MR2 Mk3 - Views
Discussion
Hi current owner here and had mine 14months now and absolutely love it. Rust isn't a major issue on the body work, the biggest area for rust is the rear subframe although this is pretty easily replaced.
2003 cars had the facelift which includes the 6sp box and LSD as standard. You will see a lot written about pre cats failing and most have been removed. This was more an issue on the pre face lift cars. Handbrake cables are a weak point and a bit of a pain to replace. A new roof can be had for £350 fitted from a place in Swansea. Lambda sensors are known to fail.
Apart from that they are somewhat of a bargain and very underrated. All parts are cheap, they handle brilliantly and they are a far better proposition than an MX5. Get one, you will not regret it.
2003 cars had the facelift which includes the 6sp box and LSD as standard. You will see a lot written about pre cats failing and most have been removed. This was more an issue on the pre face lift cars. Handbrake cables are a weak point and a bit of a pain to replace. A new roof can be had for £350 fitted from a place in Swansea. Lambda sensors are known to fail.
Apart from that they are somewhat of a bargain and very underrated. All parts are cheap, they handle brilliantly and they are a far better proposition than an MX5. Get one, you will not regret it.
Had mine 3 years now. Its a 2001 model.
So the rust is a problem for rear subframe but sometimes the front is rusted as well.
Other issues are burning excessive oil due to pre-cats failing. This will cause engine failure as the filters in the cats get sucked into the engine.
Then you have oil leaks from the O-ring where the timing chain tensioner is. I had this on mine but it is a simple fix and the O-Ring cost like £5. Easy to fit and takes like 10 minutes.
Roof leaks are common and if they aren't patched up then is a costly job to replace it. You can get a cheap one from a place in Swansea (£350-450) but there's like an 8 month wait. Otherwise anything from £900.
Handbrake cables tend to be the weakest point and a pain to sort out.
That's really it.
All UK cars come with a LSD as standard. Then it is just up to you if you want Pre-facelift of a Facelift model. Facelifts get a 6 speed but it isn't really needed unless you are using it on a motorway. I don't notice it when I drive mine as I hardly get to 5th gear as I tend to drive it on B roads.
Overall they are great little cars. They aren't fast, so if you are looking for a speed demon then stay away. They are handling cars and take corners at decent speeds. You can keep within the speed limits and still have fun. On the B roads my MR2 has pulled away from a lot faster cars that just couldn't keep up.
I'm currently on the fence with mine at the moment. Don't really have the time to drive it, so I'm looking to sell it but then on the other hand I'm thinking of turning it into a full time track car. It's not perfect paintwork wise so if I crashed it, then I wouldn't be wounded as much.
So the rust is a problem for rear subframe but sometimes the front is rusted as well.
Other issues are burning excessive oil due to pre-cats failing. This will cause engine failure as the filters in the cats get sucked into the engine.
Then you have oil leaks from the O-ring where the timing chain tensioner is. I had this on mine but it is a simple fix and the O-Ring cost like £5. Easy to fit and takes like 10 minutes.
Roof leaks are common and if they aren't patched up then is a costly job to replace it. You can get a cheap one from a place in Swansea (£350-450) but there's like an 8 month wait. Otherwise anything from £900.
Handbrake cables tend to be the weakest point and a pain to sort out.
That's really it.
All UK cars come with a LSD as standard. Then it is just up to you if you want Pre-facelift of a Facelift model. Facelifts get a 6 speed but it isn't really needed unless you are using it on a motorway. I don't notice it when I drive mine as I hardly get to 5th gear as I tend to drive it on B roads.
Overall they are great little cars. They aren't fast, so if you are looking for a speed demon then stay away. They are handling cars and take corners at decent speeds. You can keep within the speed limits and still have fun. On the B roads my MR2 has pulled away from a lot faster cars that just couldn't keep up.
