Matt finally drives a 2ZZ.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BqJgQ2aeAM
The Smoking Tire
richardraley
21 - 40 of 48 Posts
Joined
·
2,903 Posts
Whether he was just being nice or not, I agree with him in that the 2ZZ Spyder is one hell of a little sportscar for around $10K. Unlike many other swaps it has Toyota factory reliability, retains things like air conditioning, factory gauges and OBDII. If a person did not know better they would think that it came directly from the factory like this. In my book, that is a good thing. That and the increased performance and improved reliability is what makes the 2ZZ swap a great choice for the MR2 Spyder.
Joined
·
170 Posts
318 bends, some hairpins, most, very tight in 11 miles. The Spyder does very well, mine is all stock and can goes through the turns with ease. I’m sure that with an upgraded suspension and bracing you could be more aggressive. Keep up with the sport bikes.
Joined
·
24,086 Posts
As CSPIDY pointed out it is a stretch of road that has so many turns per mile. The place is literally a theme park for motorists.
The turns are tight and well suited for cars like ours so much so that we easily chased down s2ks or if they were behind us we left them behind. The Spyders group that day had dominion over the dragon.
This road is the closest thing to a Japanese touge .
Some of the faster cars I followed could get me in the straights even if I went into lift but they had to scrub off so much speed before the corner I would easily catch up.
Joined
·
170 Posts
Yes, all that may be true about the Dragon, but what i'm trying to say is we have options around Los Angeles for twisting roads.
Do you ever say to your self please make it stop?
Joined
·
24,086 Posts
I'm sure you guys do and you probably have many more fun roads in the West Coast then we have in the East however I think the Tail of the Dragon is special because of the tightness of the corners and corners per mile. If you have a similar road in LA let me know so we can compare.
It's also special because it is somewhat tolerated by the police and township because they know it brings in revenue even though it results in many tragic deaths.
Joined
·
170 Posts
Not sure why you guys are so focused on the Dragon. I'm aware of the road and it does sound great, but having never driven it, I do not know how it compares to our roads, nor do I really care if I'm not around to drive it. I just read comments wishing for a twistier road, in which I replied we have a few roads near by he could've taken the car to within 15-25 miles alone. You guys can go on and talk about the Dragon, and which Spyder you would like to cherry pick for the video. I just figured it would be unlikely for someone in Los Angeles to fly out to drive a Spyder on the Dragon, when he could've borrowed someone's car and take a quick spin during lunch nearby.
Joined
·
2,958 Posts
The problem with Matt is that he makes a lightweight car slower by sitting in it. A second body in the car is also noticeable.
There are some pretty twisty roads in between Asuza / Glendora Mountain Road where you won't even make it out of 2nd gear. Not something you would drive while talking to a camera.
There are some pretty twisty roads in between Asuza / Glendora Mountain Road where you won't even make it out of 2nd gear. Not something you would drive while talking to a camera.
Joined
·
7,887 Posts
I lived in Azusa when I was young. In high school I use to run those canyons all the time. It was dumb. I have seen a lot of wrecks. A spyder owner died in Glendora canyon.
There are 5 race track within an hours drive that I can run for $100 day. That is much cheaper than a traffic ticket or being upside down in a ditch on the side of the road.
Joined
·
6,227 Posts
On Superbowl Sunday, the roads are deserted. Perfect day to go for a leisurely drive.
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
Joined
·
985 Posts
Since ive driven on both the Tail of the Dragon and Glendora Mountain Road let me give yall the run down.....on the east coast it is very much more social than it is here in LA, spyder owners on the east coast are willing to drive from 7-10hrs or more to the tail of the dragon then drive on it all weekend then drive back before work Monday! Sadas X having like 36 spyders at the dragon is something that will never happen in cali
Out in cali Spyder owners are everywhere but life is so fast paced that even getting together on a weekend is unlikely to happen, even if did work out, few would be down for GMR.
Then half the people think canyon running is 2 risky like mentioned above by silversprint, who was awesome to meet and thank u for the engine lid ! If you wanna have a show car then the cali scene is perfect for you, there is a car meet every night where a bunch of people sit in the parking lot and dont drive their cars. Great if u wanna do a donut in a lowes parking lot, have a bunch of camber and airbags, or wanna find some slow cars to drag race. Like silversprint mentioned if u have a spyder in cali the track is the optimal place to go! Im trying to do as many events as i can before i move back to Missouri later this year!
