My new Toy (1997 MR2)
Discussion
_MG_4166.jpg by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
As those who followed my previous Readers' Cars thread will know, I sold my Volvo S60 T5 in late September as I was moving to the capital and thought I could live without a car. Turns out I was right, and for all the stick TfL gets, their infrastructure works efficiently enough for me. The thing was though, although I could cope without a car, I was missing having one. Those Sunday morning hoons, impromptu drives, escapes from The Smoke and mental escapes from day-to-day life we seek when it's just us, the car, and that empty B-road.
Released of any need for practicality, I wandered thought various online classifieds until I could find something that would be both fun and cheap to buy. Thoughts of E36 328is, Alfa GTV V6s and of course the obligatory MX5s were all considered, but the land of the rising sun had something better to offer me. Arguably in better condition for the money, and no doubt providing a better 'bang for your buck', the SW20 MR2 seemed too obvious to ignore.
So here's my new Toy. It's a 1997 model making it a 'Revision 4', which gives it some cosmetic alterations, a slightly more powerful engine, and more stable handling than the early cars. This one has the T-bar roof which incorporates two removable glass roof panels, and although I never thought I had any desire for such an arrangement, I've since warmed to the concept of open air motoring - there's a perverse satisfaction in having the roof off on a cold night, with the heater on full blast.
For a late nineties sports car it's not badly equipped, with electric windows, a beautifully retro Clarion CD player (with graphic equaliser, I hasted to add), and air conditioning, although at this time of the year it's hard to tell weather the latter actually works! Less satisfying is the indicator stalk positioned on the wrong side, so apologies to all those drivers I confused by turning on my wipers as I exited roundabouts. But for all my ambiguity of directional intention, I now find myself letting everyone out of junctions, if only because because the novelty of seeing those pop-up lights rise from the nose hasn't worn off yet. And that bit about it not having to be sensible, well, it's got a boot in the front as well as the back, so surely that makes it twice as practical as most things…
So what's it like to drive? In a word, fun. From the moment you open you door, the scene is set by the low slung and perfectly ergonomic driving position. A plethora of seat adjustment, down to how tightly the seat bolsters hug you, immediately put you at one with the car. The next thing you notice is the age of the car; in terms of the interface between car and driver it feels two generations behind the times, although for a car designed in the eighties that's not bad going. It's not a bad thing either; the brakes are easily modulated, and the steering perfectly weighted and reasonably informative, in ways today's PAS systems can't match.
A stab of the loud pedal reveals the acceleration from the Yamaha co-developed 3S-GE motor as somewhat underwhelming against the expectation set from its 'poor mans 355' exterior. In fact I'm sure it'd be put to shame by a modern oil-burning rep mobile, let alone today's hot hatches. After the T5, I'm wondering where the mid-range has disappeared to, but still haven't decided whether this is how it should feel, or if it's a question of perception, so I'll be putting it on a rolling road at some point to find out. But what it lacks in punch, it makes up for in its sharp throttle response and noise - with the engine inches from your left ear you're always aware of what it's doing. A brand new clutch and smooth direct gearbox (if not quite MX5 slick), mean gear changing is never a chore.
While I haven't yet had a chance for fully explore its handling, initial impressions are positive. It feels direct and eminently chuckable, without any of the nose heaviness I've become accustomed to in my FWD 'career'. And for a car with nigh-on 150k on the clock, the suspension doesn't feel knackered either, the ride firm yet paradoxically no less compliant the Volvo.
As per last time I'll being keeping a comprehensive record of my spend in the 'My Garage' area of my profile. Although the car's two owner provenance shines, there are a few jobs on my hit list. With no record of a cambelt change (there must have been at least one, but you can't be too careful), that'll be the first job, along with a thorough checkover of the vehicle by Luke at Pacific Works. At some point in the not too distant future it'll also need some new rubber on the back, and I'll combine this with getting the geo checked.
In all, I think I've picked up a good''un, but for little over shed money I could hardly fail to be pleased. The time has come for my first sports car, and I'm think we'll get on just fine.
_MG_4167.jpg by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
_MG_4168.jpg by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
_MG_4172.jpg by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
_MG_4170.jpg by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
_MG_4191.jpg by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
_MG_4190.jpg by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
_MG_4179.jpg by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
_MG_4183.jpg by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
_MG_4197.jpg by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
_MG_4212.jpg by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
Edited by Synchromesh on Friday 22 February 18:20
Some interesting points there. I quite agree about the issue of owning a car in London. It is undoubtedly the motoring hell of GB. Urban spawl and dull roads for miles and miles.
Nice cars, those mk2 MR2's. I always thought they felt as though they were designed for a turbo. The N/A's are no slouches, but in trading off the pin sharp handling of the mk1 MR2, they needed a special powerplant to make up for it and the 3S-GTE is that engine.
Interesting comment about the gearshift though. My Turbo had a short shift kit on it, it was an incredible throw, once it was warmed through. Superior to the MX5's shift in terms of tactile enjoyment.
Nice cars, those mk2 MR2's. I always thought they felt as though they were designed for a turbo. The N/A's are no slouches, but in trading off the pin sharp handling of the mk1 MR2, they needed a special powerplant to make up for it and the 3S-GTE is that engine.
Interesting comment about the gearshift though. My Turbo had a short shift kit on it, it was an incredible throw, once it was warmed through. Superior to the MX5's shift in terms of tactile enjoyment.
Baryonyx said:
I always thought they felt as though they were designed for a turbo. The N/A's are no slouches, but in trading off the pin sharp handling of the mk1 MR2, they needed a special powerplant to make up for it and the 3S-GTE is that engine.
