Toyota MR2, Mazda MX-5 and MG F face-off

Battle of the drop-top babes

Not ever have South Africans had the choice of such the variety of roadsters as they have now. And with the South African climate more than conducive to drop-top motoring, spoiling oneself has never been easier. We compared three “budget” roadsters – Toyota MR2, Mazda MX-5 and MG F.

At last count, SA buyers had a choice of 20 different drop-tops from 15 manufacturers to choose from – full convertibles, cabriolets, targas and coupe-cabs of every size, engine capacity and price category imaginable – and there are more on the way.

Spoilt for choice we are, yes. But which one to choose should you go the “budget” route? Discounting the relatively expensive (R300 000+) Audi TT, Merc SLK and BMW Z3, we compared the more affordable batch (R220 000+) consisting of the Toyota MR2, Mazda MX-5 and MG F. It has to be made clear that, as standalone cars, each are worthy of consideration with merits in their own right and great fun to spend time with, and although they have similar characteristics, dynamically they are very different. This is one of those cases where beauty is in they eye of the beholder, and you pays your money and you takes your choice…

Concept and Styling

All three are conceptually the same – compact, two-seater roadsters powered by 1800 engines and rear wheel driven - with the same basic styling themes. The MR2 and the F have mid-mounted engines for optimum weight distribution, while the MX-5’s engine is mounted conventionally in the front, but way back on the chassis to optimise the balance. The latter is also the most successful sports car of all time, having sold more than 600 000 since its inception in 1989. Proving to be a cash cow, this resulted in other manufacturers blending the same recipe (hence the birth of the MR2, now in its second generation), while the F is the latest incarnation of a line of MGs produced over the last five decades.

Stylistically, the F gets the nod, the MX-5 being a close second for of its clean, no-fuss styling. The Porsche Boxter-ish MR2 (viewed from the straight-ahead) looks busy and all lines just don’t blend together as it does on the other two.

Ambience and ergonomics

Again, the F’s cockpit is the best in terms of layout and visual appeal, its small diameter steering wheel especially offering a pleasant feel. Yet the MX-5’s is the cleanest in terms of design, and the MR2’s typically Japanese-busy. Nonetheless, all offer a pleasant driving environment, and being compact two-seaters, nothing on the dash or doors are out of reach.

Equipment

All three offer the same basic equipment – aircon, power steering, electric windows and mirrors, central locking, CD-sound systems (the F’s a nifty job with control face that can be reversed and stored in the same position on the console – looking in, you’ll never know there’s a sound system there!) and hand-operated canvas soft tops which are all easy to close or open. Unfortunately, and unlike larger and more expensive cabbies with power assistance, the roofs are too heavy to lift with one arm while sitting in the driver’s seat, therefore requiring one to get out and lift with both hands.

 Accommodation and Space

Here, the MR2 falls way short. While one should not expect all that much room from a roadster (they’re made for diving and fun, not practicality), one still expects the odd place to put carry-alls and so on, and a shopping bag or two. Here, the Mazda, being front-engined, has the most space with conventional (but shallow) boot, followed by the F with a narrow but deep recess between the rear-mounted engine and rear bumper (but the engine heat will melt the ice cream and butter instantly), then the MR2, which has no usuable space whatsoever, apart from the oddments space inside the cabin.

All offer firm and supportive sports seats, the MR2 perhaps taking the cake for its low, cosseted feel and good driving position, followed by the F and then the MX-5. Yet again, this is a matter of personal perception and choice, and depending on one’s physical size and height, two drivers may not find the same car as comfortable.

Ride Integrity and Safety

These are driver’s cars, period. Each executes its dynamical abilities differently - the F has a fully independent suspension with double wishbones all round and Hydragas hydraulic system with anti-roll bar, the MR2 has independent MacPherson struts with anti-roll bars front and rear, and the MX-5 has independent double wishbones with coil springs and anti-roll bars front and rear - and offer superior handling due to a good weight distribution with a low centre of gravity. However, the MR2 and F tend to oversteer (perhaps due to their mid-mounted engine configuration) while the MX-5 is a far more neutral handler, and ultimately inspires more confidence.

Still, at full bore – but within the car’s limits - the MR2 is perhaps the most thrilling to drive, its go-kart handling and super-sharp responses a joy to experience. With its smooth-shifting box and gloriously smooth engine, the MX-5 is the easiest to throw around, needing less concentration and providing more feedback.

On the safety front, all have the necessary twin airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution, reinforced A-pillars and built-in headrests to prevent whiplash. The MX-5 also has what Mazda calls its MAIDAS, or Mazda Advanced Impact-energy Distribution and Absorption System for added impact protection, some elements of which are also found on the other two – reinforced door locks, impact bars, etc.

Build Integrity

In most open cars, there is no way getting around the car’s scuttle shake. To varying degrees, all of these three suffer the same fate, yet they are all apparently solid and well put together. In terms of build quality, the F has perhaps the better finishings, followed by the MX-5 and then the MR2, which has some cheap-looking plastic elements here and there.

Both the MX-5 and MR2 have three-year/100 000 km warranties, with service intervals set at every 15 000 km. The F has a 24-hour AA on-call scheme as well as a 3 year/60 000 km motor plan, while service intervals are also set at 15 000 km.

Performance and economy

Engine-wise, these three could not be more similar. All three are powered by 16-valve 1.8-litre engines with variable valve characteristics ensuring optimum power at peak revs and an abundance of torque right through the rev band, although they love full throttle (the best way to drive them). Mazda calls it’s technology S-VT (for Sequential Valve Timing), while Toyota’s is called VVTi (Variable Valve Timing, basically the same mechanics as found on some SA-built Corollas) and MG’s VVC (Variable Valve Control).

In terms of performance, they are also quite similar. Compare these figures (kW, Nm of torque, 0 – 100 km/h dash, top speed, combined fuel consumption):

Mazda MX-5: 107 kW @ 7 000 r/min; 168 Nm @ 5 000 r/min, 8.4 seconds, 208 km/h, 8.9 litres.

Toyota MR2: 103 kW @ 6400 r/min, 172 Nm @ 4400 r/min, 8.4 secs, 210 km/h, 9.8 litres

MG F: 107 kW at 7 000, 174 Nm @ 6000 r/min, 7.5 secs, 208 km/h, 7.9 litres

Dynamically, the main difference is the MX-5’s six speed manual gearbox as opposed to five speeders on the other two. Here, the MR2 has perhaps the shortest and quickest throw, while the Mazda was perhaps the smoothest, and the MG’s disappointingly baulky.

Conclusion

 With so much commonality, what does a buyer do? In terms of pricing, the MR2 is the least expensive, beating the MG F by about R25 000, with the MX-5 smack in the middle (at end-2001, roughly R210 000 – R235 000). Price not brought into the equation, the F is perhaps the most attractive car and the one, which will age the best, also the one with the best perceived image. Still, a lot must be said for the clean, fuss-free lines of the MX-5, which has been around in virtually unchanged form for more than ten years. The latter two are both destined to become classics.

Spending this amount of money, the classy Brit is perhaps the first choice – if only it had the six-speed box and the smooth shift of the MX-5…

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