It would've technically been a more accurate comparison, yes! Alex is my friend though and his car is pretty cool :D So this is how this video came to life :D
Yep, i own a 87 SC and its my life. Sad day was when i had to drive it back to my parents 800 kilometers away because i got a company car to drive and had nowhere to put my baby. i got to my parents place at 10 at night drove straight past their house and didn't stop for another 4 hours. i couldn't leave it. broke my heart :(
I have both an 87 with a USDM 4agze swap and NA C52 tran with some mods. Probably 150whp and a ton of suspension mods. Also have a 93T MR2 with a lot of suspension mods and 290whp Gen3 3sgte setup. Hands down the AW11 is more of a drivers car. It feels much more go-kartish than an SW20. But I love them both for different reasons.
Got the same swap. C52 in an 88 NA body with a Japan spec GZE. Still sorting out the bugs. I think there's an issue with my American wiring and body harness to the Japanese ECU. I have the fuel selector switch but no wiring and also dont have the supercharger warning light dash. Could be an issue.
Phoenix Mister Two reading about your issues is reminding me of horrid troubleshooting ordeals with me aw11 leaving me stranded. Loved driving it but constant fixing got old fast!
So glad I found this. I had the very same 1986 AW11 right down to the paint job and interior trim. Loved that car and still regret selling it to a friend, who despite my warnings, floored it on a bend on a wet road and wrote it off. Great to see such a good example still out there. Happy memories.
As a European owner of both back in the 90's, a Mk1 for 4 years and a Mk2 2.0 for 5 years i can honestly say the Mk1 is the better drivers car. With only a 1600cc engine it still seemed the faster car when pushed and it handled a lot better than the Mk2 but im sure that was down to the weight difference. As a practical day to day car the Mk2 was better because it was a bigger car but you didn't seem as one with it like you did with the Mk1. I later went on to own a Lotus Elise which reminded me in a small way of the the Mk1 because both cars stick to the road like you are on rails which was not the case with the Mk2, in the Mk1 you always felt you could push it with out getting in to trouble but the Mk2 limits in fast driving conditions never give you that same confidence. As a weekend toy i would definitely recommend the Mk1 just for the fun factor but if it's going to be your main weekly run about then it would have to be the Mk2 as it's much more practical with it's size difference than the Mk1. Don't get me wrong, both cars are fantastic to drive but if i was offered they keys today to both models to take for a spin for an hour the Mk1 wins hands down.
I have both of these and the AW11 'w/modded GZE' is better handling than the SW20. However, its all center of mass and roll center. Change the roll center of the SW20 with LCA spacers and bam! It boogies however the AW11's smaller tire circ allows it to change direction easier than the SW20. The SW20 has more transfer to throw around so you *can* accel that tire grip up a little more, however the rear end is far heavier in proportion to the AW11 which they balanced with a heavy steel hood. If you know a fair bit about suspension geometry you can make either or out handle the other with a bit of fabrication. :)!!! Either way, you can't go wrong and they're phenomenal driving machines!
My son had to have a 200SX as his first car, kept it for three years.and sold it for about the same as he bought it and no mods . the point I'm making is these cars were quality and although you know that ,I had to say it .The video I enjoyed as I found it revealing how each driver experienced the ride in each others cars.
It depends on what style you like. Some may like the smooth design of the 90's. Or like the boxy 80's one. I do prefer the AW11 though. But the 90's one does also look quite nice.
Love the brief intro and history of the MR2! There was a turbocharged AW11 at the last autocross I attended, it looked like it would be so much fun to drive.
I think the supercharged one would fit it's character more especially for Autocross. Turbos are unpredictable unless they are really small. Superchargers are the same every time. For Autocross I guess that would be more useful.
I’ve owned both, but still have my AW11…. Both great cars, more power and refinement in the 20, but more fun in the 11! (That and listening to Phil Collins on tape is totally rad)
I've always loved the AW11 since it first came out. It captured my soul with the design and looks. I've owned 3 of them and currently own an 89 Supercharged MR2 5MT which I think would have been fun to have been included to see between these 2 versions. I've always wanted a SW20 turbo but things just never worked out for me finding one. Thanks for the fun video.
I owned both an 89 Aw11 n/a and a 98 rev5 SW20 n/a back in the 90s, I much preferred the AW11, still my all time favourite fun car; the engine was a peach, gearbox amazing, really nippy and it felt fast but probably wasnt really. The SW20 was good but a bit more grown up
Totally agree with your assessment of both mk’s of MR2. I have owned both and love both. Can you give me a rundown on your turbo mods for the SW20, I’m looking at liveable upgrades to increased performance.
SW20 Rev 3 all the way. I owned a 'Mk1.5' AW11, and they feel like you are sitting on them, not in them. I doubt I will ever sell my Rev 3 turbo. Great video, mate.
I had that exact ‘86 in Victoria B.C. back in the day... I wish I kept her , very uncommon colour combo There was one other one that was close but was a dark green two tone
I bought my 86 in 87 The original owner had an all black one painted two tone like the jade / beige at the dealership when he bought it ..wish I knew what happened to that car
I had a 1984 MR2 Turbo when living in Japan. Steering on the right. Not bringing it back to the US with me is a huge regret. It was so fun to drive, nothing compares.
I remember as a little boy the commercials of the MR2 AW11. That car was about the hottest thing out, when it came out. Hasn't aged that well in my opinion, but perhaps in the future it might shine because of it's quirkiness. you guys talking to each other while in different cars was excellent. It might've been a hassle to setup and edit, but it looks great. Please always do that! It paid off bigtime, with the sun setting. beautiful
It's still shining, trust me. It's still the amazing car it was 33 years ago. Unfortunately box was the style back then, it's actually amazing how well they designed that car with that shape, to do what it does.
I have a 1986 AW11 na. I had the motor rebuilt and new clutch (still needs more power). With good tires the stock motor mounts let the motor move to the point the exhaust pulls out of the hangers and drops to the ground. It survived over 20 autocross events last year but was slow. Adding a rear sway bar helps with the understeer.
