MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Discussion and technical advice the SW20 MR2. 3S-GTE, 3S-GE, 3S-FE etc
Anything and everything to do with maintenance, modifications and electrical is in here for the Mk2.

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chrispurvis100
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MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by chrispurvis100 »

Hi peeps. I was lucky enought o own a rev 3 tubby around 2 years ago.
I am now starting to feel the urge to re-visit those days.

How much does a good rev 3 tin-top go for these days. Also, if I had a chance to buy a very good condition NA, such as below, would I still get as much enjoyment out of as a turbo? :lol:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0268737593

Any thoughts appreciated. :)
steve b
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by steve b »

Depends entirely on what you find fun. If your one of the "can't do corners crew" then you'll be bored with an n/a as they are not that fast on the straights. If on the other hand you love to throw the car about on the b roads they are just as much fun if not better than a turbo as they are more responsive.

Steve n/a to turbo back to n/a driver.
'02 VX220 2.2 n/a Daily driver - Exige Size TD 1.2 - TAT shorty Diffuser - HardTop - Chris Tullet 4-1 Manifold.

'97 mk1 Mazda Eunos Turbo track car with 260bhp/ton - soon more as Chris Wilsons going to build me an engine over the winter :o) .
Greddy-Matt
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by Greddy-Matt »

I completely agree with the above I love the NA's and would have another in a heartbeat :thumleft:
chrispurvis100
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by chrispurvis100 »

Thanks for that. :D

Much prefer cornering as opposed to straight line performance.

That was what impressed me more with my old tubby. It was just so 'pointy'. The only problem with that as you well know, the back end is all too eager to jump round and spoiler the party! :clap:

That's why I have my eye on an NA. What bhp did the NA range have? :-k
Tiny
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by Tiny »

rev3 is 178 i believe
BiGWiLlYsTyLe
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by BiGWiLlYsTyLe »

Yeah REV 3's are 178 BHP.

That one on eBay looks like a smart car,i think you should out a bid on :thumleft:
Tiny
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by Tiny »

im not sure but does it say Beams on the back right crap photo and i cant make it out but i think that says beams :-k
PeterRST
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by PeterRST »

I think, how much fun a car is depends on how quick it feels. A revvy 16v 2 litre n/a with a nice exhaust and induction kit will make you feel like piloting a 1960's F1 car. ;) :mrgreen:

A Turbo without any mods might feel boring compared to that, even though being a lot quicker.

I used to drive an US spec Probe GT Turbo (2.2 Litre Mazda Turbo with bags of torque). It was definetly a lot quicker than my MR2 but I can't say it felt quicker.

Also I'm even tempted to say that a slower car might suit the average B-road blasting better since you can rev the gears to the limiter without things becoming to hectic.

On a race track or private motorway ( ;) or german Autobahn) things might look different though. ;)
BiGWiLlYsTyLe
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by BiGWiLlYsTyLe »

On the boot?? :-k
Tiny
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by Tiny »

yeah on the boot lid on the right looks like it says beams or its just a terrible photo
chrispurvis100
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by chrispurvis100 »

Is 'Beams' good then?
BiGWiLlYsTyLe
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by BiGWiLlYsTyLe »

Nah mate it says "2.0GT-i.16", what does beams mean anyway?? :thumleft:
Tiny
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by Tiny »

shame its not going to be BEAMS its UK spec not Jap if that was a JDM then it would have probably been BEAMS engine

BEAMS is a 3SGE but with a VVTi head circa 200 stock if memory serves.
Last edited by Tiny on Wed Oct 29, 2008 3:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
ancient mariner
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by ancient mariner »

BiGWiLlYsTyLe wrote:Nah mate it says "2.0GT-i.16", what does beams mean anyway?? :thumleft:


the ultimate in factory mr2 na.paul.
BiGWiLlYsTyLe
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by BiGWiLlYsTyLe »

Oh if it does say beams i stand corrected :oops: :clown:
Tiny
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by Tiny »

conact the seller ask him to take a pic of the engine bay only way to tell i think
BiGWiLlYsTyLe
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by BiGWiLlYsTyLe »

Haha i think we have gone off the topic in question a bit now :lol:
Im intrigued now though :whistle:

Whatever model it is,its a smart looking car none the less.

I want the Spoiler O:)
chrispurvis100
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by chrispurvis100 »

Then I see a nice tubby like this.... :twisted:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/755168.htm
BiGWiLlYsTyLe
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Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by BiGWiLlYsTyLe »

I have to say i prefer the V-reg N/A :thumleft:
chrispurvis100
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Location: Kent

Re: MR2 Mk2 NA - As much fun as a tubby?

Post by chrispurvis100 »

what do you reckon it will go for?
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