Test drove an MR2 this weekend. The modern day 914??

[Jim T]

I've never owned a Japanese car (in fact never owned anything other than German and Italian), and probably never will (they just don't appeal to me), but I was with my brother this weekend at a Toyota dealer, and decided to take the new MR2 out for a spin.

I've never given the new MR2 a second look on the road, because its always looked bizarre and ugly to me. But really going over it up close, it didn't seem bad at all. It is tiny. The headlights have some character to them. The seats, dash and interior are also pretty cool. Overall, it reminded me a lot of my old 914 with the headlights up: Kind of boxy, with "frog eyes" for headlights. Like the 914, its a look that does not appeal instantly to most, but has a certain purity of purpose that seems to grow on you.

It has a 1.8, so I wasn't expecting much, but the car is amazingly quick! I guess that's what having a weight of only around 2100 lbs would do. I have no idea what its performance spec are, but I would not be surprised if it could, if pushed, break in to the 6's to 60. Its amazing that a modern car can be so light. The shifting was great, the engine sound was nice, great steering, etc. With the light weight and small size, it really reminded me a lot of my old 914. More so than any other modern car I have driven.

The price seemed good, too. There are no options, and the price is around $22K. They deal on them, too, so I would not be surprised if the real price were closer to $20K. Not bad in the overall scheme of new car pricing (amazing how expensive new cars are!!).

The major downside is that, unlike the 914, there is absolutely no storage space. There is no rear trunk, and only a little tiny compartment in the front, which is taken almost completely by the spare tire. If you had a passenger, even a weekend trip would be close to impossible.

Overall, I was very surprised at how much fun the car was.

I think it would have been cool if instead of building a StupidUn-utiltyVehicle, Porsche made a car to compete with the MR2. Maybe something around $26,000, 2100 lb, 4 cyl, mid-engined car. Like the Speedster of the 50's and the 914 in the 70's, to get sportscar ENTHUSIASTS back into the fold.

[This message has been edited by Jim T (edited 08-08-2001).]

[johnvan8]

If Porsche made a $26000 car (and I'm sure they could if they wanted to), it would alienate a lot of the "NewPorsche" crowd (I mean those willing and able to dish out upwards of $50000 to over $100k for brand new Porsche). Porsche probably would not want to "move down" in the automotive pecking order just to sell a few cars. This is a shame because there are a lot more true car enthusiasts in the $20-30k range than there are in the upper brackets (I know, there are exceptions too). But then again, there's a lot of profit in the high dollar cars...
The Toyota has intrigued me ever since it came out. I think if you wait another year, you might be able to pick up a low mileage one for $14-16k.
Just my 0.02

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

One way Porsche could keep costs down is if they used a tried and true drivetrain for their new car. Something that is easily adapted for mid-engined use. Say, an FWD drivetrain of some kind. Ohhhh, like, I dunno... Say a VW drivetrain! (Starting to sound familiar??)

Just think, though. They could do the transverse layout thing, and use the huge variety of VW powerplants and trannies. Everything from a 50 MPG turbo-diesel, to a very sweet 2.0 16V engine, to the 1.8T, up to the VR6. Now wouldn't that be fun??

--DD

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Pelican Parts 914 Tech Support

A few pics of my car: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Dave_Darling

[azkiwi]

...and to keep the costs down, they could have VW/Audi build the bodies, I bet someone at VW would at least agree to a handshake to seal the deal...

Kidding aside...it would be nice...

Since Porsche probably won't play in that price range it is fun to imagine the possiblities.
Good thing we active imaginations... a necessity for 914 ownership.

Alex

[Eat-um-up]

Another car that kibda reminds me of the 914 is i beleve the new honda crx. its a little two seater with a targa top. dunno why but when i see it i think of handa trying to copy the body. but then again there is the actuall modern day 914, the Boxter

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Sweet Blue 72' 914
Check it out at
http://www.geocities.com/eat_um_up/914.html

[azkiwi]

Originally posted by Eat-um-up:
but then again there is the actuall modern day 914, the Boxter

Has/would Porsche even acknowledge the 914 and Boxter in the same sentence?
Honest question here...

Alex

[campbellcj]

A targa-style Quattro roadster on the Audi A3 or TT platform with the 225bhp turbo would be cool. But with all the 'concern' about the build quality and interior materials etc. with the 986 and 996, what would a $22-32K Porsche be like? I mean, would it have any chance of holding up to hard use for 30 years like the vintage models? Doubt it. It might be fun though.

Chris C.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Eat-um-up, I think you're actually talking about the Civic del Sol (its name in the US). It is actually sold as the 3rd-generation CRX elsewhere, but in the US, the CRX enthusiasts refer to it as the "del Slow".

The general consensus among the CRX crowd is that they're too heavy, and not fun enough to toss around. Then again, those 1st-generation CRXes weigh in at something like 1600 lbs., soaking wet!

--DD (Yes, my other car is a CRX.)

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Pelican Parts 914 Tech Support

A few pics of my car: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Dave_Darling

[bowlsby]

You don't have a 'My other car is a CRX' plate frame on the 914 do you?

It must be fast because its yella'...

Hehehehe

[Jim T]

Originally posted by Eat-um-up:
Another car that kibda reminds me of the 914 is i beleve the new honda crx. its a little two seater with a targa top. dunno why but when i see it i think of handa trying to copy the body. but then again there is the actuall modern day 914, the Boxter

[guards73/2.0]

They sort of deny having built them, oficially. You know, the "NARP" issue again...These are "doctor's cars" now.the air cooled stuff is for those who really love Porsches.

Originally posted by azkiwi:
Has/would Porsche even acknowledge the 914 and Boxter in the same sentence?
Honest question here...

Alex

[oredith]

The MR2 spyder is a fun little car, good power/weight ratio, but if you drive it a bit harder, you'll notice it doesn't quite handle like the 914.. the slanted-inline-4 motor is *technically* a mid-engine, but it's pretty much sitting on the rear axle, and the center of gravity is much higher than the 914..

it still has that plasticky feel of the japanese imports, but all in all, a very good step in the right direction.. i'd take one for a daily driver, but still use the 914 for the track..

oh wait, that's what i've got going now!..

Jeff
914-turbo (90% track car once the new engine's in)
'91 MR2 - luxurious daily driver..

[JGriff]

I agree... that Porsche most likely wouldn't step down and mass market an inexpensive two-seater to compete with MR2, Miata, S2000 etc.

Instead, their reply would most likely be:

"Your best alternative is to buy a pre-owned Porsche... like a mid to late 1980s 911."

Give the Boxster a few more years on the used car market, and it will be Porsche's answer to the MR2 et al.




Jim


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Jim Griffin
JGriff@JGriff.com
www.JGriff.com