I'm currently on the fence with mine at the moment. Don't really have the time to drive it, so I'm looking to sell it but then on the other hand I'm thinking of turning it into a full time track car. It's not perfect paintwork wise so if I crashed it, then I wouldn't be wounded as much.
facelift is a better bet - not least as its newer -beter gear ratios and a 6th, extra stiffening brackets/welding, front fogs, and MrT did something to hep with thr precat issue but i dont know what that was, and bigger wheels.
but that doesnt mean the older one is useless! a great little fun car.
and i always bang on about the storage space not being as bad as everyone makes out. yes its small/tight, but theres enough room for your stuff if youre creative (and remove the "back seat" plastics which take up 40% of the real space available.
get one. enjoy it... sell it if youre not too keen and probably wont lose a penny...
but that doesnt mean the older one is useless! a great little fun car.
and i always bang on about the storage space not being as bad as everyone makes out. yes its small/tight, but theres enough room for your stuff if youre creative (and remove the "back seat" plastics which take up 40% of the real space available.
get one. enjoy it... sell it if youre not too keen and probably wont lose a penny...
Hi QT,
Owned mine for 3 years, now on a total of 65k miles. Facelift version. My 2p;-
I use Lex-Tech Indy Toyota & Lexus garage based in Droxford, Hants.
It's called a 'poor mans Elise' for a reason. Around 1050kg. Tyres & brakes last well due to light weight. Pre Facelift still worth a look.
It's a well balanced car, not a very fast one. Powerband, total power & torque is quite small. As car is light, torque isn't too bad, you don't have to keep changing down.
Suspension is soft as standard, perhaps too soft when pushing on, possibly my suspension is just old!
Facelift version had mods to avoid Pre Cat failure issues. But look out for this.
Roomy inside for class of car, I'm 6ft 3 & fit (just).
6 spd a bonus & good economy.
Car will go over speedbumps/kerbs, but low bonnet will pick up stone chips.
Check radiator carefully, it will pick up debris, check fins are still present & in good condition, it may well need replacing, getting harder to find & will be a big bill compared to cars value. Check fan comes on, more coolant required as rad is at front of car & engine is in middle. Bit slower to warm up also due to this.
Chassis rust a weak point, but I also needed a new sump recently due to this. Panels are bolt on, so can easily be replaced.
Check fog lights work, & inner mirroring hasn't gone rusty or delaminated.
Keys/fobs are lightweight & brittle. Open button may fall out over time.
Plastic undertrays get damaged/go missing.
Check frame wear points on the roof. Roof is great design, & can be lowered from drivers seat. Hardtop roofs do reduce chassis flex to help handling.
Check if wind deflector still present.
Stowage - actual size is ok, but it's a PITA moving seat(s) forward each time to access the lockers. Cubbyhole space isn't square, & floor recess an odd shape. Soft bags or small boxes only. Bonnet area has storage for spacesaver wheel & some smaller items.
Various engine upgrades (i.e Celica 190bhp & V6 Camry) & at least 2 (or 3) reputable companies that do them. The Celica 190 engine has a very narrow powerband, for some it makes the car, for others it's just too peaky to enjoy.
My engine has got the oil leak near the tensioners, garage said it's quite common. Just a 50p size left on garage floor when engine is still hot.
An appreciating classic? - Sort of. Well regarded & getting rarer, but you won't recoup all the tax/insurance/mot/service money. You probably wont suffer any depreciation, & 'may' even make a little.
Tyre choice getting more limited (as new cars get larger wheels), but still available & not silly money.
There is a good club scene.
Avoid the auto version if you like actual driving. There's one on PH adverts now, which does actually have aircon.
Drivers offside seat bolster will wear as car is low, & you hit it getting in/out. Shorter drivers may not do this so much.
I don't think any of the roll hoops/bars you may see are factory approved (you will have to check).
Works req'd to mine;-
New rocker cover gasket.
New sump.
New radiator.
Lambda sensors - Engine warning light came on, called out AA, but able to drive it home.
