I'm not big but I sat in an MX5 once on a cruise, and could barely get in and out of the damn thing - interior feels half the size of an sdub lol
I wouldn't say the boot is huge in an sdub either - anyone ever tried fitting 2 17 inch tyres in it? the frunk is pretty useless other than for a coke can and extinguisher too.

karnage
It is surprising that a two seater MR is more *practical* than a two seater FR! one day (when the government lets me) i'll go around test driving all the n/a and blown MR2s and MX5s I can. It is a bit ridiculous to think a good comparison can be made purely on internet forums! (but it's a good place to start)

Yeah, nothing like experiencing the real thing, but if test driving an sdub be aware that many of them are now well over 20 years old, and many have poorly maintained suspension parts (as well as a lot of other stuff lol).
 
My car was terrible to drive (even dangerous) when I first got it with a bad sway on corners and even hard to keep in a straight line.
A suspension overhaul soon fixed that, and totally transformed the car.

I'd go MR2 all the way (really trying to not be biased too). The Gen3 NA's are even great value these days. Proceed with caution if buying a turbo.

karnage

Wow, i never realised the boots were *that* big!

I also am a guitarist, though engineering + SAE (look it up if you don't know what that is) takes its toll time wise. As a daily, I think the MR2 (SW20) would be a better bet. Also do want a car with a bit of power, just don't have the funds for an M3 or M5 yet :P

Even if the MX5 is "quicker around corners/at the track", "easier to control for a less experienced driver", "more forgiving on the edge" etc, it doesn't mean the MR2 is rubbish!

The MR2 is certainly not 'rubbish' and no one on this forum ever said it was. The fact is is that the MX5 is certainly more balanced on corners and easier to control on the track for the novice IMO.  The MR2 is more of a challenge at speed and is more suited to the experienced driver on the track. It makes up for it with the extra power and a lot of drivers including myself probably appreciate this on the track even if it is a bit more of a handful than the MX5.

Not necessarily harder to control than an mx5 I think. Just different. The first time I took an mx5 on the track (was a rainy day too) I thought the car was ridiculously dangerous to drive. But that was just because I was used to driving my mr2 and drove the mx5 in the same fashion.

I wouldn't find an NA MR2 with good tyres & correct alignment (functioning suspension too) to be dangerous/challenging @ all. If anything, it's underpowered for the chassis too. A lot of Japs consider the Beams MR2 to be perfectly matched balance wise (in factory form). Still a tarby boy though!
 
MX5 is undeniably a great car! Can't really go wrong either way.
 
Looks wise, I much prefer the Deuce. Another factor which would sway me.
 

 

And do you REALLY want to be associated like this.......
 
 

 

Not much to brag about here either...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/min-min/2791436807/

Man, after all this talk I wanna get a cheap MX-5 for a beater hehe. They are also "infinitely" easier to work on haha
The deuce is too precious...

I think they are both great cars but have only driven the MR2 on the track so dont really know what they are like on the street. I have been taken for a drive(MR2) on two occasions and found just being in the car far more of an experience, it has far more presence than a MX5. The MX5 is a nice car having my GF at the time own one in 98 which I would take out for drives, pick up the kids, but it was always a bit of a joke, gay some might say..
Also drove one at the Wakefield 300 a few months ago in pouring rain for 67 or so laps. It was a complete blast to drive as it had dry weather semi's,locked diff and bad brake bias driving with minimal visability. Very difficult to keep in control managing sideways on every corner, 3 360's, 4 drive thru's with gravel traps, aquaplaning constantly. It was a really fun car to drive over the limit all day but there are limits.
I have also driven the MR2 in the wet which was a different experience. The Mr2 is closer to a go kart type handling than the MX5.
Neither is  better as they are different cars so it comes down to what do you want to experience. If you like a FR car, take the MX5 or a Supra. If you dream of the engine screaming right behind your shoulder, look at the MR2.