Need some help. Trying to decide between getting an MR2 SW20 vs W30(Spyder). Ive owned the mk1 AW11 and love the go-kart/one with the road feeling of it that makes cruising around always enjoyable. The power differences arent the biggest peoblem to me so im looking for advice from anyone whose driven both or one to help me decide how the car feels to drive at least compared to the AW11. I plan to just cruise around in the car and listen to music more than take it to the track but modability and reliability are also a factor im considering. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.
>>28928598Can't beat the feeling of sitting in an SW20 cockpit, I used to just sit in it in the driveway sometimes....
downgrade of the century.
>>28928598I personally like the W30. you've just gotta ditch that hand grenade of an engine is all. haven't driven an SW20 thoughbeit.
SW20 is older but has more enthusiast support. The spyder has oil burning issues on early model engines plus it looks like an absolute turd.
>>28928606How does driving it feelDoes it feel like you are flying while driving?
>>28928668just a big gokart. doesn't pin you to the seat or break traction. but always goes where you point it.
>>28928598I have a w30 and love to drive itI wasn't cross shopping a 2nd gen, I wanted a roadster and at that it is wonderful. I don't love the clutch/shifter feel, but it isn't bad and it doesn't detect from driving. It isn't fast, but just an excellent weekender.It kind of sucks if you're tall, headroom is low and you can't recline super far back. The top of the windshield frame will be at the top of your eye level. I have hit a bump and knocked my head on the soft top support before, I know people have died like that too lol
>>28928598Only reason to get the Mk3 is for the full convertible. If that's not a concern, then Mk2 all day every day.
>>28928752How tall? Ive heard people above 6 and 6'1 can still fit in it comfortably
>>28929176It depends on your proportions. I'm 6'1 but long torso and wear 30 inseam pants. If you're more normal then it won't be as bad.
>>28928676You must have more self-restraint than I do or you were driving someone else's car and babying it. I haven't driven an SW20 but I'd full send that fucker into a ditch so fast if given the chance to go balls-out. I can't say for sure but I get the feeling that breaking traction is dangerously easy in these on normal tires.OP SW20 is way cooler, but the MR-S is probably great and cheaper to keep going. Never been in one but I've always felt they were underrated in the shadow of the SW20.
>>28929224>they were underrated in the shadow of the SW20.Yeah they are sweet cars in their own right, but not a direct decendant of the w20 and w11, just the same engine layout
>>28929232They went upmarket with the SW20 and then back to using Corolla bits for the ZZW30.
>>28929235But, in 2026, you can still easily get said Corolla parts.
>>28928598I own both an NA8 Miata and a W30, and in my experience, the W30 feels more refined overall. It makes an excellent weekend car, offering a sporty driving experience with the added benefit of a convertible top and a comfortable ride. It’s great for commuting or relaxed cruising.By comparison, the Miata has more of a raw, go-kart-like character—louder, firmer, and generally less comfortable.The W30 gets hate, particularly due to concerns about pre-catalytic converters causing engine damage, as well as its styling. However, it remains a solid and enjoyable sports car that can still be found at a relatively affordable price point, although values have been gradually increasing.
>>28929270Thanks chatgppThe precats did eat the first engine on mine at 140k, swapped it with an 06 rolla motor and smooth sailing since
>>28929295Nta but you're an insufferable human being. He mentioned the precats.
>>28929298Yes he did, thanks redditAnd then I said it can happen even on somewhat low mileage examples (for the year)
Does the SW20 feel like a boat? It looks like the standard size of cars at the time. Like the MK3 supra. That thing handled like a boat
>>28929302Sounds like you didn't do your research. Not my problem.
>>28929303It's much smaller than an mkIII Shoopra. MkIII supra is 3500 lbs. SW20s are 2500-2800.
>>28929306I bought an engine for 500 dollars and swapped it in my garage. It wasn't a problem for anybody.What is your wrist diameter? You type like a woman.
>>28929323My wrist diameter is less than a woman's.You called that guy AI for a good post, you're mad that you got a car that was fucked-up. Not his fault or mine.
>>28928598Only 1st and 3rd are good 2nd is a poop
>>28929494Based on what?The size? Many people say 3rd is the ugly duckling
>>28928598Pop-ups cause severe injuries in the event of a vehicle/pedestrians collision , stay away
>>28929333he called it ai because it reads like an ai summary
>>28929594You have no fucking idea how pissed off i am that an ordered Intro - point 1 - point2 - summary is dismissed as "AI" now."Oh, you write in grammatically-correct ways and make valid points, while separating them? AI lol"This is the true degeneration of society that AI has wrought upon us. Fuckin' A.
Picrel my '91 Turbo "Rev1" (before the minor suspension tweak).Love it, but haven't driven a Mk1 to compare it to, really want to at some point. Don't have any lighter cars in my driving history to compare it to. I've heard the Mk1 feels lighter and nimbler, which I can imagine. Mine came without power steering, so it likely feels heavier than one with. I don't mind it too much because it helps you feel the limit of the car and where the weight transfer is. Pushed it on many canyon runs and haven't binned it yet except for nearly once on the stock suspension before I put on Koni Yellows. But definitely would not want to run autocross or anything with very sharp bends where you don't memorize the course and have your hands ready.It's a good at highway speeds especially if you snag a turbo which has a longer 5th gear and should keep your RPMs down (better for music). I wouldn't prefer to take it on too long a road trip though (4+ hrs). The noise and sporty seating position/ride just tire me out after a while. My T-Tops don't leak but there is highway wind noise which I deal with. It's great with the windows down and the T-Top removal is easy once you learn it.Definitely like the cool factor of the SW20. People look at it and compliment it I think a hell of a lot more than they would a W30. It also has a trunk that can fit a suitcase vs none at all.
>>28929303It doesnt feel heavy at all. Because it isn't. It's only 1250kg
>>28929645Then why do people say the mkii/gen 2is heavy. The biggest arguement is how it doesnt feeel like an MR2
>>28929333>you're mad that you got a car that was fucked-upThe interior and exterior are fucking mintAn bad engine is nothing on a car like that. Dropping the engine and tranny takes no time at all
>>28929637What other cars of a similar weight have you driven and how does this compare?
>>28930495>>289296372016 Civic Sport1994 S14 SIlvia Spec RAll different layouts, so kind of what you'd expect, the MR2 is the best punching it out of curves, but feels less balanced on downhill and hard braking. Punching it out of corners is probably the best thing about an MR2. My tires are bad right now and it still sticks like glue. I was surprised at how early the S14 wanted to break contact when I drove one a year ago. Guess that's kind of the point of it though.
>>28930457Gen1 is ~1000kgs, Gen3 is ~1000kgs, that's whyI got my W30 below 1000 just by removing the spare wheel + frunk, using a lightweight battery, replacing the wiper fluid reservoir with a smaller one, and replacing the radio with a lighter one.
>>28928598This is garbage. These are both garbage. the 30 is sinfully hideous to boot. Fuck this shit
