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Thoughts on Toyota MR2's
TheGiantTribble - 31/8/14 at 10:18 PM

Hello all, just requesting peoples thoughts, problems, things to look out for.

Local garage has a 2002 MR2 for sale 70,000 with hard top, and I
kinda like the look of it, and can afford it, just after something small
to get me to work and back, plus maybe the odd track day, just
don't tell the Mrs


daniel mason - 31/8/14 at 10:30 PM

IMHO great cars. As are the mazda mx5's. Elise's and vx220 slightly better performance but you pay the price!


Barkalarr - 1/9/14 at 06:48 AM

Well, if you get bored you could always turn it into This


Mark Allanson - 1/9/14 at 07:11 AM

Engines are fairly bullet proof if they have a good service history, check the rear subframe for rust and the rear linkages. Steering joints have a habit of seizing - check out my www


TheGiantTribble - 1/9/14 at 07:49 AM

Thanks for the info all.
I'll have a close up look this morning.


Davegtst - 1/9/14 at 09:34 AM

I've got a turbo one now and it's great. The engines can go bad very quickly if not looked after. They have a problem with the 2 pre cats in the manifold that can break up and get sucked back into the engine. Once the bits of cat get in the engine it doesn't take long before they score the bores and drink all their oil. There is a theory that the oil control rings get stuck in the pistons and then cause the pre cats to break up but no one seems to really know. It's probably best to get the pre cats removed if you get one just in case. As already said the rear beam/subframe can rust badly from the inside out. They need thoroughly checking as it can be quite difficult to see it all in some places.
Do you have a link to it or any specs/price?


britishtrident - 1/9/14 at 10:56 AM

As with all. Toyotas the service history particularly oil change history is important with these, they need fully synthetic oil changed at least in line with manufacturers schedule.

The pre-cat breakup problem according to Toyota was fixed on cars built before the of end 2001 so you might dodge the bullet on that one.
Toyota info is cars from vin. 0043748 should be OK.


britishtrident - 1/9/14 at 10:59 AM

As with all. Toyotas the service history particularly oil change history is important with these, they need fully synthetic oil changed at least in line with manufacturers schedule.

The pre-cat breakup problem according to Toyota was fixed on cars built after the of end 2001 so you might dodge the bullet on that one.
Toyota info is cars from vin. 0043748 should be OK.


big_wasa - 1/9/14 at 03:26 PM

2002 is the mk3 isn't it ?
Whats the mk3 like for room inside for the bigger driver

I had an Mgtf for a few months this summer and it was great except no where to stick my left size 13 foot other than hovering over the clutch and it was under powered at 135 bhp.

I didn't know they did a turbo mk3 ?


Davegtst - 1/9/14 at 07:05 PM

They didn't officially. There are a few Silverstone performance retro fit ones about. Mine has a hass turbo kit with a few upgrades from the states. Standard they aren't the quickest cars in the world with 140bhp but that's the only engine toyota fitted. They are reasonably roomy inside and have a foot rest for your left foot. No boot at all though which is a bit of a minus.


mark chandler - 1/9/14 at 07:57 PM

I ran a SW20 for a year, imported revIII turbo awesome car.

Ripped out the cat as not required as an import, it was a 94 car and did the Zener diode mod which gives it around 275bhp, the acceleration was phenomenal up to the red line in every gear.


beaver34 - 1/9/14 at 09:43 PM

Would be nice with the 2zz 190 bhp engine in

How much are the cars now?


TheGiantTribble - 1/9/14 at 10:49 PM

Got to have a close look, but by the time I got there they where closed

It's 2002, Mk3, 1.8 na engine. I believe the turbos were fitted to the Mk2's, more power but heavier cars.
70,000 (ish can't remember exactly) miles
1 large stone chip/dent in the bonnet.
Drivers side cill cover strip thingy coming away, looks like some one has tried fixing it in the past with silicone or grip fill type repair.

£2650

I'm not at work tomorrow so will try for a look in daylight, and test drive.

Thanks for all the info so far.


MikeRJ - 2/9/14 at 08:57 AM

quote:
Originally posted by beaver34
Would be nice with the 2zz 190 bhp engine in

How much are the cars now?


Pretty cheap. Ones with blown up engines can be had for peanuts, £400 or so which would be ideal for a 2ZZ conversion. There are quite a few tidy looking, working ones for £1500 or under.

They do have very little storage space however, way less than an MX5 for example, and it makes the Mk2 MR2 look like an estate car in comparison.

[Edited on 2/9/14 by MikeRJ]


scootz - 2/9/14 at 10:28 AM

Love 'em. Particularly the MK1.


phelpsa - 3/9/14 at 09:01 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
Love 'em. Particularly the MK1.


Just getting around to putting my Mk1 T-Bar back on the road


Simon - 8/9/14 at 09:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by big_wasa

I had an Mgtf for a few months this summer and it was great except no where to stick my left size 13 foot other than hovering over the clutch and it was under powered at 135 bhp.



Started using mine now that the wife knows about it and really like it quite a lot Under powered? Yup, but that's why I have a K Series turbo at work, and with a Z and F remap and 220 bhp, it should be the car MG should have made

All for about £1500 (car, engine and all bits and pieces )

ATB

Simon