In 1986 at the ripe age of 22, recently married, I bought my first ever NEW car, a BOLD RED MR2, 5 speed manual ! Babied that car for 7 years until i sold it with 73k miles . Never changed the brakes ! “Engine” braked and feathered the gas pedal for the majority of 7 years, simply an amazing feat to never change the pads and rotors on that car for 7 years!! I did my own oil changes, fluid changes... Kept it outdoors with a durable Evolution 3 fabric car cover, through 6 winters... I have to find some photos of the MR2... drove to Montreal to watch the Montreal GrandPrix one summer with it... Got it up to about 120 mph, kinda crazy thinking about it now.. more so since I didn’t have a radar detector !! I had installed a aftermarket exhaust system (CAT back) around 1988... It was an Italian brand, forgot the name.. it made the exhaust note a little throatier , they claimed 5 - 10 hp more, but who knows, I couldn’t tell ... the sound was definitely louder. I Remember taking exit ramps off the highway at like 50 mph in 3rd gear, man that car hugged the road !! After my first set of tires were worn I went with Mud & Snow 4 season tires and i loved how it tracked in the snow, especially with being a mid-engine design.
I bought that same forest green gen 1 MR2 new for $13.5. Loved that car and drove it for 17 years. Reliable, economical, fun. Bought it for the engine.
Negative. No K-swaps, 2JZ swaps, or LS1 swaps. If I were going to do 4 cyl. I would keep it Toyota, Black or silver top 4AGE. The closest you'd have gotten with a Honda, is a J series. K-swap can make power, but it can't make music. ua-cam.com/video/aauXMeITcdM/v-deo.html
I think a stock sw20 vs the stock aw11 would have been a more fair comparison. N/A vs N/A os C/C vs turbo as well. But i really enjoyed the video nonetheless
Nice comparison ! You should try the MR2 ZZW30 / Spyder . I own one alongside a JDM 96 SW20 Turbo and they are a underrated drivers car. I personally think it's slightly more fun to drive despite its unexciting engine (many swaps available) I would describe my Turbo as the hammer and the Spyder as the scalpel.
I own a MR2 ZZW30 and I can only say good words about it despite its mediocre engine. Not only is fun even in moderate speeds, but its limits are ridiculously high and when I build up speed, there are not many cars even today that can catch it.
I was looking a mk1 MR2 that happened to park near me the other day. It's a car I can never get bored of it. It was perfect taking account the engineering limitations of the day. The Mk3 build upon this.
Admittedly, I have never driven an SW20 but have owned an AW11 and to me of all the cars I've ever owned, it is the one that offers a true driver's experience what is go-kart handling. And by the way I literally had this exact same color scheme on my 1987 MR2.
AW11 all the way. I love mine. It has coilovers and other small mods but nothing for power. It handles great and has amazing steering feel, super light front end makes up for lack of power steering, besides parking I love not having power steering, on center is not vague at all, maybe the one in this video needs new bushings. The AW11 just has an incredibly unique vibe and experience I've never felt in anything else.
I have to agree. My front suspension in my AW11 is shot, but it still handles like a champ. Parking is a bitch sometimes, but everything else the car does is amazing and i love it.
I love my 93 MR2 turbo. It's very modified, has an engine swap and it keeps me smiling. That was a time when Japan was producing cars (Supra, MR2, RX7, NSX, etc.) that were driver focused with simple driver aids compared to today's cars. I get a lot of compliments on my MR2 when I take it out, so to me, the shape and looks of these cars still stand out compared to what around these days.
Wow, memory lane for me. My first car was a 90 MR2 5sp hardtop. It was N/A though. Had a ton of issues out of that car lol. I miss those days. I have to disagree though. The SW20 feels absolutely nothing like a BCNR33. The GT-R is a much more stable car with the traction and the R33 chassis in general doesn’t have any oversteer issues. Personally for me my favorite is the 3rd gen MR-S due to the balance and refinement. It get criticized due to the looks however out at Fuji Speedway I’ve seen MR-S with a good set of brakes, coilovers, GT spoiler, roll cage and sticky tires absolutely obliterate cars that most people obsess over like BNR34, JZA80s, and NSXs.
I had both an 1986 and 1991. Loved them both. The 1986 I fell in Love with instantly. The 1991 was more of a serious machine that I loved also. The 91 was sexy and that body still looks good today. Cool video guys!
I freaking love 80's Toyota! I have an AW11 project, and I'll soon have a1984 A60 Supra. The styling reminds me of a cold war jet fighter and the interiors were so wild, the A60 Supra I'm buying has a blue pinstripe interior, no way any modern car could look and feel like these.
I enjoyed the reviews and comparisons of two unique and special sports cars...keep up the great comparison reviews..both great cars...id lean towards the turbo version for more power as its just makes driving fun
I'm rock. I had an sw20 for 5 years. Didn't kill me? Bring it on. I now walk across roads on green and even don't look left or right. I eat one day old pizza Microwaved and don't care. Next year I'm gonna swim without armbands. I'm rock. ... Luv and Peace.
I'll take 1 of each please and thank-you. Although i would build and tune the 86' to within an inch of its N/A life. High horse, cammed N/A motors with I.T.B.'s aren't just for power, they sound AMAZING! and that sound would just be epic coming from that car.
I'm one of those that's own both cars...at the same time. A 93 usdm turbo and 88 20V. They share the name but are different beasts. I love both...but the 88 20V had a softer spot in my heart 😎😍
Never driven an aw11 or even a miata/mx-5. I suspect the mx-5 would feel like an underpowered but lighter Z4. Easier to throw about but not as fast. Hmm Maybe not easier given the z4's stability control? More visceral at any rate. The sw20 that I owned felt really special. It felt like a glimpse of what a much more serious car would feel like. A taster for a higher powered mid engined car. The thing about the mr2 was it looked exotic and it handled liked an exotic so it felt exotic. You were going a lot slower but you still felt you were driving an exotic sportscar. Most fun car I ever owned.
I prefer the suspension on the MX5s to the Z4. Prefer the BMW motor and interior. I fit better in the Z4 and NC compared to the ND. I'm a fan of the Z4 hardtops. SW20 is just heavy compared to the AW11 and there's no replacing that fact. I was actually suprised how much more I felt like the car rotated around me in my '93 RX-7 than my '91 MR2 (honestly it feels kind of creepy to me). It's has a good feel, but I really dislike the McPherson strut design on these cars but they do load up and plant which is why I bought another. Fun per dollar is hard to beat in the Toyotas. Strangely both cost more than Boxters.
