What Is Your Favourite Generation Of MR2?

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (dylmrt)

Mon, 12 May 2014 19:36:41 GMT

In terms of pure driving pleasure around twisties, I would have to say the AW11 is my favourite. The smile it puts on the face without having that much power is just more than what I get out of the SW20.

However, as an overall package I prefer the SW20. Its a more practical car, the power makes it fun to drive anywhere including freeways (the AW11 is not so much fun on a straight road), there's more space and just a tad more to comfortable overall than the AW11.

This is ofcourse trying to compare the stock aw11 with my sw20 when it was relatively stock. as it is now, the SW20 and AW11 give me totally different things.

ZZW hmmm... i'm in the same boat as Jay. To me, they over engineered the AW11 and the SW20. The ZZW30 just felt like they just wanted to make something to compete with the MX5, as opposed to really make an excellent machine.

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (dwoodcob .)

Mon, 12 May 2014 18:45:05 GMT

I plan to poll this tread once its got a couple more responses. So keep up the interesting banter.

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (datafunk)

Sat, 10 May 2014 10:32:50 GMT

aw11 > sw20 > mr-s

this thread needs a poll!

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (5SGTE)

Fri, 09 May 2014 21:57:21 GMT

I remember 1994, grade 10, sitting in the school library reading 'Wheels" ( pretty cool they kept this sort of literature). This particular article was about the Jap spec SW20 and i remember thinking it would be a 'cool' car to own. Only a few weeks later my Dad came home with a new 'Bathurst', (which we still have with 53xxxkm on it) and between that and my then obsession with the 'turbo variant' in the mag the seed was planted, I was going to have a turbo sdub one day.

In 2000 I was almost old enough to insure a turbo vehicle and had saved a few bucks so the hunt began. I looked at a few, drove my first car with coilovers, and eventually found what i still have in the shed today. I've not done much (or anything now I think about it) to the body but there isn't anything mechanical that hasn't been touched at some point.

Therefore the sdub is my fav. I have come close to buying an Adub a few times now but with a wife and young fella this has had to take a back seat for a few more years. I'm sorry to say though that the Spyder does nothing for me at all.

The one thing I absolutely love about these vehicles is the comradery they've created. Never on any of the cruise meets (or on forums for that matter((mostly) have I seen ego or lack of respect. Old and young alike we all share a common enjoyment. I have made many friends through what should simply be a car.

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (dwoodcob .)

Fri, 09 May 2014 15:46:05 GMT

I would agree that the 4age is a little under powered by todays standards. However the feel and sound of those engine are amazing. The experience you get from driving a 4age Aw11 is worth the loss in power I feel.

In the end the low power output is why I went for the AW11 SC, I never thought it mattered that much till I drove one. I would still have a NA AW11 any day over the other generations. The raw driving experience you get from one just cant be beaten. Plus the angles, got to love that boxy shape.

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (Mrskylighter)

Fri, 09 May 2014 14:37:36 GMT

yeah the standard engine AW11s are too slow haha :)

MR2QIK
Your AW11 has a 3SGTE though.....lol

Personally, I think AW11 with 3SGTE or v6 would be one the best possible drivers car your could ever own without moving into exotics.

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (MR2QIK)

Fri, 09 May 2014 14:34:29 GMT

Your AW11 has a 3SGTE though.....lol

Personally, I think AW11 with 3SGTE or v6 would be one the best possible drivers car your could ever own without moving into exotics.

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (Mrskylighter)

Fri, 09 May 2014 14:27:52 GMT

I was always a fan of the SW20 when younger and once I had a license and the funds to buy one I did. Crashed it into a house and wrote it off but it was very enjoyable for a few years. Enjoyable enough that I bought another red SW20 and had that one for about 8-9 years.
During the time I owned the SW20 I always wondered why AW11 owners loved their cars so much. Many years ago Dylan (Gorilla Industries) let me have little drive round the block in his White NA and I understood on the spot why their owners love them.
My last SW20 I built up from 100% completely stock standard to over 300rwkw which was an absolute beast. But I prefer to drive the AW11 I now have over the 300kw SW.
The AW11 is just more unique, quirky and fun. People out and about love it when they see it and I'm always having conversations about it with complete strangers. I do get the odd filthy look from the old wealthy women in their husbands Merc though.
The SW20 felt more practical for everyday life and more comfortable for longer trips (driven to QLD from NSW a couple of times) but the AW11 in my opinion is overall more enjoyable.
I've never driven an ZZW30 but would like to one day. If I was to own one I would like a manual version with a 2grfe.

For all the SW20 owners out there who haven't driven an AW11 I urge you to try one out, they're bloody awesome!

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (maj)

Fri, 09 May 2014 13:23:58 GMT

sweetpetes is really nice, I remember parking mine nearby at a Wakefield day and couldn't help comparing. Whereas mine was in similar condition bodywise, the respray helps greatly, it really showed the condition of his when you looked at the fitment of the panels/doors/bumpers etc. His looks that little bit more fresh from the factory in that regard.

