Mk1 MR2’s?

[Cl4rkyPH]

Hi all,

I have been a long time viewer of these forums, searching for info on Google I always end up on Pistonheads, so I thought I’d finally create an account.

I’ve got a bit of an itch to scratch and I’m after a Toyota MR2... the mk1.

After a bit of research I’ve found that the Turbo is the one to go for, not the NA. However, I can’t seem to find many for sale!

I can see the well-known car selling website (not sure if I can say which?) has 1 Turbo for sale but it’s a bit tarted up, I was hoping to find something a bit more stock.

I then looked on PH Classifieds and there’s a few for sale, but all with one seller... who don’t appear to be very well known. Has anyone had any dealings with them?

I’ve heard really good things about the mk1 so happy to be patient to wait for the right one to crop up.

Are these as rare as they seem, or am I missing a trick?

Or am I bonkers to be looking at this car?! Appreciate any help or advice.

Cheers,

Clarky

[ae111sr]

I know that Toyota produced a N/A version with 4A-GE engine. The supercharged version (it had the Toyota 4A-GZE engine in it) was produced but it was only officially for sale in Japan and USA. I have never heard of a Mk1 turbo from Toyota.
John

[samoht]

There are three generations of Toyota MR2, I guess you're talking about the Mk2?

Mk1, 1.6L 4AGE shared with the AE-86 Corolla

as said, only the naturally aspirated model was sold in Europe, a supercharged version was additionally offered in the USA and Japan.

Mk2, 2.0L

Again only the naturally aspirated version came here, a Turbo version was sold in USA and Japan. There was also a higher-powered naturally aspirated version in Japan I believe.

Mk3, 1.8L shared with the lower-powered Celica

Also known as the MR-S. Only came with the 140hp 1.8L engine, although some people have swapped in the VVTi-L 190hp engine from the higher powered Celica.

[Cl4rkyPH]

So turns out I didn’t do enough research! Thank you to both of you.

I just didn’t know that Turbo’s weren’t actually sold over here!

I don’t really like the idea of an import, never bought one before so for my first MR2 I think I’ll just go for an NA MK2.

Will be sure to update this post once I’ve found one!

Many thanks again guys!

[magpie215]

Cl4rkyPH said:

So turns out I didn’t do enough research! Thank you to both of you.

I just didn’t know that Turbo’s weren’t actually sold over here!

I don’t really like the idea of an import, never bought one before so for my first MR2 I think I’ll just go for an NA MK2.

Will be sure to update this post once I’ve found one!

Many thanks again guys!

No issues at all for jap imports Ive owned a few.

Toyota will happily supply parts

Cars are usually in great condition with low miles coming off the boat.

Insurance costs may be a little higher but shop around the specialist insurers or owners clubs recommended insurers.

Any imports that have been in the u.k more than 2 or 3 years should be checked for corrosion and undersealing.

Mk2 mr2 revision 3 onwards is a real weapon with really good performance.....light engine mods release some quite potent performance.

[ShoooRn]

As above the Mk1 came with a supercharger stateside and from Japan when I was looking many moons ago a few were kicking about on the classifieds but they are very rare and despite the low power output would be the one to have.

The MR2 Mk2 is a bit of a widowmaker so find one that's a rev3 unless you fancy being on edge. If it's a summer car and not your daily the early MR2's are still fine.

I still love the MR2 and I'm still a little annoyed at myself that I didn't go for a NA and go for a V6 swap but having a baby would have put that conversion on hold anyway!

Find a decent mk2 MR2 and watch for rust along the sills. There are plenty that aren't fettled with but sadly some of these will suffer from poor maintenance when it comes to suspension components. If you can find a turbo - do it. They're lots of fun and can be tuned to high power.

Have fun.

[Cl4rkyPH]

Many thanks guys.

Maybe I should hold out for a Turbo after all! Is there anything I should watch out for when buying a Turbo? Other than the usual buying advice for these?

Also any recommendations on where to buy?

[designforlife]

Cl4rkyPH said:

Many thanks guys.

Maybe I should hold out for a Turbo after all! Is there anything I should watch out for when buying a Turbo? Other than the usual buying advice for these?

