Need some opinions on some cars

[90CorollaSR5]

Hey, i'm just looking to get some opinions on what you guys think or know about some of the cars i'm looking at buying. I've done lots of research and am taking my time with buying my next car. I wanna do this right and get a car that will be reliable, fun to drive, and something that I personally like. Anyways, i'll list off the cars. Keep in mind I am 18 and I will be using a bank loan to pay monthly on these cars, high insurance costs will be a factor.

1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo:
Now, normally I would not buy this because they are expensive and alot of them have been driven very hard. But, a 60 year old woman has owned it since it was new and she has been business partners with my dad for over 25 years. I know it has been taken care of very well and it has roughly 100,000 kms on it.

Pros:
-quick
-beautiful
-fun to drive
-reliable

Cons:
-expensive for an old car (CDN$14,000+)
-2 seater, may be impracticle sometimes
-expensive repairs (being rare and midengined)
-older car
-bad gas mileage
-expensive insurance

2004 Toyota Echo Hatchback:
This is a completely different league from the MR2 but I really like the look of the hatchbacks. I've test driven one and it was fun to drive. I would modify the suspension to make it handle better. One thing that sways me towards this car is that I would get it brand new, no one would have touched it before me. Its nice to know you know everything that has happened to your car.

Pros:
-awesome gas mileage
-decently quick (0-60mph 8.5 seconds with manual)
-cool european looks
-very reliable
-brand new
-fun to drive
-inexpensive (initially and maintenance)

Cons:
-not very powerful
-would need to modify a bit to make it look how I want it (wheels, tint)

1997 Mazda Mx-6 LS:
I really like this car with its sleek looks and peppy engine. They aren't too expensive and are pretty reliable. The 2.5 liter v6 is apparently a pretty nice motor.

Pros:
-quick
-nice looks
-inexpensive
-reliable
-fun to drive

Cons:
-fairly old car
-average gas mileage


Anyways, those are the main cars I am considering. Sorry about the long post and thanks for your time for those of you who cared to read it.

[Ace$nyper]

most fun MR2 safest idea echo mixbag MX-6

[Layla's Keeper]

Hey Redneck, we gots to talk to this here boy about what's an old car.

1991? 1997? Sheeet. It ain't old until shit's started rusting solid and you start consuming more oil than gas. If you need to run lead additive or high-test octane just to keep your valves from scorching themselves to death, then you've got an old car. If you actually have to pull the choke on cold mornings, then you have an old car.

You've got solid 90's steel with all that newfangled EFI shit. Don't waste your money on the woefully unmoddable and poorly designed (twelve recalls and counting, as I recall) Toyota Echo. Pick up that MR2 and don't look back.

[-The Stig-]

Originally Posted by Layla's Keeper

Hey Redneck, we gots to talk to this here boy about what's an old car.

1991? 1997? Sheeet. It ain't old until shit's started rusting solid and you start consuming more oil than gas. If you need to run lead additive or high-test octane just to keep your valves from scorching themselves to death, then you've got an old car. If you actually have to pull the choke on cold mornings, then you have an old car.

You've got solid 90's steel with all that newfangled EFI shit. Don't waste your money on the woefully unmoddable and poorly designed (twelve recalls and counting, as I recall) Toyota Echo. Pick up that MR2 and don't look back.

Damn right, I've gotta pull the choke all the way open and pump the gas about 15 times for her to sputter. Then repeat that process about 3-4 times before it'll start and idle. That's when you know your car has character.

You know you have an old car when, you'd rather not turn on the windsheild wiper cause it doesn't move fast enough to do any good. And you'd rather let the rain just get tossed off by the wind.

You know you have an old car when things like Air Conditioning, Power Windows, and a Heater sound like foriegn objects.

[93rollaracer]

i'd definitely go with the MR2. those things are kick-ass stock and if you mod it a little you'll be unstoppable

[Ace$nyper]

Originally Posted by Layla's Keeper

Hey Redneck, we gots to talk to this here boy about what's an old car.

