Looking for an MR2T
Discussion
Hi guys and girls,
Currently looking for a MR2 turbo, to replace my NA.
Looked at a black G-Reg tbar on monday and was not impressed, it had three large patches of rust around the tbar and was on its second engine since the owner ran it without oil. Theres a receipt for the engine swap but its just handwritten. Its didn't seem to move very well either, not much quicker than the NA. Advertised at £2000
The second was red J-Reg GTS, with 120K Kms (about 75K miles) the interior looked right for the mileage, no rips on the seat or scratches anywhere. This one drove much better, I had no idea turbos were that fast! This one comes with no history, just mot slips back to 1999 where the mileage starts at 33K. The clutch was much heavier than mine, but bites low. Its does suffer from the incredibly annoying clutch speak, both master and slave cyclinders are really fairly loud. I know I can sort the squeak on the pedal but I know the slave cyclinder is bit harder to fix. Advertised at £2600
Just wondered what other with a bit more turbo experience think, is it worth waiting for better or should I run out of work now and buy the red one?
Currently looking for a MR2 turbo, to replace my NA.
Looked at a black G-Reg tbar on monday and was not impressed, it had three large patches of rust around the tbar and was on its second engine since the owner ran it without oil. Theres a receipt for the engine swap but its just handwritten. Its didn't seem to move very well either, not much quicker than the NA. Advertised at £2000
The second was red J-Reg GTS, with 120K Kms (about 75K miles) the interior looked right for the mileage, no rips on the seat or scratches anywhere. This one drove much better, I had no idea turbos were that fast! This one comes with no history, just mot slips back to 1999 where the mileage starts at 33K. The clutch was much heavier than mine, but bites low. Its does suffer from the incredibly annoying clutch speak, both master and slave cyclinders are really fairly loud. I know I can sort the squeak on the pedal but I know the slave cyclinder is bit harder to fix. Advertised at £2600
Just wondered what other with a bit more turbo experience think, is it worth waiting for better or should I run out of work now and buy the red one?
to be honest mate - I wouldnt spend £2k on a tubby...
any less than £3k and your probably going to get a dog.. its cheaper to pay more up-front for a car that will need less work..
I would reccomend going through IMOC for sale forum, there are about 5-10 tubbys on there at any one time - slightly over-priced, but generally well cared for cars...
any less than £3k and your probably going to get a dog.. its cheaper to pay more up-front for a car that will need less work..
I would reccomend going through IMOC for sale forum, there are about 5-10 tubbys on there at any one time - slightly over-priced, but generally well cared for cars...
If you have a bit of cash, what about the conversion? If your car is fine to lok at, no rust, and structrually good, then spend 1500 on the turbo engine from Fensprt, and someone said it was 800 quid to drop it all in for you. The engine has everything you need. Gearbox, driveshafts, clutch, evc, etc...
I'm not keen on the conversion route as my NA has covered over 122K miles, so my thinking was to find a turbo that hadn't covered as much. Plus my NA is a base model revision 1 so no PS,aircon,ABS. The red one is rev2 with the revisied suspension to reduce the snappy handling.
The black one was shocking, I thought the owner was joking when he brought it out. I've not seen a rusty mk2 before.
The black one was shocking, I thought the owner was joking when he brought it out. I've not seen a rusty mk2 before.
AndyB_MR2 said:
I'm not keen on the conversion route as my NA has covered over 122K miles, so my thinking was to find a turbo that hadn't covered as much. Plus my NA is a base model revision 1 so no PS,aircon,ABS. The red one is rev2 with the revisied suspension to reduce the snappy handling.
The black one was shocking, I thought the owner was joking when he brought it out. I've not seen a rusty mk2 before.
Doesn't really matter, as the engine is coming out. As long as it is a solid car, shouldn't be a problem. They don't add bits on to your engine, it is a complete replacement.
I realise whats involved with the engine swap, but you've got other items such as all the shock and bushes which have covered > 120K. I'm just concerned I'm going to be constantly updating parts to turbo spec.
If i had a later spec example like a rev3 or later I would be more tempted
If i had a later spec example like a rev3 or later I would be more tempted
AndyB_MR2 said:
I realise whats involved with the engine swap, but you've got other items such as all the shock and bushes which have covered > 120K. I'm just concerned I'm going to be constantly updating parts to turbo spec.
If i had a later spec example like a rev3 or later I would be more tempted
Well would you not be changing those anyway, at >120k?
Just sell it and buy a turbo car. there are plenty of them on the toyota, and MR2 boards...
hey i'm a fellow imoc'er and have to say the better cars seem to come off owners clubs!
i brought mine last Oct as a fresh import from japan, cost me £5k! but i did get a mint revision 2 for that! you'll pay more for a revision 3+ but in day to day driving there's not much in it unless you plan to mod then the rev+ can be a better starting ground as it doesn't use the stupid map sensor! making it better if a chav'y dump valve is needed
revision 1's have a twitchy suspension set up compared to later cars, they tend to snap oversteer. also the brakes on a rev 1 are weak compared to later cars (can be swapped for later discs though) lot of rough early cars about so be careful.
i brought mine last Oct as a fresh import from japan, cost me £5k! but i did get a mint revision 2 for that! you'll pay more for a revision 3+ but in day to day driving there's not much in it unless you plan to mod then the rev+ can be a better starting ground as it doesn't use the stupid map sensor! making it better if a chav'y dump valve is needed
revision 1's have a twitchy suspension set up compared to later cars, they tend to snap oversteer. also the brakes on a rev 1 are weak compared to later cars (can be swapped for later discs though) lot of rough early cars about so be careful.
I bought a Rev 2 MR2 Turbo a week ago. Paid £3k for it. Seems to be in very good nick with a BIG wad of service history, new clutch, recent service (a month ago), four nearly new tyres, 10 months tax & MOT.
Really had to pressure the guy to get it for this money. Spent two weeks discussing it on/off and then a fairly tense 15 minutes on the phone before he let it go.
The good ones are out there but I'd definately buy off a club person/enthusiast. These things need real love and attention if they're going to last.
I spent the best part of a year looking for a good one at £2-2.5k. There were none. There were precious few at £3k. Definately spend more and get a good one! I'd have gone higher if I could have physically afforded it.
The buying guides on the MR2 owners clubs are essential reading. Don't even look at a car without them.
I found the guys on this forum absolutely invaluable, so make good use of them!
If you can get to a meeting where there'll be an MRT, do it!
Happy hunting!
Really had to pressure the guy to get it for this money. Spent two weeks discussing it on/off and then a fairly tense 15 minutes on the phone before he let it go.
The good ones are out there but I'd definately buy off a club person/enthusiast. These things need real love and attention if they're going to last.
I spent the best part of a year looking for a good one at £2-2.5k. There were none. There were precious few at £3k. Definately spend more and get a good one! I'd have gone higher if I could have physically afforded it.
The buying guides on the MR2 owners clubs are essential reading. Don't even look at a car without them.
I found the guys on this forum absolutely invaluable, so make good use of them!
If you can get to a meeting where there'll be an MRT, do it!
Happy hunting!
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff