27th Sep 2007, 15:06
Spot on, I think I remember which model it is now. I can image your car is lighter than the SC MR2, I have a N/A MK1 MR2, even with just 122bhp it gives me a lot of fun. The guy who just bought the Toyota starlet I previously mentioned, he had a CRX VTEC, and it looked awesome, especially that back end, he got an insane 140mph out of it!.
Anyways, happy motoring.
28th Sep 2007, 11:21
To poster: 27th Sep 2007, 15:27.
Your SC MR2 sounds well nice. I remember reading in Banzai magazine several months ago there was a guy with a mint MK1 MR2, he'd also tuned his quite extensively and was aiming to get 200bhp to the back wheels. He hadn't quite managed it at the time, but had gotten around 220bhp at the flywheel!.
As for your comments on the Type R being dull, I've never driven one, but I can imagine what you said is probably true, especially compared to the smaller/lighter/supercharged/mid-engined/rear wheel drive MK1MR2.
After owning a couple of N/A MK1 MR2's, I can say first hand they have definitely got soul. A lot of modern hot hatches are fast, but seem really chunky to me. I'm thinking specifically about cars like MK5 GOLF GTI, I've been in several MK1/2 GTI's and they feel so much more raw and alive.
I agree with your bargain performance cars, especially the Lancia Delta, I wonder if they rust badly though?
Here's few more I thought of:
Isuzu Piazza Turbo
Nissan Silvia ZX
Daihatsu Charade GTI
Hillman Imp Super, lol (Not really a performance car as standard I know, but I've always had a perverse attraction towards them, am I weird? I'm weird aren't I?.
I'm going to go now. keep on truckin'
26th Nov 2007, 03:59
Lotus Excel, a poor mans esprit?
They are cheaper, but the performance over a 2.2 esprit is superior.
10th Mar 2008, 17:34
And take a Civic 1600 twin cam from the same era as your MR2 and add a supercharger to it, and your MR2 doesn't stand a chance. Take the non supercharged variant MR2 and compare that to the Vivic without the supercharger... again you're beaten!
21st May 2009, 15:14
If you really want to upset Civic Type R drivers, a Vauxhall Cavalier 2.5 V6 with 3ltr cams, decent exhaust and lightened flywheel. Just under the 200bhp mark, eats 9/10 "sports cars" i.e. Type R, Focus RS, 0-60 5.9 seconds. All for under a grand!
30th Jul 2009, 07:54
I have had Type R Civic, MR2 supercharger and many other sports cars along the way, including Jag XJR, Elise, Esprit etc etc.
Forget the Type R - Japanese shopping trolley with fabulous engine... big deal...for year 2000.. same old rubbish as Clio 172, Focus RS, any other euro box with oversize engine. TEG is better.
Mr2 SC is special, built in 80's remember, only 1600 cc, mid engined, rare, comparable to Elise but many years before!!
The essence of a memorable car is often not out and out performance, but feel handling etc etc. Mk1 MR2 of any kind was rather special in the 80's, even more so now post 2008.
Regret selling it.
26th Sep 2007, 14:15
To poster: 24th Sep 2007, 09:27.
Have you raced against a mk1 supercharged mr2 before?, if so were both cars standard? The supercharged mark 1's are around 6.7secs 0-60, and weigh approx 1 ton, I'm not sure about the IVT civic you have, (did you mean VTI?). My money would be on the Type R, especially a 2007 model. Although I don't believe the SC MR2 would be too shamed, especially as the previous poster demonstrates the drastic difference in price. You could probably spend up to 5 grand on an absolute minter of a mk1 SC, and still have well over 10 grand left, yippee!
I love bargain performance cars, especially from Japan. Consider some of these, fellow car nuts:
3RD GEN Mazda RX7 (especially in turbo form)
MK2 MR2 (again, especially in turbo form)
Mitsubishi Starion (Totally unique today!)
Honda Integra (Always seems highly respected in reviews)
Lotus Excel (Love the wedge shape, a poor mans Esprit?)
TVR 350i (oh!! that V8 Grumble)
Toyota supra (80's version, and especially a 90's turbo)
Honda CRX VTEC + DEL SOL
And many many more!
PS.
Toyota Starlet Turbo (Someone I know just got one imported, tuned to 210bhp. I haven't seen it yet, but it sounds hilarious! Not to my taste though!)