@@jinxtacy The lure of a Boxster is very strong in me. A 3.4 Boxster S would be a bump in power from my 218BHP Z4 2.5si and I'd be back in a mid engined car. I really loved my 94 MR2 t-top with 174bhp for many many years. The Z4 is faster and more comfortable and probably handles better on the limit (I spun my mr2 twice) but it it lacks the delicacy of the mr2 chassis. That car when you approached a corner having braked already and you got to the apex you could just bury the throttle and it dug in and catapulted you out the corner like a madman. Also taking off from the line in the MR2 was properly amazing. It went faster to 60 than it had any right to do given the BHP. If they had 2nd gear just a little bit longer on the NA it would have hit 60 in under 7 seconds. You had to shift to third to hit 60 on the uk NA. It was 7.4 to 60. The car I had after was an E46 320i which had a 2.2 Straight 6. It did 0-60 in 8.0 but in spirited driving the extra torque made it a faster car though nowhere near as agile round corners. I was shocked though the first time I watched one walk away from me at high motorway speeds... I need a Boxster S in my life. I guess the intermediate shaft thing is over by now. I just need to buy one. Luv and Peace.
@@jinxtacy I should say the Z4 has been a faithful fun car. Other than the water pump going at 88,000 miles it's been a very cheap car to run from a maintenance point of view. The N52 motors in the refreshed cars are BMW best work in terms of NA engines. My 2.5si is getting close in power to the M54 3.0 and it's a lighter engine and revs higher. I'd say the 2.5si is about the best value for money in the range for the E85. That said I'd obviously love a 3.0 N52 powered Z4, Or better still an S54M car. Luv and Peace.
ive been looking at a aw11 with that exact paint, and i havent been able to see any videos and very few pis of an aw11 with that 2 tone green and tan, great looking car
Loved my AW11. Was worn out, but still, you could just chuck it into a corner as fast as you like, and it'd turn in. Would love another one with a 2zz supercharged swap from a Exige S. Blilliant little cars. And unlike the mr-s Got a decent trunk!
The turbo SW20 was top of the line,the aw11 was a low end MK1 A, there's no comparison... But I have owned both and currently own the aw11 mk1B S/C and that's my favourite of the lot.
Some errors posted about the 2nd gen MR2. #1. The GT was the top of the line model; GTS models have slightly less luxury features. #2. MR2 turbo engines from Japan have 225 or 246 hp, his is a 94 so it's 246 stock.
Massively love both cars , unfortunately never owned the mk2 Mr2 , only had the Mk1 and Mk3 , now I feel i've missed out . I love Toyota sports cars , I've owned so far , Mk1 Mr2 , Mk3 Mr2. 3 Celica's,! Toyota Supra , Was gonna get a GT86 butnow thinking on buying a Mk 2 Mr2 after watching this video. I have a Toyota sports car fan page on Facebook due to my love of these cars.Great quality video and great editing . Love it.
I used the track the hell out of a 91 turbo. It was a fun little track car. And a zippy daily driver. Kept it for 11 years before passing it on. I keep most cars for 12 or 18 months max.
Dude, I'm so glad I found this channel... I'm over on the east coast (Newfoundland), but I have almost the exact same car as you, a '94 GTS Hardtop, except mine is red (not a fan of red, but it growing on me)
I had an all original Mk1a and still got a modded Mk1a with a 4age blacktop 20v with 6 speed lsd, polyurethane bushings and upgraded brakes and suspension... It's an amazing car, the Blacktop engine and 6 speed is SO perfect for the car, very fast! Too bad they rust so quick and easy, always got to work on the body:(...
@Chasing Adventures The 2018 prius does 0-60 in 10.3 seconds so its not even close to the the standard mk1 mr2 at 8.2 seconds. Any real car guy would sooner walk than drive a pos prius
Upgrade the suspension on the AW11 (bushings, shocks, and front sway bar) and run similar compound tires on both vehicles, then take them to an autocross or Track day. Neither car can reach full potential on bumpy back roads and you’d be surprised how easy it is to find and stay at the limit on a track in the AW11 while you end up fighting the SW20 and settle for tame safe laps. Depending on course layout and driver skill, they’ll be closer then you might think.
Thanks for this video! I enjoyed it! If anybody wants to share their experience, knowledge & advice, I’m all ears. I inherited my father’s 5-speed 1989 MR2. This is the last car he bought a dealership. My sister had it first and beat on it. Needless to say, I need to rebuild or replace the motor. I’d like to make it budget friendly and reliable with improvements. Hence, the easiest motor swap is what I’m looking for with the best balanced improvement of performance & reliability. Most things I’ve run across suggest a black top. Thoughts?
Having owned a Mk2 turbo MR2, a 1988 Fiero GT and a Fiat X1/9, the X1/9 is my all time favorite to drive, however the fit and finish of the MR2 is unmatched. The X1/9 is underpowered but the smiles per gallon are in the handling. Oh, and X1/9 was being manufactured 10 years before Toyota and Fiero came about.
Everytime i see an sw20 i really want one. But nothing can take away my love for the little fire chicken. I really just want it for it's modibility, but it will never compare to the aw11. They just aren't the same, when you drive them. It's not often you get to drive a car where you are in control of everything, and that's something toyota did very well with the MR2. But the AW11 is just different than the sw20. I don't know how to explain it.
I've driven plenty of both AW11s and SW20s. I also owned my AW11 for nearly 19 years (recently had to sell it - because life). The AW11 has a very specific advantage in terms of turning - the complete lack of any sort of power assistance. That paired with having less weight over the front, allows for easier turn in, plus a more communicative driving experience. The SW20 is more of a 'GT' class car, whereas the AW11 is clearly a fun canyon driving / autocross car. The SW20 overall hides more of the road imperfections than the AW11 does. One of the biggest hurdles for SW20 owners on canyon drives is while they have a greater potential for power, it invariably means more time spent braking due to weight and needing to shed some speed prior to corner entry. By contrast, the AW11 rarely has to hit the brakes prior to corner entry (unless speeds are excessively high), and this allows for a smoother transition (less weight shift) from turn to turn. As per aesthetics, the SW20 has a much more accessible appearance to a wider audience. I would not say that it is 'better' looking than the AW11, but would say that the SW20 appearance is far more popular. The interior of the SW20 is absolutely a massive upgrade over the AW11 in every way, but it would not be a good match if you were able to transplant the SW20 interior into an AW11, and vice versa. I absolutely prefer the 'ball' shifter of the SW20 over the 'dong' shifter of the AW11. Brake feel & modulation. The AW11 wins - hands down. The lack of weight & the lack of ABS allow for a much better feel and far more feedback than the SW20 offers. Ease of maintenance (NA to NA), the AW11 wins on this too. Ease of maintenance (Supercharged to Turbo), with very few exceptions, the SW20 wins (ie. hose from hell). If given the choice of which would I buy/own? If the purpose is canyon drives or autocross, the AW11 without question. If the purpose is a nice daily driver, the SW20 without question.
pec1739 I have an AW11. It was the last new my dad bought. The motors dying. I was thinking of going this route. I want the simplest, budget friendly upgrades. Which transmission is this you’re referring to?
