Hard Dog or Cusco?

Unless you plan to wear a helmet every time you drive even on the street don't get the full cage. 

There is a past member that is disabled because his head hit the cage.    

Even many roll bars are a danger if you're not wearing a helmet. A low speed accident with no injuries can turn into a death.

I have a full cage in my Jeep and it has provided more protection than injury so I am a proponent.

I also have an Autopower roll-bar in the Spyder and it sits pretty far behind the seat so the impact to the car would have to be pretty large for the head to make contact with the bar.

I think the OP is building a toy, not a daily driver, so the benefits probably outweigh the disadvantages.

I attach an Autopower bar to my MR2 when I go to the track. I'm 6' and my head is RIGHT next to the forward bar. When I lost control of my car at autocross my helmet smacked the roll bar. Lightly, it was only 30 MPH, but that would have concussed me without a helmet. I ALWAYS remove it when I get home.

There is always a possibility that inadvertent contact could happen, and there is also the possibility that it may protect you as well, so its a personal choice.

I will keep mine installed, and maybe I will regret it someday, but maybe I won't...

To me, any sharp movement would throw my head into the bar because it's so nearby. The risk of a sharp snap to the side is far far higher than any risk of a rollover, not to mention it seems that most MR2 Spyder owners walk away from rollovers due to the amazing strength of the windshield frame. Anyway I'm not trying to convince you, just throwing my thoughts out there. 

It has been a few years but from what I recall before you go with any cage you have to figure out seat position, seat you are actually using, seat mounts, harness angle, headroom clearance etc. CUSCO gives little to no info to even begin figuring that out. Don't want to purchase one to find out it can't work regardless.

That was one of the reasons why I am considering a full cage at some point but done by a qualified shop taking all the factors into account as well as one built around a stripped interior.

This car will never be a daily driver.

Posted by: WilcoMR-S

It has been a few years but from what I recall before you go with any cage you have to figure out seat position, seat you are actually using, seat mounts, harness angle, headroom clearance etc. CUSCO gives little to no info to even begin figuring that out. Don't want to purchase one to find out it can't work regardless.

That was one of the reasons why I am considering a full cage at some point but done by a qualified shop taking all the factors into account as well as one built around a stripped interior.

You have the right idea!