Discussion
I was missing having a soft top, had the option to buy my SL back but timings did not work, so started looking for something fun, lots of options from FIAT Panda 100 HP, Suzuki Swift, Boxster S, 996 Porsche, E46 330, Golf R and the ubiquitous MX-5 NC / ND. MR2 Mk3 caught my eye as they seemed really good value, rusted less than MX5, mid-engined, modest power but light, and owners seemed to love them.
Been looking for a few months, and this one came up, I contacted the owner quickly but was sold. A month later it comes up for sale again, same owner, I contact him to find out the story, seems they wanted to sell, but his wife had second thoughts, now he needed the garage space for his vintage tractor! Drove the car, well looked after, excellent condition with a hardtop and aircon, a pre-facelift so 5 speed not 6, no Fog lights and could suffer from the known pre cat exhaust ceramic disintegration.
Got a short list of things to sort out, hood needs replacing, fluids & service, exhaust is perfect but needs replacement due to the ceramic issue, some interior items repairing like normal wear on the bolster, but it drives really well, remarkably compliant ride on small 15", possibly get some decent replacement springs and shocks later in the year but so far so good.
Been looking for a few months, and this one came up, I contacted the owner quickly but was sold. A month later it comes up for sale again, same owner, I contact him to find out the story, seems they wanted to sell, but his wife had second thoughts, now he needed the garage space for his vintage tractor! Drove the car, well looked after, excellent condition with a hardtop and aircon, a pre-facelift so 5 speed not 6, no Fog lights and could suffer from the known pre cat exhaust ceramic disintegration.
Got a short list of things to sort out, hood needs replacing, fluids & service, exhaust is perfect but needs replacement due to the ceramic issue, some interior items repairing like normal wear on the bolster, but it drives really well, remarkably compliant ride on small 15", possibly get some decent replacement springs and shocks later in the year but so far so good.
TrotCanterGallopCharge said:
Thank you. From what I can tell, that's the JDM badge for the top of the range MR-S version, usually found in the lower badge position. All other markets got the standard '3 rings' Toyota logo.
They mentioned they had a factory chrome pack fitted, so i wonder if that was when this was fitted.TrotCanterGallopCharge said:
Book I have states UK factory chrome pack was available from 2005, which incl twin exhaust finishers (probably just the ends to look like the TRD twin exhaust setup?), bright fuel cap surround & a styling bar like yours (which brought 3 separate accessories into one UK package). Looks like you'll have to go back through any old invoices for clarification of items & dates.
I'll dig through some of the documentation, and see if there is any info on it, as it has some Chrome touches inside, beside the style bar.Evil.soup said:
These are fantastic cars and one of the few cars I miss owning. I also had a pre-facelift model back in 2004, it was fantastic and felt like a go cart.
One thing I will say, ensure you have good matched rubber all round as I had to replace a single alloy and a friend loaned me a spare he had with a different tyre to the others I had. The thing became quite dicey in the wet and scary at times. It can be lively, although very controllable, but with miss matched tyres it can be twitchy and even dangerous.
As for the badge, someone at some point has just stuck the JDM badge on there for some reason and in the wrong place. Personally, I don't think it looks right, one or the other will be fine but I think one should go. That is just my opinion of course and if you like it, ignore my thoughts on it.
All in, that does look like a well looked after car that someone has spent money on, the side vents are not standard as silver, they would normally be a grey plastic, so money has been spent there as well.
It really does feel like a go-kart, the steering is so direct, and the ability to change direction is brilliant, light weight and mid engine for the win.One thing I will say, ensure you have good matched rubber all round as I had to replace a single alloy and a friend loaned me a spare he had with a different tyre to the others I had. The thing became quite dicey in the wet and scary at times. It can be lively, although very controllable, but with miss matched tyres it can be twitchy and even dangerous.
As for the badge, someone at some point has just stuck the JDM badge on there for some reason and in the wrong place. Personally, I don't think it looks right, one or the other will be fine but I think one should go. That is just my opinion of course and if you like it, ignore my thoughts on it.
