HPDE (High Performance Drivers Education)
PIR (Portland International Raceway)

wow you have bounced around a bit there! I'm also considering a Miata, but it's my 2nd choice to the MR2 at the moment, but mostly for financial reasons. I really prefer the styling of the 2nd gen Miata, so getting one would run me around 8k, then there's the cost of a turbo kit.

palos · 05-21-2009, 02:19 PM

The one consideration you may want to look into is the brakes. Compared with other cars that I have and have had, the brakes on the MK1 MR2 seem to be its weakest link. The MK2's are better, but you may be disappointed with the stopping distances compared to the Mini.

RedStarr · 05-21-2009, 02:55 PM

Get a 93-95 turbo, stainless steel brake lines, Motul DOT 5.1 brake fluid, Porterfield R4S street/autocross pads, and a master cylinder brace. Inexpensive mods, I have everything except the master cylinder brace.

My cousin has an Evo 9 with Hawk HPS pads and stainless steel brake lines and the stock Brembos and is shocked that he feels that my car has better stopping performance than his.

Get rid of the Mini and get a 94 turbo as they're in the $10K range nowadays

amazingrando · 05-21-2009, 04:37 PM

If I'm going to get one, I pretty much have my mind set on a MK II. I'm not yet aware yet of all the differences/changes in the MK II series over the years. Someone care to elaborate? or at least point me in the right direction here. My idea is to get a cheap, non running N/A car, in the 1-2k price range, they pop up on craigslist once in a while, then order up a rear clip.

RedStarr · 05-21-2009, 06:09 PM

Toyota MR2 - Buyers Guide - Sport Compact Car Magazine

Start from there. Pretty thorough and comprehensive guide.

You can get an NA for cheap...if you're looking for a track car, you'll find one in the 1-2K price range with a blown motor, probably ****** condition seats, body damage etc. If you're looking for something MINT, you're probably going to be paying 3-5K. Then, a JDM Gen II (w/ 225whp) turbo rear clip will cost around 2500, a JDM Gen III (w/ 245bhp) turbo rear clip will cost around 3000-3500, 93+ turbo brake swap will cost anywhere from $500 to $1000, and then you have to do all the labor in swapping everything over.

Also, if you get 93+ brakes, you can't run the puny 91 NA wheels because the caliper won't clear, so you'll either have to find one with aftermarket wheels or get some 93+ wheels or your own aftermarket wheels.

I think the headache isn't worth it and it's better to find a car with a well done Gen III swap with good compression and possible a 93 turbo chassis. It might cost in the neighborhood of 10K-11K, but the turn-key sports car factor is a plus.

But all this is in my opinion and should be taken with a grain of salt.

05-21-2009, 03:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
amazingrando No Skills Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Seriously considering an MR2...in place of my MINI ?! Hello all. My name is Randy and I'm native to the Portland, OR. Metro area, and as the title would suggest, I'm seriously considering a MK II MR2, to the tune of selling my beloved 07 Turbo Mini Cooper. The big question on my mind as of lately, do I love the mini enough to endure another 3 years of hefty car payments? I'm not so sure I do. Hence the possibility of me selling it for a project car. You see, I've learned some things about myself in the process of owning the mini. I enjoy modding/working on my car. It's also nice to be able to fix most things myself, that can be somewhat difficult on a modern BMW. I also enjoy high performance driving. I'm 35 years old and I did my first HPDE event recently at PIR and had a blast! that may have been the most fun I've had doing ANYTHING. It's completely exilirating, I loved it. So here I am, contemplating. I think a N/A to Gen 3 conversion would be right up my alley. So far the MR2 seems about the most bang for my buck option. I also have a 93 toyota truck to daily drive as well. So are there any other previous mini owners on this board? Last edited by amazingrando; 05-21-2009 at 12:57 PM.

