(puts on flame suit)
Boost = Better.
JDM > ADM.
Once you get a taste of boost there's no turning back.
And in general driving you're pretty much off boost anyway.
But as MRTurbo said, it's nice to be able to put your foot down and have something happen.
 

I knew it wouldnt take long before it turned into this is better than that.
 
Refuse to get into that type of debate.
 
The guy is on his P's for goodness sakes.
 
Every time this comes  around i love how everyone thinks that the money is going to fall out of a tree :)
 
Do yourself a favour and drive both IF YOU CAN FIND one worthy of buying, that runs , isnt molested or just haked together

Save more & wait for a turbo. You'll be constantly toying with the thought of upgrading engine if you get NA now & 1yr passes.

Iv never driven an MR2 Turbo so i cant give you any real inside to which i prefer. But if you want an MR2 that is seriously quick..the turbo is the way to go. The NA's  are definitely not slow but they need a good tickling. As MRTurbo said they need to be revving no less than 3.5k before it has some good power being put to the ground other wise im putting my foot in and am waiting for the power to come. I have a year left on P's also and i have just grabbed myself the turbo engine when i go onto my black licence as im wanting more power than what the NA offers (probably because my father teases me by letting me drive his 370z every now and again :P) 
 
But as you said. If you are only looking for a car that is fun to drive, sporty and handles great and is good on fuel, sounds to me like the NA is what you are looking for. Go test drive them mate...you wont be disappointed with any of them and definitely not with an NA. Mine doesn't disappoint me when it comes to having fun driving it and hitting the twisties :)
 
 

Thanks for replies guys!
 
Didn't really consider a v6 swap. seems like it would be a good project, just wouldn't personally do it unless i needed to rip out the current engine. but definitely worth considering.
 
does anyone have any complaints or figures for fuel on a turbo as a daily, highway or anything?

Yeah - I average about 11l/100km urban/commuting mainly. Best ive got is <9l/100km worst probably 14 or so. This a gen2 turbo with 3" turbine back exhaust, ebay intercooler, MBC set ~12psi boost. As long as you stay 'off boost' its pretty good on fuel.

3SGTE is still a 2L, really not bad on fuel unless you're on it (even then not bad). I can't see a V6 with a lot more cc will be more frugal than a correctly running 3SGTE.

MR2QIK
I can't see a V6 with a lot more cc will be more frugal than a correctly running 3SGTE.

http://www.fueleconomy.go...amp;id=11612&#tab1
97 1MZFE Camry uses 11.2L/100KM
95 3SGTE MR2 uses 11.8L/100KM
You'll probably get even better economy from the 1MZFE once it's in the SW20 just due to the fact the Camry is 1400kg and the SW20 is only 1270KG (Even lighter with a 1MZFE in there!). The 1MZFE will run around on cheap 91 all day while the 3SGTE will probably ping it's ass of on anything less then 95 :)
 
I can't see a 3SGTE with a fuel guzzling turbo being more frugal then a correctly running 1MZFE ;)

Well I've found the 1MZ still pings on 91 (Auto '99 Vienta), probably due to 10.5:1 (high) compression. Apparently Toyota placed the knock sensors in a retarded location on the 1MZ, hence, the effects of premium/91 swill are magnified on the 1MZ.  
Maybe MRVirgin can comment on this :)

You may be right Knightrous, but the real world difference between them would be minimal/barely noticeable if at all. I failed to take in account the different mapping too (Jap vs Aussie).