Advice on an MR2 Mk2?
Discussion
I've put a couple of posts on here looking at various cars that are as "sensible" as possible whilst still being "interesting", and recently decided I actually have no need to be sensible. Living in London means the only driving I really do is for leisure/social purposes with the odd visit to Tesco's. As such I figured I might as well get myself a "proper" sports car whilst I have no real commitments preventing me from doing so...
When I was growing up, there used to be an orange one that lived locally so I've kinda always loved them as cars, and so they were my first port of call when looking for a proper sports car. At 22 I can afford insurance on an NA UK model, but probably not quite stretch to a Tubby, and I'm amazed at how cheaply you can pick one up for! EBay has a fair few for under a grand that look smart enough to me! My budget would probably be around £1500-2000, and I'd be looking for as late a model as possible, preferably Rev 4 or 5. Ideally T-Bar, but being 6ft 6 I'm not sure if this is really going to be practical/possible?
I've had a look through eBay/Autotrader/MR2OC, but was just wondering if any PHers could point me in the direction of a good one, ideally in or around London? Also any advice or pointers would be a big help, I've never driven a mid engined RWD car (other than the odd Red Letter Day type thing) and know that rain/snow is a no-go, at least until I'm settled with the way they handle. I've also had a quick look through buyers guides on MR2OC etc, but any advice from an owner would be a great help
When I was growing up, there used to be an orange one that lived locally so I've kinda always loved them as cars, and so they were my first port of call when looking for a proper sports car. At 22 I can afford insurance on an NA UK model, but probably not quite stretch to a Tubby, and I'm amazed at how cheaply you can pick one up for! EBay has a fair few for under a grand that look smart enough to me! My budget would probably be around £1500-2000, and I'd be looking for as late a model as possible, preferably Rev 4 or 5. Ideally T-Bar, but being 6ft 6 I'm not sure if this is really going to be practical/possible?
I've had a look through eBay/Autotrader/MR2OC, but was just wondering if any PHers could point me in the direction of a good one, ideally in or around London? Also any advice or pointers would be a big help, I've never driven a mid engined RWD car (other than the odd Red Letter Day type thing) and know that rain/snow is a no-go, at least until I'm settled with the way they handle. I've also had a quick look through buyers guides on MR2OC etc, but any advice from an owner would be a great help
Edited by TheLepresean on Thursday 26th March 18:05
Great cars and your height won't be a problem.
Rain is no problem at all unless you're an idiot. Snow is not much fun unless you get a rev 5 NA with the limited slip diff.
For £2k you'll get a car that needs a little work (they're getting on now!) but will probably be reliable.
Where are you in London?
Rain is no problem at all unless you're an idiot. Snow is not much fun unless you get a rev 5 NA with the limited slip diff.
For £2k you'll get a car that needs a little work (they're getting on now!) but will probably be reliable.
Where are you in London?
My seems to vary between being an issue and not, depending on where I look, I've heard that I won't fit at all, that I'll fit so long as I get a tin top, and I'll fit regardless. Ideally I'd find one to take for a test drive, but there are remarkably few near to me, I've not seen any in the local car dealers!
I'm sure the budget can shift depending on what I find, between £1500 and £2500 seems to be the average price though. I've never driven a RWD mid engined car before (other than the odd Red Letter Day type thing), so would be very cautious initially! I'm in Kingston upon Thames, technically more Surrey than London, but officially classed as Greater London...
I'm sure the budget can shift depending on what I find, between £1500 and £2500 seems to be the average price though. I've never driven a RWD mid engined car before (other than the odd Red Letter Day type thing), so would be very cautious initially! I'm in Kingston upon Thames, technically more Surrey than London, but officially classed as Greater London...
Two of my mates are well over 6 foot be both drove my old tin-top turbo in comfort.
I'm in London too, but north so nowhere near you. It's worth travelling to see a few cars. Post up on the MR2 club, there's normally a few people happy to let you take a look at their P&J
I'm in London too, but north so nowhere near you. It's worth travelling to see a few cars. Post up on the MR2 club, there's normally a few people happy to let you take a look at their P&J
Edited by _Al_ on Monday 19th August 15:28
The following is ideal, just a bit too far outside my budget. Tried contacting the dealer to no avail yet, but hopefully I'll get to go see it soon and he'll be easy to haggle with 
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
I'm 6 foot 6 and drive a T-Bar with no issues, the tin tops have got even more headroom.
Check the rear arches (see if you can poke any holes just with your fingers), rear of the sills, centre of the sills.
If possible take the drainage plugs out and poke a screw driver in there.
Check the floor too. The A Pillars sometimes go rusty (mine is).
Check which sound system its got, lift the lids on the boxes behind the seats, a car with the active system with have an amp in one and a sub in the other.
Check the lights pop up correctly, ensure the power steering switches off above (iirc 50mph). ABS pump should kick in the first time you use the brakes.
Handbrakes aren't the best on them but should hold the car on a steep hill.
Check the rear arches (see if you can poke any holes just with your fingers), rear of the sills, centre of the sills.
If possible take the drainage plugs out and poke a screw driver in there.
Check the floor too. The A Pillars sometimes go rusty (mine is).
Check which sound system its got, lift the lids on the boxes behind the seats, a car with the active system with have an amp in one and a sub in the other.
Check the lights pop up correctly, ensure the power steering switches off above (iirc 50mph). ABS pump should kick in the first time you use the brakes.