I had rear subframe treated.
Alarm checked, kept going off (probably due to metal lugs on bonnet moving over time, but you just bend them back)
Service & Mot cost by garage;-
Inter £210
Full (every 3 or 4 years), incl transmission oil £350
Tax £320 for 12 months (new rate)
Some parts getting rarer, as they didn't sell that many in the UK. Still available, but maybe delayed & prices creeping up now.
Rare extras are aircon (button under the heater dials, to the right, usually a blank panel lozenge shaped, instead of actual button) & heated seats. There was also a twin tail pipe TRD exhaust. Run out editions had marked leather seats (although you could get leather seats before). There were a couple of rear spoiler versions, & even a bodykit.
Speaking to other owners on Trackdays (I have an MGTF for this), the best/cheapest options are just to upgrade the suspension & brakes/fluid. This makes the most of it's good points.
There are other Mk3 MR2 threads on PH which will also provide good info if you use the search function.
Owned mine for 3 years, now on a total of 65k miles. Facelift version. My 2p;-
I use Lex-Tech Indy Toyota & Lexus garage based in Droxford, Hants.
It's called a 'poor mans Elise' for a reason. Around 1050kg. Tyres & brakes last well due to light weight. Pre Facelift still worth a look.
It's a well balanced car, not a very fast one. Powerband, total power & torque is quite small. As car is light, torque isn't too bad, you don't have to keep changing down.
Suspension is soft as standard, perhaps too soft when pushing on, possibly my suspension is just old!
Facelift version had mods to avoid Pre Cat failure issues. But look out for this.
Roomy inside for class of car, I'm 6ft 3 & fit (just).
6 spd a bonus & good economy.
Car will go over speedbumps/kerbs, but low bonnet will pick up stone chips.
Check radiator carefully, it will pick up debris, check fins are still present & in good condition, it may well need replacing, getting harder to find & will be a big bill compared to cars value. Check fan comes on, more coolant required as rad is at front of car & engine is in middle. Bit slower to warm up also due to this.
Chassis rust a weak point, but I also needed a new sump recently due to this. Panels are bolt on, so can easily be replaced.
Check fog lights work, & inner mirroring hasn't gone rusty or delaminated.
Keys/fobs are lightweight & brittle. Open button may fall out over time.
Plastic undertrays get damaged/go missing.
Check frame wear points on the roof. Roof is great design, & can be lowered from drivers seat. Hardtop roofs do reduce chassis flex to help handling.
Check if wind deflector still present.
Stowage - actual size is ok, but it's a PITA moving seat(s) forward each time to access the lockers. Cubbyhole space isn't square, & floor recess an odd shape. Soft bags or small boxes only. Bonnet area has storage for spacesaver wheel & some smaller items.
Various engine upgrades (i.e Celica 190bhp & V6 Camry) & at least 2 (or 3) reputable companies that do them. The Celica 190 engine has a very narrow powerband, for some it makes the car, for others it's just too peaky to enjoy.
My engine has got the oil leak near the tensioners, garage said it's quite common. Just a 50p size left on garage floor when engine is still hot.
An appreciating classic? - Sort of. Well regarded & getting rarer, but you won't recoup all the tax/insurance/mot/service money. You probably wont suffer any depreciation, & 'may' even make a little.
Tyre choice getting more limited (as new cars get larger wheels), but still available & not silly money.
There is a good club scene.
Avoid the auto version if you like actual driving. There's one on PH adverts now, which does actually have aircon.
Drivers offside seat bolster will wear as car is low, & you hit it getting in/out. Shorter drivers may not do this so much.
I don't think any of the roll hoops/bars you may see are factory approved (you will have to check).
Works req'd to mine;-
New rocker cover gasket.
New sump.
New radiator.
Lambda sensors - Engine warning light came on, called out AA, but able to drive it home.
I had rear subframe treated.