As an owner of a 94 Turbo and an 88 SC I found 3:15 very funny... Trying to decide which one to sell is the hardest part. Can't keep em all unfortunately
Agreed! Best sports car you can buy for under $10k in my opinion is a 94+ MR2 turbo. Hands down. But... they won't be less than $10k for much longer ;)
I owned an '86 MR2, a '91 MR2T and currently a '93 MR2T that I take to the track. Simple handling upgrade for a AW11 is 15"wheels and lower profile tires (195-50/15). It will take the AW11 to much higher handling level instantly! And the difference is night and day. The AW11 gives better feel of the road... Also is more tossable than the SW20 and in some ways is more fun around tight corners. The AW11 to get is the '88 or '89 Supercharged versions. The SW20 competes at a higher level. Taking it to the limits will require track time. Snap oversteer? Not really in the '93T, unless you are lifting the throttle or braking at the wrong time. Smooth driving is the key to taking it around a track and keeping up with other cars in it's range. In it's price range, the SW20 is very competitive and fun car to drive... But those Porsches (911 Carerras), BMWs (M3s, etc) and other higher level cars (Alpha Romeros, Vettes, etc) will blow it away. If you were to put the V6 in the MR2 with moderate suspension upgrades, you'd be more competitive with some of these higher level cars. Torque is important on the track, esp the one I drive. Would love to find a mechanic who could do that conversion for my MR2...
Ive always loved the SW20, underrated. However I first owned an AW11 and being an 80s kids, i liked it better. I will say the AW11 value has skyrocketed.
I have one of each and they both have distinct personalities for every day driving I prefer the comforts the SW20 offers but for a Sunday drive on a lonely back road I prefer the AW11 for it's high revving motor lightweight chassis and no nonsense manual everything it just puts you a bit closer to what the original definition of a sports car should be.
I've been lucky enough to own both, a silver '85 and a red '91. The MKI was, by far, the better car. I wish, at least once a week, I had my '85 back in the condition I sold it in.
I've owned both. If I could have one of them back, I'd take my '85 every day and twice on Sunday. Nothing beats the 1st gen.
I agree. I have a rhd 91 turbo right now and I had an 89 SC a few years ago. The 89SC was insane
The AW11 reminds me more of my AE86 so I have a soft spot for the styling.
And a mk3 supra
doesn't it have the same engine too?
Actually thats mr ae86
@@royalzak2670 yes
@@royalzak2670 yep
sw20 - my favorite mr2, but w11 has such nostalgic 80's atmosphere..
the AW11 Supercharged would be a better comparison 🤔
It would've technically been a more accurate comparison, yes! Alex is my friend though and his car is pretty cool :D So this is how this video came to life :D
That would be the fairer shootout.
Yep, i own a 87 SC and its my life. Sad day was when i had to drive it back to my parents 800 kilometers away because i got a company car to drive and had nowhere to put my baby. i got to my parents place at 10 at night drove straight past their house and didn't stop for another 4 hours. i couldn't leave it. broke my heart :(
I have an -87 Corolla E90 3door hatchback with 4A-GZE from AW11. It is super nice car to drive.
I agree...
I have both an 87 with a USDM 4agze swap and NA C52 tran with some mods. Probably 150whp and a ton of suspension mods. Also have a 93T MR2 with a lot of suspension mods and 290whp Gen3 3sgte setup. Hands down the AW11 is more of a drivers car. It feels much more go-kartish than an SW20. But I love them both for different reasons.
Got the same swap. C52 in an 88 NA body with a Japan spec GZE. Still sorting out the bugs. I think there's an issue with my American wiring and body harness to the Japanese ECU. I have the fuel selector switch but no wiring and also dont have the supercharger warning light dash. Could be an issue.
Phoenix Mister Two reading about your issues is reminding me of horrid troubleshooting ordeals with me aw11 leaving me stranded. Loved driving it but constant fixing got old fast!
Aw11 is love, aw11 is life
More MR2 videos!!! Maybe a mod list video next?
I had an 86 in high school and I fell in love with it...came out one day after a storm and there was a tree on it
damn
I have a 86 AW11 and my brother has his Turbo 91 SW20. Both cars are a blast to drive. I believe both cars aged really well.
So glad I found this. I had the very same 1986 AW11 right down to the paint job and interior trim. Loved that car and still regret selling it to a friend, who despite my warnings, floored it on a bend on a wet road and wrote it off. Great to see such a good example still out there. Happy memories.
AW 11 is my favorite . much lighter to start and can be made even lighter.
As a European owner of both back in the 90's, a Mk1 for 4 years and a Mk2 2.0 for 5 years i can honestly say the Mk1 is the better drivers car. With only a 1600cc engine it still seemed the faster car when pushed and it handled a lot better than the Mk2 but im sure that was down to the weight difference. As a practical day to day car the Mk2 was better because it was a bigger car but you didn't seem as one with it like you did with the Mk1. I later went on to own a Lotus Elise which reminded me in a small way of the the Mk1 because both cars stick to the road like you are on rails which was not the case with the Mk2, in the Mk1 you always felt you could push it with out getting in to trouble but the Mk2 limits in fast driving conditions never give you that same confidence. As a weekend toy i would definitely recommend the Mk1 just for the fun factor but if it's going to be your main weekly run about then it would have to be the Mk2 as it's much more practical with it's size difference than the Mk1. Don't get me wrong, both cars are fantastic to drive but if i was offered they keys today to both models to take for a spin for an hour the Mk1 wins hands down.
