Noob Question - Series 1 Or 2?

[Earl]

Greetings All,

Another newbie here! I've had a look around the forum and am still no closer to deciding the answer to this question. By way of quick introduction, I already own an AW11 MR2 as a weekend car, and have decided to update my daily driver - which is currently 32 years old...

As we can't have Rockhampton COMPLETELY free of Stageas when Ska finally sells his, I'm about to order one from Japan. It will be used mainly for long distance trips (no-one wants to stay in Rockhampton), and the carrying of large surfboards. I want something fast, comfortable, quiet and preferably stock.

So, would a series one or two be the answer?

The best I can come up with is:

Series 1:

The Good

- Cheaper by $4k+. Bonus.

- More, um, 'characterful' in appearance.

- Possible to get leather and other bonuses at a reasonable price.

The Bad:

- Older = harder to get a good one?

- Ugly.

- Slower, would have to modify to go fast.

Series 2:

The Good:

- Better looking.

- Neo6 - slightly faster, but by how much?

- Slightly more standard bonuses?

The Bad:

- Expensive.

- Neo6 parts availability?

I'm sort of leaning towards a Series 2 at the moment, but it would be great to hear others opinions. Plus, what exactly is the difference is 0-100 times?

Thanks in advance,

Michael

[Al]

If you can afford the S2 go for that.

The Neo6 engine is a much better engineered motor, and responds alot better to mods than the std. rb25. From the box the Neo is more responsive, powerful and quicker.

Just my 2c

[IMPORTD]

Looks like you've already made up your mind.

S1's are NOT ugly, I prefer the S1 front end to the S2's... The S1's look alot tougher... well mine does, without all the black rubber visible

[pixel8r]

pretty sure this has been covered before. I reckon the price difference could be more than $4k easily.

$4k worth of mods on a s1 will give you a better car than a stock s2 - so you have to weigh it up as a complete package.

That takes the performance issue out of the equation. The s2 engine will be slightly more economical with the same mods, but for the money the s1 is the better value IMO.

I bought a s2 because I prefered the look (actually i like s1 too, but just prefer s2), and I wanted:

- newest I could get (and low km's)

- tiptronic auto

- later engine (with infinitely variable valve timing) - newer technology - just cos I like that side of things. I just like to have the best of everything

Even if the engines were the same I probably still would've gone with the s2 just on the looks and the tiptronic. I dont even use tiptronic much but I love gadgets and gimmicks.

Good luck with your decision/purchase.

[qikstagea]

As above, for performance its more economical to go the S1, only go the S2 if you rather the different front end and tiptronic, and want better fuel economy. (which goes out the window as you as you start playing with engines anyway)

As far as looks goes, thats a personaly preference. If you plan on putting a kit on, the rear and sides are the same, but different front obviously. I think we've found the S1 kits easier to come across by far.

Ive found that apart from stageas drivers, no-one even notices the difference between S1 and 2, even i was fooled thinking "cool that guys grille has LIGHTS in it, i want one". I think the S1 front is a tougher looking car, hey. Go through the 'pics of your stagea" thread and have a look at all our cars, see what you think.

[wolverine]

series 2 has a manual option if that is important.

[Ska]

He he he, so come have a drive of mine and see what you think of a S1

Would be great to see another stagea here in rocky! I have had a mate seen a stocker S1 in green towing a trailer through town every now and again, so he must live out in yepoon as I have never seen it.

[EGA41T]

s2 for the win!

s2 has a much nicer interior also.

...buy my Manual stagea!

[AlexCim]

Series 2:

The Bad:

- Expensive.

...buy my Manual stagea!

I personally like the S2 fronts and if you are going to keep it stock, id go for an S2.

If you are not going to bother to modify it either, id go for the S2 tiptronic as the manual is nice, but only if you want to "drive" it a bit beyond regular driving.

As far as making crazy power, the R33 engine will make better power than the NEO's (talking 250kw+) due to the head/cam setup.

[Earl]

Thanks all!

Much like I thought, I am definitely keeping it close to stock, so a series 2 auto will probably be the go. If the right series 1 comes up at the right price, though, I'll definitely be tempted!

Ska, I have a feeling that driving yours may not give me a good idea of what a stock series 1 drives like! That's not to say I'm not tempted...

Now the big question - J-spec or Prestige?

[Appealing]

Thanks all!

Much like I thought, I am definitely keeping it close to stock, so a series 2 auto will probably be the go. If the right series 1 comes up at the right price, though, I'll definitely be tempted!

Ska, I have a feeling that driving yours may not give me a good idea of what a stock series 1 drives like! That's not to say I'm not tempted...

Now the big question - J-spec or Prestige?

Hey Earl

The big question???

Do you like your hamburgers from Macca's or HJ's..... amounts to the same thing. If you only want to buy your Stag "off the menu", then that's ok, but no choice, you'll get what is there.

I ordered my stag like I like my burgers..... by looking in the kitchen.

Hey I got fries too! True I paid for it. but it aint "run of the mill" (no offence to anyone else). See my thread "Blue 2007"

Oh the difference between S1 & S2 should be more like $10,000. Any more info will have to be PM'd. (dont want to upset the sponsors).

I'm not trying to show off, but there is another way!