944 turbo or mr2 turbo?
07-02-2003, 08:47 PM
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944 turbo or mr2 turbo?
Im stuck between the two cars right now, i dont know which to buy. You guys obviously would pick the 944 but can you tell me what the 944 has over the mr2? like what's better about it and why should i buy a 944 instead?
07-02-2003, 10:12 PM
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I've owned both. Get the 944 turbo (aka the 951 in Porsche-speak).
The Porsche is faster, pulls harder, and is much more stable at speed (the MR2 Turbo is notoriously twitchy in high speed corners-- it's too easy to swap ends). If you'd like to see how a well-balanced mid-engine sports car should handle, take a ride in a Boxster, which is a much more forgiving (and enjoyable) car to drive.
The motor/drivetrain on the MR2T is surprisingly unrefined for a Toyota: lift off the throttle when you're building boost and the entire driveline shudders. The cable-actuated gearbox on the Toyota is just so-so as well, and isn't particularly precise. The brakes on the MR2 don't compare well to the P-car. Unless you have a turbo-timer on the Toyota, you'll have to let the car idle for a bit (prior to shutting down) after hard running so that you don't destroy (coke) the turbo housing--this is less of a problem for the 951.
The cockpit in the Toyota is noisy, as you sit in front of the not-so-well-insulated firewall. The Toyota's rear weight bias also doesn't compare well to the near perfect 50-50 weight distribution of the 951. The stock 951 is also a faster than the Toyota to 60MPH, but there's a significant difference in top-end acceleration (advantage: 951).
OTOH, I loved the MR2's T-tops. Not too much lag in the MR2T either--you'll hit the little 2 liter motor's torque peak on the Toyota at about 3000RPM (that's about 500 RPM less than the stock 951 I think). Toyota reliability is beyond question as well. That's about it for the plus column though.
While the 951 isn't perfect, it's a well-executed, well-built all-out sports car that's a blast to drive. For a modest investment, you can turn the 951 into a true fire-breather (e.g., for about $300 you can get the 951 to put out between 225 and 235 HP at the wheels. For about $2700 or so, you can bump that to 325 RWHP or more).
Again, go with the 951. You won't regret it.
The Porsche is faster, pulls harder, and is much more stable at speed (the MR2 Turbo is notoriously twitchy in high speed corners-- it's too easy to swap ends). If you'd like to see how a well-balanced mid-engine sports car should handle, take a ride in a Boxster, which is a much more forgiving (and enjoyable) car to drive.
The motor/drivetrain on the MR2T is surprisingly unrefined for a Toyota: lift off the throttle when you're building boost and the entire driveline shudders. The cable-actuated gearbox on the Toyota is just so-so as well, and isn't particularly precise. The brakes on the MR2 don't compare well to the P-car. Unless you have a turbo-timer on the Toyota, you'll have to let the car idle for a bit (prior to shutting down) after hard running so that you don't destroy (coke) the turbo housing--this is less of a problem for the 951.
The cockpit in the Toyota is noisy, as you sit in front of the not-so-well-insulated firewall. The Toyota's rear weight bias also doesn't compare well to the near perfect 50-50 weight distribution of the 951. The stock 951 is also a faster than the Toyota to 60MPH, but there's a significant difference in top-end acceleration (advantage: 951).
OTOH, I loved the MR2's T-tops. Not too much lag in the MR2T either--you'll hit the little 2 liter motor's torque peak on the Toyota at about 3000RPM (that's about 500 RPM less than the stock 951 I think). Toyota reliability is beyond question as well. That's about it for the plus column though.
While the 951 isn't perfect, it's a well-executed, well-built all-out sports car that's a blast to drive. For a modest investment, you can turn the 951 into a true fire-breather (e.g., for about $300 you can get the 951 to put out between 225 and 235 HP at the wheels. For about $2700 or so, you can bump that to 325 RWHP or more).
Again, go with the 951. You won't regret it.
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07-03-2003, 02:55 AM
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Burning Brakes
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just thought i'd share this MR2 pic
<a href="http://www.student.nvcc.edu/home/cmccannell/gallery/Joe's%20MR2/pages/DSC02071.htm" target="_blank">http://www.student.nvcc.edu/home/cmccannell/gallery/Joe's%20MR2/pages/DSC02071.htm</a>
<a href="http://www.student.nvcc.edu/home/cmccannell/gallery/Joe's%20MR2/pages/DSC02071.htm" target="_blank">http://www.student.nvcc.edu/home/cmccannell/gallery/Joe's%20MR2/pages/DSC02071.htm</a>
07-03-2003, 03:59 AM
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That's a tough one... (in my opinion)
I've wanted an mr2 turbo for years.
I think it comes down to what you want and how much money you have (for upkeep). - even if you do your own work, the cost difference in parts is substantial.
mr2t - better daily driver / commuter
951 - more "sports car"
if this is going to be your only car, I'd go with the MR2. If this is going to be your weekend toy, go with the 951
- I drive an 86 mr2 mk1 to work everyday
- I love my 951, but it's sitting in my garage
where I'm redoing seals and the headgasket...
I've wanted an mr2 turbo for years.
I think it comes down to what you want and how much money you have (for upkeep). - even if you do your own work, the cost difference in parts is substantial.
mr2t - better daily driver / commuter
951 - more "sports car"
if this is going to be your only car, I'd go with the MR2. If this is going to be your weekend toy, go with the 951
- I drive an 86 mr2 mk1 to work everyday
- I love my 951, but it's sitting in my garage
where I'm redoing seals and the headgasket...
07-03-2003, 10:02 AM
#13
Burning Brakes
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by carl michael:
<strong>well did they?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"><img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />
<strong>well did they?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"><img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />
07-03-2003, 10:33 AM
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I would agree with poorporscheturbo, i have had my 944 turbo for two years and it has been off the road more than it has been on it so if you are looking for a car that you can rely on as a daily driver probably better go for the mr2t, atleast thats what my head would say but at the end of the day i would go with my heart blow off the mr2 and get myself a bit of german prestige!!
07-04-2003, 09:48 AM
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thanks for the info people, looks like it's the mr2 for me,l i cant afforde porsche costs for the upkeep and repairs i guess.
it's a shame i really liked the 951. ohwell maybe in a couple years i'll buy one if i have a good job
it's a shame i really liked the 951. ohwell maybe in a couple years i'll buy one if i have a good job