Yes I know MR2's are Mid Mounted, RWD.
I was not asking what they were.
I was saying RWD vs AWD as the OP questioned MR2 vs EVO.
"This layout is typically chosen for its low moment of inertia and relatively favorable weight distribution (the heaviest component is near the center of the car, making the main component of its moment of inertia relatively low).
The layout has a tendency toward being heavier in the rear than the front, which allows for best balance to be achieved under braking.
However, since there is little weight over the front wheels, under acceleration, the front of the car is prone to lift and cause understeer."
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MR_layout
^^ A general summery of Mid Mounted, RWD, but in reguards to Lamborghini / Ferrari / F1 Cars, refiment would have been a must to counter that.
Yeah sure you can mod a MR2 with all that...
Mod the EVO with all that... Then what happens...
You wanted "outright grip", then I'd go EVO.