The AW-11 with a lip, coilovers and BPU one of my dream builds
I've owned 3 MR2s back in the day: '85, 88-SC, and 91T. I still dream of the 91T. :)
I have both of these and the AW11 'w/modded GZE' is better handling than the SW20. However, its all center of mass and roll center. Change the roll center of the SW20 with LCA spacers and bam! It boogies however the AW11's smaller tire circ allows it to change direction easier than the SW20. The SW20 has more transfer to throw around so you *can* accel that tire grip up a little more, however the rear end is far heavier in proportion to the AW11 which they balanced with a heavy steel hood. If you know a fair bit about suspension geometry you can make either or out handle the other with a bit of fabrication. :)!!!
Either way, you can't go wrong and they're phenomenal driving machines!
I agree man. Such great cars I'm just happy with mine
The suspension on the AW11 looks shot to me. I think a refresh would make a huge difference to the handling
Maybe it's a little worn, but 80's cars were really softly sprung, especially with of the short wheelbase.
I would definitely trade my sw20 for a AW11 85 year I was born. I love the boxy look.
it breaks my heart not having my aw11 anymore
I had that exact Mk1, memories. Nice to hear how it compares to the 86/brz, these three have been my dream cars since 85. Great vid!
My son had to have a 200SX as his first car, kept it for three years.and sold it for about the same as he bought it and no mods . the point I'm making is these cars were quality and although you know that ,I had to say it .The video I enjoyed as I found it revealing how each driver experienced the ride in each others cars.
Aw11 looks way!!!! better
bet you also prefered laura croft in the PS1 days too eh
@@PseudoKirby lmaoooo
Wishful thinking. Or maybe mushrooms.
It depends on what style you like. Some may like the smooth design of the 90's.
Or like the boxy 80's one. I do prefer the AW11 though. But the 90's one does also look quite nice.
@@shawntheviking I love the aw11 style more
Footage of trailing the AW11 + imaginary Eurobeat playing = major Initial D feel.
*Tofu delivering intensifies*
@@SubieNinja And *IROHAZAKA JUMP INTENSIFIES*
I am here for the AW11.
Just starting to restore/build my AW11! Hope to upload videos of the build too
Love the brief intro and history of the MR2! There was a turbocharged AW11 at the last autocross I attended, it looked like it would be so much fun to drive.
I think the supercharged one would fit it's character more especially for Autocross.
Turbos are unpredictable unless they are really small.
Superchargers are the same every time.
For Autocross I guess that would be more useful.
I’ve owned both, but still have my AW11…. Both great cars, more power and refinement in the 20, but more fun in the 11! (That and listening to Phil Collins on tape is totally rad)
I Love the AW11 , Have owned 10 of them over the last 22 years , Still have 1 that I've owned for 12 years
I've always loved the AW11 since it first came out. It captured my soul with the design and looks. I've owned 3 of them and currently own an 89 Supercharged MR2 5MT which I think would have been fun to have been included to see between these 2 versions. I've always wanted a SW20 turbo but things just never worked out for me finding one. Thanks for the fun video.
Yesssss. Love these with ttops.
@@luthiervandros Me too, love the t-tops.
Great video guys, thanks. I just bought a 1987 mr2 supercharged. I absolutely love it 😍
So ur the one who ended up with my two tone mr2👌🏼
I owned both an 89 Aw11 n/a and a 98 rev5 SW20 n/a back in the 90s, I much preferred the AW11, still my all time favourite fun car; the engine was a peach, gearbox amazing, really nippy and it felt fast but probably wasnt really. The SW20 was good but a bit more grown up
Great episode, big long time fan of the original MR2.
Love the MR2 vids!! Keep it up!
Thank you for showing some AW11 love 😭
Totally agree with your assessment of both mk’s of MR2. I have owned both and love both.
Can you give me a rundown on your turbo mods for the SW20, I’m looking at liveable upgrades to increased performance.
SW20 Rev 3 all the way.
I owned a 'Mk1.5' AW11, and they feel like you are sitting on them, not in them.
I doubt I will ever sell my Rev 3 turbo.
Great video, mate.
I owned a 86 MK1, the same color as the one on the video. The old ones were born for curvy back roads.
I had that exact ‘86 in Victoria B.C.
back in the day... I wish I kept her , very uncommon colour combo
There was one other one that was close but was a dark green two tone
I bought my 86 in 87
The original owner had an all black one painted two tone like the jade / beige at the dealership when he bought it ..wish I knew what happened to that car
1ZZ ZZW30 from South Africa here. Much love for the channel and the global MR2 community! Keep up the great content man!
I had a 1984 MR2 Turbo when living in Japan. Steering on the right. Not bringing it back to the US with me is a huge regret. It was so fun to drive, nothing compares.
I remember as a little boy the commercials of the MR2 AW11. That car was about the hottest thing out, when it came out. Hasn't aged that well in my opinion, but perhaps in the future it might shine because of it's quirkiness.
you guys talking to each other while in different cars was excellent. It might've been a hassle to setup and edit, but it looks great. Please always do that! It paid off bigtime, with the sun setting. beautiful
Thank you! We're just trying out some different setups, etc. Looking forward to our next comparison for sure!
It's still shining, trust me. It's still the amazing car it was 33 years ago. Unfortunately box was the style back then, it's actually amazing how well they designed that car with that shape, to do what it does.
Check out a red one. They are still hot as hell
I have a 1986 AW11 na. I had the motor rebuilt and new clutch (still needs more power). With good tires the stock motor mounts let the motor move to the point the exhaust pulls out of the hangers and drops to the ground. It survived over 20 autocross events last year but was slow. Adding a rear sway bar helps with the understeer.
In 1986 at the ripe age of 22, recently married, I bought my first ever NEW car, a BOLD RED MR2, 5 speed manual ! Babied that car for 7 years until i sold it with 73k miles . Never changed the brakes ! “Engine” braked and feathered the gas pedal for the majority of 7 years, simply an amazing feat to never change the pads and rotors on that car for 7 years!! I did my own oil changes, fluid changes... Kept it outdoors with a durable Evolution 3 fabric car cover, through 6 winters... I have to find some photos of the MR2... drove to Montreal to watch the Montreal GrandPrix one summer with it... Got it up to about 120 mph, kinda crazy thinking about it now.. more so since I didn’t have a radar detector !!
