944 turbo or mr2 turbo?
07-04-2003 | 02:02 PM
#17
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans
If you buy the MR2, be sure to join the TCA and go to the TCA driver's ed events.
I know toyota's have great reps, EVERYONE loves them. I bought a toyota cressida several years back, had $11000 in repairs in the first year which toyota paid for; the lemon law didn't apply because each repair was for a different problem. sold it. had a cellica. it had the valves go out at 50,000 miles and the shocks went lame. I know, i know, everyone else has good luck with them. If I bought a japanese sports car, it would be s2000, but it's a little too impractical for me.
Only had my 951 for a year. No expenses so far other than voluntary upgrades.
I know toyota's have great reps, EVERYONE loves them. I bought a toyota cressida several years back, had $11000 in repairs in the first year which toyota paid for; the lemon law didn't apply because each repair was for a different problem. sold it. had a cellica. it had the valves go out at 50,000 miles and the shocks went lame. I know, i know, everyone else has good luck with them. If I bought a japanese sports car, it would be s2000, but it's a little too impractical for me.
Only had my 951 for a year. No expenses so far other than voluntary upgrades.
07-04-2003 | 06:26 PM
#18
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa, OK
I test drove an number of MR2 turbos years ago. Don't seem to pull well. Doesn't have the "set you in the seat" pull of the Porsche. Suspension seemed a bit soft. I've heard the motor doesn't upgrade well.
Porsche has more room. Will ultimately be faster. Plus, it's a PORSCHE, there is no substitute!!
Oh yeah, Porsche only built about 15K of these cars worldwide. How many turbos did Toyota build? Resale baby!
Porsche has more room. Will ultimately be faster. Plus, it's a PORSCHE, there is no substitute!!
Oh yeah, Porsche only built about 15K of these cars worldwide. How many turbos did Toyota build? Resale baby!
07-05-2003 | 04:00 AM
#19
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 2
From: san jose, ca
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Rich Sandor:
<strong>with the mr2 you don't have girls ask you how you can afford a Ferrari.
whereas with the 951 you do.
(Happened to me last week)</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Say what? The 2nd gen MR2 looks more like a Ferrari than any other car on the road. In fact, I had a friend with a 348 that sold it because people kept mistaking it for an MR2!
The layout and dynamics are a lot more like a Ferrari than a 944 too. Somebody was complaining about it being noisy and not having a back seat. It's more like a racecar than a 951, in layout and in feel. As for someone saying the motor doesn't upgrade well, there are a number of them dynoing over 300 rwhp and running 11 second quarters. They are also autocross killers.
<strong>with the mr2 you don't have girls ask you how you can afford a Ferrari.
whereas with the 951 you do.
(Happened to me last week)</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Say what? The 2nd gen MR2 looks more like a Ferrari than any other car on the road. In fact, I had a friend with a 348 that sold it because people kept mistaking it for an MR2!The layout and dynamics are a lot more like a Ferrari than a 944 too. Somebody was complaining about it being noisy and not having a back seat. It's more like a racecar than a 951, in layout and in feel. As for someone saying the motor doesn't upgrade well, there are a number of them dynoing over 300 rwhp and running 11 second quarters. They are also autocross killers.
07-06-2003 | 02:09 AM
#20
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa Oklahoma
I will definately vouge for the autocross ability of the MR2 and the MR2 Turbo. Until he switched to co-driving a S2000 a MR2 Turbo was consistently amoung the fastest cars at our events. We generally show 100-150 entries and we have several National level top finishers and a couple of National champions in our region. I put it amoung the list of affordable sports cars that I would consider owning.
On the other hand, I have heard and seen incidents were turbo MR2's spun uncontrollably at speed when coming off boost in a corner.
I would examine your budget and do what is in your best interest. You will be hard pressed to have a reliable 944 Turbo for under 10k. Because if you find one cheap, then it probably means you will spend some $$ to make it right.
As for the back seats, I think they are completely useless unless you are under the age of 10.
On the other hand, I have heard and seen incidents were turbo MR2's spun uncontrollably at speed when coming off boost in a corner.
I would examine your budget and do what is in your best interest. You will be hard pressed to have a reliable 944 Turbo for under 10k. Because if you find one cheap, then it probably means you will spend some $$ to make it right.
As for the back seats, I think they are completely useless unless you are under the age of 10.
07-06-2003 | 01:59 PM
#21
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 746
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans
"You will be hard pressed to have a reliable 944 Turbo for under 10k. Because if you find one cheap, then it probably means you will spend some $$ to make it right."
If you watch you can get a top notch one for under 10k, but I agree, it's not that easy. I just saw a 67k mile 951 in supposedly great condition for $8 or 9k, I forgot since I already have mine. Mine was original owner all papers, excellent condition other than the original paint had nicks and the dash is cracked by the defrost vents. It was for sale for $7995 at the lexus dealer. The car was bought sight unseen while I was on a test drive (the first test drive at 9 am the day the car was put on the lot) and resold to me, so Lexus had underpriced it. I do agree however to avoid the $4900 951 in 'great' condition.
"As for the back seats, I think they are completely useless unless you are under the age of 10."
This is not true, you can fit a paper bag of groceries in each side. : )
If you watch you can get a top notch one for under 10k, but I agree, it's not that easy. I just saw a 67k mile 951 in supposedly great condition for $8 or 9k, I forgot since I already have mine. Mine was original owner all papers, excellent condition other than the original paint had nicks and the dash is cracked by the defrost vents. It was for sale for $7995 at the lexus dealer. The car was bought sight unseen while I was on a test drive (the first test drive at 9 am the day the car was put on the lot) and resold to me, so Lexus had underpriced it. I do agree however to avoid the $4900 951 in 'great' condition.
"As for the back seats, I think they are completely useless unless you are under the age of 10."
This is not true, you can fit a paper bag of groceries in each side. : )
07-07-2003 | 02:50 AM
#23
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14,075
Likes: 3
From: Santa Barbara, CA
While I like Toyotas for their reliability (10-years of owning a Supra cost me less than 1-year of 951 ownership), they are too conservative and bland as far as looks and performance goes; darn Japanese vote/design-by-committee and concensus-agreement stuff. <img border="0" alt="[nono]" title="" src="graemlins/nono.gif" />
I would actually pick up the 1st-gen. MR2-Supercharged car for autocrossing. Super-nimble, lightweight with incredible torque for its size. The razor-sharp handling put the nails into the Fiero's coffin. When they went to the 2nd-gen. Turbo, the car gained too much weight and didn't make up for it with increased power, so ended up with a less-nimble, poorer-handling car. Although styling was quite nice at the time, especially for a Toyota. Tonnes of my muscle-car friends wanted to sell their Camaros to buy one.
I would actually pick up the 1st-gen. MR2-Supercharged car for autocrossing. Super-nimble, lightweight with incredible torque for its size. The razor-sharp handling put the nails into the Fiero's coffin. When they went to the 2nd-gen. Turbo, the car gained too much weight and didn't make up for it with increased power, so ended up with a less-nimble, poorer-handling car. Although styling was quite nice at the time, especially for a Toyota. Tonnes of my muscle-car friends wanted to sell their Camaros to buy one.
07-07-2003 | 04:15 AM
#24
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: USA
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Say what? The 2nd gen MR2 looks more like a Ferrari than any other car on the road. In fact, I had a friend with a 348 that sold it because people kept mistaking it for an MR2!
The layout and dynamics are a lot more like a Ferrari than a 944 too. Somebody was complaining about it being noisy and not having a back seat. It's more like a racecar than a 951, in layout and in feel. As for someone saying the motor doesn't upgrade well, there are a number of them dynoing over 300 rwhp and running 11 second quarters. They are also autocross killers. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">You say that the MR2 Turbo is more like a racecar than a 944. When you say that do you mean by looks or overall performance?
Here is a little info about the 944 you might of not have known.
