I disagree... and then wander away.

 

If you believe the car sucks, why is it unfortunate that it's discontinued?

 

I suppose I bought it for some reason ... but I'll forget those reasons as soon as I become a former owner .... maybe owning a Spyder makes one's memory go bad .... I can feel it, I can feel it ....

- H2

 

Originally posted by MRT2
Not to mention many of the other new-b sport compact enthusiasts that somewhat equal the MR2's handling performance, and for sure outboast it's HP and speed ratings with a SMALLER fraction of cost to the consumers.

It is unlikely that a sport compact (meaning Integra, RSX, Celica, Prelude, etc I assume) could equal the MR-S' handling properties from the factory. The MR-S was designed using principles such as low polar moment of inertia where the overhangs to the front and rear are minimized to ultimately improve the cornering of our car. It has a "naturally" low ride with a comparitively wide stance. Added to that, its very low weight and you have a superb handling vehicle that does not "get ahead of itself" in the curves where it was meant to run.

You see car commercials with their vehicles gliding through fun looking curves, but that is still NOTHING compared to what the MR-S could do. I would suspect that if Toyota made a commercial for the MR-S in the curves, it would be similar to the MR-S (w/ 2zz) vs the S15 clip around here somewhere. That also proves another point about the handling in this car.. a 190hp MR-S owned a 315hp (IIRC) S15 Silvia on the Gunsai Touge... we don't need alot of HP.

 

Originally posted by NM369+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NM369)</div>

<!--QuoteBegin-MRT2

Not to mention many of the other new-b sport compact enthusiasts that somewhat equal the MR2's handling performance, and for sure outboast it's HP and speed ratings with a SMALLER fraction of cost to the consumers.

It is unlikely that a sport compact (meaning Integra, RSX, Celica, Prelude, etc I assume) could equal the MR-S' handling properties from the factory. The MR-S was designed using principles such as low polar moment of inertia where the overhangs to the front and rear are minimized to ultimately improve the cornering of our car. It has a "naturally" low ride with a comparitively wide stance. Added to that, its very low weight and you have a superb handling vehicle that does not "get ahead of itself" in the curves where it was meant to run.

You see car commercials with their vehicles gliding through fun looking curves, but that is still NOTHING compared to what the MR-S could do. I would suspect that if Toyota made a commercial for the MR-S in the curves, it would be similar to the MR-S (w/ 2zz) vs the S15 clip around here somewhere. That also proves another point about the handling in this car.. a 190hp MR-S owned a 315hp (IIRC) S15 Silvia on the Gunsai Touge... we don't need alot of HP.[/b]

FWIW it also owned it on the track

 

000000000000

 

2006 ?

I'm pretty certain 2005 model year only runs through January 2005.

It's gonna be out of "print" in early '05, but there should be a few lingering at the dealers until at least the summertime. In the U.S. anyways...

 

He just doesn't get what this car is about, plain and simple.

 

I love to argue and I am bored so here I go....

First of all, the MR2 needs to be compared to cars in the same CLASS(Miata, S2000, Z4) not just price. If price was the ONLY issue, you could easily compare the utilitarian Camry to the MR2 Spyder -- both $26,000 cars, but in totally different classes.

And comparing the Spyder to a 2zz powered Corolla XRS in handling isn't going to fly here, again class issue among other things. Not to mention the Corolla is about as aerodynamic as a brick.

In the end, we can magazine race until the cows come home but plain the fact is a $25,000 pocket rocket econobox sedan or coupe from the factory isn't going to pull a stock Spyder-like .91g on a skidpad. Sure you could add $2500+ in mods and you MAY get close to .91. But now you have a more expensive, less pothole friendly, NON-stock econobox with lower resale. So obvious the conclusion is with MR2 Spyder, stock-for-stock you get a lot of performance for the money.

I would tend to agree that a 2zz powered Spyder from the factory would have been kick ass. Even as a higher priced an option. But even with the 1zz, Spyder isn't slow by any means. Power-to-wieght ratio is a wonderful thing. But as we know there is no such thing as "too much horsepower". (read: Elise!!)

Quote: "I guess the sporty - somewhat femininelike appeal of the car...."

That statement, however, IS true. Females LOVE this car. In fact I get stopped all the time by women, I always have one in the passenger seat on the way to the club!!

 

Originally posted by greencard
I love to argue and I am bored so here I go....

First of all, the MR2 needs to be compared to cars in the same CLASS(Miata, S2000, Z4) not just price. If price was the ONLY issue, you could easily compare the utilitarian Camry to the MR2 Spyder -- both $26,000 cars, but in totally different classes.

And comparing the Spyder to a 2zz powered Corolla XRS in handling isn't going to fly here, again class issue among other things. Not to mention the Corolla is about as aerodynamic as a brick.

In the end, we can magazine race until the cows come home but plain the fact is a $25,000 pocket rocket econobox sedan or coupe from the factory isn't going to pull a stock Spyder-like .91g on a skidpad. Sure you could add $2500+ in mods and you MAY get close to .91. But now you have a more expensive, less pothole friendly, NON-stock econobox with lower resale. So obvious the conclusion is with MR2 Spyder, stock-for-stock you get a lot of performance for the money.

I would tend to agree that a 2zz powered Spyder from the factory would have been kick ass. Even as a higher priced an option. But even with the 1zz, Spyder isn't slow by any means. Power-to-wieght ratio is a wonderful thing. But as we know there is no such thing as "too much horsepower". (read: Elise!!)

Quote: "I guess the sporty - somewhat femininelike appeal of the car...."

That statement, however, IS true. Females LOVE this car. In fact I get stopped all the time by women, I always have one in the passenger seat on the way to the club!!

