Az's BMW M3 - Found out only 113 in my Paint/Interior, aww yeah
- Thread starter Azuremen
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Rotary Junkie
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Traditional.
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The AW11 was my love for a long time. 20Valve Silvertop, messy setup though, with Eibach sleeve overs, Tokicos, power slots, TRD brake lines, and so on. Lot of work and time. Very nice handling though spin happy. Plus the chassis was feeling the 200k + miles on it, with a lot of random sounds and a bit of flexing. Currently it has a bit of a road knock, likely a result of a bit of oil starvation from drifting, which is why it is effectively retired. Planning to sell the whole thing soon actually.
Comparing the handling, the AW11 with the setup on it is a bit more responsive and aggressive. However, the stiffer springs are a bit much on slightly rough roads, which are common around here, leading to a bit of wheel bounce in corners. Further, it has a higher curb weight (about 180 pounds more) with a bit more towards the back. Combined with the shorter wheel base, gave a smaller window to recover once it started to spin. A bit heavier steering as well, due to the manual steering rack.
The ZZW30, stock, has almost as good of handling, feel wise. Slightly less aggressive with turn in and feel, but far more composed over bumps and imperfections. The longer wheel base, while some complain of diluting the MR2 experience, makes the car far more manageable once it starts to slide. It also makes getting on the power sooner a bit less scary. Steering is power assisted, but still has quite a bit of feel to it, and makes parallel parking and lower speed maneuvers a bit more manageable. Chassis wise, it is far more stiff, with modern design clearly showing its advantage over the older AW11.
In short, it is more composed and has more potential than the AW11. Since I've always liked the concept, and finally had the money, I just decided to stop putting money in the AW11 and get the MR-S. The roadster bit is quite nice as well, hearing all the sounds and feeling the air flow is a nice feeling.
Plus the 1ZZ-FE, while making quite a bit less than the 20V did, has a more usable power band, with 2nd gear being effective as low as 2500 RPM. Which makes a nice difference in autocross, as the gearing is about the same as the AW11 with the C52, just I have torque 2000 RPM sooner in 2nd, which means less of temptation to shift down during tight autocross corners. And if I want more power, I can put together a basic turbo setup, run 8 psi on stock internals, and have a car that runs high 12's reliably, which is quite a bit faster than the AW11 with the swap.
Odd thing is, I was originally attracted to the SW20, but started hating its weight. Couldn't afford an MR-S at all, and so gravitated to the AW11. There I learned very quick steering work (fast enough that most veteran autocrossers have felt the need to comment) and the skills to manage a twitchy car. And braking without ABS. Once I had the money, I was able to get the MR-S, and just in time, as I was getting tired of putting money into the AW11.
nobuffalo
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Oh well thinks, you make me not want the mk1 now. No I really liked my 86, and it had the original suspension, original worn down engine, and crap for brakes so i'm sure that silver 85 will be amazing compared to it. Well i've already driven it and know it is.
Kinda makes you wonder where they were going with the mk2. I like them and all, but it just seems like a step down.
Kinda makes you wonder where they were going with the mk2. I like them and all, but it just seems like a step down.
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It's probably that word "usability" responsible for the SW20, trying to make it a better car for more of the people, which usually dilutes it a little for the more hardcore enthusiasts. Ironically though, pre-94 SW20 MR2s are supposed to be a little bit of a handful so they made revisions to make them more friendly.
Still, they were one of the best looking cars this side of a Ferrari at the time, and they still look fantastic today.
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The AW11 is still a solid fun car, and cheaper to work on all around. Don't drop them, I just love the ZZW30 a bit more. And the AW11 has a lot more storage room in it, as the Spyder doesn't have a rear trunk and the frunk is smaller on top of that.
The SW20 was a transition from sports car to grand touring style. They are a little bigger, but nothing to write home about. In pre '94 trim, they are a bit more over steer happy, in an attempt to emulate higher end MR cars of the time. Regardless, Toyota wanted something with more power and, like everything with cars, a little bigger. But, they gave too many options, and a hard top turbo model is a rarity, hurting it for the real purists out there.
What is a bit frustrating is that far too many people view the SW as the MR2, usually quoting the turbo power as why it was good. I've heard too many say the Spyder is a huge step down because it doesn't make 200HP or so. In my mind, the MR-S is the purist design of the MR2 line.
The SW20 was a transition from sports car to grand touring style. They are a little bigger, but nothing to write home about. In pre '94 trim, they are a bit more over steer happy, in an attempt to emulate higher end MR cars of the time. Regardless, Toyota wanted something with more power and, like everything with cars, a little bigger. But, they gave too many options, and a hard top turbo model is a rarity, hurting it for the real purists out there.