In a way I thought I'd "done the power thing" very recently with the Volvo, and didn't want this aspect to dilute the search for a purer driver's car. Although something like the BEAMS engine would do wonders for this car, I not sure the response or delivery of a blown motor works in a sports car.Baryonyx said:
Interesting comment about the gearshift though. My Turbo had a short shift kit on it, it was an incredible throw, once it was warmed through. Superior to the MX5's shift in terms of tactile enjoyment.
As I said, it's still a good shift, just not (motoring cliche warning) rifle bolt slick like the Mk1 MX5 I drove.Edited by Synchromesh on Thursday 21st February 21:25
Nice, they don't really move until up and over 5,000rpm.
Some people may find the engine characteristics annoying, but hey you've gotta love a car that makes you work for its performance compared (for example) to your S60 would be relatively good pull at most revs in most gears easy power but no need to really take it to te redline in every gear to see noticeable change in speed
Some people may find the engine characteristics annoying, but hey you've gotta love a car that makes you work for its performance compared (for example) to your S60 would be relatively good pull at most revs in most gears easy power but no need to really take it to te redline in every gear to see noticeable change in speed
[quote=Synchromesh]A plethora of seat adjustment......
^^^Cracked me up for some reason
Seriously though, looks like a tidy example - as has been said you need to get up to 5 / 5.5 k to see the most from the engine. Can feel a little lethargic below that. Make sure you are running some decent rubber and enjoy
^^^Cracked me up for some reason
Seriously though, looks like a tidy example - as has been said you need to get up to 5 / 5.5 k to see the most from the engine. Can feel a little lethargic below that. Make sure you are running some decent rubber and enjoy
Had to pop over to High Wycombe this morning so thought I'd go and see Luke at Pacific Works. He gave the car a thorough check over and test drove it, and thinks it's in good shape, so I'm pleased with that.
Managed to get the wheels off today too, and it's on 15x6J ET45s all round! I guess that means getting new wheels then, so I'll try and pick up an original set from ebay. I'm not that annoyed as it means I can keep my old ones (with some old tyres on) for track days.
Managed to get the wheels off today too, and it's on 15x6J ET45s all round! I guess that means getting new wheels then, so I'll try and pick up an original set from ebay. I'm not that annoyed as it means I can keep my old ones (with some old tyres on) for track days.
Looks good
Original set of wheel should make a nice difference, you can usually pick up some rev 2/3 wheels for under £50 if your lucky and just give them a lick of paint
However rear tyre size 225/50/15 is a bit limited these days so don't be afraid of upgrading to 16" wheels for a better tyre selection, just as long as they're staggered!
Enjoy!
Original set of wheel should make a nice difference, you can usually pick up some rev 2/3 wheels for under £50 if your lucky and just give them a lick of paint
However rear tyre size 225/50/15 is a bit limited these days so don't be afraid of upgrading to 16" wheels for a better tyre selection, just as long as they're staggered!
Enjoy!
Was gonna say they don't look like original wheels.
Keen to know exactly how much you paid and if there is any rust on the back of the sills etc?
I have this one which I'm looking to sell which I was hoping to get about 1500 or more for. It's a rev 5 on 75k but it does have a rust scab on one arch, although the sills are fine.
Keen to know exactly how much you paid and if there is any rust on the back of the sills etc?
I have this one which I'm looking to sell which I was hoping to get about 1500 or more for. It's a rev 5 on 75k but it does have a rust scab on one arch, although the sills are fine.
PaulGT3 said:
Was gonna say they don't look like original wheels.
Keen to know exactly how much you paid and if there is any rust on the back of the sills etc?
I have this one which I'm looking to sell which I was hoping to get about 1500 or more for. It's a rev 5 on 75k but it does have a rust scab on one arch, although the sills are fine.
Sonic shadow ..... Keen to know exactly how much you paid and if there is any rust on the back of the sills etc?
I have this one which I'm looking to sell which I was hoping to get about 1500 or more for. It's a rev 5 on 75k but it does have a rust scab on one arch, although the sills are fine.
wackojacko said:
Nice, they don't really move until up and over 5,000rpm.
Very true, just takes a bit of getting used to after thumping mid-range of the T5.raymanh said:
An enjoyable read James! Mid-engined, convertible, and rear drive: You couldn't have chosen a car any more different from your previous wheels. Looking forward to being a passenger in it sometime soon; and on that note I shall see you in Llandow in a couple of weeks for BUKC.
Glad you enjoyed reading it Raymond, and we'll take it for a spin next weekend, although being Wales the roof will probably have to stay on. We're still waiting for the thread on your Alfa though - I expect it up before I see you.
ambuletz said:
Synchromesh you're terrible for only showing us 1 photo. That MR2 looks great, especially those polished alloy wheels.
Thanks, and I'll make sure I get some more pictures up very soon.JayT said:
I look forward to more pictures.
I really enjoy your writing style mate, so informative and easy to read. Well done - the MR2 is also quite popular with the Pistonheads crowd at the moment, so it must be a good car.
Enjoy!
Your wish has been granted, I've copied some more photos into the OP.I really enjoy your writing style mate, so informative and easy to read. Well done - the MR2 is also quite popular with the Pistonheads crowd at the moment, so it must be a good car.
Enjoy!
Glad you enjoy my words, hopefully I'll have more to add once I've got to know it.
They do seem popular on here at the moment don't they? I liked how it was SOTW just days after I got mine.
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