Discussion
I gave it a wash earlier, now just need to get my number plates fitted and take it somewhere for some proper photos.
MR2 Detailed by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
MR2 Detailed by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
I haven't had much oportunity to drive the MR2 over the last few weeks, but had to go to Market Harborough the other night. Despite the rain I decided to take the MR2 anyway, I was surprised at how much better it stuck to the road than my MX-5s - I guess where the MX-5s would start to slide gradually and early the MR2 is more likely to snap, but at much higher speed? I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not, but I think I'll have to experiment on track!
I don't think I'll ever get bored of the noise with the engine behind me, it feels like I'm driving something special, even if it is just a 1.8l Toyota. I have also discovered that my camera bag fits in the storage bins behind the seats, I wasn't expecting that at all, so am really chuffed!
I don't think I'll ever get bored of the noise with the engine behind me, it feels like I'm driving something special, even if it is just a 1.8l Toyota. I have also discovered that my camera bag fits in the storage bins behind the seats, I wasn't expecting that at all, so am really chuffed!
Had another good drive out after the F1 this morning, went on a 20 mile drive to the supermarket, which is less than a mile away.
I had been expecting rain all day, so to be able to have a roof down hoon was a nice surprise. I wish I'd taken a proper camera with me, as the light was nice. Took this only iPhone:
MR2 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
I had been expecting rain all day, so to be able to have a roof down hoon was a nice surprise. I wish I'd taken a proper camera with me, as the light was nice. Took this only iPhone:
MR2 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
There have been a few old weather days recently, so I have been able to enjoy the MR2 over Christmas, although one morning I did open it to find wet seats, so checking the seals can be added to my todo list.
I've checked the economy and only seem to be getting 30mpg on super unleaded, which is a bit under what I was expecting, even with my usage which is either short urban journeys or hooning (obviously not thrashing it from cold etc).
A few days ago I had a run out in a friend's S2 Elise, the car that I want to replace the MR2 eventually. It made me realise just how refined the MR2 actually is. To be honest I think that the MR2 may actually be the sweet spot for me between performance and refinement.
I've checked the economy and only seem to be getting 30mpg on super unleaded, which is a bit under what I was expecting, even with my usage which is either short urban journeys or hooning (obviously not thrashing it from cold etc).
A few days ago I had a run out in a friend's S2 Elise, the car that I want to replace the MR2 eventually. It made me realise just how refined the MR2 actually is. To be honest I think that the MR2 may actually be the sweet spot for me between performance and refinement.
I had a really good weekend with the MR2, maybe it is because the sun was out, but I really enjoyed running about in it locally - which actually took the sting out of having to pay the £220 road tax. As my previous car was leased, which included tax it had been a while since I last had to tax a car!
On friday after work I washed and waxed the MR2 and was pretty pleased with how it looked:
Clean MR2 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
I found what appears to be something loose under the front of the car - so that will need some further investigation. Afterwards I took a 40 mile detour home via some of my favourite local B-roads, it had been a while since I'd been out driving purely for fun and the MR2 was perfect.
On Saturday the MR2 brightened up trips to the supermarket (managed to stash the big shop behind the seats) and to see the in laws - again via some B-road detours.
Before the rain arrived on Sunday I managed to get out to meet a friend for breakfast, all sundays should start with sports cars, empty roads, friends and bacon!
On friday after work I washed and waxed the MR2 and was pretty pleased with how it looked:
Clean MR2 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
I found what appears to be something loose under the front of the car - so that will need some further investigation. Afterwards I took a 40 mile detour home via some of my favourite local B-roads, it had been a while since I'd been out driving purely for fun and the MR2 was perfect.
On Saturday the MR2 brightened up trips to the supermarket (managed to stash the big shop behind the seats) and to see the in laws - again via some B-road detours.
Before the rain arrived on Sunday I managed to get out to meet a friend for breakfast, all sundays should start with sports cars, empty roads, friends and bacon!
Had a weekend away in Chester, so it would have been rude not to detour via North Wales to get the MR2 on to some decent roads - and it didn't disappoint, I'm now looking forward to a proper Wales trip. Luggage wise we were fine, there was even room for shopping!
MR2 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
While I was cleaning the car I noticed that there was something loose behind one of the fog lights, I tried to have a proper look under there this evening, but it seems like the wheel arch liner is attached to the front bumper, which means it is going to be a slightly bigger job than I anticipated On the positive side it is probably better for preventing corrosion.
MR2 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
While I was cleaning the car I noticed that there was something loose behind one of the fog lights, I tried to have a proper look under there this evening, but it seems like the wheel arch liner is attached to the front bumper, which means it is going to be a slightly bigger job than I anticipated On the positive side it is probably better for preventing corrosion.
randomman said:
I felt the need to reply to this thread as it has cost me more money than any other thread I have ever read.
I used your first picture posted to sell the idea to Mrs Randomman (or should that be Randomwoman?) and I am now the proud owner of an 03 facelift MR2 in Sable with red leather interior. Truth be told that first picture sold it to me as well, it looks stunning. I've got a few things to do before summer really arrives (new fogs, demist headlights and sort out a small rattle in the exhaust at 2k revs) but I am loving every moment of it and can fully understand the 20 mile trips to the supermarket. My personal detour takes about 12 miles... but that leads back to my house and not the supermarket.
I hope to hear more of your journeys and as the weather improves I shall get some pictures of my own up.