I had installed a aftermarket exhaust system (CAT back) around 1988... It was an Italian brand, forgot the name.. it made the exhaust note a little throatier , they claimed 5 - 10 hp more, but who knows, I couldn’t tell ... the sound was definitely louder.
I Remember taking exit ramps off the highway at like 50 mph in 3rd gear, man that car hugged the road !!
After my first set of tires were worn I went with Mud & Snow 4 season tires and i loved how it tracked in the snow, especially with being a mid-engine design.
Pls make more MR2 videos this is my favorite car and your videos are great and I really enjoy then
I bought that same forest green gen 1 MR2 new for $13.5. Loved that car and drove it for 17 years. Reliable, economical, fun. Bought it for the engine.
As a former AW11 owner... SW20 all the way. I still want to get one and V6 swap.
Mazda KLZE swap should make the same power as your turbo SW20, but NA, 7500 rpm V6.
interesting....as a current sw20 owner...i'd say aw11 all the way haha
Honda K series turbo swap FTW.
Negative. No K-swaps, 2JZ swaps, or LS1 swaps. If I were going to do 4 cyl. I would keep it Toyota, Black or silver top 4AGE. The closest you'd have gotten with a Honda, is a J series. K-swap can make power, but it can't make music. ua-cam.com/video/aauXMeITcdM/v-deo.html
PGTMR2 4AGE in a SW20? Why downgrade?
I think a stock sw20 vs the stock aw11 would have been a more fair comparison. N/A vs N/A os C/C vs turbo as well. But i really enjoyed the video nonetheless
Nice comparison !
You should try the MR2 ZZW30 / Spyder . I own one alongside a JDM 96 SW20 Turbo and they are a underrated drivers car. I personally think it's slightly more fun to drive despite its unexciting engine (many swaps available)
I would describe my Turbo as the hammer and the Spyder as the scalpel.
As an owner of both too, I absolutely agree.
I own a MR2 ZZW30 and I can only say good words about it despite its mediocre engine. Not only is fun even in moderate speeds, but its limits are ridiculously high and when I build up speed, there are not many cars even today that can catch it.
I was looking a mk1 MR2 that happened to park near me the other day. It's a car I can never get bored of it. It was perfect taking account the engineering limitations of the day. The Mk3 build upon this.
Admittedly, I have never driven an SW20 but have owned an AW11 and to me of all the cars I've ever owned, it is the one that offers a true driver's experience what is go-kart handling. And by the way I literally had this exact same color scheme on my 1987 MR2.
The 3rd gen mr2 gets no love :(
love the 3rd gen i think its a good lookin car man
It looks like a cheap boxter
The MR-S is my favorite.
Bc it sucked.
It's underrated, but it's a great car. It's my daily where as my SW20 turbo is just for weekend fun.
AW11 all the way. I love mine. It has coilovers and other small mods but nothing for power. It handles great and has amazing steering feel, super light front end makes up for lack of power steering, besides parking I love not having power steering, on center is not vague at all, maybe the one in this video needs new bushings. The AW11 just has an incredibly unique vibe and experience I've never felt in anything else.
I have to agree. My front suspension in my AW11 is shot, but it still handles like a champ. Parking is a bitch sometimes, but everything else the car does is amazing and i love it.
Im one of those guys who own both. '95 MR2 Turbo for about 12 years and '88 MR2 Supercharged for about 7 years. love them both.
I love my 93 MR2 turbo. It's very modified, has an engine swap and it keeps me smiling. That was a time when Japan was producing cars (Supra, MR2, RX7, NSX, etc.) that were driver focused with simple driver aids compared to today's cars. I get a lot of compliments on my MR2 when I take it out, so to me, the shape and looks of these cars still stand out compared to what around these days.
Wow, memory lane for me. My first car was a 90 MR2 5sp hardtop. It was N/A though. Had a ton of issues out of that car lol. I miss those days. I have to disagree though. The SW20 feels absolutely nothing like a BCNR33. The GT-R is a much more stable car with the traction and the R33 chassis in general doesn’t have any oversteer issues. Personally for me my favorite is the 3rd gen MR-S due to the balance and refinement. It get criticized due to the looks however out at Fuji Speedway I’ve seen MR-S with a good set of brakes, coilovers, GT spoiler, roll cage and sticky tires absolutely obliterate cars that most people obsess over like BNR34, JZA80s, and NSXs.
I had both an 1986 and 1991. Loved them both. The 1986 I fell in Love with instantly. The 1991 was more of a serious machine that I loved also. The 91 was sexy and that body still looks good today. Cool video guys!
I freaking love 80's Toyota! I have an AW11 project, and I'll soon have a1984 A60 Supra. The styling reminds me of a cold war jet fighter and the interiors were so wild, the A60 Supra I'm buying has a blue pinstripe interior, no way any modern car could look and feel like these.
I enjoyed the reviews and comparisons of two unique and special sports cars...keep up the great comparison reviews..both great cars...id lean towards the turbo version for more power as its just makes driving fun
😂 Next video: _5 DANGEROUS Cars That Want To Kill You!!_ by _Viral Vehicles_ with a SW20 MR2 as thumbnail
I'm rock.
I had an sw20 for 5 years. Didn't kill me?
Bring it on.
I now walk across roads on green and even don't look left or right.
I eat one day old pizza Microwaved and don't care.
Next year I'm gonna swim without armbands.
I'm rock.
...
Luv and Peace.
I'll take 1 of each please and thank-you. Although i would build and tune the 86' to within an inch of its N/A life. High horse, cammed N/A motors with I.T.B.'s aren't just for power, they sound AMAZING! and that sound would just be epic coming from that car.
I'm one of those that's own both cars...at the same time. A 93 usdm turbo and 88 20V. They share the name but are different beasts. I love both...but the 88 20V had a softer spot in my heart 😎😍
the AW11 in this video seems like the suspension needs some love there is a ton of body roll and that's not normal.
Never driven an aw11 or even a miata/mx-5. I suspect the mx-5 would feel like an underpowered but lighter Z4. Easier to throw about but not as fast. Hmm Maybe not easier given the z4's stability control?
