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MountaineerSTi
09-25-2006, 01:16 PM
Jennifer saw one of these cars and really liked it. I thought I would get some feedback from you guys since I dont know much about the cars. This one has a 6 spd sequential transmission which I guess were pretty rare in these cars.

Is it autocrossable in case I decide to play with it while I procrastinate getting myself a car?

Are they reliable? fun? anything else?
SeanB
09-25-2006, 01:51 PM
Friend of mine Dave has an 01 Spyder with the 2ZZ-FE Vibe GT motor mated to a 6 speed manual that he runs in SM2. The car is stupidly fast and nimble and requires a great deal of finesse to drive fast.

Its a Toyota... it'll be reliable... if I were you I'd get a regular manual or find someone that swapped the 2ZZ motor into one.
SentraWV
09-25-2006, 02:24 PM
An MR2 Spyder was one of the cars I had my eye on until I figured out I (probably) wouldn't fit in it with a helmet on and the top up. :(

NP: King Crimson, Islands
evilnissan
09-25-2006, 08:21 PM
Check the mechanical history!!!!!!


The early models had piston ring problems and would spit oil on the precat and it would crumble.. Then parts of the pre cat would get sucked back in the engine and chew the piston walls apart!!!


Check spyderchat.com
MountaineerSTi
09-25-2006, 09:51 PM
thanks for the heads up. This is an '03 and only has 1300 miles on it so hopefully that wont be an issue. It's also certified with extended warranty which might help lessen the blow should something go wrong.

Remember, it's for my wife...
ShortysTRM
09-25-2006, 10:03 PM
Yeah, it seems like the only power mod that any of the big Japanese tuners do with these cars is to swap in a stock 2ZZ and beef up the suspension. They weigh next to nothing, so they're great for autocross.
Chaos_CB7
09-26-2006, 01:24 AM
Its an MRS badging it as a MR2 was an insult to the MR2 heritage and they all should be shot for doing so.
sts 50
09-26-2006, 11:41 PM
The enthusiast mags didn't like that sequential manual - shifted too slowly.
MountaineerSTi
10-01-2006, 03:13 PM
Well, it followed us home from Canton, OH on Saturday (bummer I missed the benefit event). It is a surprisingly fun car to drive...really fun. While the SMT is not on par with the M3 from BMW, it definitely shifts faster than I could and perfectly rev-matches on down-shifts.

Bottom line is the wife wanted a little sporty car and I wanted to make sure it was fun, reliable and safe. Mission accomplished. And what's better, she will be trying her hand at Autox in it at the Wood Co Airport.

http://www.sunbrother.com/mr2/index.html
ShortysTRM
10-02-2006, 10:13 PM
That's awesome! I look forward to seeing it out there.