In reply to 93celicaGT2:
Exacly, actually the MR-S would be a hoot due to the weight. My Datsun Roadster has about 45 less hp, yet weighs about the same, and it is way too much fun to toss around, so bring on the Mid engine dynamics and lets play! My gut feeling is that the torque of the straight 6 supra is going to be the loss here.
96DXCivic wrote: 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.
Drove one with it, wasn't terribly impressed. It had a bit of neat factor, but I'd look for one without it if I were buying one.
The MR-S has WAY less usable storage space than the Z. If you take the spare out of the front, there is a bit of space, and there is a small duffel-bag sized storage bin behind the seats......that's it! No golf clubs, race tires, suitcases.....really no room for anything besides a small, soft bag.
The lack of storage was one of the big reasons I think the cars didn't sell well. Especially being in the same market as a Miata which has a real trunk. I swear they designed the Miata to make sure it would hold a set of golf clubs, as they do...barely.
Even grocery shopping would be impossible in a MR-S if you had a passenger.
As a toy though......they rock!
In reply to Joe Gearin:
The golfbag consideration was also given to the Z, however golfing has only been a whipping boy of punchlines of my jokes for decades.
I did fit an entire sunroof assembly, motor, switch, and full headliner from a Supra into the Z, just barely with my head ducking the entire way.
Space could be a dealbreaker. However the Supra holds as much as a Subie wagon, so it is usually the light hauler.
Eric G
Must stop looking at 2zzge engine sets...
Based upon the 'AW11 is the answer' posts, I have also opened up the gates to the second gen MR2 as well. No need for turbo, may be nice. However, since this is attempting to be an open car as well, I would like the t-tops.
Originally, the second gen was not in the running due to weight and convertability. Since the whole she-bang is predicated on reducing the number of payments over time, the SW20 (?) is back in the running. I prefer the styling of the second gen much better than the third. I have some friends that autox their second gen MR2's and the space issue is much less of an issue than the Spyders. Now find one with minimal mods, solid working A/C...
Eric G
The MR-S is a true driver's car, the 350Z is a big coupe with a big engine. MR-S wins.
No input but some MRS info to share.
The early years had 15" rims all around but wider in the back.
The final years had 15" rims in front and 16" wide rims in the back.
Interestingly, the look of the rims never changed over the years so the difference is not easily noticed.
If racing stock class you will need to have the proper rims for your year.
so what you're saying is the early years all got celica gt wheels, while the later years got a mix of celica gt and gt-s wheels, right? 
Oh wait.. i guess they removed a lug hole too..
Id love to have one.. My fiancee is finally buying into this whole 'sporty roadster' thing, and Boxster is tops for me at this point, but if the right deal (SMOOOOOKING DEAL) came along on an MR-S id be damn happy to have one. 
MR-S... I went and looked at one to see if it could sway my decision to buy a miata come fall. The complete lack of space for anything quickly put an end to that. If I had a passenger, I wouldn't even be able to take it with me to work.
I have an 01 Spyder with a Pontiac motor (ok not really, a 2ZZ but its funnier to say hey man I put a Pontiac motor in my Toyota) + 6 speed. Aside from the fact that Honda makes a better gearbox, it is a stupidly fun car to drive around. Sure when I go grocery shopping I can only fit 2 loaves of bread and a gallon of milk, but who cares. 
I had an '01 MR2 for 2 years. Quite an amazing car, actually. I drove a CSP prep'd Miata for a few years and this car was on par with the Miata in the fun-factor category. If it wasn't for the fact that it ate 2 engines during the time I owned it (massive oil consumption after about 50k miles..common on the 2000/2001 models) then I'd still be driving it.
Staggered tires are an absolute necessity, otherwise the rear of the car is almost uncontrollable in wet conditions. In the dry, with a 20mm offset, the back end is damn controllable in the turns. I'd take another MR2 over just about any other small car any day (for track/autocross)...with the exception of my RX7...
One note, I weighed my MR2 when I first got it. 1/2 tank of fuel, no driver, spare tire and tools still in, NO modifications (stock exhaust, intake, full interior, etc etc)...2173lbs. Full tank goes just over 2200, "race level" puts it right on 2150 without driver.
The car will take fuel right up until the end, seems to have a very nicely designed fuel tank (wish my RX7 was that well designed). That is, the needle can be on "E" and it still will go through the turns without fuel starving.
So much MR-S love here... gives me the warm and fuzzies.
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