The Unique Handling Characteristics of My Mike's MR2 Spyder Hardtop

When it comes to driving my Mike's MR2 Spyder hardtop, I've grown accustomed to its peculiar handling traits that set it apart from other vehicles on the road. One aspect that stands out is the shifter, which I find to be very nice overall. However, I do wish it had a slightly more positive engagement in gears 1, 3, and 5 – something that can easily be addressed with a short shifter.

One of the most distinctive features of my car is its ability to handle panic situations. When you suddenly lift off the gas, the car remains controllable and doesn't exhibit any sudden, unpredictable movements, also known as 'snapping.' Instead, it feels as if the center of gravity is shifted, causing the car to rotate around me. While this unusual sensation can take some getting used to, I've found that it's incredibly easy to manage even when approaching decent angles of yaw.

In fact, my brother, who had only been driving for less than six months and was still learning how to use a manual transmission, was able to master the car during an auto-x event. Despite taking corners with aggressive slides ranging from slight to dramatic, he only spun once throughout four runs. The smooth and predictable manner in which the car rotates makes it easy to correct any loss of traction – usually requiring just a quarter turn of opposite lock and a bit more throttle.

Interestingly, even when cornering steadily, my Spyder is prone to losing traction at the rear end first. This is likely due to its square tire set-up and Koni yellow struts, which provide a unique blend of stability and agility.

Overall, driving my Mike's MR2 Spyder hardtop requires some adjustments, but once you get used to its quirks, it becomes an incredibly fun and rewarding experience – especially when executed with precision.

Mikes mr2 spyder hardtop