944 or MR2?
Posted by Adventurous_Box_4024@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 16 comments
I've been looking for a good first sporty car and so far the Porsche 944 and the Toyota MR2 sw20 have seemed like the best bets. I plan to use them almost daily, but there is a lot of snow where i live (i do have a secondary car for occasions where snow could be a problem, but i'd still rather drive the sporty car in winter). Which one would ya'll recommend?
Poppy_Vapes_Meth@reddit
Neither will work for a daily driver. As others have suggested the MR2 will be cheaper to keep running but mid engine does mean that maintenance is dramatically harder (and definitely more expensive if you don't diy).
I'd go with the 944 for ease of use, but both would make terrible daily drivers.
You may want to look at a early 10s brz/frs/86. Cheap sports cars you can have a lot of fun with and are generally pretty reliable.
Adventurous_Box_4024@reddit (OP)
I did consider them but for a decent condition one i'd have to pay around a third more than the mr2 or 944. Besides i enjoy putting time into working on my cars and i much prefer the older styling of the two mentioned cars. Is the 86 really worth the extra price?
Great-Ad4472@reddit
You can buy a BRZ for $15k. You DO NOT want a 944 that cost $5k.
Adventurous_Box_4024@reddit (OP)
Found a 944 around $10k that was in very nice condition, idk if that extra $5k is worth it for the BRZ
Great-Ad4472@reddit
Sounds like you really want the 944 so go for it. They are great cars. Just be ready to wrench and spend money on really obscure parts.
Poppy_Vapes_Meth@reddit
The FRS is probably the best value. They are literally rebadged 86s.
I've rode in an 86 and brz and they don't feel much different. They're supposed to have different suspension "tuning" but you'd probably have to drive them hard to feel a difference.
Both the 86 and brz have crazy big aftermarket scenes. If you like tinkering you can really make one of them look and feel however you want. You would probably come out even on money paying more for a newer car because there's just been 20+ years less time for the earth and sun to reclaim its seals, bearings, and fitment.
Honestly I prefer 80s styling to anything modern, but the commitment to a 30+ year old car is big. I drive my 64 Corvair all the time in the summer. It breaks all the time in the summer too. Starting and driving it in cold weather or driving in poor conditions would just add a great deal of risk that I wouldn't want to assume. My car just celebrated its 60th and not its 30th - YMMV.
Great-Ad4472@reddit
+1 these with snow tires are unstoppable
E90BarberaRed6spdN52@reddit
The 944 Porsche is a superior car but also more costly to own and maintain unless you can do your own work. I say this owning a BMW and having a close family member and friend who has owned a few Porsches. Knew two other Porsche owners too but they owned garages too so they don't count. Based on these considerations I would say go with the Toyota MR2 for fun and overall value and TCO.
Great-Ad4472@reddit
I actually drove a 944 daily through a Chicago winter and it handled snow very well. But the maintenance costs were unbearable.
Thumper45@reddit
Neither make great daily drivers but the 944 is a better daily car if you had to. More room, usable trunk ect.
But neither is great if you aren’t handy or aren’t willing to learn and turn wrenches yourself.
-HELLAFELLA-@reddit
944 all day
loupal@reddit
944 owner here! They're great if A) you're handy, and B) you have another vehicle to drive while you're waiting on parts, or in the middle of a big project. I adore mine, but it is not without its mechanical quirks.
livingoutloud373@reddit
Those are weekend toys. And for God sake don't drive those in the snow. First good luck finding tire for them.
And you don't daily drive a 30yrs old sport car, yeah you can take it to work in the summer. 30yrs old gasket, don't like cold
First-County-4667@reddit
hotrods1970@reddit
Expensive rare parts vs cheaper easier to get parts? I know what I would pick if I was going to daily. Toyota.
jrileyy229@reddit
Yikes. Charly you haven't tried to daily 30+ year old funky/unique sports cars. Do you have tools and a lift? The 944 is full of gremlins.... And the mr2 requires engine out for pretty much everything.
The only one I would consider trying to daily is a first gen Miata