^
Edit: damn page breaks

looks like i opened up a whole can of worms! lol
yeah when i was you-tubing saw an early episode of top gear with tiff needell and he seemed to prefer the handling characteristics of the earlier model due to it feeling a bit edgier and more exciting before the suspension change. not sure what the difference would be like but i'm sure i'd be happy with either one anyway.
it makes total sense though that with the weight of the motor behind you it is definitely going to handle differently to an FR, and so you have to drive it accordingly especially through corners as coming off the accelerator pushes weight forward and makes the back end light. keeping this in mind i've had nothing but fun in this car so far, it just sticks and sticks and sticks:-)
when i tested it i was actually quite surprised at how easy it was to drive, wasn't sure what to expect but i actually felt quite comfortable in it straight away. I drove it down from Melbourne to hobart and after only about an hours sleep (no thanks to the fatty near me snoring ALL night on the boat!) I found it was pretty quick to get used to. have got lowered suspension on mine is standard but with lower springs. Does the job very well and stays quite flat when cornering at speed. Round-abouts never cease to put a smile on my face! Would definitely consider an upgrade to some nice coilovers in the future though if tas roads didn't look like the surface of the moon...

@dylmrt yeah they're the lenso d1r's. Was looking at a multi-spoke design as have seen a few nice mr2's with this but am kinda swaying towards a 5spoke now as they do really suit it without a body kit, not too over the top with the stock look, and i love the deep dish on the rear with that offset!

@Putney thanks mate yeah am very happy with it, turbos are definitely grin inducing machinery! Good luck with the swap i don't reckon you'll regret it!

Toyota, like other car manufactures make cars (even sports cars) for the average 'joe' and not racing car drivers, so if many journalist/drivers, whatever complained about handling problems with the earlier model SW20's wouldn't it make sense for them to 'improve' the suspension with the later models so they weren't as twitchy? It's all about their bottom line.

It is still a matter of opinion whether this was a good or bad move and which is the better handling model.

As I said earlier I have owned both and in my opinion the later model feels more stable in a corner than the earlier model at the same speed. If you wan't to be move adventurous and like your car to be a bit more 'twitchy' then the earlier model is for you.

i don't particularly want the back end to be 'twitchy' at all, but i do find it quite an exciting car to drive. am sure the later models would certainly be as good. would love to test a 94+ sometime!

quote:

---

Originally posted by cogs

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dudeman

Still wasn't d!ckhead proof.

---

No car is, irrespective of its handling traits.

quote:

---

Originally posted by wiz

wouldn't it make sense for them to 'improve' the suspension with the later models so they weren't as twitchy? It's all about their bottom line.

---

From a business sense perspective, yes of course, they want to sell cars. Unfortunately this meant moving away from the vision that the MR2 started life with.


Ironically, many MR2 owners seek to further improve the handling with the fitment of heavier/lower springs, sway bars, etc. It's a well established fact that these handling "improvements," if done correctly will make the car edgier on the limit and more inclined to bite the unwary if pushed too hard.

quote:

---

in my opinion the later model feels more stable in a corner than the earlier model at the same speed

---

Which is exactly what the revised suspension was meant to do. Stable however does not mean faster, it's more forgiving.

---

I agree with your comments except the last one. I never said the later models were faster through the corners, just more stable at the same speed----surely thats a good thing??[x2x]

quote:

---

Originally posted by wiz

I agree with your comments except the last one. I never said the later models were faster through the corners, just more stable at the same speed----surely thats a good thing??[x2x]

---

I think in a roundabout sort of way we're in agreement!! The later models are more stable but at the expense of reduced ultimate grip limit. To make a comparison, fighter jets are so unstable that humans can't fly them unassisted, but this makes their handling incredibly sharp.

quote:

---

Originally posted by ashtwo

unless you're an adrenaline junky :D

---

Haha, that certainly helps!

Sorry ashtwo about bloating your thread with all this[xx(] I hope you enjoy your MR2 as much as I do mine, and welcome to the forums.

quote:

---

Originally posted by kameleon


Alot of SW20 oners change to to the earlier rear as it handles better and is more dynamic like myself.

---

Ha-ha----does that mean that you are more dynamic or the car?[(#)][:x)]