What is a bit frustrating is that far too many people view the SW as the MR2, usually quoting the turbo power as why it was good. I've heard too many say the Spyder is a huge step down because it doesn't make 200HP or so. In my mind, the MR-S is the purist design of the MR2 line.
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The SW looked alright. The MR-S looks too girly in my opinion.
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Only an issue if you are insecure
Picture I posted over in the photography comp thread.
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Post I made on some club boards in the area. Need to move it as I never gonna put more money or time into the damn thing at this point.
Not so much trying to sell it here, though if you know anyone in the Washington/Idaho area that would be interested, let me know.
Azure's ListingSelling it finally. I'll get more recent pictures up soon, but a lot of you know this car from my autocrossing with it.
1987 MR2 hardtop (Only one I've seen), nothing is power, interior is in good shape, Eibach sleeve overs, Tokico 5 way shocks, Supercharged MR2 engine lid, relocated battery to front, power slot brakes, TRD braided lines, newer clutch from black top 4A and tranny, MSD, piggy back ECU, Cusco strut bars, front and rear sway bars, TRD short shifter, header, decent audio system, Momo buckets with Sabelt 4 points.
Issues with the car - has a Maco paint job, engine does have what sounds like rod knock but still runs, minor damage to the passenger side tail light area (former room mate spaced out with a truck), body kit that was put on poorly with damage to the front from hitting a small dead dog someone ditched on I-90 (thank you Moses Lake), wiring from the swap is a HUGE mess. Speedo cable is broken, but I have a replacement one laying around. Oh, and the previous owner put some shady alarm on it with remote locks that never worked. Would be easy to remove that junk, since it will run with the alarm going off I found out.
The chassis has around 200k miles on it, a few rattles here and there. 4A-GE silvertops go for around $800 last I checked (not sure what the drift demand) or you can rebuild the bottom with 4A-GZE parts. And then you'd have a fairly quick MR2 on your hands. Lightest version of the car you can find in this generation. I just don't have the desire to put more into this car after buying the MR-S.
Hoping to get around 2 grand for it, but make an offer (PM me) and we can see. I'll cut a couple hundred off if you take the old, brown OEM seats and let me keep the Momos.
Not so much trying to sell it here, though if you know anyone in the Washington/Idaho area that would be interested, let me know.
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Well, the world has ended. You can see the pictures of why this is below.
Yes, I now own a Civic. Yes, a Civic. Yes, a Honda. Yes, an FF.
B20z with GSR head, Vtec, launch control, and a bunch of other things to make mobbing around highly amusing. More pictures and info when there is better light out for pictures.
Yes, I now own a Civic. Yes, a Civic. Yes, a Honda. Yes, an FF.
B20z with GSR head, Vtec, launch control, and a bunch of other things to make mobbing around highly amusing. More pictures and info when there is better light out for pictures.
Rotary Junkie
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Celica aside, are you capable of buying a car that isn't black?
Rotary Junkie
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It is FWD and theoretically somewhat ballsy thanks to the B20 lump.
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Dayum, you actually went out and bought the thing?
That was quick. How's it run?
EDIT: God it looks like fun though..
That was quick. How's it run?
EDIT: God it looks like fun though..
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B20+GSR head... I hope by VTEC you mean VTEC controller and AFR intercept... some dyno tuning and that car will be incredible... even without tuning, you should be putting out about 180-200 hp.... if it's tuned, like I suspect... well, helloooo drag strip... 
Should be a gas. Literally.
Should be a gas. Literally.
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Yup. The B20 gives it a nice bit of torque, and spinning the wheels in first or second is fairly easy to do.
Naw. This is let me keep the MR-S nicer longer, by reducing my need to mob in the MR-S. And now I buy things and actually take them home.
It is fun. A lot of fun. Runs all right but it does need a tune.
B20+GSR head... I hope by VTEC you mean VTEC controller and AFR intercept... some dyno tuning and that car will be incredible... even without tuning, you should be putting out about 180-200 hp.... if it's tuned, like I suspect... well, helloooo drag strip...
Should be a gas. Literally.
Plan getting on a dyno in a month or two to work out the last bits of the tuning so it runs smooth as can be. It also needs a new throttle position sensor, but it still gets up and goes as it.
The car makes me feel like I am 16 again. Just a lot faster than my first car, but still has that heavier steering, small economy car feel, and what not. Just fancier stereo, engine, transmission, and so on.
Tastefully modified, it looks very nice.Similar threads