1991? 1997? Sheeet. It ain't old until shit's started rusting solid and you start consuming more oil than gas. If you need to run lead additive or high-test octane just to keep your valves from scorching themselves to death, then you've got an old car. If you actually have to pull the choke on cold mornings, then you have an old car.

You've got solid 90's steel with all that newfangled EFI shit. Don't waste your money on the woefully unmoddable and poorly designed (twelve recalls and counting, as I recall) Toyota Echo. Pick up that MR2 and don't look back.

hahahha pulling the choke i can say my bike does need that so i sorta know your pain.
Did the Echo really have that many recalls? I didn't know of any thats what I get for not reading my CRs I get in the mail!

[PunkAlex]

mr2 all the way...most power! It may be expensive, but its in better shape than many similar cars, with even less mileage! Impractical? pssshhh youll thank yourself when people stop bumming rides off of you! Expensive repairs? hell take care of the damned thing and do proper maintence and you wont have to worry bout no steeeeek'n repairs...Layla's Keeper said it best about "old"...The mileage is nothing compared to other cars dude-just be glad your not lookin for a "hemi" dodge...all 8 mpg! Insurance? well...err...sure....

[eurobeaner]

well....the mr2 would be an awsome base car...tons of upgrades available, already cool looks, and that cool MID engine thing..i got a fiero..mid engine..and itl beat any car...around a corner..after that, im fucked..not enough power..but a mr2 has more power..so itl beat anyhing in a strait line and keep pulling through the corner...those other cars...dont even compare.
:::things that are cool about it::: (mr2)
awsome handeling(comparable to a ferrari)
not bad power
2 seats...youll like it sometimes youl not like it sometimes(if u got a gf..and want to get it on in the car..good luck...but if 5 peeps ask u to take them somewhere...u have an excuse)
looks cool

[Sypherz28]

I am a hardcore Toyota fan to begin with, and I don't really care for the Echo's style so I say the MR2 hands down, you'll be better off in the end.. and if you and your girl really wanna get it on in your car you will, I repeat WILL find a way.. I think you will be okay with the gas millage personally as long as you keep it running right.. Personally I say look into getting a 5th or 6th gen Celica, it's Toyota's Sports/Economy car.. Damn nice under the hood and great on gas..

[youngvr4]

chanting~mr2 mr2 mr2

[fugiot]

MX6! MX6! MX...oops I mean, MR2! MR2!

[street_racer_00]

Se-r! Se-r! Se-r!

[kfoote]

A couple of things to consider:

I'm guessing you live in Canada. RWD + snow = bad.

The brakes on the MX6/Ford Probe are terrible. I had a 1991 Probe GT, which has almost the same brakes. I tracked the car for a season and impressed the Mustang guys with how quickly I was going through brake pads.

If you like the Echo, it's probably the best compromise of a daily driver of the 3. If it's not your daily driver and uyou don't have to drive in snow, then MR2 all the way.

[uk_zak]

mr-2's are bad enough in the rain. i dont even want to imagine what its like on snow. but damn its one fast car. youll definitely have yourself alot of fun. i say get it and drive appropriately

[90CorollaSR5]

Yea, i'm in Canada, we got quite a bit of snow and tons of rain this past year. That is one concern of mine with the MR2. They are beautiful cars, but I don't think it would be very wise of me to buy it. The insurance would be nuts for an 18 year old male. Of course, that may just be a compromise I can live with .

About the 5th - 6th gen Celicas.. I think they are nice looking cars, and apparently they handle pretty nicely, but for a sporty looking car I don't think they have enough power. The 94+ have 135 hp and 145 torque I believe, which doesn't seem like much. Although, maybe i'll test drive one and see how it feels for power, cause I really do like them.

As you could've guessed, i'm a Toyota fan. I currently have a 1990 Corolla SR5 and I do have a bias towards Toyota cars. I just wish I could afford an MKIV Supra . Thanks for the opinions.