More visceral at any rate.
The sw20 that I owned felt really special. It felt like a glimpse of what a much more serious car would feel like.
A taster for a higher powered mid engined car.
The thing about the mr2 was it looked exotic and it handled liked an exotic so it felt exotic.
You were going a lot slower but you still felt you were driving an exotic sportscar.
Most fun car I ever owned.
I prefer the suspension on the MX5s to the Z4. Prefer the BMW motor and interior. I fit better in the Z4 and NC compared to the ND. I'm a fan of the Z4 hardtops. SW20 is just heavy compared to the AW11 and there's no replacing that fact. I was actually suprised how much more I felt like the car rotated around me in my '93 RX-7 than my '91 MR2 (honestly it feels kind of creepy to me). It's has a good feel, but I really dislike the McPherson strut design on these cars but they do load up and plant which is why I bought another. Fun per dollar is hard to beat in the Toyotas. Strangely both cost more than Boxters.
@@jinxtacy The lure of a Boxster is very strong in me. A 3.4 Boxster S would be a bump in power from my 218BHP Z4 2.5si and I'd be back in a mid engined car.
I really loved my 94 MR2 t-top with 174bhp for many many years.
The Z4 is faster and more comfortable and probably handles better on the limit (I spun my mr2 twice) but it it lacks the delicacy of the mr2 chassis. That car when you approached a corner having braked already and you got to the apex you could just bury the throttle and it dug in and catapulted you out the corner like a madman.
Also taking off from the line in the MR2 was properly amazing. It went faster to 60 than it had any right to do given the BHP.
If they had 2nd gear just a little bit longer on the NA it would have hit 60 in under 7 seconds. You had to shift to third to hit 60 on the uk NA.
It was 7.4 to 60.
The car I had after was an E46 320i which had a 2.2 Straight 6. It did 0-60 in 8.0 but in spirited driving the extra torque made it a faster car though nowhere near as agile round corners.
I was shocked though the first time I watched one walk away from me at high motorway speeds...
I need a Boxster S in my life.
I guess the intermediate shaft thing is over by now. I just need to buy one.
Luv and Peace.
@@jinxtacy I should say the Z4 has been a faithful fun car. Other than the water pump going at 88,000 miles it's been a very cheap car to run from a maintenance point of view.
The N52 motors in the refreshed cars are BMW best work in terms of NA engines. My 2.5si is getting close in power to the M54 3.0 and it's a lighter engine and revs higher.
I'd say the 2.5si is about the best value for money in the range for the E85. That said I'd obviously love a 3.0 N52 powered Z4, Or better still an S54M car.
Luv and Peace.
ive been looking at a aw11 with that exact paint, and i havent been able to see any videos and very few pis of an aw11 with that 2 tone green and tan, great looking car
Loved my AW11. Was worn out, but still, you could just chuck it into a corner as fast as you like, and it'd turn in. Would love another one with a 2zz supercharged swap from a Exige S. Blilliant little cars. And unlike the mr-s Got a decent trunk!
The one thing I didn't like about the Spyder was the trunk. Have an aw11 now 😊
The turbo SW20 was top of the line,the aw11 was a low end MK1 A, there's no comparison... But I have owned both and currently own the aw11 mk1B S/C and that's my favourite of the lot.
Some errors posted about the 2nd gen MR2. #1. The GT was the top of the line model; GTS models have slightly less luxury features. #2. MR2 turbo engines from Japan have 225 or 246 hp, his is a 94 so it's 246 stock.
GT were 1991-1992 turbo models and GT-S we're Revision3+ turbo models, 1993 onward.
I like the way you both compared each others cars.
Good driving and opinions
Massively love both cars , unfortunately never owned the mk2 Mr2 , only had the Mk1 and Mk3 , now I feel i've missed out . I love Toyota sports cars , I've owned so far , Mk1 Mr2 , Mk3 Mr2. 3 Celica's,! Toyota Supra , Was gonna get a GT86 butnow thinking on buying a Mk 2 Mr2 after watching this video. I have a Toyota sports car fan page on Facebook due to my love of these cars.Great quality video and great editing . Love it.
I used the track the hell out of a 91 turbo. It was a fun little track car. And a zippy daily driver. Kept it for 11 years before passing it on. I keep most cars for 12 or 18 months max.
Nice vid, i m a die hard fans of sw20 turbo ...i enjoy every seconds when i m driving it.
ur car is really a beauty !
Dude, I'm so glad I found this channel... I'm over on the east coast (Newfoundland), but I have almost the exact same car as you, a '94 GTS Hardtop, except mine is red (not a fan of red, but it growing on me)
I had an all original Mk1a and still got a modded Mk1a with a 4age blacktop 20v with 6 speed lsd, polyurethane bushings and upgraded brakes and suspension... It's an amazing car, the Blacktop engine and 6 speed is SO perfect for the car, very fast! Too bad they rust so quick and easy, always got to work on the body:(...
The SW20 model is the best, pre-Lotus Exige!!
In What universe do you live in. Even if this is true, you still drive a PRIUS. There is nothing to celebrate driving a PRIUS.
@Chasing Adventures The 2018 prius does 0-60 in 10.3 seconds so its not even close to the the standard mk1 mr2 at 8.2 seconds. Any real car guy would sooner walk than drive a pos prius
Upgrade the suspension on the AW11 (bushings, shocks, and front sway bar) and run similar compound tires on both vehicles, then take them to an autocross or Track day. Neither car can reach full potential on bumpy back roads and you’d be surprised how easy it is to find and stay at the limit on a track in the AW11 while you end up fighting the SW20 and settle for tame safe laps. Depending on course layout and driver skill, they’ll be closer then you might think.
Yeah, the owner of the turbo is kind of talking shit. Take those mods off his car and it won't be shit.
These are cars for the road, not track cars. How they perform on the street is what matters.
Regardless, comparing a fresh coilover suspension to a tired stock suspension has no relevance.
Thanks for this video! I enjoyed it! If anybody wants to share their experience, knowledge & advice, I’m all ears. I inherited my father’s 5-speed 1989 MR2. This is the last car he bought a dealership. My sister had it first and beat on it. Needless to say, I need to rebuild or replace the motor. I’d like to make it budget friendly and reliable with improvements. Hence, the easiest motor swap is what I’m looking for with the best balanced improvement of performance & reliability. Most things I’ve run across suggest a black top. Thoughts?