One last note mr2roc.org seems to be a very useful font of knowledge, with just about everything you could possible do/fix on the 2 detailed in some way.
Good work! I've got a few little niggles to sort on mine, including demisting the lights, but I've been putting them off until I have a garage to work on it in - hopefully that will be sorted in the next few months!I used your first picture posted to sell the idea to Mrs Randomman (or should that be Randomwoman?) and I am now the proud owner of an 03 facelift MR2 in Sable with red leather interior. Truth be told that first picture sold it to me as well, it looks stunning. I've got a few things to do before summer really arrives (new fogs, demist headlights and sort out a small rattle in the exhaust at 2k revs) but I am loving every moment of it and can fully understand the 20 mile trips to the supermarket. My personal detour takes about 12 miles... but that leads back to my house and not the supermarket.
I hope to hear more of your journeys and as the weather improves I shall get some pictures of my own up.
One last note mr2roc.org seems to be a very useful font of knowledge, with just about everything you could possible do/fix on the 2 detailed in some way.
Took a largish stone to the windscreen on the M45 yesterday, it looks like I'll be needing a new windscreen to go with the new pants - aw the rock coming straight towards my face from a distance, a couple of inches higher and it could have been a different story as the roof was down!
I've got the MR2 booked for a service and 4 wheel alignment with Matt Performace in Water Orton, he seems to be very highly regarded by the MR2 Roadster community - it will be good to have someone who knows these cars well have a look over it. I'm also on the way to having the "ears" sorted, with a replacement top strap on its way from the states.
I've got the MR2 booked for a service and 4 wheel alignment with Matt Performace in Water Orton, he seems to be very highly regarded by the MR2 Roadster community - it will be good to have someone who knows these cars well have a look over it. I'm also on the way to having the "ears" sorted, with a replacement top strap on its way from the states.
After cracking the windscreen last weekend, this weekend I had a tyre let go at motorway speed:
Blown tyre on the MR2 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Which is why I was at the Morgan Sunday Service in the 500.
Tyre now replaced and windscreen getting replaced tomorrow.
Blown tyre on the MR2 by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Which is why I was at the Morgan Sunday Service in the 500.
Tyre now replaced and windscreen getting replaced tomorrow.
No MR2 related mishaps this weekend, which was nice, so I treated it to a wash and wax:
MR2 washed & waxed by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
It scrubs up well, although there area few deeper scratches on the paintwork, which I'll need to polish out sooner, rather than later. I'm not sure how they're getting there, unless the paint is even softer than Mazda's.
I was able to get a replacement tyre sorted fairly cheaply, but still haven't got the windscreen repaired, after the only glass company my insurance company will deal with decided to ignore my reminder that my MR2 is the face lifted model and turned up with a screen for a pre-facelift car. So thumbs down to Auto Glass (and Marker Study for forcing me to use them).
MR2 plans for this week are a service at the local MR2 specialist and hopefully a new windscreen!
MR2 washed & waxed by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
It scrubs up well, although there area few deeper scratches on the paintwork, which I'll need to polish out sooner, rather than later. I'm not sure how they're getting there, unless the paint is even softer than Mazda's.
I was able to get a replacement tyre sorted fairly cheaply, but still haven't got the windscreen repaired, after the only glass company my insurance company will deal with decided to ignore my reminder that my MR2 is the face lifted model and turned up with a screen for a pre-facelift car. So thumbs down to Auto Glass (and Marker Study for forcing me to use them).
MR2 plans for this week are a service at the local MR2 specialist and hopefully a new windscreen!
Edited by Craikeybaby on Saturday 7th June 12:08
Got the MR2 back from the garage today - now my wallet is a lot lighter!
It was in for a big service, but as the brake pedal felt a bit spongy and the steering wheel wasn't exactly centred I asked them to change the brake fluid, give the car a 4 wheel alignment and give the car a good check over.
My feelings about the brake fluid and the alignment were right, the brake fluid was well past its best when tested and the alignment was a bit out at the front and quite a bit out at the back - enough that I noticed the handling was different on the drive home.
The only problem that they noticed was that the radiator had seen better days - the exposed part at the bottom had lost a lot of fins due to stone chips/corrosion, so as the coolant was to be replaced as part of the service anyway I gave them the go ahead to replace the radiator, rather than having to pay for 2 coolant changes. Other than that they were very complimentary about my car.
The total cost came to £425, which isn't too bad given the amount of work, but with the new tyre last week and the windscreen excess to pay tomorrow it has been an expensive fortnight of MR2 ownership!
It was in for a big service, but as the brake pedal felt a bit spongy and the steering wheel wasn't exactly centred I asked them to change the brake fluid, give the car a 4 wheel alignment and give the car a good check over.
My feelings about the brake fluid and the alignment were right, the brake fluid was well past its best when tested and the alignment was a bit out at the front and quite a bit out at the back - enough that I noticed the handling was different on the drive home.
The only problem that they noticed was that the radiator had seen better days - the exposed part at the bottom had lost a lot of fins due to stone chips/corrosion, so as the coolant was to be replaced as part of the service anyway I gave them the go ahead to replace the radiator, rather than having to pay for 2 coolant changes. Other than that they were very complimentary about my car.
The total cost came to £425, which isn't too bad given the amount of work, but with the new tyre last week and the windscreen excess to pay tomorrow it has been an expensive fortnight of MR2 ownership!
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