MR2 Roadster

[Craikeybaby]

Sorting the key was easier than expected - https://www.keymoon.uk had a cut key out to me next day. I put the innards of my old key in and it just worked. For a test drive, I took the car to do the weekly shop (it is possible) and to get petrol - I had managed 339 miles on the tank, which I think is a personal record.

I also noticed that I had gone over the 2,000 mile restriction on my insurance, it is due for renewal next week, so I have upped it to 3,000 miles for next year.

Edited by Craikeybaby on Tuesday 23 August 08:30

[Craikeybaby]

MR2 Roadster Peak District by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
MOT is booked for next week, so thought it best to take the MR2 for a good blast this weekend - I went up to the Peak District for breakfast and was reminded just how fun the little MR2 is!

I have my fingers crossed for the MOT - it has had new tyres and rear subframe this year, so there *shouldn't* be anything to worry about...

[Gary C]

Brings back memories of my Roadster.

One of the first on UK roads with the sharper rear suspension and the Yokohama Advans that left bits of rubber stuck to the side of the car

Never have I had a car that gripped so well, proper little go kart.

Shame it got destroyed.

[Craikeybaby]

I should have updated this a few weeks back - but it passed, without any advisories.

MOT Passed by Lewis Craik, on Flickr

Ended up using it a fair bit over the past few weeks, ending up doing a full tank of fuel in less than 10 days. I really should give it a wash/detail before the really bad weather starts.

[giveitfish]

Excellent stuff, love to see a nice car being used. Keep posting please - I bet a lot of people are reading your thread and nodding along approvingly even if they don’t comment

[Snow and Rocks]

We're looking for a car for my girlfriend to use as a fun runaround/station car and pretty tempted by one of these.

The rusty subframe seems to be a common issue, how much are we talking to get it sorted out (replaced?).

Also, any taller drivers tried one? I'm 6ft2 and can happily drive our Boxster 986 but an MX5 I tried in the showroom felt pretty tight. How do these compare?

[paulguitar]

Put the hard top on mine today:

[Gary C]

Snow and Rocks said:

We're looking for a car for my girlfriend to use as a fun runaround/station car and pretty tempted by one of these.

The rusty subframe seems to be a common issue, how much are we talking to get it sorted out (replaced?).

Also, any taller drivers tried one? I'm 6ft2 and can happily drive our Boxster 986 but an MX5 I tried in the showroom felt pretty tight. How do these compare?

I'm 6ft 3 and had one for a couple of years with no real problem. I have long legs for my height and I could get a comfy position. The only real issue was having to hunker down a little when the roof was down at Mway speeds (and when the car was upside down)

Drove like an Elise

Engine could have done with being a bit more flexible in the mould of the 4A-GE, but the speed you could maintain was impressive.

[ballans]

Snow and Rocks said:

We're looking for a car for my girlfriend to use as a fun runaround/station car and pretty tempted by one of these.

The rusty subframe seems to be a common issue, how much are we talking to get it sorted out (replaced?).

Also, any taller drivers tried one? I'm 6ft2 and can happily drive our Boxster 986 but an MX5 I tried in the showroom felt pretty tight. How do these compare?

I’m only 6ft but have got long arms and legs which can make getting comfortable in some cars tricky. MX5 I struggled with as I found it very cramped.
I have regular access to an MR2 and I find it very roomy. Amazing really for such a small car.
Spent all of last weekend on a Welsh road trip in the MR2 and they are fabulous cars. Always surprised by the breadth of ability from gentle cruising right through to flat out. Which you can do as there is only 130bhp. You can use all of it.
Have a go if you can and make sure you you fit. Highly recommend if you can.
The other roomy roadster is the Fiat Barchetta. LHD only which could be an issue.

[Snow and Rocks]

Thanks for the input, sounds ideal - up in the North of Scotland so it's not always easy to find a car to sit in and didn't want to waste a journey if it's obviously not going to work.

[Craikeybaby]

Snow and Rocks said:

We're looking for a car for my girlfriend to use as a fun runaround/station car and pretty tempted by one of these.

The rusty subframe seems to be a common issue, how much are we talking to get it sorted out (replaced?).

Also, any taller drivers tried one? I'm 6ft2 and can happily drive our Boxster 986 but an MX5 I tried in the showroom felt pretty tight. How do these compare?