But you missed the point. MRT2 not only tried to compare it to cars in equal price range, but also to "new-b sport compacts". THAT is why the discussion is how it is.

I am going to have to agree on the girls love this car thing :wink: :mrgreen:

 

Originally posted by greencard
I love to argue and I am bored so here I go....

First of all, the MR2 needs to be compared to cars in the same CLASS(Miata, S2000, Z4) ......

Now that's just not true. Miata yes, S2000 and Z4 no.

 

You all make valid points! (with the exception of me being a bad driver) In which case, the word "Sucks" was used in poor context, (Let me explain further) I am sad they are discontinuing this model without giving any significant improvements on the engine base. Although great in the twisties, the car lacks power.

True, a true comparison would be to compare it to other 2 seater convertibles, but in this case, I was merely comparing to other Sport Compact performance cars in this price range. In which case, a WRX (not STI) not only performs better in the twisties, but also does better in the acceleration in all speed categories, and is of similiar price range. I'm a driving enthusiasts, I purchased the STI in place of the MR-S... and in hindsight (when comparing performance factors)... I just question the purchase of this car. BUT it did get a lot of turns from the ladies!

 

must of been the huge wing. overcompensation maybe?

 

Originally posted by MRT2
You all make valid points! (with the exception of me being a bad driver) In which case, the word "Sucks" was used in poor context, (Let me explain further) I am sad they are discontinuing this model without giving any significant improvements on the engine base. Although great in the twisties, the car lacks power.

True, a true comparison would be to compare it to other 2 seater convertibles, but in this case, I was merely comparing to other Sport Compact performance cars in this price range. In which case, a WRX (not STI) not only performs better in the twisties, but also does better in the acceleration in all speed categories, and is of similiar price range. I'm a driving enthusiasts, I purchased the STI in place of the MR-S... and in hindsight (when comparing performance factors)... I just question the purchase of this car. BUT it did get a lot of turns from the ladies!

Well...if it came from the factory with ALL the good stuff, it'd be awfully boring around here.

Your STi isn't topless though, is it?

There are reasons for each one. What you may see as limitations, others may see as benefits. I, for one, gave up the backseat in my Sonata for an additional 10mpg (I get almost 35 in-town), style, and the droptop -- not because it's a drag racer. I happen to think the WRX isn't much to look at...kinda reminds me of a Corolla with a ground effects kit.

 

There is a lot of trolling going on around here lately.

 

Originally posted by BFBCPing
There is a lot of trolling going on around here lately.

I agree..... the STI may be fast and handle OK which BTW I doubt it handles as well as the Spyder.
but it is ugly/heavy and a dime a dozen.

 

:violin: It's where the market is headed. And BTW, I think the Celica's are not long for this world, either. Toyota missed the mark with these cars if they thought they would appeal to the youth market. Trouble is, not many in that demographic have that much coin in their pockets to afford one. Take a look at the Toyota dealers -- notice all the Scions, RAV4s, Corollas, Camrys, Echos, Prius, Highlanders, 4Runners, Sequoya's, Tundras and Tacomas and you will see where Toyota's corpaorate head is.
My local dealer has approx 350 vehicles in their new inventory with more arriving all the time and there isn't a single Spyder among them. Glad I was able acquire mine.

 

Originally posted by John Gail
And BTW, I think the Celica's are not long for this world, either.

Celica was discontinued with the MR2.

 

Blade, you'e correct. There was a thread on here about the Celica's demise. I just didn't remember when. But I don't see how the Spyder sales paled in comparision to "its stronger cousin" the Celica. Sales on those has not been so hot, either. Another way to look at it is there aren't any "surplus" vehicles in these two models around that have to be sold off at deep discounts. Eventually, all of them will be sold from the meager inventories, which is exactly what Toyota wanted to do by limiting production.

 

I was never a real fan of the Celica, to be honest...at least, not the most recent iteration of it.

 

The new Scion Tc is replacing the overpriced Celica and at a far cheaper sticker for simular performance. And by placing in it's youth brand, Toyota will probably sell a crap load, because the Scion marketing says it's cool.

How long do you think before Scion introduces it's own SUV? It's coming, just wait. SUVs are the real reason there is no intrest in sporty cars.

 

As i passed a car on the freeway, my GF noted from the passenger seat that it was a Scion. I was a bit boggled because I have seen teh xA ad xB and not been particularly thrilled at those, and the talk has been how different and promising the tC should be.

It certainly didn't stand out on the road for me. I can usually spot something pretty quick that I find interesting, and yet I passed this slowly without a real glance. ho-hum.

I preferred the looks of the prior gen (6th gen) Celica. It was the most refined and harkened back to the one in the 80s, but in a refined way. The one around '90 that I thought looked like a cheap bubble car was not impressive to me. The last gen was too radical, much like the prior hyundia Tiburon that i call "the nike running shoe." Too many lines and too much effort on really making a bland "sporty" car aggresive made this last Celica date itself and really put itself out for mocking.

 

What cars will be replacing the Celica and MR-S? I've just read some talk of the Scion TC, but my assumption is that SCION will be the new subsidarie trademark for Toyota similiar to MINI/BMW???

Is Toyota going to even come with replacement cars? Or is Scion strictly cornering their end of the market with cars that appeal to the more "Youthful"?

 

It's all cyclical. In ten years, Toyota will have a nice sports coupe and/or sports car.

SUVs' days are numbered, given the climbing (and never coming down) price of gasoline.

 

Originally posted by DonSchenck
SUVs' days are numbered, given the climbing (and never coming down) price of gasoline.

Thank you China.