All in, that does look like a well looked after car that someone has spent money on, the side vents are not standard as silver, they would normally be a grey plastic, so money has been spent there as well.
The sensation feels odd at first, little inertia just turn in and it goes. I can imagine with dodgy rubber, considering the lagless way it can change direction, unintended direction changes would be lightning quick, give a new meaning to snap oversteer.
The 1zz gets a undeserved bad rep, it has decent low end power, with a proper top end VVT hardening of note rev to the red line. Fits the car's character well.
Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Wednesday 12th July 12:06
TameRacingDriver said:
No way would I put a VAG 20vT in one of these. These cars are super light, lend themselves more to N/A engines IMO (even though they did offer a TTE Turbo on these), and it would detract from the sharpness of it while also overwhelming it with low down torque. Bland sounding as well. It's a no from me. If the K20 is too much, go 2ZZ I reckon (assuming you want that sort of engine in a road car, plenty are happy with the 1ZZ).
The car lends itself more to a mechanical supercharger setup. 2zz or 1zz and a mechanical supercharger would be great, 200 - 250 bhp with associated torque increase and keeping the top end, would be lots of fun.Maintenance work done. All fluids, oils and filters changed. Coolant is a pain, v-belt looks new.
Aircon is now cold and no leaks, condenser will probably need a replacement in a few years time, but coolant radiator is in decent condition. New sparkplugs and finally the removal of the detached mouse family home in the airbox! Thankfully, did not chew any wires, pipes etc. The downside of rural cars, mice can do serious damage, have had to rewire a previous car when a hungry rodent family decided to munch down on the wiring harness.
Aircon is now cold and no leaks, condenser will probably need a replacement in a few years time, but coolant radiator is in decent condition. New sparkplugs and finally the removal of the detached mouse family home in the airbox! Thankfully, did not chew any wires, pipes etc. The downside of rural cars, mice can do serious damage, have had to rewire a previous car when a hungry rodent family decided to munch down on the wiring harness.
Not had them before, seem okay so far.
I am fan of Falken tyres, both their all season mud & snow for 4x4s, used then for many years and their Summer performance tyres both performed well and reasonably priced, got a dealer nearby, which is convenient.
Small jobs done, sorted bluetooth with a FM transmitter, fixed the cigarette lighter which was not working and added an LED interior light, which was comically dim, while the incandescent bulb got really hot too.
Taped up some wires in the engine bay and harness, to offer extra protection from heat etc. I added vanity mirrors to the sunshades, which seems excessively miserly by mister Toyota.
I also only noticed this afternoon, I had no jack or tool set, towing eye etc. Omission on my part. Got one ordered off ebay. Oops.
I am fan of Falken tyres, both their all season mud & snow for 4x4s, used then for many years and their Summer performance tyres both performed well and reasonably priced, got a dealer nearby, which is convenient.
Small jobs done, sorted bluetooth with a FM transmitter, fixed the cigarette lighter which was not working and added an LED interior light, which was comically dim, while the incandescent bulb got really hot too.
Taped up some wires in the engine bay and harness, to offer extra protection from heat etc. I added vanity mirrors to the sunshades, which seems excessively miserly by mister Toyota.
I also only noticed this afternoon, I had no jack or tool set, towing eye etc. Omission on my part. Got one ordered off ebay. Oops.
Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Sunday 16th July 21:24
Shifter1 said:
I happen to like stiffer tyres on them. I think it does the car well and sharpens it nicely. But by experience a quick way to ruin them is to go for cheap or just any tyre. Very tyre sensitive them little things.
You may have already mentioned it somewhere, but what is your goal with the car? Just having a convertible to drive around, sporting driving, maybe some track days? Given what you have done so far I would think more towards the first option? Great thing about these cars is they can do all the above with no problems.