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05-21-2009, 06:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
goixoye Worthless Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 99 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	I wanted to own a Mini...but gave up. I just could/can not justify the expense. I owned a 2003 Ford Focus SVT which was equivalent (on paper) to the Cooper S at the time (only $7,500 less). I liked the Focus...but there was something missing. Sold the Focus...because I really wanted a Caterham 7 (even more than a Mini)...and I realized I would never get a Caterham while making payments on a Focus. Can't and probably will not ever be able to afford/justify the expense of a Caterham and settled on a '06 Miata...which I traded on an '07 Colorado...which I still have. And then I found my dream/time machine....an '86 MR2. I always wanted one. I love the car but wish it was white instead of red...at least I think I do. I never really considered a MK2...they are a little too expensive + I like the shape of the MK1 better. I'm not sure what HPDE and PIR are...probably some sort of racing / autox. If that's where you're heading you may consider an MK1...they're lighter. They also seem to have many options for engine modding depending on how far you want to push the envelope. Just something to think about...you could start with a lower initial investment and have more money to satisfy the modding bug. Modding might be less expensive too...at least wheels & tires are because they're smaller. I still like Minis but have mostly come to terms with my plight. I still like Ferraris & Caterhams too. So I'm used to "settling". Although I must say that at the moment the only way I would part with my red MR2 is if I could find a comparable white one. Good luck & welcome...sorry to ramble...I know you didn't ask for that...

05-21-2009, 12:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
amazingrando No Skills Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	HPDE (High Performance Drivers Education) PIR (Portland International Raceway) wow you have bounced around a bit there! I'm also considering a Miata, but it's my 2nd choice to the MR2 at the moment, but mostly for financial reasons. I really prefer the styling of the 2nd gen Miata, so getting one would run me around 8k, then there's the cost of a turbo kit.

05-21-2009, 02:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
palos … Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 18 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	The one consideration you may want to look into is the brakes. Compared with other cars that I have and have had, the brakes on the MK1 MR2 seem to be its weakest link. The MK2's are better, but you may be disappointed with the stopping distances compared to the Mini.

05-21-2009, 02:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
RedStarr i CaN hAZ bEEf pAttY? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Jamaica, NY Posts: 512 Thanks: 20 Thanked 27 Times in 9 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Get a 93-95 turbo, stainless steel brake lines, Motul DOT 5.1 brake fluid, Porterfield R4S street/autocross pads, and a master cylinder brace. Inexpensive mods, I have everything except the master cylinder brace. My cousin has an Evo 9 with Hawk HPS pads and stainless steel brake lines and the stock Brembos and is shocked that he feels that my car has better stopping performance than his. Get rid of the Mini and get a 94 turbo as they're in the $10K range nowadays

05-21-2009, 04:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
amazingrando No Skills Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	If I'm going to get one, I pretty much have my mind set on a MK II. I'm not yet aware yet of all the differences/changes in the MK II series over the years. Someone care to elaborate? or at least point me in the right direction here. My idea is to get a cheap, non running N/A car, in the 1-2k price range, they pop up on craigslist once in a while, then order up a rear clip.

05-21-2009, 06:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
RedStarr i CaN hAZ bEEf pAttY? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Jamaica, NY Posts: 512 Thanks: 20 Thanked 27 Times in 9 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Toyota MR2 - Buyers Guide - Sport Compact Car Magazine Start from there. Pretty thorough and comprehensive guide. You can get an NA for cheap...if you're looking for a track car, you'll find one in the 1-2K price range with a blown motor, probably ****** condition seats, body damage etc. If you're looking for something MINT, you're probably going to be paying 3-5K. Then, a JDM Gen II (w/ 225whp) turbo rear clip will cost around 2500, a JDM Gen III (w/ 245bhp) turbo rear clip will cost around 3000-3500, 93+ turbo brake swap will cost anywhere from $500 to $1000, and then you have to do all the labor in swapping everything over. Also, if you get 93+ brakes, you can't run the puny 91 NA wheels because the caliper won't clear, so you'll either have to find one with aftermarket wheels or get some 93+ wheels or your own aftermarket wheels. I think the headache isn't worth it and it's better to find a car with a well done Gen III swap with good compression and possible a 93 turbo chassis. It might cost in the neighborhood of 10K-11K, but the turn-key sports car factor is a plus. But all this is in my opinion and should be taken with a grain of salt.