Also any recommendations on where to buy?

Import a fresh one from Japan if you want the cleanest example...Torque GT source good cars.

[Cl4rkyPH]

Thank you, totally opened up my thinking now.

So after a quick look... Torque GT essentially do all the leg work for you with regards to the searching and importing and you pay them a fee to do so.

Have I got that right?

[designforlife]

Essentially yes, you pay them to handle the entire import process...obviously it's more expensive than doing it DIY, but avoids the pitfalls and essentially guarantees you a good car.

I know several people that have used them, and they are pretty much the go to guys for JDM imports in the UK these days, not the cheapest, but arguably the best.

[Cl4rkyPH]

Many thanks, I’ll contact them today.

[swampy442]

There are other importers by the way, who are, erm, more cost effective than T GT

[Cl4rkyPH]

I contacted them and was really impressed with the quick response, but they pointed out my budget is a bit low. I’ve got about £5k-£6k to spend and realistically to import a decent Turbo from Japan I need £10k.

I think I may just go for an NA already on sale in the UK and look at a Turbo in the future.

[magpie215]

Cl4rkyPH said:

I contacted them and was really impressed with the quick response, but they pointed out my budget is a bit low. I’ve got about £5k-£6k to spend and realistically to import a decent Turbo from Japan I need £10k.

I think I may just go for an NA already on sale in the UK and look at a Turbo in the future.

Shop wisely and buy one already here from a private owner....will be nothing like 10k.

Trawl the owners groups

[Cl4rkyPH]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I found a dealer with a few nice Turbos in stock but they haven’t responded to my message.

Think I’ll just keep waiting and buy one privately.

Had a quick look on MR2 OC but there’s nothing decent for sale at the moment.

[Cl4rkyPH]

Hi all

I’ve been doing some hunting and found this Turbo.


The car is relatively original (aftermarket alloys but the original alloys come included).

The mileage is excellent and it’s also a T Bar.

Can anyone shed some light as to how competitive this price is?

Cheers

Clarky

Edited by andy.mod on Tuesday 26th May 20:07

[25th QV]

Had an '88 back in the day.

My lasting memories of it are that it rusted for fun, was slow, had no torque and was great fun to drive and felt a bit different and special.

Bit the rust, oh the rust.....

[quigonjay]

Cl4rkyPH said:

Hi all

I’ve been doing some hunting and found this Turbo.


The car is relatively original (aftermarket alloys but the original alloys come included).

The mileage is excellent and it’s also a T Bar.

Can anyone shed some light as to how competitive this price is?

Cheers

Clarky

That is an early rev 1 car, I would say for the money you could do much better (rev 3 onwards), that is very strong money for that car regardless of the mileage

Edited by andy.mod on Tuesday 26th May 20:09

[Cl4rkyPH]

25th QV said:

Had an '88 back in the day.

My lasting memories of it are that it rusted for fun, was slow, had no torque and was great fun to drive and felt a bit different and special.

Bit the rust, oh the rust.....

Thank you for your insight, definitely keen on hearing all feedback, good and bad, really appreciate it.

Although wouldn’t an ‘88 have been a mk1?

I’ve heard that the mk1’s had a bigger rust problem than the mk2’s. Is this not the case?

ETA: realised my thread title states MK1 which is probably why you’ve mentioned yours haha. Sorry, I can’t edit it!! I am looking at the MK2 now.

quigonjay said:

That is an early rev 1 car, I would say for the money you could do much better (rev 3 onwards), that is very strong money for that car regardless of the mileage

Thank you, how do you know it’s a rev 1? I was under the impression it’s an early rev 2.

The seller was pretty clear when he said it was a rev 2 also... and the dates seem to point to rev 2.

Have I got this wrong?

Appreciate what you’re saying on the price... I must admit I thought it was a bit high also but I’m struggling to compare anything similar on the market.

Edited by Cl4rkyPH on Tuesday 26th May 10:14

[Cl4rkyPH]

quigonjay, sorry... you’re absolutely right. I just asked the seller for the chassis number and it is in fact a revision 1.

Not sure where to go from here!