It was just over £1k to get it sorted at a specialist, plus a few weeks wait for the part.

[Phils-Fast]

Snow and Rocks said:

We're looking for a car for my girlfriend to use as a fun runaround/station car and pretty tempted by one of these.

The rusty subframe seems to be a common issue, how much are we talking to get it sorted out (replaced?).

Also, any taller drivers tried one? I'm 6ft2 and can happily drive our Boxster 986 but an MX5 I tried in the showroom felt pretty tight. How do these compare?

Im 6'2'' and i fit just fine, bit of a squeze with my lid on at trackdays though. I removed my subframe and had it welded for sub £100, just a small plate needed. If i remember correctly you can buy a new subframe from toyota for under £300.

brilliant cars and great fun on a twisty road, handle well and parts are cheap.

[Craikeybaby]

Earlier this year it was over £400, and there was a bit of a wait...

[Craikeybaby]

A mini update on the MR2 - with all the good weather, and mostly salt-free roads we had last month I have been using it loads (relatively speaking). Mostly for trips to Birmingham, although it has had a few Sunday morning hoons too. It is absolutely filthy at the moment though.

As the weather has turned, it will be back in the garage until the roads are clear of salt. Hopefully that will be before it is booked to go to Rogue Motorsport for a service, and to finally get the pre-cats removed.

[Craikeybaby]

I dropped the MR2 over at Rogue Motorsport - it is the first time I have driven it in a few weeks, and it was good to take it for a blast.

It is at Rogue for:

• Service
• Brake fluid
• Pre-cat removal (only been on my todo list for 9 and a bit years...)
• Investigate handbrake (probably an issue with the cables)

[paulguitar]

Craikeybaby said:

I dropped the MR2 over at Rogue Motorsport - it is the first time I have driven it in a few weeks, and it was good to take it for a blast.

It is at Rogue for:

• Service
• Brake fluid
• Pre-cat removal (only been on my todo list for 9 and a bit years...)
• Investigate handbrake (probably an issue with the cables)

Mine still has its pre cats. Do you know what the charge is likely to be to remove them?

[Gary C]

Craikeybaby said:

I dropped the MR2 over at Rogue Motorsport - it is the first time I have driven it in a few weeks, and it was good to take it for a blast.

It is at Rogue for:

• Service
• Brake fluid
• Pre-cat removal (only been on my todo list for 9 and a bit years...)
• Investigate handbrake (probably an issue with the cables)

I had an issue with my handbrake when it was about 3 months old. The self adjusters were too exposed to crap and easily got stuck meaning they didn't compensate for wear.

Dont know if they covered them in later models but I had to keep cleaning and greasing mine.

[Craikeybaby]

paulguitar said:

Mine still has its pre cats. Do you know what the charge is likely to be to remove them?

2 hours work - assuming no issues with the bolts. However I know they had issues with the bolts at one end of the manifold last year when they did the subframe, so hopefully at least those ones shouldn't cause too much trouble.

[Craikeybaby]

Gary C said:

I had an issue with my handbrake when it was about 3 months old. The self adjusters were too exposed to crap and easily got stuck meaning they didn't compensate for wear.

Dont know if they covered them in later models but I had to keep cleaning and greasing mine.

They are a notoriously crap design, I think I am lucky that I have avoided handbrake issues for the 9 and a bit years I have had the car. Or maybe it is part luck and part parking in the garage with the handbrake off.

[Craikeybaby]

Craikeybaby said:

2 hours work - assuming no issues with the bolts. However I know they had issues with the bolts at one end of the manifold last year when they did the subframe, so hopefully at least those ones shouldn't cause too much trouble.

I probably shouldn't have said that - they needed to cut the heads off some of the bolts, the bill was a fair bit bigger than a usual service too. It may have been because I had the roof up (it was raining cats and dogs) but it seemed louder on the drive home. What I wasn't expecting after a fluid change was that the brakes felt even better than they did before. I was half expecting to need new handbrake cables, but after adjustment, it feels spot on again. The only point that Rogue picked up was that there is some corrosion underneath, which I'll have a look at later in the year. I guess that is the downside of having used it more this winter.

Hopefully I'll be able to give it a wash before going up the hill at the Prescott PHSS as it is absolutely filthy.