Handbrakes aren't the best on them but should hold the car on a steep hill.
Thank you Lukesi, after phoning the dealer earlier, the car posted above seems to conform with most of your comments. It has an aftermarket Blaupunkt stereo with a 6CD multichanger behind the passenger seat, surely can't be a bad thing though! Apparently one of the bags for the T-Top panels is missing, but surely they can be sourced without too much expense? Going to see it tomorrow! Has anyone been able to find anything similar?
If you're looking to spend £2.5k, you're looking to get ripped off. The sweet spot seems to be £1-1.5k, spend any more and you'll never get it back when you eventually want to shift it on.
Ignore those who claim they're inherently dangerous. Get decent tyres, have the geo looked at, and respect the car (i.e. don't lift off halfway through a direction change).
There's plenty of info on them here and elsewhere, but fundamentally they're sturdy things. As Luke's already eluded to, more often than not rust is the eventual killer.
Mine was recently featured on PH "Carpool" and also has its own thread on here, if you want to see my personal experiences of owning one.
Ignore those who claim they're inherently dangerous. Get decent tyres, have the geo looked at, and respect the car (i.e. don't lift off halfway through a direction change).
There's plenty of info on them here and elsewhere, but fundamentally they're sturdy things. As Luke's already eluded to, more often than not rust is the eventual killer.
Mine was recently featured on PH "Carpool" and also has its own thread on here, if you want to see my personal experiences of owning one.
Without wanting to start too much of an argument, I've seen two of these sell for well over £5k recently in immaculate condition.
£2.5k should buy you a very clean, high spec example indeed which I personally wouldn't describe as a rip off. Most of the £1.5k cars I've looked at have problems and need immediate cash spent.
True, chances are you'll loose money on it long term, but you'll have less trouble in the meanwhile.
£2.5k should buy you a very clean, high spec example indeed which I personally wouldn't describe as a rip off. Most of the £1.5k cars I've looked at have problems and need immediate cash spent.
True, chances are you'll loose money on it long term, but you'll have less trouble in the meanwhile.
TheLepresean said:
The following is ideal, just a bit too far outside my budget. Tried contacting the dealer to no avail yet, but hopefully I'll get to go see it soon and he'll be easy to haggle with
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
Rare to find a UK n/a (even a Rev 5) with only 1 former keeper. If you do go to view it ask to see evidence (i.e. an invoice, not just a stamp in the service record) to show that the cambelt was changed at the proper interval (60k miles). Get the document reference number from the V5C and go online to check the MOT history to see if the mileages tally.http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
Do an elephant / admiral insurance search on a tubby - you may be surprised.
Otherwise, a nice rev3+ UK model is a good car. I had one in London and had no problem. Clutch is a little heavier than a modern car in London traffic but for a blast out to the countryside its great fun.
Might also be worth looking at a Boxster 2.5 and a Z3 3.0
Otherwise, a nice rev3+ UK model is a good car. I had one in London and had no problem. Clutch is a little heavier than a modern car in London traffic but for a blast out to the countryside its great fun.
Might also be worth looking at a Boxster 2.5 and a Z3 3.0
It's had two owners, the first owned it for less than a year, I've checked up on the MOT history already and the mileages check out. Didn't see any evidence that the cambelt had been changed though, how much would it cost to do if it hasn't been done yet?. I looked for all the various things that were mentioned above, and whilst there's a little bit of bubbling on the rear sills and on the offside A pillar, it looks to only be surface rusting... the lights and everything electrical works other than the ariel and it felt great to drive. Pulled smoothly through the gears, braked straight and true etc etc etc. there was a bit of a rattle coming from behind my head under harder acceleration... not sure if it was from the engine bay or the interior somewhere, any suggestions? Going for another look tomorrow, and unless something comes up ill hopefully get it!!
You really must buy these on condition now not mileage and be very wary of any rust bubbling.
My 97 UK car only has it on the bottom of the drivers door.
Sill can be patched but are expensive to replace.
Buy something with refreshed and poly bushed suspension if you can.
There is plenty of choice if you are not in a rush!
My 97 UK car only has it on the bottom of the drivers door.
Sill can be patched but are expensive to replace.
Buy something with refreshed and poly bushed suspension if you can.
There is plenty of choice if you are not in a rush!
Wadeski said:
Do an elephant / admiral insurance search on a tubby - you may be surprised.
Otherwise, a nice rev3+ UK model is a good car. I had one in London and had no problem. Clutch is a little heavier than a modern car in London traffic but for a blast out to the countryside its great fun.
This. MR2 Turbos are surprisingly cheap to insure - try those and then some of the specialists. Otherwise, a nice rev3+ UK model is a good car. I had one in London and had no problem. Clutch is a little heavier than a modern car in London traffic but for a blast out to the countryside its great fun.
The only thing holding me back from instantly changing my mind and going for that one on IMOC is the fact that the one on Autotrader is T-Top and now that I've found out I fit in a T-Top I'm kind of set on owning one! That and despite what everyone has said about mileages, that one has 130k rather than the Autotrader one that has 85k... I appreciate that buying dependent on a car's mileage is silly, but that's a BIG difference! Also the fact that it's in Leeds is an inconvenience, but I'll look into ticket costs!
I'll also look into insuring a Tubby, are they better/worse for mpg/tax costs?
I'll also look into insuring a Tubby, are they better/worse for mpg/tax costs?
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