First car?? If I could of had an S2k for my first car, I would be in heaven. I had a '73 Bug for my first car. Not quite an S2k.. haha

 

yeah, o know i cant get the S, thats why im looking for an MR2 turbo, good perfomance, not as expensive.

 

Get a miata. You want something to have fun, that car is damn near impossible to beat. If you can afford it, get a 98+ sport package. Already set up to out handle practically any car out there. It also doesnt have a lot of power which IS a good thing. The last thing you want is your first car getting you into trouble. This way you learn car control as well.

To answer your question though, the mr2 and S are not even close. The suspension design on the toyota is archaic compared to that of the S

 

your FIRST CAR? Don't get an MR2. You will crash it. Trust me.

Hey Quik. Joining the dark side (honda) eh?

 

LOL...yep. Sold Quik to Manj and parted most of it out already. If you knwo of anyone wanting to make 600 rwhp, but needs the turbo to do it, let me kow. I have the GT-35r kit fully modified for a direct bolt on fit on the Gen II motor with bling bling goodies for $3k. it even fits with the AC!!

That and my Pauter rods are the last to sell off and I can start hunting for the right S for me As much as I love Toyotas and as good as tehy ahve been for me in the last few years (well, other then the mkii), I'm joining the dark side now

 

well, as good as your advice may be doc, i hate miatas. its just something about how everyone i know who drives a miata thinks they're so great and that there's no car better. which is frankly horribly wrong. and i know it might be good that i dont have alot of power but i know how to handle it, and im not an idiot like alot of guys who have a fast first car. i would be responsible with it. plus i've learned from some of the things people in my family did when they were growing up, so i think i could keep things under control. but thanks for the advice.

 

Just don't get a camaro or something like that as your first car. Too powerful and handles like a pig. Trust me.. I had 2 camaro's that I tried to beef up. Man, they are great in the straights but holy crap.. They suck in the twisties.. I had a '97 SS Camaro with a level 3 bilstein suspension (for track use only) and took it to Sears Point. It was fun for a while until I tried to get serious. Spin.. Spin.. Spin.. haha. I finally got used to what the car could do but let me tell you, after driving school and quite a few *free* days at the track, I found out quickly that there was not much I could do unless I wanted to spend in the 20 - 30k range in parts. F-That.. SO I bought a viper.. hhahahahahaha..

 

yeah, i never plan on getting a domestic, they're just not made for what im going for. like you said fast in a straight line but crap in the turns. i am willing to sacrifice the crazy drag speed for the good handling. btw, do you really have a viper cornfish, and does it handle much better?

 

Actually, they're remarkably similar.

First, for several years I drove an '88 Fiero GT (suspension designed by Lotus). That car's suspension was far better than anything else I've driven (including Maseratti's, Porche's, Mercedes, BMW's, misc. others).. I also drive RWD performance cars year-round and have NEVER had any problem in winter.

That being said, the S2000 and 91-92 MR2's suspensions are VERY similar. They are both designed as "driver's cars". If you know how to drive, have learned how to drive (autocrossed or equivalent) they are VERY capable, safe handling vehicles. If not, your ignorance will never be forgiven by these cars. "Tail-happy" doesn't refer to a car, it refers to an ignorant driver.

The later MR2's we're "toned down" (read, understeer), and as such, don't live up to the S2000.

The newer rubber of the S makes it feel better and grippier, but the suspension truely isn't any better. It does have a MUCH stiffer chassis though.

My advice, get the early 90's MR2 (I opted for the NA 'cause that 2200 engine lasts FOREVER and you don't have turbo repairs to worry about). They're also available in great shape, I paid about $6000 for one w/only 44,000 miles.

Next, learn how to drive corners properly in a RWD car, because after all, it's always up to the driver.

Hope this helps,

Randy

PS: After you learn/bang up the MR2, then decide on the S...

 

Umm.. The viper is a strange beast. Kind of like the S2000. It is a drivers car. I had an older viper that I sold to a 21 year old who wrecked it in the first week he had it. Since there was no ABS brakes, he locked them up and slammed into a wall. It is all fixed now but man, that was bad.. haha. The viper handled SUPER well. There seems to be a myth about those cars handling bad. Let me tell you, that is not the case at all. Handles just as good as the S if not better. The only difference is the INSANE amount of HP and Torque. They are awesome cars and I will have another one along side my S one day in the near future.