Alarm checked, kept going off (probably due to metal lugs on bonnet moving over time, but you just bend them back)
Service & Mot cost by garage;-
Inter £210
Full (every 3 or 4 years), incl transmission oil £350
Tax £320 for 12 months (new rate)
Some parts getting rarer, as they didn't sell that many in the UK. Still available, but maybe delayed & prices creeping up now.
Rare extras are aircon (button under the heater dials, to the right, usually a blank panel lozenge shaped, instead of actual button) & heated seats. There was also a twin tail pipe TRD exhaust. Run out editions had marked leather seats (although you could get leather seats before). There were a couple of rear spoiler versions, & even a bodykit.
Speaking to other owners on Trackdays (I have an MGTF for this), the best/cheapest options are just to upgrade the suspension & brakes/fluid. This makes the most of it's good points.
There are other Mk3 MR2 threads on PH which will also provide good info if you use the search function.
I'm a very experienced MX5 owner, competing in a Mk1 ITB cars and a Mk2 turbo in hillclimb and sprint series. We bought a very late MK3 MR2 from a fellow competitor last year as a fairly standard road car - just a proper roll bar fitted - and have ran it as a road car.
It's a joyous little thing and I prefer it to the MX5's. Feels more special given its mid engined and handles with greater delicacy and precision. I'd say the MX's are more a chuckabout fun car and the MR2 rewards more accurate driving.
Rust is far less of an issue compared to MX5's and other posters have noted the main areas. I would say there are a few odd mechanical challenges that MX5's don't tend to suffer from that MR2's do. The pre cat thing is an issue, so best buy a car that has had it done, the very late 06 models have a different piston design which reduces oil consumption, mine also rotted it's sump out - but a replacement was only £25 - cracked steering rack mountings are more and more common and require the whole rack to be changed. Radiators need to be checked as a failure is pretty catastrophic.
Ours has been brilliant in fairness, any mechanical things have just been changed at services. I will take it on track next year to see what it can do. Ours also has BC Racing coilovers, which sharpen up the handling quite a lot.
Great cars, preferable to the obvious MX5 alternative in my opinion - and that's from a serial MX5 owner
It's a joyous little thing and I prefer it to the MX5's. Feels more special given its mid engined and handles with greater delicacy and precision. I'd say the MX's are more a chuckabout fun car and the MR2 rewards more accurate driving.
Rust is far less of an issue compared to MX5's and other posters have noted the main areas. I would say there are a few odd mechanical challenges that MX5's don't tend to suffer from that MR2's do. The pre cat thing is an issue, so best buy a car that has had it done, the very late 06 models have a different piston design which reduces oil consumption, mine also rotted it's sump out - but a replacement was only £25 - cracked steering rack mountings are more and more common and require the whole rack to be changed. Radiators need to be checked as a failure is pretty catastrophic.
Ours has been brilliant in fairness, any mechanical things have just been changed at services. I will take it on track next year to see what it can do. Ours also has BC Racing coilovers, which sharpen up the handling quite a lot.
Great cars, preferable to the obvious MX5 alternative in my opinion - and that's from a serial MX5 owner
You've been given lots of great info already, highlighting the potential issues to look out for.
In my opinion, they are great little cars - I've owned a 2004 (facelift) car for about 10 years now. Bought it from the guy who'd purchased it new with only about 24,000 miles on the clock. I've added 50,000 to that, using it as a daily driver in conjunction with a 2004 Celica. I also purchased a hardtop for mine, which has been a great addition.
I've used it for short, medium and longer journeys (at one time I was commuting 125 miles twice a week, mostly on motorways). It coped fine with that, but nowadays it's just used on nice twisty B roads, which suits it very well.
It's off the road at the moment as it needs some work to get through the MOT, so I'm using the Celica. I'm lucky that my OH can do pretty much everything required. Both cars are needing more work doing these days, but they are almost 20 years old. I will hold onto them as long as I can, as most modern cars hold no appeal for me.
