350Z vs. MR2 Spyder, whdda ya think?

Since this forum is less flame-a-philic than most, I figure my fellow GRM'ers could share thoughts about the following idea I am contemplating:

Current AutoX car is moving on to younger owner, need/like to have replacement in place by mid/late summer.

I currently drive a 2004 350Z enthusiast model with 6 months/5K left on factory warranty. Making payments, would like to see the length of payments shorter. Has Rays/Volk LMGT4 Nismo wheels, CAI, stripes. Since rear wheels are 9.5 inches, cannot use 350Z in current form for STR without purchasing new rear wheels. Great car, fun to drive, however the driver's seat lower cushion will occasionally 'fall out' of frame, which is quite a puckering experience. I can put a perma-fix on this, so its not a dealbreaker.

Also have a 69 Datsun Roadster. Love the convertible, as the restoration/mods/sorting of this car comes to a close, I am thinking of selling for dedicated Roadster Race Car, but I want a 'vert for the street. Enter the STR class and the MR-2 Spyder...

Thoughts? I realize the Spyder is way down on power compared to the Z, but I like the pwr/wgt ratio on this car (spyder)! Only interested if I can find a Spyder that frees me from the payments (read: $7-8k) in a reasonable time. Or am I just caught in the navel gaze with thoughts of new car lust???? Been looking/researching for a few weeks, thought I would share with others...

Eric G

After several minutes of deliberate consideration, I think I'm way too biased towards the Z and don't have enough knowledge of an MR2 Spyder.

I just did my first AutoX this year in my Z, and beat a few corvettes (was a CC test n tune). Only changes are 18x9.5 wheels all around and sticky street tires...

Important questions: How much do you owe on the Z? What could you realistically sell it for? How much do you have to spend on top of any profit/loss from the Z?

What about a Z Vert?

As much as think I like MR2s, I've never seen much in the way of love for the 3rd gens from the motorsports crowd. I'm not honestly sure why that is, I think it has to do with Toyota putting the 1ZZ-FE in instead of the 2ZZ.

I certainly wouldn't kick either out of my driveway, but I imagine the Z is significantly faster.

I've been day dreaming about a MR2 Spyder with a GM 5.3(horizontally mounted L33). I've seen them with a Toyota V6 an it was quick. I think with a LS motor it would be a hell of fun car to hurt people's feeling with.

The spyder is unholy amounts of fun even with the stock weaksauce 140hp.

93celicaGT2 wrote: The spyder is unholy amounts of fun even with the stock weaksauce 140hp.

Actually, it really isn't. I've driven one, and it was slow and uninspiring. Even modded they are thoroughly uninteresting. Local guy with National Tour trophies used to have one, fully prepped for it's stock class (big money dampers, A6's on SSR's, cat-back, trailered) and he sold it because it was the most boring car he ever owned. His was wicked quick but nobody ever noticed (dark green) it run.

P71 wrote:

93celicaGT2 wrote: The spyder is unholy amounts of fun even with the stock weaksauce 140hp.

Actually, it really isn't. I've driven one, and it was slow and uninspiring. Even modded they are thoroughly uninteresting. Local guy with National Tour trophies used to have one, fully prepped for it's stock class (big money dampers, A6's on SSR's, cat-back, trailered) and he sold it because it was the most boring car he ever owned. His was wicked quick but nobody ever noticed (dark green) it run.

K.... guess i stand corrected?

Personally, i found it way more entertaining than any miata i've ever driven, but i do have a penchant for talking out of my ass i guess.

Videotape that Ben, You will make a killing on You Tube.

93celicaGT2 wrote: ...but i do have a penchant for talking out of my ass i guess.

So, apparantly, do others on this board, so don't feel apologetic for expressing your experience

Alright, my personal experience is: (Raze made me do it!)

MR-S is the E36 M3.

OP: Drive one for yourself and see if you like it. If you like small, extremely light cars that still have nice creature comforts, and the sound of a motor behind you, combined with some great handling, i think you'll like it.

If you don't like any of those things, may i suggest a P71?

I autocrossed a fairly new MR2 about 4 weeks ago ago. It felt very Miata-esque.
It was little and fun, and reved nicely.
On the plus side the owner was a very pretty young lady, so chicks dig 'em.

I drag raced a '04 350Z a couple of weeks ago and he beat my Boxster S on all 3 runs. (by an easy car length.)

So ........ I guess I can't help you at all, because You have to figure out what suits you. Oh, I'm guessing the MR2 tires cost a Lot less.

350=Pig

MR2=Awesome Sauce

In reply to P71: Every car ever built for Stock class autocrossing is the most boring car I have ever driven. Stock sucks!

Not to threadjack, but they really need to remove slicks from stock class.

I looked at the MR-s years ago when you could get them new. I loved the handling, interior, and sound.. but as I needed a daily, the sorry excuse it had for a trunk was the deal breaker.

as a secondary "fun/race" car.. I think they would be perfect

Oh I absolutely agree that slicks need to go from stock! But the MR-S is still slow and dull. It just didn't feel like a sports car. Give me a 1st or 2nd Gen MR2 over the MR-S any day!

And to the OP, I still say 350Z 'Vert.

Lots of surprising opinions here. I'd choose a MR-S over an 350Z in a hearbeat, assuming it wouldn't be my only car. It's everything the Miata is but less. Less weight, less space, less popular. I've driven more than one, and I loved them. Not fun? You weren't trying hard enough.

350Z is heavier, thirstier, and a little more practical. Not a bad car, just not my cup of tea.

I'm with Tom on this one. I've driven both cars, and while the 350z is fast and capable, it doesn't communicate with the immediacy that the MR-S does. I wasn't a huge fan of the Toyota's styling at first, but it is starting to grow on me. (especially in dark colors) I really loved the light and nimble driving experience, even though it wasn't fast. The 350z feels like a tank in comparison......a really fast tank, but still a tank.

One thing to consider is the MR-S's almost complete lack of storage space. It would be a fun toy, but forget about carrying anything in it.

This thread has made me look for MR-Ss again. Arg.

I lust for one to molest in various ways.

Stock for stock, which is faster in an AutoX? (assuming same street tires on the two on stock rims)

I would think that, on a track, the Z's power will overcome any handling deficiency compared to the MR2.

In reply to P71:

P71- Z'vert is gruesome to look at. Ewww. (personal opinion) Not that the MR-S is a prom queen, but the 350Z vert is not on the table.

As for owning a p71, yes, but that doesn't quite fit the bill right now. I drove one for a week in IA during the winter, it got around better than most SUV's out there (Firestone Winter tires helped a bit)

Slicks out of Stock, oh HECK YEAH!! No thread-jack here, I totally agree about that.

P71- good questions about the financing. Without getting into gritty $$ details, I am at the 'tipping point' for owe vs. resale value. I am not attempting to get any extra $ for Z, just would like to reduce time paying payments. Not adverse to payments, just would like to see the light at the end of the tunnel earlier.

Thanks for the input, bring in more real experiences!

Eric G

Didn't the MR-S come with an optional sequential gearbox? Also I remember the SCC doing an awesome build of one.

I believe it came with a 5 spd stick or a auto with a man shift mode.

According to Wiki, there was a 6spd sequential gearbox available. I don't know if it was any good but I remember it was the cheapest car with that available.

In reply to 96DXCivic:

6sp Sequential slap box, or 5sp or 6sp manual, yes 3 different choices my research shows...iirc.

Tom and Joe - Not my only car, however it would be my 'go-to' DD (A/C is kinda nice in the central valley of CA) Space is limited in the Z as well, I cannot imagine that there is that much less, but I will check this out. Styling, the MR-S has also grown on me, but I like the 'electric razors' from Toyota's early 80's lineup. I am also quite used to the low power autox-ing (83 supra, 145hp, 3300lbs)

Right now, front runner is 04-05 Phantom Grey with red top and interior. Second is the green with tan top/interior, gotta be different...

Eric G

mkiisupra wrote: I am also quite used to the low power autox-ing (83 supra, 145hp, 3300lbs)

It's not going to be anything like that. Similar power, slightly less torque, but over 1000lbs lighter. These things are LIGHT.