Which one is better? MR2 Turbo or MKIII Supra?

[Spaniard]

I have this friend who has a slightly modded 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo. We are great friends and I like his car but we come to a huge hurdle when making arguments for who has a better car.


A MKIII SUPRA TURBO or the MR2 (second gen)?


So which one is it guys? I have tried every possible reason for telling him why the MKIII SUPRA is a better car (I have a 2JZ in mine) and still he thinks its not that great for what it is. He says mod for mod from factory his is better in every aspect which is what really gets to me. He says that my 1990 has a 80's look and his is more 90's. That his balance is better. Power is better. More power can be made for less money. Everything, anything, and I really don't think so. He favors this car like its on a pedestal and I have ran out of energy to discuss this any further.

Throw any and all ideas out there so I can make a better argument. Please try to remain un-biased in your analysis of the argument. If you feel the MR2 is a better car, then so be it, please say so.

Thank you.

 

[IJ.]

You're asking on a Supra forum.....

Ask the same question on an Mr2 forum and there will be the same bias.

You can't compare the 2 cars they're poles apart.

 

[Sawbladz]

Depends solely on what you want to do with the car. Mk3 is a great GT car and MR2 is a tossable little go cart.

 

[Spaniard]

You're asking on a Supra forum.....

Ask the same question on an Mr2 forum and there will be the same bias.

You can't compare the 2 cars they're poles apart.

I understand where you coming from, but I asked you in the original post to be as un-biased as possible. If you cant do that, then don't vote. If they are poles apart, then list why.

 

[Ma70.Ent]

Mr2

 

[Poodles]

Push an MR2 to the edge and you're in the ditch, MKIII won't do that.

I'm also calling BS on making more power for your mods and money on a smaller engine.

 

[Spaniard]

Mr2

Okay, but please post why? This goes for the Supra too.

 

[EdT.Mk3]

I've never driven an MR2, but trying to compare those 2 is like apples and oranges to me. I'd probably enjoy having an MR2 to go blasting all over the back roads but leave me hanging on the long straights, while the MK3 would give me a ton of thrills on the straightaway but I wouldn't push it when on some mountain road.

That's just me though.

-Ed.T

 

[Ma70.Ent]

Okay, but please post why? This goes for the Supra too.

Honestly they're both in different categories but I like the MR2 more. Better handling due to being lighter and more "balanced" due to being mid engine, and 3SGTEs are great engines. I've never driven an MR2, but in theory, it's probably a lot more fun than an MK3 Supra.

I really don't think you should be arguing what is the "better" car.

 

[Evilempire1.3JZ-GTE]

I have a friend mason who is getting rid of his mkiii because it blew the head gasket again and he dont have the money for a swap or to fix it again he is trading for another MR2 & 3SGTE

They each have there + & -
MR2 over steers & heat soaks
Supra under steers & BHG

MR2 is lighter smaller less comfortable
Supra is better for long trips and haves a little better drag strip traction
MR2 is better for good gas millage shorter stopping distance haves a little better autox traction.

They are their own species and picked by their own benifit to buyer.

I try not to compete against fellow toyota enthusiest because there is always a 120hp honda with a 300hp fart can tail pipe that deserves to get beat.

 

[kHaNg]

Since hes your friend the only way to win is to agree to your differences. Tell him in his league mid engine rear it is a good car. In the front rear world you are still king.. In america. Oh and let him know if someone ever went head on into his car he's surely gonna be more hurt than you. These are just common factors between the two cars. I still pick our cars but the mr2 is more rare. Which is better? personality traits take place.

 

[willtotheumm]

Depends solely on what you want to do with the car. Mk3 is a great GT car and MR2 is a tossable little go cart.

I agree. My friend has an SW20 MR2 turbo. He's fast as hell and can still corner like a madman. We were cruising around (me in my AW11 MR2) and we started messing with a SOHC 240sx that thought he was all that. I was tearing the 240sx up and doing about 95mph when my friend, out of nowhere, blasts past me doing a good 125-130mph leaving my little AW11 and that 240sx in the dust.

If you want top end, Supra all the way. It's cost so much and he so un-stable to get a 3s-gte to the HP ratings that the Supra's are capable of.

So in a way, you both have great cars. They're 2 different classes. Leagues of their own. Apples and oranges.

 

[benchwarmer]

Define better.

 

[GoodSpeed150]

I have the MR2 in question... I can't believe he made a post about it on SM! Anyways, Its a TD06 powered MR2 I ran a 12.9@107mph on 16psi with a 2.0 sixty foot (car is capable of much better sixty foot)

MOD LIST
-EMS Intercooler
-ATS Racing TD0620G
-Blitz Nur Spec Exhaust
-AEM Intake
-ATS TB Inlet
-Stock fuel and ecu
-17in rims/street tires/Width 225

The MR2 can't make the same hp/tq as the supra mod for mod.. its virtually impossible. I'll definitely admit that. It will also cost more to get too my ultimate goal... a low 10 sec car (yes Johnathan I changed my goal :aigo But because this is a project car that will be done step by step over a long period of time money isnt the main concern (this isnt a budget build, and no im not rich.. but within a long period of time, money will be spent on this project)

I LOVE the MR2

Some pluses I see about having an MR2 over a Supra:
-I dont need the hp/tq you guys need to run 10 secs!
-I like the look of the MK2 MR2 over the MK3 Supra (please don't flame me, also this is a very opinionated answer, everyone is different!)
-I love the mid engine layout/its a rare car. I see more supras on a daily basis then MR2's of any generation.
-IMO its the most underrated car from japan, making me the underdog, unlike the supra with its reputation.
-Launching capabilities of this car ROCK.
-Awesome online community
-Its light & nimble (all this talk about understeer and smashing into a wall is all driver error, after you know where that limit is; its easily correctable, also getting new suspension solves most of that so called "problem")
-I fit in the MR2 just fine - Im 6'3" and a big guy.. and IMO its comfortable. Only thing the supra has that I can't fix, is that is bigger..


And if I get bored with the 3SGTE and want to get crazy ill swap in the tacoma v6 3.4L add a GT42r, but where talking big power with something like this (its been done) only needs one motor mount to be wielded in for an almost bolt in affair.

Im not looking to dogging the Supra in anyway. They are a great chassis to make power from. I WILL own one during my lifetime (anyone want to trade for an MK4 )

Pictures:
My car:

Engine Bay

If you have any questions let me know, im not on here much, but I am on MR2oc (same name)

 

[tekdeus]

Nice MR2! With some decent power, I'm sure an MR2 would outperform the Supra. I was just looking at an NSX this evening and wanting what I don't have (Low weight, mid engine) But it's best to enjoy our cars for what they are.

 

[IJ.]

I have the MR2 in question... I can't believe he made a post about it on SM!

Me either..... :nono:

 

[GrimJack]

Looking for support for your debate on SM is pointless, especially when you are trying to compare an apple to an orange. Furthermore, these things usually degenerate into flame wars, which make significantly more work for the staff. Even just constant monitoring of the questionable threads is a drain.

If you think your car is better, fine - but don't try to drag the rest of the community into it.