924Board.org

mondialfan · Joined: 25 Apr 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Gainesville, FL

I've been looking for a fun and reliable daily driver and have narrowed down the possibilities to 2 different cars, the 924S or the first gen MR2.

I've owned three Porsches up to now, a 1976 914 (which was the most fun), a 1986 944 Turbo (fastest, but the least fun), and a 1982 911 Targa (fun, but made me REALLY want a 914-6).

Any of you knowledgable guys have experience with both the 924S and a first gen Toyota MR2? Which is most fun? Reliability? Cost of ownership? I guess the fun part is the most important.

masterdave · Joined: 10 Dec 2008 Posts: 183 Location: Harrison NY

i have a 924s, so far the costs have been low to up keep it, it is basically a 944 is a 924 body, i love it but have never driven a MR2 i know people that have and seem to like them, they seem to be very similar cars. i would go with the 924s, i mean how can you turn down a Porsche for a Toyota

Coolbri1191 · Joined: 07 Feb 2010 Posts: 78 Location: Simi Valley, CA

most people here will say the porsche no doubt.

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Guards Red 1987 Porsche 924S (Automatic)
2001 Ford Explorer Sport (DD)

Andrew NZ · Joined: 22 Jun 2004 Posts: 744 Location: New Zealand

The most fun I've ever had in a tarmac rally stage was in 2005. we started at 30 second intervals and about 3 km's into the 43km stage I caught up to the car in front of me and couldn't get passed, and was soon caught by the 1st gen MR2 behind me.

The MR2 had a fresh fully balanced but reasonably standard 4AGE, and I had a 300,000k old 2L 924 motor with a Piper cam and big exhaust.

I passed the car in front and let the MR2 through in the same move thinking he'd be quicker than me. For the next 40km's we were right on their tail - couldn't gain enough to think about getting past, and they couldn't pull away. Neither of us could stop smiling for the rest of the day!

The handling is very similar between the two cars, but by the time you add the extra power of the 2.5L in the 924S I think it would be a clear winner.

There is also a huge difference in luggage space!!
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Andrew
1977 RX924 race car
12a bridgeport supercharged
www.race4-dcup.co.nz

Paul · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 1:03 pm Post subject:

My son had a MR2 turbo (gen 2) with a 3SGTE turboed 2 liter running 18 PSI boost with 313 rear wheel horsepower which of course blew the doors off our 924Ss in a straight line. But the 924S is a much better choice in the twistys.
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White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

fiat22turbo · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 4040 Location: Portland, OR

Considering the 4AGE is only 1600cc with dual-cams and is a Japanese copy of a Cosworth motor, I'd say it did pretty good against your 2000cc sohc truck motor

Honestly, the later revisions of the 4AGE (20-valves, etc) aren't bad and are a great addition to the 1st-gen MR-2's as is the 6-speed from the JDM cars.

My buddy has a pretty nice 1st-gen in California with a JDM 6-speed and a stock 4AGE (can't get the later motors to pass the visual inspection there)

http://www.marcmedina.com

Got to drive one of the supercharged 1st-gens and it was pretty fun chasing the owner's Ferrari 328GTS with it (I was driving the car out to the shop and he was giving me a lift back) A turbocharged one would have been better for a little more top end as the supercharger tends to run out of steam a little early.
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Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

Porschejag · Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 31

Personally (and even more so.. obviously), I think the mass of people on this website would ultimately argue the Porsche over the mr2. With that said, I have never actually driven an mr2, but have passengerized one on a couple of occasions and it seemed to be.. alright. To steal somebody's phrase that I've seen on the board... The 'grin-factor' of my 924s is forever undying. I would choose mine over any of my other cars, hands down. It's quick enough and handles very uh.. dreamy?!! And mine isn't in ideal condition right now!! So far, the Porsche has been very reliable and has never left me stranded. I've only had to change a couple of things that was dire for mechanical use (aside from normal maintenance, too) including and ignition tune-up, shifter linkage, p/s pump with a new hose connecting it to the reservoir, a smazzy new 3'' Lindsey exhaust system (sounds great, but a bit too loud for my taste) and a slave cylinder... I think that's all that I've absolutely had to buy, thus far.... Anyway, The 924s is more than worth while for somebody in need for a fun little runner. -I believe that the car is now a necessity for living.

mondialfan · Joined: 25 Apr 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Gainesville, FL

Well, I've taken the plunge! I'm in the middle of buying a 1988 924S. Once the deal is done I'll post some pics about my ''new'' family addition.

Rich H · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:27 pm Post subject:

The only MR2 I have dealt with was rotton as a pear.... when it blew up (It had not been treated kindly) the towing point came away with a huge portion of bodywork and rust as the AA tried to tow it onto the low loader....

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1994 Lotus Esprit S4 - Work in progress...
1980 Porsche 924 S2 DITC Turbo - Original spec
1978 Homo-Sapiens - Tired spec
1953 Landrover S1 - Pensioner Spec