Someone once told me "An MR2 will teach you to drive" and bugger me down if it hasn't. If you'd never driven either car then you might be quicker in an MX5, but if you know the car I cannot seriously believe a stock MX5 would come close to an MR2.

Agree though they'd be fun as a daily. Legroom is definitely smaller than an MR2 having sat in one and being 6' 2" 

Thanks for the input B24, my impression has always been that the MR2 would be a much more enjoyable experience, but as I don't race, wasn't sure how the MX5 would compare.
 
180Shauny, 

180Shauny 

Someone once told me "An MR2 will teach you to drive" and bugger me down if it hasn't.

 
 
I currently drive a 1990 Nissan Pulsar N13 (not by choice), and I accept that stepping into a sports car (especially with an MR layout) I'll have to learn how to really drive.
Think an MR2 would be a good stepping stone to a Porsche/Ferrari/R8/Lambo/etc. that I will definitely, without any doubt, one day have the money to buy :p
 
But yer, stepping into an MR2, I would respect it and learn it's characteristics first so I don't do anything stupid, maybe take it to a track so I can safely spin out every now and then before I master it. I think it would be a more enjoyable car to own in the semi-long run.

Want to master driving a car? Race in a go-kart/open wheeler
(Carroll Smith)

^ yer i've had a run around in an SAE car, not a whole heap, old tires, cold tires, dodgey surface, sliding everywhere! Like I said, I'm not a racer, but who involved with SAE doesn't want to have fun around winding roads? 

That'll be the ONLY reason I'd join the club haha

I think people forget or don't realise that you can make either car drive completely different depending on suspension set-ups. A simple wheel alignment can dramatically change the handling of the car if you know what you want to do, eg rear toe angle. You could simply stiffen the rear of your pulsar (rear sway bar) and you can get a similar mid corner balance as an mr2, though if you were to compare to a turbo mr2, you would get a completely different power on response (if you gave it too much) but it would be similar to an N.A mr2. I know when I went from my old fwd celica to my aw11, the handling was more similar than I expected as far as lift off throttle oversteer and power on understeer was concerned.
 
But there is no way a stock mx5 would keep up with my aw11, maybe in a straight line but not through the twisties ;)

The only difference with driving on a closed road/track is you go flat out all day with less risk of hitting oncoming traffic,trees,poles, speed camera's etc. Thats why I choose the track. 
I prefer the MR2 over the MX5 but they are both very rewarding to drive so its a personal preference. They both step out, you can lose it in both cars but the MR2 staps back a lot harder than the MX5 but its a quicker car.
For a speed comparison: Mine is 3 seconds slower than the quickest MX5 turbo in Prod sports(at Wakefield) who runs on slicks with mine on semi's. Power was very similar but the MX5 was a race engine and a sorted car and mine a stocker with boost(at the time) and not sorted plus a 100kg disadvantage. When mine is back on the track(one day..) it will be as quick all day. Put slicks on it with a quick driver and it should trump the MX5 without too much fuss so they have plenty of potential if your willing to put in the effort.
 

The only MX5 that i like is the ones with the V8 that Bullet makes and are road registered cars that have all the RTA compliance for every state in Australia. Now these are awesome

Here is my 2c.
 
Just recently i was after a second "fun car". Cars that were considered were: s2000, mr2 turbo, mx5 crossed my mind when i couldnt find a mr2 turbo at a reasonable price at the time of looking...
-s2000- i had a good look at this car but due to high price i didnt end up going for one.
-mx5- cheap so i had a look but i just couldnt imagine myself driving one, too small, too girly, too slow as a standard car etc
-mr2 turbo- found one for the right price and never looked back. Been modding it up steadily and am happy with performance/looks. Im not very impressed with condition of my car, but i got it cheap so i guess it ok. 

I originally planned to have my MR2 for 6 months while looking for an EVO RS.... 8 years 2 countries and 4 states later and i still have it. Sadly i'm still working/upgrading more than i am driving it .. but my point is, the damn things are addictive and FUN. I reckon it's saved my life too cause when i got it i had literally no respect for FR FF or AWD cars and preferred them well sideways... the MR2 makes you think about your driving and have respect for it.
 
that said as a track car... particularly fun level hillclimb/gymkana stuff.... who can really knock a supercharged mx5 on good rubber and suspension...
 
 
it just depends what your after....