Having owned a Mk2 turbo MR2, a 1988 Fiero GT and a Fiat X1/9, the X1/9 is my all time favorite to drive, however the fit and finish of the MR2 is unmatched. The X1/9 is underpowered but the smiles per gallon are in the handling. Oh, and X1/9 was being manufactured 10 years before Toyota and Fiero came about.
I have owned both also. I currently still have a sw20 turbo and to be honest I really wish I had the aw11. The first gen feels so much better.
Everytime i see an sw20 i really want one. But nothing can take away my love for the little fire chicken. I really just want it for it's modibility, but it will never compare to the aw11. They just aren't the same, when you drive them. It's not often you get to drive a car where you are in control of everything, and that's something toyota did very well with the MR2. But the AW11 is just different than the sw20. I don't know how to explain it.
I own 3rd gen MR2/Spyder but I have always dreamed to drive the 1st gen when it first came out and still am.. however I'd prefer it in 1 tone colour
Thank you guys!
Nice sw20.. black wheels on blue looks good.. wish I had one like yours..
I own both. And I love them both! If I had to pick one sw20 all day! Great video!
Both are beautiful. I wish we had roads like that near Toronto.
I've driven plenty of both AW11s and SW20s. I also owned my AW11 for nearly 19 years (recently had to sell it - because life).
The AW11 has a very specific advantage in terms of turning - the complete lack of any sort of power assistance. That paired with having less weight over the front, allows for easier turn in, plus a more communicative driving experience.
The SW20 is more of a 'GT' class car, whereas the AW11 is clearly a fun canyon driving / autocross car. The SW20 overall hides more of the road imperfections than the AW11 does.
One of the biggest hurdles for SW20 owners on canyon drives is while they have a greater potential for power, it invariably means more time spent braking due to weight and needing to shed some speed prior to corner entry. By contrast, the AW11 rarely has to hit the brakes prior to corner entry (unless speeds are excessively high), and this allows for a smoother transition (less weight shift) from turn to turn.
As per aesthetics, the SW20 has a much more accessible appearance to a wider audience. I would not say that it is 'better' looking than the AW11, but would say that the SW20 appearance is far more popular.
The interior of the SW20 is absolutely a massive upgrade over the AW11 in every way, but it would not be a good match if you were able to transplant the SW20 interior into an AW11, and vice versa. I absolutely prefer the 'ball' shifter of the SW20 over the 'dong' shifter of the AW11.
Brake feel & modulation. The AW11 wins - hands down. The lack of weight & the lack of ABS allow for a much better feel and far more feedback than the SW20 offers.
Ease of maintenance (NA to NA), the AW11 wins on this too.
Ease of maintenance (Supercharged to Turbo), with very few exceptions, the SW20 wins (ie. hose from hell).
If given the choice of which would I buy/own? If the purpose is canyon drives or autocross, the AW11 without question. If the purpose is a nice daily driver, the SW20 without question.
I’m all for the AW11, I have one myself ( ‘89 AW11 Twin Cam SC )
The 4age motor is a very fun high revving motor. It definitely does not make a ton of power stock but it can be made to.
AW11 + AE111's 4AGE 20Valve 6MT its gonna be sweeeeeet!
pec1739 I have an AW11. It was the last new my dad bought. The motors dying. I was thinking of going this route. I want the simplest, budget friendly upgrades. Which transmission is this you’re referring to?
@@koakamaka the one that comes with corolla chassis code AE111 20valve engine 6MT
aw11 is not a fast car. it is old and loose and will be beaten by anything with more than 150 horsepower. that being said, id still drive the aw11.
Great review and comparison.
I love both, definitely will modify both on the handling and power train with minimum exterior mod , coz I love how they look
I've owned 2 SW20 (NA's) and a Spyder...I'd love to own a well kept AW11 SC and a SW20 Turbo....someday I'll own both
As an owner of a 94 Turbo and an 88 SC I found 3:15 very funny... Trying to decide which one to sell is the hardest part. Can't keep em all unfortunately
There's a supercharged gen 1 MR2 in my town that has the same color and everything
Definitely the SW20. best car I have ever owned! Really something else.
Agreed! Best sports car you can buy for under $10k in my opinion is a 94+ MR2 turbo. Hands down. But... they won't be less than $10k for much longer ;)
10k usd maybe :(
The best thing to do is have 1 of each ,both good motors . Black 1990 mark 2 owner .
I owned an '86 MR2, a '91 MR2T and currently a '93 MR2T that I take to the track. Simple handling upgrade for a AW11 is 15"wheels and lower profile tires (195-50/15). It will take the AW11 to much higher handling level instantly! And the difference is night and day. The AW11 gives better feel of the road... Also is more tossable than the SW20 and in some ways is more fun around tight corners. The AW11 to get is the '88 or '89 Supercharged versions.
The SW20 competes at a higher level. Taking it to the limits will require track time. Snap oversteer? Not really in the '93T, unless you are lifting the throttle or braking at the wrong time. Smooth driving is the key to taking it around a track and keeping up with other cars in it's range. In it's price range, the SW20 is very competitive and fun car to drive... But those Porsches (911 Carerras), BMWs (M3s, etc) and other higher level cars (Alpha Romeros, Vettes, etc) will blow it away.
If you were to put the V6 in the MR2 with moderate suspension upgrades, you'd be more competitive with some of these higher level cars. Torque is important on the track, esp the one I drive. Would love to find a mechanic who could do that conversion for my MR2...
Been waiting for that comparo for years!
You guys did a fantastic job !!!!
I’ll go SW20 with some kinda lightweight a 500hp transplant
Ive always loved the SW20, underrated. However I first owned an AW11 and being an 80s kids, i liked it better. I will say the AW11 value has skyrocketed.
Aw11 all day long
I have one of each and they both have distinct personalities for every day driving I prefer the comforts the SW20 offers but for a Sunday drive on a lonely back road I prefer the AW11 for it's high revving motor lightweight chassis and no nonsense manual everything it just puts you a bit closer to what the original definition of a sports car should be.
I've been lucky enough to own both, a silver '85 and a red '91. The MKI was, by far, the better car. I wish, at least once a week, I had my '85 back in the condition I sold it in.