I don't know what it's like now, but when I first bought the car, I found the MR2ROC forum to be a great source of information, especially technical stuff.
In my opinion, they are great little cars - I've owned a 2004 (facelift) car for about 10 years now. Bought it from the guy who'd purchased it new with only about 24,000 miles on the clock. I've added 50,000 to that, using it as a daily driver in conjunction with a 2004 Celica. I also purchased a hardtop for mine, which has been a great addition.
I've used it for short, medium and longer journeys (at one time I was commuting 125 miles twice a week, mostly on motorways). It coped fine with that, but nowadays it's just used on nice twisty B roads, which suits it very well.
It's off the road at the moment as it needs some work to get through the MOT, so I'm using the Celica. I'm lucky that my OH can do pretty much everything required. Both cars are needing more work doing these days, but they are almost 20 years old. I will hold onto them as long as I can, as most modern cars hold no appeal for me.
I don't know what it's like now, but when I first bought the car, I found the MR2ROC forum to be a great source of information, especially technical stuff.
Looks like I will soon be the owner of a pre facelift 2000, 80K miles two owner car. no rust front or back chassis or subframe, decent condition, includes colour coded hardtop for sub 3K.
I'll need to do a few things, hood replacement (waterproof but needs replacing), replace the exhaust, possibly sports cat etc. (still has pre cat but not failing), drivers seat bolster and do a full service incl. all fluids. Not got the facelift refinements, but considering the condition, and price, seems reasonable. Hope it proves a good buy!
I'll need to do a few things, hood replacement (waterproof but needs replacing), replace the exhaust, possibly sports cat etc. (still has pre cat but not failing), drivers seat bolster and do a full service incl. all fluids. Not got the facelift refinements, but considering the condition, and price, seems reasonable. Hope it proves a good buy!
QuantumTokoloshi said:
Looks like I will soon be the owner of a pre facelift 2000, 80K miles two owner car. no rust front or back chassis or subframe, decent condition, includes colour coded hardtop for sub 3K.
I'll need to do a few things, hood replacement (waterproof but needs replacing), replace the exhaust, possibly sports cat etc. (still has pre cat but not failing), drivers seat bolster and do a full service incl. all fluids. Not got the facelift refinements, but considering the condition, and price, seems reasonable. Hope it proves a good buy!
Enjoy the car! Post a pic up!I'll need to do a few things, hood replacement (waterproof but needs replacing), replace the exhaust, possibly sports cat etc. (still has pre cat but not failing), drivers seat bolster and do a full service incl. all fluids. Not got the facelift refinements, but considering the condition, and price, seems reasonable. Hope it proves a good buy!
p.s did you check the radiator?! Mine started leaking first from the bottom nearside corner.
A quick update on the MR2. thanks for all the advice, really useful.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I know the OP has already bought a car. But for future reference sakes, I agree they are great little cars and very underrated. But they won't stay for much longer.
Desirable features are aircon and hardtop. I wouldn't bother with heat seats as it just adds weight and this is better as a summer car only at this point.
6th gear only really useful if you will daily it. Not a motorway car and on B roads you never really get beyond 4th. And since PFL is a sharper and more engaging drive, I would only buy FL if price is similar for condition/mileage or if one prefers the looks. I prefer the PFL look. It's true the FL has less pre cats problems. But at this point, pretty much any running one will have had the pre cats either gutted or replaced by an aftermarket option. Unless it's still very low mileage. I wouldn't buy a high mileage example with still the original pre cats. The oil burning they all do. I have seen late 2005-2006 which burn oil. So I wouldn't sweat it to find a FL car.
It's basically a no excuse car, which at this price point, for a sports car and rear mid engine, it's rare. Like the MGs for example, which get compliments but need to be excused for things. The MR2 is just great, no excuses, and just delivers what it says on the tin. Compared to the competition is just a non contest. The MGs don't even come close as a sports car and even a MX5 will not handle as well or feel as much of an event to drive.