All of the above, will be looking at a suspension refresh next, coil overs and shock absorbers first, maybe a 10 or 15 mm drop, KW, Tein or BC (wide differences in prices which is likely reflected in performance and longevity) and extra body bracing when funds allow, but always open to suggestions.You may have already mentioned it somewhere, but what is your goal with the car? Just having a convertible to drive around, sporting driving, maybe some track days? Given what you have done so far I would think more towards the first option? Great thing about these cars is they can do all the above with no problems.
I had good experiences with Falkens on my other cars, the previous gen FK451s and their replacements were the only tyres along with F1s, that did not torque steer all over the place, even Michelins Primacy would be all over the road. Getting the XL rating, gives it a stiffer sidewall which may well be a good option, as the stock suspension is on the compliant side of tuning.
Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Monday 17th July 10:30
C70R said:
I'd suggest driving a car with coilovers before committing.
Even the expensive ones can be really much too stiff for British B-roads. I ruined my Mini for country lanes by fitting £1100 worth of coilovers to make it more fun on a handful of trackdays a year. Even with all the faffing around with spring rates and damper settings, it was too stiff to properly enjoy on the road. You've got a lovely compliant chassis, and I'd be very hesitant about making it more stiff than it absolutely needs to be.
That is something I like about the chassis as it is now, stiff enough not to be wallowing all over the place but compliant enough to give a decent ride on B-roads when making progress, with the roads round here being as rutted and potholed as you could wish for. Even the expensive ones can be really much too stiff for British B-roads. I ruined my Mini for country lanes by fitting £1100 worth of coilovers to make it more fun on a handful of trackdays a year. Even with all the faffing around with spring rates and damper settings, it was too stiff to properly enjoy on the road. You've got a lovely compliant chassis, and I'd be very hesitant about making it more stiff than it absolutely needs to be.
I may just refresh the 2 decade old shocks for a start.
Shifter1 said:
QuantumTokoloshi said:
Shifter1 said:
I happen to like stiffer tyres on them. I think it does the car well and sharpens it nicely. But by experience a quick way to ruin them is to go for cheap or just any tyre. Very tyre sensitive them little things.
You may have already mentioned it somewhere, but what is your goal with the car? Just having a convertible to drive around, sporting driving, maybe some track days? Given what you have done so far I would think more towards the first option? Great thing about these cars is they can do all the above with no problems.
All of the above, will be looking at a suspension refresh next, coil overs and shock absorbers first, maybe a 10 or 15 mm drop, KW, Tein or BC (wide differences in prices which is likely reflected in performance and longevity) and extra body bracing when funds allow, but always open to suggestions.You may have already mentioned it somewhere, but what is your goal with the car? Just having a convertible to drive around, sporting driving, maybe some track days? Given what you have done so far I would think more towards the first option? Great thing about these cars is they can do all the above with no problems.
I had good experiences with Falkens on my other cars, the previous gen FK451s and their replacements were the only tyres along with F1s, that did not torque steer all over the place, even Michelins Primacy would be all over the road. Getting the XL rating, gives it a stiffer sidewall which may well be a good option, as the stock suspension is on the compliant side of tuning.
Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Monday 17th July 10:30
Happy to try Hankook or Yokohama, 16" are becoming a rarity now, with >19 or 20" the default.
Some great suggestions, thanks.
One issue I have noticed, and had similar issue with some of my other lower cars, is the incredibly bright headlights of newer cars, especially SUVs and LED lights. As you are sitting almost level with the headlights, your retina gets cooked from the rearview mirror, before you can react to flip the switch. An auto dimming mirror might be a good investment, have fitted them before, but this may be a little more complicated, as it is not a direct part swop.
One issue I have noticed, and had similar issue with some of my other lower cars, is the incredibly bright headlights of newer cars, especially SUVs and LED lights. As you are sitting almost level with the headlights, your retina gets cooked from the rearview mirror, before you can react to flip the switch. An auto dimming mirror might be a good investment, have fitted them before, but this may be a little more complicated, as it is not a direct part swop.