The dragon is considered the #1 road in America to drive a sports car or sports bike on! 318 curves in 11 miles sounds great but the traffic on the road sometimes makes it hard to get some really good spirited runs in unless your a night rider....which i am as well ??
There are a few other roads id like to mention for consideration around deals gap, NC
Devils triangle, the skyway, and foothills parkway are all worth laying down some rubber on if u ever go, drive them all......if u can pull away from the dragon long enough
Moving now to Glendora Mountain Road....has to be my favorite road in cali -its 45min - 1hr drive there from where i live in riverside, ca
Very convenient.....I haven’t been since i had a daughter 11 months ago ....sad face
There are a few others worth mentioning the snake on muholland drive, ortega hwy, and angeles crest hwy are all great spots but not like GMR. So lets break down how GMR is set up since its 3 roads in one!
Front side- Glendora Mountain Road-10 mile uphill from Glendora with 3 very tight switchbacks to start then twists into some traditional mountain turns and some tight sweepers all the drifters love....this road has a double yellow center
Center - this is photo #2, as u see the downhill section is an 8 mile strech down to azuza
Very technical section....MRS heaven!
Back side - Glendora Ridge Road - 11 miles of madness, super technical, no center line, very narrow, leads to Mnt Baldy from “center”
This one is my absolute favorite section
There is even a small straight away section where ive reached 90mph+ then its a transition right back into the twisties
This road is picture #1, google earth had some really good images of the roads as well
Here is what makes GMR comparable to the Dragon....NO TRAFFIC EVER
You can get a full run on one of these sections 24hrs a day
Weekends around midnight is the only time people gather to togue or drift - I highly recommend it, just dont try and drive above your own ability and have some really good aftermarket lighting for night runs!
Here is what makes the Dragon comparable to GMR..... meeting other spyder owners that you end up making memories with on the dragon because you all did it as a group is an experience that GMR has yet to deliver
So its hard to compare the nostalgia of the dragon where every corner is named and the history it carries, let alone the national attention and what the road as an attraction means to the local community.....literary a few photo companies like killboy make a living taking pics of cars driving on the Dragon. You only find that at the track in cali
Edit:
Trd cup round 1 - streets of willow - feb 18th
Race wars - fontana speedway - march 4th
Toyotafest is just a car show, i mean its a pretty cool event but there aint no driving until after toyotafest, i think the tickets go on sale in march and like stated before sell out likely the same day
Last year MR2 spyders were grouped with the Aw11 mk1 first gen mr2’s and they won all 3 of the medals that they give out, so all the spyders went home empty handed and we were the only car that was grouped together/merged with another generation for judging
The SW20 community in cali has to be the best in th country those guys come out in numbers!!
I get jealous
Wow great roads, where are they and what rout would I take from Pennsylvania to get there?On Superbowl Sunday, the roads are deserted. Perfect day to go for a leisurely drive.
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
Joined
·
170 Posts
I don't drive GMR at 2-3 AM anymore, I take Sunday morning cruises. Last time I was at GMR 10 PM, there was a bunch of cars parked, no one driving like they used to. Maybe it's a different era here.
Joined
·
6,227 Posts
This is the Haleakala Crater Road, there's about 7,000 ft elevation of this shit, one of the best maintained roads on the planet, because of its importance to tourism. It totally puts Pike's Peak and Mount Fuji to shame. You could say it's my backyard. My house is about 1 mile from the starting line.
Joined
·
7,270 Posts
Nice playground! just be safe, I know no fun.
Joined
·
6,227 Posts
I can't say that I am 100% observant of speed limits but then neither are most grandmothers and little old ladies. However I never ever approach even remotely the limits of the car on open roads. I save that for the track.
We see this all too often. Three people killed in this one, French tourists:
![Image]()
We see this all too often. Three people killed in this one, French tourists:
Joined
·
2,958 Posts
It is quite possible on drive such roads at a relatively brisk pace place without the insecure right foot of a 16 year old.
The "center" section of GMR that rburton is referring to is the Spyder's side of the plate for sure. This is what this car is all about.
The "front side" GMR is where the idiocy takes place. Some drivers forget that their cars don't do the same thing on their way down as it did going up. I once met a Miata at the top of the ridge and was met with 2 firetrucks and a helicopter on the way down. The guy was lucky to have a harddog ... great piece of advertising though. Posted it on clubroadster and found out that this guy had a habit getting 4 wheels off the pavement.
Probably didn't matter what road he was on or what car he was in.
Track days seem great, but I'd rather watch a hill climb (royals?) at mid speed versus a the time attack around a long track at 100mph.
21 - 40 of 48 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