Even an Elise, still will surrender some to a MR2 roadster. It's better on the track but the MR2 is a more fun road car. There was just a whole thread about it being worth it or not going from a MR2 roadster to an Elise and many agreed the upgrade given the price difference is not necessarily worth it. The MR2 is that good! Enjoy our purchase.
Desirable features are aircon and hardtop. I wouldn't bother with heat seats as it just adds weight and this is better as a summer car only at this point.
6th gear only really useful if you will daily it. Not a motorway car and on B roads you never really get beyond 4th. And since PFL is a sharper and more engaging drive, I would only buy FL if price is similar for condition/mileage or if one prefers the looks. I prefer the PFL look. It's true the FL has less pre cats problems. But at this point, pretty much any running one will have had the pre cats either gutted or replaced by an aftermarket option. Unless it's still very low mileage. I wouldn't buy a high mileage example with still the original pre cats. The oil burning they all do. I have seen late 2005-2006 which burn oil. So I wouldn't sweat it to find a FL car.
It's basically a no excuse car, which at this price point, for a sports car and rear mid engine, it's rare. Like the MGs for example, which get compliments but need to be excused for things. The MR2 is just great, no excuses, and just delivers what it says on the tin. Compared to the competition is just a non contest. The MGs don't even come close as a sports car and even a MX5 will not handle as well or feel as much of an event to drive.
Even an Elise, still will surrender some to a MR2 roadster. It's better on the track but the MR2 is a more fun road car. There was just a whole thread about it being worth it or not going from a MR2 roadster to an Elise and many agreed the upgrade given the price difference is not necessarily worth it. The MR2 is that good! Enjoy our purchase.
RedAndy said:
unless you're wed to the hard top, sell it on for £1000+ which will help you with your other costs?
I wouldn't do that. The hardtop IMO is a must for anybody who wants to do some "proper" sporting drive. It makes the car handle better, because if adds rigidity and makes it way easier to live with if you are throwing it around B-roads, which lets face it, it's what they were made for. I also think it looks way better with the hardtop on. It's such a successful design and integration as far as hardtops go, that many people don't even realize it's an open top.
Since I'm always trashing it around, which is what they are made for and great at, I have only removed the hardtop to drive a handful of times, for late afternoon/early evenings drives. I love the hardtop and it makes the car IMO. I wouldn't want one without a hardtop at this point. But they are indeed expensive to buy and hard to find. So for anybody thinking about buying a MR2 roadster and would like a hardtop, make sure to find a car which already has one. Also, cars which have the hardtop from the factory came standard with aircon, which is another rare feature.
Shifter1 said:
I wouldn't do that. The hardtop IMO is a must for anybody who wants to do some "proper" sporting drive.
the hard top is only attached by 4 clips and some good will. I know you can feel a difference with it on (maybe placebo, or just the sound deadening effect maybe) but at road speeds it must be miniscule actual effect. underbody brace would do it much better.RedAndy said:
Shifter1 said:
I wouldn't do that. The hardtop IMO is a must for anybody who wants to do some "proper" sporting drive.
the hard top is only attached by 4 clips and some good will. I know you can feel a difference with it on (maybe placebo, or just the sound deadening effect maybe) but at road speeds it must be miniscule actual effect. underbody brace would do it much better.
Shifter1 said:
Just having this same conversation at the other thread. But honestly, I do feel the difference when pushing the car. Might be a personal thing. But definitely not placebo. Just less scuttle shake and wind noise is already a benefit IMO. Even if there were not all the other benefits, dynamically, aerodynamically, safety etc. To each his own.
yeah just read that conversation now! lol!i just think if you want a coupe buy a coupe, the MR2 Roadster is... well... supposed to be a roadster! and to answer your Q about a mid engined coupe for the same money... how about a Mk2 MR2
Gassing Station | Toyota | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff