RE: SOTW: Toyota MR2
Discussion
The leaking seals for the t-bars is trivial to sort out - if I can do it, anyone can. Just a tube of black silicone and some cling film used sparingly and you're away.
I loved my N/A , upgraded to a turbo but felt it was a little too powerful for the chassis (stock suspension), since then I've had a mk1 and mk2 MX5 and currently driving an S2000. I find the S2000 to have all the best of both the MR2 N/A Rev3 and MX5 1.8s (facelift).
If the opportunity came up for me to own two cars, I'd most certainly have another n/a rev3-5 with minor tweaks. I just can't stand the rev1/2 ear light clusters.
I loved my N/A , upgraded to a turbo but felt it was a little too powerful for the chassis (stock suspension), since then I've had a mk1 and mk2 MX5 and currently driving an S2000. I find the S2000 to have all the best of both the MR2 N/A Rev3 and MX5 1.8s (facelift).
If the opportunity came up for me to own two cars, I'd most certainly have another n/a rev3-5 with minor tweaks. I just can't stand the rev1/2 ear light clusters.
Gazado said:
The leaking seals for the t-bars is trivial to sort out - if I can do it, anyone can. Just a tube of black silicone and some cling film used sparingly and you're away.
Yep, very easy fix. Even I did it to mine (though later discovered it was fine, I just replaced the panels poorly).Gave her a clean today, and she is looking lovely again. Though i cry a little every time i look at the front end damage caused by going off a roundabout sideways. It's not detrimental, but makes me sad. If anyone in the Romford area would be kind enough to take a look...
Or if anyone would be able to assess repair cost from photos, i'll gladly post some up. Want that front end looking smart again by summer.
Here we go!
Just to be clear, the rub strip is actually snapped at the front end screw point, but a few rusty screws are keeping it 'in place' most of the time. These strips are bloody hard to find and cost a mint from Toyota.
The rest you can see. I hope the 'ding' in the wing is visible in the photos.
Honestly, probably more economical to replace the wing and bumper, than try to repair them.
IMG_0735 by danjama, on Flickr
IMG_0734 by danjama, on Flickr
IMG_0732 by danjama, on Flickr
IMG_0731 by danjama, on Flickr
IMG_0730 by danjama, on Flickr
It depresses me as the car was mint when I got it. Respect it a lot more in the wet now though.
Just to be clear, the rub strip is actually snapped at the front end screw point, but a few rusty screws are keeping it 'in place' most of the time. These strips are bloody hard to find and cost a mint from Toyota.
The rest you can see. I hope the 'ding' in the wing is visible in the photos.
Honestly, probably more economical to replace the wing and bumper, than try to repair them.
IMG_0735 by danjama, on Flickr
IMG_0734 by danjama, on Flickr
IMG_0732 by danjama, on Flickr
IMG_0731 by danjama, on Flickr
IMG_0730 by danjama, on Flickr
It depresses me as the car was mint when I got it. Respect it a lot more in the wet now though.
Assuming it drives straight then it looks like you just need a front wing, rub strip, indicator/sidelight unit.
There are threads online about how to remove the bumper and the wing should be easy enough.
Most of the bumper damage should polish out.
I would get a red wing and get cracking.
There are two red wings on ebay at the moment one import and one UK - I think you need the UK one unless you're happy drilling the hole for the indicator repeater.
There are threads online about how to remove the bumper and the wing should be easy enough.
Most of the bumper damage should polish out.
I would get a red wing and get cracking.
There are two red wings on ebay at the moment one import and one UK - I think you need the UK one unless you're happy drilling the hole for the indicator repeater.
psychoR1 said:
Assuming it drives straight then it looks like you just need a front wing, rub strip, indicator/sidelight unit.
There are threads online about how to remove the bumper and the wing should be easy enough.
Most of the bumper damage should polish out.
I would get a red wing and get cracking.
There are two red wings on ebay at the moment one import and one UK - I think you need the UK one unless you're happy drilling the hole for the indicator repeater.
This is what i thought. Thanks for the encouragement. The bumper is very tatty now though so will be looking to replace probably. It's bloody hard finding them in red and decent condition though.There are threads online about how to remove the bumper and the wing should be easy enough.
Most of the bumper damage should polish out.
I would get a red wing and get cracking.
There are two red wings on ebay at the moment one import and one UK - I think you need the UK one unless you're happy drilling the hole for the indicator repeater.
Also proving impossible to find the rub strip. £95+vat from Toyota. Oof.
How many hours for a low experience home mechanic to replace both wing and bumper? 5-6?
danjama said:
This is what i thought. Thanks for the encouragement. The bumper is very tatty now though so will be looking to replace probably. It's bloody hard finding them in red and decent condition though.
Also proving impossible to find the rub strip. £95+vat from Toyota. Oof.
How many hours for a low experience home mechanic to replace both wing and bumper? 5-6?
Yeah I should say so - your biggest problem will be seized nuts and bolts. Put a wanted on IMOC for the bits you need - get some rust proofing dynotrol in there while the bumper is off and stick some air horns on whilst theyre exposed to the light too!Also proving impossible to find the rub strip. £95+vat from Toyota. Oof.
How many hours for a low experience home mechanic to replace both wing and bumper? 5-6?
Not sure wherebouts you are but I think Luke at Pacific Wks had a red one breaking?
psychoR1 said:
Yeah I should say so - your biggest problem will be seized nuts and bolts. Put a wanted on IMOC for the bits you need...
Yep IMOC has all the answers - it was my go-to forum for MR2 info and its a really great community too - i haven't had an Mr2 for a good four years now and I still log in there now and again to see whats going on!psychoR1 said:
Yeah I should say so - your biggest problem will be seized nuts and bolts. Put a wanted on IMOC for the bits you need - get some rust proofing dynotrol in there while the bumper is off and stick some air horns on whilst theyre exposed to the light too!
Not sure wherebouts you are but I think Luke at Pacific Wks had a red one breaking?
Great tips Psycho, thanks. You've been really helpful. Not sure wherebouts you are but I think Luke at Pacific Wks had a red one breaking?
I drove one today!
Someone was selling a 1991 mr2 in gold, a wee bit tatty but he only wanted £400 for it. He had dealers insurance and talked me into a test-drive.
The wipers were woefully slow, the exhaust made a tremendous noise, the whole thing had condensation on the inside of the window, the sunroof was leaking on to my head, the hand brake was wrapped in electrical tape. But I had a big smile on my face
I want one now. Just in better condition
Someone was selling a 1991 mr2 in gold, a wee bit tatty but he only wanted £400 for it. He had dealers insurance and talked me into a test-drive.
The wipers were woefully slow, the exhaust made a tremendous noise, the whole thing had condensation on the inside of the window, the sunroof was leaking on to my head, the hand brake was wrapped in electrical tape. But I had a big smile on my face
I want one now. Just in better condition
I've borrowed my dad's n/a rev 3 for the week to remind myself what it's like. My own car for reference is a Saab 9-5 Aero.
The initial impressions were that it was slow and noisy, but has nice steering feel. Much how I remembered it being. However I went out for a bit of a play tonight and drove it harder than I have before and it actually makes sense now. Above 5500rpm it actually feels reasonably quick, the noise is less irritating and it was actually fun. I even had the rear moving round a few roundabouts though I wouldn't fancy trying it at speed. A turbo motor would make it a nicer car to use but imo a s14 (a) 200sx is a much better compromise even if it doesn't look as interesting.
The initial impressions were that it was slow and noisy, but has nice steering feel. Much how I remembered it being. However I went out for a bit of a play tonight and drove it harder than I have before and it actually makes sense now. Above 5500rpm it actually feels reasonably quick, the noise is less irritating and it was actually fun. I even had the rear moving round a few roundabouts though I wouldn't fancy trying it at speed. A turbo motor would make it a nicer car to use but imo a s14 (a) 200sx is a much better compromise even if it doesn't look as interesting.
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