Shifter1 said:
OP, what do you daily? Sorry if you already mentioned.
Talking to a MR2 roadster mate who is bored of his daily, and thinking about replacing it with a RX8. I'm not sure about that. From one side, RX8 is a little "complicted" for a daily. I'm not sure I would want to deal with a wankel for a daily, at this point. From another, if you drive a RX8 daily, would you still want to jump in a sports car for a weekend drive? Sure the MR2 is a convertible. But as far as driving fun, the RX8 is probably closer than most dailies. Certainly closer than his daily. Might take a bit of the edge off the MR2, specially that he doesn't trash his MR2.
Don't get me wrong, the RX8 is not a true sports car and definitely not a match for the MR2. Totally different set up as well, with rear mid engine vs FE RWD. Totally different feeling. But RX8 is still as close as any 4-doors has the right to be. It's a long wheelbase MX5 NC. The other way around, I know. Plus, wankel on a daily basis? Take a special type of person I guess.
What do you daily? Or any of you MR2 gentlemen posting on the thread.
Daily is an Outander for the family and an Audi A2, if I can prize my wife's iron grip from the keys. (She loves that car, and I am a big fan as well)Talking to a MR2 roadster mate who is bored of his daily, and thinking about replacing it with a RX8. I'm not sure about that. From one side, RX8 is a little "complicted" for a daily. I'm not sure I would want to deal with a wankel for a daily, at this point. From another, if you drive a RX8 daily, would you still want to jump in a sports car for a weekend drive? Sure the MR2 is a convertible. But as far as driving fun, the RX8 is probably closer than most dailies. Certainly closer than his daily. Might take a bit of the edge off the MR2, specially that he doesn't trash his MR2.
Don't get me wrong, the RX8 is not a true sports car and definitely not a match for the MR2. Totally different set up as well, with rear mid engine vs FE RWD. Totally different feeling. But RX8 is still as close as any 4-doors has the right to be. It's a long wheelbase MX5 NC. The other way around, I know. Plus, wankel on a daily basis? Take a special type of person I guess.
What do you daily? Or any of you MR2 gentlemen posting on the thread.
Shifter1 said:
Alright. That is very far apart from a MR2. No overlapping, which is the ideal situation between a daily and a weekend car IMO.
I think the RX8 overlaps and knowing how he drivers his MR2, I told him if he buys a RX8 as a daily, I think he will probably sell the MR2, because he will decide he doesn't need it, or to buy something faster. Unless he totally hates the RX8 or finds it too unreliable. This is my take. But I might be wrong.
Also have a SEAT Cupra R Mk1, that I have had for almost 20 years, standard besides a map, with less than 70K on it, which I use sparingly for my hot hatch fix.I think the RX8 overlaps and knowing how he drivers his MR2, I told him if he buys a RX8 as a daily, I think he will probably sell the MR2, because he will decide he doesn't need it, or to buy something faster. Unless he totally hates the RX8 or finds it too unreliable. This is my take. But I might be wrong.
Got the precats removed, looked to be in decent condition, with no evidence of break up, good news.
I was going to put in a new exhaust system, but as the existing original system is fine, I'll wait until it is needed, and put it a full system, sports cat etc.
Mechanicals are more or less sorted, might look for a front strut brace and body brace, but first get the outstanding cosmetic issues sorted, with some paint correction.
I was going to put in a new exhaust system, but as the existing original system is fine, I'll wait until it is needed, and put it a full system, sports cat etc.
Mechanicals are more or less sorted, might look for a front strut brace and body brace, but first get the outstanding cosmetic issues sorted, with some paint correction.
Month or two under the belt, and a few impressions.
Great fun, crazy value, fast enough to be fun, small enough to use on small rural roads, ride is ideal to handle potholed rutted roads. The 1ZZ engine is given a bad rep, not a k-series Honda, but revs cleanly, VVTI and suits the car, especially since the pre cat has been removed, definitely revs better. Yes it is a Avensis econobox engine, but 7200 redline means it works in the MR2. It feels quicker than the 140 BHP would suggest.
