Which would be a better choice?

[magus57]

I found I can get either a 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder or a 2000 Mazda Miata MX-5 for about the same price and same condition ($8k-$10k), but which would be a better choice? I'm looking for reliability, ease/cost of self-repair/upgrade, and overall performance (I plan to autocross eventually).

[jedimario]

Miatas have a great autocrossing reputation and apparently the MR2 is an exception to the "Toyotas are always reliable" rule. I can't remember the specific problem, but I think they have a rather common major problem...some bit of something flying up into the engine and locking it up...let me try to find that.

[jedimario]

Here we go:

I traded the car for a '01 MR2 Spyder that had 43000 miles on it with the intent of driving it daily and putting together an RX7 for track use (3rd gen MR2's are Corolla engines with a better body). Well, long story short apparently these cars also have problems. The pre-catalytic converter breaks apart and gets sucked back into the engine (EGR) and tears through the engine.

Whether or not that's typical, I don't know.

[Enthusiast]

Get the miata.

I have a little experience with the ZZW30.

I'd say its not a bad car overall and I kinda like the interior, BUT the MOTOR BLOWS. I hate that motor.

A friend has a custom turbo setup on his and his charge pipes were smaller than JUST 1 Primary on my HEADERS!!!!!!! Haha.
That and it was still slow.

But anyways get the miata.

[jedimario]

Enthusiast thinks small motor=bad motor. Or so it seems.

Just keep in mind that that's not always the case.

[magus57]

Okay, after doing some more thinking/talking, I've decided to just stick with the Miata.

[DARKtEAGLE]

Originally Posted by magus57

Okay, after doing some more thinking/talking, I've decided to just stick with the Miata.

good choice