PH Fleet: Toyota MR2
Alex finally introduces the MR2 properly - and reveals it has previous with PH...
That said, this particular MR2 is no stranger to PistonHeads. Those of you with a particularly long memory might remember a Shed Of The Week back in 2010, featuring a Mk1 MR2 that looks surprisingly familiar. I had no knowledge of its prior appearance on the site until after I’d picked it up, so as coincidences go, it’s a good’un!
I gave a tad more than shed money for it - £1,500, to be precise – but then again it has had some TLC lavished upon it in the interim. The paintwork’s been attended to, and it’s had the absent roof spoiler replaced with a brand new one. What’s more, it came endowed with nine months’ MOT, a couple of months’ tax, new brake discs and pads and a rather pricey custom-made stainless steel exhaust system. Oh, and half a tank of fuel.
But what about the rest of the car? Well, it’s a 1989 model, so a Mk1b – in other words, built after the 1987 facelift. It isn’t a concours example and it needs a few jobs doing but let’s start with the good stuff. 83,000 on the clock, with a few bits of history that seem to back that up, as well as the original bill of sale. The original tool kit’s still there, too, as are the oft-lost bags and screens that go with the glass T-top roofs. The interior’s in good condition, with no broken trim, although the leather’s started to split on the driver’s seat. And outside, the paintwork’s a glossy red, rather than a faded pink.
Rust? Yep, it has some – it's an MR2, after all. The rear arches have been taken care of, but it’s starting to go along the sills, so they'll need to be dealt with before it takes hold. The clutch needs doing, too, and as that’s an engine-out job, I might as well get the timing belt replaced at the same time. An oil and filter change is also on the list. I think I’ll also need to spend some time playing with roof seals – contrary to the original Shed advert, the roof has now started to leak when it rains hard.
A few jobs to do, then, but all factored into the haggling process and I reckon once they’re done I’ll be left with a clean, reliable and low-mileage example that I can keep aside for sunny days and weekend hoons. It seems to be a perfect budget second car thus far; it’s remarkably cheap to insure (thanks in part to an exceptionally good deal from Adrian Flux), sips fuel and, of course, it’s enormous fun to drive. With the sun out, the roof off and the windows down, it’s at its best, and now that I’m used to the lighter steering inherent with a mid-engined car, I’m revelling in the balance and the way it flows neatly from corner to corner. The little 4A-GE powerplant sounds fantastic, too, and while it isn’t the quickest thing in the world, the variable intake system makes it truly rev-happy. Rarely do I return from a drive in it without a silly grin plastered across my chops. All of this before we’ve even got to the wedgy looks, the achingly retro interior, or the childish joy of having pop-up headlights to play with. Ahem.
It’s thumbs up so far, then, for this former Shed. And once those bits of work have been done, I’m hoping it’ll be transformed from a good car into a great one. If the weather plays ball – we can but hope – then summer 2013 should be a lot of fun.
FACT SHEET
Car: 1989 Toyota MR2
Run by: Scrof
Bought: Dec 2012
Purchase price: £1,500
Last month at a glance: Bought it, drove it, loved it.
worth tracking down a magnex for this they sound wonderful on the 4AGE.
If you want really retro change out the instrument cluster for one of these from the Trueno.
Then either keep the engine till it goes bang and drop in the 20v 4AGE engine with the 6speed LSD gearbox with the added benefit of ITBS as standard!
It looked a good one then and seems even better now. It will only ever appreciate.
As a 3 time MR.2 owner the simplest fix for a leaky roof seal is to carefully remove check area underneath is of free of rust, deformaton and to rub them liberally with none diluted fairy liquid. They often dry out and this can "moisturise" back some supplety so they seal properly. Worth a try before you start replacing them!
Good luck. Beware the RWD and small tyres in the wet...
I think now MK3's are in range, I'd have one over another Mk1 just to mitigate the rust and age of the MK1.
And I'm sorry, but I just have to we mine, as I do in any Mk1 MR2 thread!
That was in 2010! 1 owner from new and ridiculous service history included. I had a spreadsheet documenting every tank of fuel the car had had from new!
Didn't stop me using it as god intended though:
Didn't realise these were RWD?!
Are they quite lairy in the wet then?
Not particulrly lairy. One of the most communicative chassis of all time - it writes you a polite note informing you that it might be about to let go. Perfect balance of grip and slip (on decent tyres) and no waywardness in slippery conditions. No ABS, no PAS and certainly no traction control though, so it's a very analogue driving experience. My two taught me more about driving than the rest of my cars put together.
Loving the idea of the retro digi dash binnacle too. Not sure I'm brave enough to do it, but I'll bear it in mind!
Cheers for the advice on the roof seals, by the way - I've tried some silicon sealant and it's cured the leak on the o/s, but the n/s still gives me trouble. The water seems to be sitting in the headlining and then spilling out when I go around a corner, so I suspect it's getting in along the leading edge T-bar seal. I'll definitely have a go at removing and refreshing the seals before replacing them; my plan is to take it all to bits in summer, clean up any rust, then Hammerite and Waxoyl the buggery out of the whole area before I put it back together.
Jim - cheers chap; going to do it again next year, I reckon - a fantastic experience and one of the best drives I've ever had!
ETA: Ian - 'twas a good find indeed, and I'm glad it was bought by someone who wanted to improve it!
Don't ask me how I know this.
Didn't realise these were RWD?!
Are they quite lairy in the wet then?
Not particulrly lairy. One of the most communicative chassis of all time - it writes you a polite note informing you that it might be about to let go. Perfect balance of grip and slip (on decent tyres) and no waywardness in slippery conditions. No ABS, no PAS and certainly no traction control though, so it's a very analogue driving experience. My two taught me more about driving than the rest of my cars put together.
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