The 1981 Porsche 944 GTP competed in the 1981 24 Hours of LeMans. The motor was a 2.5L Inline 4 w/ turbo just like production 951's but made 450HP. The car finished 7th overall and spent a total of 56 minutes in the pits for the whole race. The least time than any other entrant.
With this said this makes two points.
1. 951's are great racecars
2. a 951 can make over 400+ reliable horsepower.
When was the last time you seen a MR2 compete in the 24hour LeMans Race?
I also would not go as far as saying the MR2 is a autocross killer either.
I like MR2 Turbo's I think they look cool. But I would rather spend my money on a 951. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
The layout and dynamics are a lot more like a Ferrari than a 944 too. Somebody was complaining about it being noisy and not having a back seat. It's more like a racecar than a 951, in layout and in feel. As for someone saying the motor doesn't upgrade well, there are a number of them dynoing over 300 rwhp and running 11 second quarters. They are also autocross killers. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">You say that the MR2 Turbo is more like a racecar than a 944. When you say that do you mean by looks or overall performance?
Here is a little info about the 944 you might of not have known.
The 1981 Porsche 944 GTP competed in the 1981 24 Hours of LeMans. The motor was a 2.5L Inline 4 w/ turbo just like production 951's but made 450HP. The car finished 7th overall and spent a total of 56 minutes in the pits for the whole race. The least time than any other entrant.
With this said this makes two points.
1. 951's are great racecars
2. a 951 can make over 400+ reliable horsepower.
When was the last time you seen a MR2 compete in the 24hour LeMans Race?
I also would not go as far as saying the MR2 is a autocross killer either.
I like MR2 Turbo's I think they look cool. But I would rather spend my money on a 951. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
07-07-2003 | 04:25 AM
#26
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: USA
How is a 944 GTP far fetched from a 951? both have a 2.5L Inline four w/ turbo. same body. the 951 is just not as tuned and street legal. the GTP was the bases for the 944. i would think the GTP would have more heritage for our cars than the turbo cup. the turbo cup is the turbo and turbo S's big brother but the GTP was its father. The Turbo Cup is rare but there is only one GTP built.
07-07-2003 | 04:50 AM
#28
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 0
From: Arlington, TX
i believe there were 4 gtp's made.. three of them ran in le mans, right?
anyway, mr2 turbo more of a go-kart feel i think, no offense.. kind of like the feel of a 914. I'd definately go with a 951,, but it's all my opinions.... based on the facts already listed...
anyway, mr2 turbo more of a go-kart feel i think, no offense.. kind of like the feel of a 914. I'd definately go with a 951,, but it's all my opinions.... based on the facts already listed...
07-07-2003 | 04:54 AM
#29
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 0
From: Espoo, Finland
Turbo cup is almost identical to stock 951, except for some minor modifications to engine (intake manifold, turbo, probably ecu, exhaust...) and a lot stiffer suspension.
The GTP on the other hand has a wide-*** fiberglass body, custom 16-valve engine and depending on ones source a 4-speed (some other sites say 5-speed so I don't know which one it is) transmission.
That's why I consider the turbo cup car to be a lot closer match to 951s than that GTP racer will ever be. It's an impressive car for sure, but it's not a 951.
Just my opinion of course <img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />
The GTP on the other hand has a wide-*** fiberglass body, custom 16-valve engine and depending on ones source a 4-speed (some other sites say 5-speed so I don't know which one it is) transmission.
That's why I consider the turbo cup car to be a lot closer match to 951s than that GTP racer will ever be. It's an impressive car for sure, but it's not a 951.
Just my opinion of course <img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />
07-07-2003 | 05:29 AM
#30
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 2
From: PNW
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Rich Sandor:
<strong>with the mr2 you don't have girls ask you how you can afford a Ferrari.
whereas with the 951 you do. (Happened to me last week)</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Obviously Sandor's been trolling..... <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />
<strong>with the mr2 you don't have girls ask you how you can afford a Ferrari.
whereas with the 951 you do.
(Happened to me last week)</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Obviously Sandor's been trolling..... <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />