Having owned both, the Elise actually felt special. Though at 5x the price, it should. Ironically, the Elise had more practical storage space.
On first looks, the U.S.-spec Series 2 Lotus Elise and the third-generation Toyota MR2 seem to have a lot in common: Both are lightweight, mid-engine sports cars powered by a Toyota inline-four.
A closer look, however, reveals a few differences. Although based on a similar engine family, the MR2 came powered by the 1ZZ-FED, with the basic Elise sold stateside making use of the 2ZZ-GE from the Celica GT-S.
And where the Elise was sold as a roadster with a cloth or targa-style removable top, the MR2 could only be had as a convertible.
The big question, though: Which one would you rather have?
Having owned both, the Elise actually felt special. Though at 5x the price, it should. Ironically, the Elise had more practical storage space.
How much money do you have is really what it comes down to.
Money no object? Elise.
Money an object? I bought an MR2 and am now swapping in a 2ZZ.
I'm with moxnix. Out of the box, assuming it has been well maintained, the Elise is ready to go if your wallet is ready too. if you'd rather spend time in the garage installing go fast parts to save money, you can make an MR2 just as quick. Both of these are getting to the age where there will likely be time spent in the garage anyway, and if that's the case, might as well consider the AW11 MR2 with a 2ZZ swap as well.
First gen elise (shhhhhhhhhhh). It's a secret!
A tap on the nose of an MR2 might mean a new bumper cover.
A tap on the nose of an Elise might mean a totaled car.
Food for thought.
Have my 95 mr2 turbo and elise. Both owned since new.
have done cross country in both cars. Track days in both cars.
95 turbo is the gt car. Elise is the sports car.
Depends which you need
gen 3 mr2? No thanks.
In reply to colinshark :
I'm waiting for more import eligible ones to pop up. Slim pickings at the moment. Ex S2 Elise and Sw20 turbo owner here.
I have to wonder: When they were drawing up the specifications for the 3rd generation MR2, who decided "We can't use the 2ZZ-GE here. It's too revy and aggressively tuned. Buyers are going to want the more sedate 1ZZ-FE for this car."?
That decision sums up everything that was wrong with Toyota in that decade.
What about Boxsters?
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