1990's Toyota MR2 G-Limited

How tall are you? I drove a 91 Turbo T Top as a 6' tall man with a helmet on. My helmet was above the T top line, resting on the rear seal. 

@haloruler64 5' 8" so no problems there! What did you think of the car? Any other thoughts?

Keep in mind I only ever autocrossed it, I never got to drive it much. It's the polar opposite of the MR2 Spyder. Drove a bone stock 91T. Interior is that nice 90's Toyota quality, and nicely designed. Comfortable. Suspension is relatively soft. Car has very little rawness, it's composed and smooth. Power delivery is pretty good, good low end. Not fast, but kinda quick. Realistically the Spyder debuted with a 06-60 between 6.8 and 7.0 seconds depending on who you ask, and the Turbo was around 6.2 so it's not a massive difference by any means. But where the Spyder has to rev out to get anything out, this just pulls well through the rev range (great for autocross). Steering is 90's Toyota, rubbery and vague (like a Corolla but of course better). Much taller ratio than the Spyder. 

tl;dr feels more GT car like, smooth, comfortable, really nice car. MR2 Spyder is an annoying, grating, raw, exhilarating, thrilling car in comparison. Also a trunk is nice to have! My Spyder with a 3.9 FD (terrible gearing for autocross) was still quicker around the course than the 91T which had better tires.

@haloruler64 Much appreciated! I will report on what I do.

I hope none of that came off as negative. I love the SW20. It's just crazy how both cars share the MR2 name and are so different. Just setting expectations! SW is a lovely car, and a gorgeous one too.

@haloruler64 Not at all negative and I actually pretty much share your thoughts about the two cars! They are two really different cars. The looks of the SW20 are what I fell in love with. Otherwise I would not consider a 30 year old car for this purpose. Particularly since I have a 50 year old Buick (1970 Buick GS Stage 1) if I just want something to work on.

Any thoughts you may have about the right hand drive aspect would be appreciated as well. I have never owned a right hand drive car.

I've never owned a RHD car. And unless it's RHD only, I'd prefer to avoid it. It's an inconvenience in almost every way, including buying interior parts, minor mechanical parts (like shifter and ignition barrel), drive thrus, parking, visibility, shifting with the wrong hand, turn signal placement (especially if you daily a LHD car), everything. The SW20 LHD and RHD are about the same, so I'd rather have an USDM LHD model. Now if I had to pick up a Silvia S15, I'd deal with RHD then.

@haloruler64 And that is why I asked! I have thought of all that you brought up EXCEPT the drive thru! Here is a pic of the latest RHD example. I think you are right though. RHD would be a pain in the posterior in most ways! Thanks again!

Having driven many RHD vehicles when I was abroad it’s doable as long as everyone else is. It’s 100% a visibility issue that could land you in an accident or you have to be very careful which takes the fun out of it. The appeal for RHD vehicles in the states was more or less a show car thing, practically is zero unless you are delivering the mail.  

I had a ‘91 Turbo for about about five years. The description of a GT type is spot on. It was built like a jewel box as Toyota was at the height of it’s manufacturing prowess in that era. Well engineered and fun. The turbo had lag, as they all did back then, even though I swapped the stock CT20 for the JDM CT 26 turbo and did other mods that bumped maybe 25 HP. A very comfortable, well thought out and executed car. The weight was what was it’s weak point. WhenToyota created the Spyder, they went back to what made the first generation MR2(which I also owned one of) so much fun-light weight, small engine, dart like steering/handling. The ‘91 was more of a cruiser than a twisties machine. Nothing wrong with that, just a different concept/execution. And the styling.... like a baby Ferrari, beautiful. Can’t add anything about the right hand drive, sorry.

@murray Really appreciated. I have come to my senses and discarded the JDM in favor of USDM because of the RHD. (Acronyms FTW!) I love the look of the SW20. I actually prefer lag in a turbo b/c I really like the "wait for it...then kick you in the ass" feel. As far as model years I wanted a 1995 but the early 1990's appear to be in much better supply. 

I like the first gen as well but I prefer the second gen stying. Again, thanks for the input!

Agreed about the lag. I drove a 2016 or so 328i turbo 4 and a 335i twin scroll turbo 6 back to back. The 335i pulled from idle to redline, and pulled like a maniac. Ridiculously fast car. The 328i had lag, but kicked in hard and was a lot more fun feeling. The 335i just felt like a constant torque pull. I like the build of the turbo 4.

I'll admit, if I had it to do over again, I would have k swapped a 2nd gen MR2 over a spyder, mainly due to the looks and ease.  Stock to stock though, I'd rather have a 1zz spyder than a 3sgte mr2.

The 2nd gen has a timeless 90's Japanese but almost exotic look to it.

Posted by: @nocoolname

I'll admit, if I had it to do over again, I would have k swapped a 2nd gen MR2 over a spyder, mainly due to the looks and ease.  Stock to stock though, I'd rather have a 1zz spyder than a 3sgte mr2.

 

The 2nd gen has a timeless 90's Japanese but almost exotic look to it.

That is really it! A timeless, near exotic, Toyota! What is not to love!

What is it that you prefer about the 1ZZ compared to the 3SGE? I have never owned a 3SGE so I do not know.