Hi Forum
 
Here is a question that Im sure will either cause people to sigh or engage in some interesting discussion. Im sure this query has been posed many times before, but it would be great to here the opinions of people as of 2014.
 
I think I should set some rules though for this discussion. I want this to be fought out with evidence and well founded opinions with explanations, not just the ramblings of a fan boy/ girl.
 
At the end of this it will be interesting to see what car has captured the hearts and minds of the public the most.
 
Good luck to all.

Ill start then
 
My favourite Generation of MR2 is the AW11.
 
This comes from no feeling of nostalgia as I was born in 88. I have no memory of these cars in my early life. 
 
I think what draws me to these cars is the styling. My Favorite period in automotive design is the 1980's, the boxy angular aesthetic of cars during this period is so appealing to me. I think the AW11 is a standout amongst the boxy shapes of this period, its such a handsome car. I don't feel that the following generations even look half as good as the retro AW11.
 
When you look back before the 80's cars for the most part were rather curvy, especially when look at the 60's. This changed in the late 70's & 80's but then quickly reverted back to more curves in the 90s. This makes the cars from this period rather unique I feel. 
 
There are many other reasons why I loves these cars but the styling I think is what drew me to them originally. No matter how good the package is, its always the wrapping that grabs your attention first.

That's just a can of worms. Neither is "best", horses for courses really.
 
My preference is the SW20. In factory form, the Gen3 turbos were the fastest of all. Their shape is somewhat timeless. They're quite refined & like all, have significant potential. Arguably suspension wise, they're "softer" than the others, but I love the overall feel.
 
Next would be the AW11 for me. They feel raw & were the 2nd fastest (SC) of all 3 in factory form. First Japanese sports car to win "COTY" in Japan in a long time. You'll probably never understand the whole "AW11" thing until you've owned/driven one. If only my previous one wasn't so old, I'd never have parted ways with it.
 
Spyder, sorry to those that own them, but they're my least favourite. I'm sure they handle "nice", although I've never actually been behind the wheel of a well sorted/aligned example. Reasons for my lack of desire, is the exterior (not memorable - very conservative) & powerplant/transmission. To get a Spyder to a level I'd enjoy/appreciate, would require a M/T conversion (yes I know JDM released manuals), engine transplant & widebody kit. If Toyota had released these with 6sp M/T 2ZZ's then it'd be a completely different story.......could have, but they didn't!

Even though I've had most experience in the AW11 and only passenger rides in an SW20, and watching ZZ30's in my rear mirror, I'll also be quick to say they are 3 different ideas to the same approach, and you can't label one as the best.
 
In terms of success in achieving the goal they were looking to do, you would have to say the SW20 was the best at that. They are both a desirable looking car for the masses as well as a cult car for those who love them and know what they are truly capable of.
The AW11 on the other hand is almost purely a cult car, and the ZZ30 is almost purely a car for the masses. It doesn't detract from their originality and pureness in their design at all though. They are all very capable.
 
I'm the kind of person who shys away from saying I'm an MR2 enthuiast because I love my AW11 a lot more highly than others, but I respect those who say the same about SW20's because it's the same love for a similar kind of car, Very much a case of siblings here. Only we understand the bond with our Japanese midship.
 
 

Both posts have raised good points. 
 
In reaction to these posts im going to change the goal of this thread. Let us all just then state our preferred/ favourite MR2.
 
I would agree with maj they are the same but different. Each car came from different periods and had different influences and goals driving their design principles. Trying to judge one as being better than the other would be tough and rather unfair.
 
I would also agree with MR2Qik, the last generation MR2 always seemed to soft to me. They had so much potential with the chassis being so lite and nimble. All it needed was someone at Toyota to say "wait a second isnt this a sports car?". This car definitely came from the era of OH&S meetings and emissions tests.
 
Same rules apply, make sure to give evidence and/or discussion around why you prefer one generation over the other.
 
 

I'd love to have both AW11 and SW20, I can't afford to have both though, so i chose to get a 97 SW20 because they are still around in excellent original condition and easier to get parts for nowadays. I still wonder sometimes whether i should have got an AW11 though before they all disappear.... I like them both for different reasons.

Always been a fan of the SW, I remember reading reviews of the GT along with its obscene price tag, thinking if i was lucky enough i may have got my hands on a Bathurst one day. That and reading tales of the turbo version which was JDM only. 
 
For me the AW was a bit square looking, but seeing such pristine examples like sweeetpetes s/c AW and the absolute thundering power of ZeroGK's AW at the first track day challenge made me think otherwise. 
 
Likewise considered the ZZ to be the hairdressers version, but sweeetpetes car at the same event changed my mind on that one.
 
I guess i'd stick with the SW, got a garage full of parts. But if the right AW or ZZ came up at the right price I could be tempted (bolt on panels on the ZZ make it good for racing!) 

sweetpetes is really nice, I remember parking mine nearby at a Wakefield day and couldn't help comparing. Whereas mine was in similar condition bodywise, the respray helps greatly, it really showed the condition of his when you looked at the fitment of the panels/doors/bumpers etc. His looks that little bit more fresh from the factory in that regard.

I was always a fan of the SW20 when younger and once I had a license and the funds to buy one I did. Crashed it into a house and wrote it off but it was very enjoyable for a few years. Enjoyable enough that I bought another red SW20 and had that one for about 8-9 years.
During the time I owned the SW20 I always wondered why AW11 owners loved their cars so much. Many years ago Dylan (Gorilla Industries) let me have little drive round the block in his White NA and I understood on the spot why their owners love them.
My last SW20 I built up from 100% completely stock standard to over 300rwkw which was an absolute beast. But I prefer to drive the AW11 I now have over the 300kw SW.
The AW11 is just more unique, quirky and fun. People out and about love it when they see it and I'm always having conversations about it with complete strangers. I do get the odd filthy look from the old wealthy women in their husbands Merc though.
The SW20 felt more practical for everyday life and more comfortable for longer trips (driven to QLD from NSW a couple of times) but the AW11 in my opinion is overall more enjoyable.
I've never driven an ZZW30 but would like to one day. If I was to own one I would like a manual version with a 2grfe. 
 
For all the SW20 owners out there who haven't driven an AW11 I urge you to try one out, they're bloody awesome!

Your AW11 has a 3SGTE though.....lol
 
Personally, I think AW11 with 3SGTE or v6 would be one the best possible drivers car your could ever own without moving into exotics.