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (Dudeman)

Fri, 09 May 2014 04:01:39 GMT

Always been a fan of the SW, I remember reading reviews of the GT along with its obscene price tag, thinking if i was lucky enough i may have got my hands on a Bathurst one day. That and reading tales of the turbo version which was JDM only.

For me the AW was a bit square looking, but seeing such pristine examples like sweeetpetes s/c AW and the absolute thundering power of ZeroGK's AW at the first track day challenge made me think otherwise.

Likewise considered the ZZ to be the hairdressers version, but sweeetpetes car at the same event changed my mind on that one.

I guess i'd stick with the SW, got a garage full of parts. But if the right AW or ZZ came up at the right price I could be tempted (bolt on panels on the ZZ make it good for racing!)

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (rikkir)

Thu, 08 May 2014 15:22:51 GMT

I'd love to have both AW11 and SW20, I can't afford to have both though, so i chose to get a 97 SW20 because they are still around in excellent original condition and easier to get parts for nowadays. I still wonder sometimes whether i should have got an AW11 though before they all disappear.... I like them both for different reasons.

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (dwoodcob .)

Thu, 08 May 2014 13:47:30 GMT

Both posts have raised good points.

In reaction to these posts im going to change the goal of this thread. Let us all just then state our preferred/ favourite MR2.

I would agree with maj they are the same but different. Each car came from different periods and had different influences and goals driving their design principles. Trying to judge one as being better than the other would be tough and rather unfair.

I would also agree with MR2Qik, the last generation MR2 always seemed to soft to me. They had so much potential with the chassis being so lite and nimble. All it needed was someone at Toyota to say "wait a second isnt this a sports car?". This car definitely came from the era of OH&S meetings and emissions tests.

Same rules apply, make sure to give evidence and/or discussion around why you prefer one generation over the other.

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (maj)

Thu, 08 May 2014 12:46:19 GMT

Even though I've had most experience in the AW11 and only passenger rides in an SW20, and watching ZZ30's in my rear mirror, I'll also be quick to say they are 3 different ideas to the same approach, and you can't label one as the best.

In terms of success in achieving the goal they were looking to do, you would have to say the SW20 was the best at that. They are both a desirable looking car for the masses as well as a cult car for those who love them and know what they are truly capable of.
The AW11 on the other hand is almost purely a cult car, and the ZZ30 is almost purely a car for the masses. It doesn't detract from their originality and pureness in their design at all though. They are all very capable.

I'm the kind of person who shys away from saying I'm an MR2 enthuiast because I love my AW11 a lot more highly than others, but I respect those who say the same about SW20's because it's the same love for a similar kind of car, Very much a case of siblings here. Only we understand the bond with our Japanese midship.

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (MR2QIK)

Thu, 08 May 2014 11:52:13 GMT

That's just a can of worms. Neither is "best", horses for courses really.

My preference is the SW20. In factory form, the Gen3 turbos were the fastest of all. Their shape is somewhat timeless. They're quite refined & like all, have significant potential. Arguably suspension wise, they're "softer" than the others, but I love the overall feel.

Next would be the AW11 for me. They feel raw & were the 2nd fastest (SC) of all 3 in factory form. First Japanese sports car to win "COTY" in Japan in a long time. You'll probably never understand the whole "AW11" thing until you've owned/driven one. If only my previous one wasn't so old, I'd never have parted ways with it.

Spyder, sorry to those that own them, but they're my least favourite. I'm sure they handle "nice", although I've never actually been behind the wheel of a well sorted/aligned example. Reasons for my lack of desire, is the exterior (not memorable - very conservative) & powerplant/transmission. To get a Spyder to a level I'd enjoy/appreciate, would require a M/T conversion (yes I know JDM released manuals), engine transplant & widebody kit. If Toyota had released these with 6sp M/T 2ZZ's then it'd be a completely different story.......could have, but they didn't!

Re: What Is The Best Generation Of MR2? (dwoodcob .)

Thu, 08 May 2014 10:47:26 GMT

Ill start then

My favourite Generation of MR2 is the AW11.

This comes from no feeling of nostalgia as I was born in 88. I have no memory of these cars in my early life.

I think what draws me to these cars is the styling. My Favorite period in automotive design is the 1980's, the boxy angular aesthetic of cars during this period is so appealing to me. I think the AW11 is a standout amongst the boxy shapes of this period, its such a handsome car. I don't feel that the following generations even look half as good as the retro AW11.

When you look back before the 80's cars for the most part were rather curvy, especially when look at the 60's. This changed in the late 70's & 80's but then quickly reverted back to more curves in the 90s. This makes the cars from this period rather unique I feel.

There are many other reasons why I loves these cars but the styling I think is what drew me to them originally. No matter how good the package is, its always the wrapping that grabs your attention first.