Hi all,

Hope you've all had fun in the snow!!! I test drove an imported Toyota MR2 Twin Turbo today.

Dont worry - not on the icy roads!!

What can I say except - BLOODY HELL! The performance is phenominal and actually made me break into a sweat with an adrenalin rush!

0-60 in 5.2seconds in std form!!!! Boy did I have a good time pushing it on the A1 and country roads in Bushey etc.

If any of you get the chance try one! I gurantee like myself you'll want one - either to compliment your A3 or instead of!

With A/C, 2.0 Twin Turbo engine , removable targa tops and a snug go gart ride and completely mental performance THIS has to be the performance bargain of the century. Granted its an import and it is on an "M" plate - but WOW!

From what the dealer was telling me the Std (240BHP) 13PSI/0.9BAR can be pushed up via chipping to provide a "reliable" 300BHP further with better intercoolers etc!

All in a car that weighs 1305kgs - thats 183BHP per tonne stock!

Any feedback would be appreciated as my drive home in the Quattro was rather dull!

I know its a Toyota and has no brand status - but for the money I'm severly tempted!!!!

Neil.

Sorry and it was only £9000

I had to choose between one of the last SW-20 (body shape you drove) MR2's manufactured, or my A3... Mind you I was comparing non turbo variants of both cars.

The A3 won for practicality reasons (back seat and cargo space mainly), and although I'm never happy with the service my Audi dealer gives me (their latest trick is that they claim my warranty expired in May, which is absolute bollocks... it is still current) I feel I definately made the right choice!

I would gladly own an MR2 - but it would have to be a 'second car' :)

I didn't know that a turbocharged MR2 existed!Here in Greece we have the 1.8 MR2 only (140bhp). Why not try the Honda S2000??I don't know its price in your country.Here it is:3400 pounds

but has to be wrung out all the time to enjoy. It has 50lbft less torque than a standard S3 and the chipped S3 has 65 more again!!

I've driven an S2000 and its thrilling - sheesh you change DOWN at 6000rpm!! Its a little tail happy (fun in the dry but would be scary in the wet, especially when the hot cam switches in mid corner!)

Not the competent allrounder the S3 is by a LONG way.

As far as the old MR2 goes, I've never driven one but read reports questioning its on limit handling - so the twin turbo version could be very suss on the edge.

Cheers
Not the competent allrounder the S3 is by a LONG way.

Sorry about that bluff:34000 pounds

I can testify to the fact that on limit handling in the SW-20 MR2 is questionable. A good friend had one for 12 months (too impractical to keep for any longer) and we found ourselves in many hairy situations in it. Mind you if you keep slightly off the limit, its like driving a mini ferrari - very very fun!

Never driven a turbo, though I've seen them go