A pleasant car to drive in town, small, nippy, light controls, easy to park etc. There is enough space for two for a few days, few bags etc. You can absolutely feel the mid-engine pivot when pushing on, brilliant fun to feel the weight pivot as you load up the rear wheels. I am struggling a little with the seats, I prefer a wheel style seat back adjuster rather than a lever, just cannot seem to get the angle right, likewise the steering wheel adjustment, while it is height adjustable, just missing the ability to adjust how close it is to you, as I prefer it a little closer.
Being so low, means you get the LED inflicted retina cauterizing SUVs lights when driving at night, both from the front or the back, Self dimming rear mirror is going to be a key update. It also makes trying to find the car in parking lots difficult, parked next to a new Range Rover, you have to be right on top of it before you see it.
Got my replacement hood booked from the well known trimmer in Swansea, quality of his work is great, and 1/3 of the price popular in MX5 MR2 owners clubs, 6 month lead time ! I also had the tracking done, made a real difference to the feel, much more planted. So far so good.
Great fun, crazy value, fast enough to be fun, small enough to use on small rural roads, ride is ideal to handle potholed rutted roads. The 1ZZ engine is given a bad rep, not a k-series Honda, but revs cleanly, VVTI and suits the car, especially since the pre cat has been removed, definitely revs better. Yes it is a Avensis econobox engine, but 7200 redline means it works in the MR2. It feels quicker than the 140 BHP would suggest.
A pleasant car to drive in town, small, nippy, light controls, easy to park etc. There is enough space for two for a few days, few bags etc. You can absolutely feel the mid-engine pivot when pushing on, brilliant fun to feel the weight pivot as you load up the rear wheels. I am struggling a little with the seats, I prefer a wheel style seat back adjuster rather than a lever, just cannot seem to get the angle right, likewise the steering wheel adjustment, while it is height adjustable, just missing the ability to adjust how close it is to you, as I prefer it a little closer.
Being so low, means you get the LED inflicted retina cauterizing SUVs lights when driving at night, both from the front or the back, Self dimming rear mirror is going to be a key update. It also makes trying to find the car in parking lots difficult, parked next to a new Range Rover, you have to be right on top of it before you see it.
Got my replacement hood booked from the well known trimmer in Swansea, quality of his work is great, and 1/3 of the price popular in MX5 MR2 owners clubs, 6 month lead time ! I also had the tracking done, made a real difference to the feel, much more planted. So far so good.
Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Friday 15th September 21:16
Got the hard top on, heater is fierce, properly cooking hot.
I had to get the exhaust flexi coupling replaced, as it was blowing, looks to have upset an O2 sensor, getting an error code on the O2 heater circuit, nothing serious but will need sorting before MOT, just resert it when it does come on. Might be a new sensor or bypass with a resistor, still running closed loop okay, so I might try the resistor as a start.
Headlights are decent for old school halogen bulbs, high beam is particularly good, must be the large headlights lenses.
Starting to look closer at the possible engine upgrades, 1zz turbo, 2zz, 2zz & turbo or VAG 20VT. Will certainly add an additional degree of fun, but wonder if the 5 to 7K is worth it.
I had to get the exhaust flexi coupling replaced, as it was blowing, looks to have upset an O2 sensor, getting an error code on the O2 heater circuit, nothing serious but will need sorting before MOT, just resert it when it does come on. Might be a new sensor or bypass with a resistor, still running closed loop okay, so I might try the resistor as a start.
Headlights are decent for old school halogen bulbs, high beam is particularly good, must be the large headlights lenses.
Starting to look closer at the possible engine upgrades, 1zz turbo, 2zz, 2zz & turbo or VAG 20VT. Will certainly add an additional degree of fun, but wonder if the 5 to 7K is worth it.
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