Toyota MR2 GTS Revision 2
Discussion
Hi everyone, I sold my much adored Revision 3 NA one week ago after 1.5 years of ownership:
IMG_2991 by danjama, on Flickr
I actually decided to sell the car as I'd moved in to East London and my insurance rocketed. I planned to go and buy a Corolla to mooch about in, but then my insurers gave a very curious Daniel a very reasonable quote on a GTS and I couldn't resist.
Although I got a bit of dust in my eye as it drove away, I was happy with the condition of the car when it left me and I am sure the new owner is a proper enthusiast, and so I looked forward to finally picking up my own MR2 turbo! The owner was kind enough to hold the car for me without a deposit being left, and exactly one week later, true to my word, i picked it up with cash in hand.
It was not my intention to get another red '2, but I knew from the test drive that this red tintop was my turbo. Been enjoying it so far, done 250 pleasure only miles since Wednesday, including an entertaining night blasting about Essex with some friends in their Jap turbo-mobiles. I'm in love with this car.
The bodywork needs attention (paint peel on front passenger wing) but mechanically it is spot on. It has recently had the ct26 turbo reconditioned, a new clutch and new cambelt. It drives brilliantly. I can't believe the difference in power compared to my old NA. It's ballistic and quite addictive! So nothing needs doing right now, but the rear tyres are almost on their limit so I will be replacing them asap.
In terms of mods, not many. A Greddy intercooler, a Kakimoto exhaust (with bung thank god) and some tatty Sparco 16" alloys that I will have refurbished when I get sick of looking at them as they are now. The interior has the factory Recaros with the fishnet headrest, and a stylish Momo wheel and gearknob.
Only two pictures so far i'm afraid, been too busy playing! The first picture is immediately after arriving home from pickin it up. Was a late one as went down to Brighton after work.
Very fking annoyingly some fking fk scraped their stbox along my car while I was enjoying a fry up in a cafe on Good Friday. Was almost in tears when i got back to the car and saw it. No note left of course. So i spent much of yesterday afternoon trying to remove the scratch. It's much better now, but still noticeable up close. These people make me sick. I'm just glad the car already has bodywork issues. If it was my NA I would have been livid, as the bodywork was perfect.
Not wanting to end on a negative, so I will say that I am looking forward to owning this car. It's a sublime experience. I'm hoping to make a eurotrip and some cross country trips this year, and hopefully it will stay reliable and healthy. And on that note I'm taking it for a health check and a service on Tuesday. I will see you all at the May South East Gathering!
Thanks for reading.
IMG_2991 by danjama, on Flickr
I actually decided to sell the car as I'd moved in to East London and my insurance rocketed. I planned to go and buy a Corolla to mooch about in, but then my insurers gave a very curious Daniel a very reasonable quote on a GTS and I couldn't resist.
Although I got a bit of dust in my eye as it drove away, I was happy with the condition of the car when it left me and I am sure the new owner is a proper enthusiast, and so I looked forward to finally picking up my own MR2 turbo! The owner was kind enough to hold the car for me without a deposit being left, and exactly one week later, true to my word, i picked it up with cash in hand.
It was not my intention to get another red '2, but I knew from the test drive that this red tintop was my turbo. Been enjoying it so far, done 250 pleasure only miles since Wednesday, including an entertaining night blasting about Essex with some friends in their Jap turbo-mobiles. I'm in love with this car.
The bodywork needs attention (paint peel on front passenger wing) but mechanically it is spot on. It has recently had the ct26 turbo reconditioned, a new clutch and new cambelt. It drives brilliantly. I can't believe the difference in power compared to my old NA. It's ballistic and quite addictive! So nothing needs doing right now, but the rear tyres are almost on their limit so I will be replacing them asap.
In terms of mods, not many. A Greddy intercooler, a Kakimoto exhaust (with bung thank god) and some tatty Sparco 16" alloys that I will have refurbished when I get sick of looking at them as they are now. The interior has the factory Recaros with the fishnet headrest, and a stylish Momo wheel and gearknob.
Only two pictures so far i'm afraid, been too busy playing! The first picture is immediately after arriving home from pickin it up. Was a late one as went down to Brighton after work.
Very fking annoyingly some fking fk scraped their stbox along my car while I was enjoying a fry up in a cafe on Good Friday. Was almost in tears when i got back to the car and saw it. No note left of course. So i spent much of yesterday afternoon trying to remove the scratch. It's much better now, but still noticeable up close. These people make me sick. I'm just glad the car already has bodywork issues. If it was my NA I would have been livid, as the bodywork was perfect.
Not wanting to end on a negative, so I will say that I am looking forward to owning this car. It's a sublime experience. I'm hoping to make a eurotrip and some cross country trips this year, and hopefully it will stay reliable and healthy. And on that note I'm taking it for a health check and a service on Tuesday. I will see you all at the May South East Gathering!
Thanks for reading.
Edited by danjama on Saturday 19th April 20:13
Sad to hear you got the rid of the N/A dude, I really enjoyed your thread on it.
Still, awesome to see you've got yourself another one! If you fancy popping over to Southend sometime drop me a PM and I'll bring mine out, there's a couple of decent roads around Wakering and Chelmsford.
Ant
Still, awesome to see you've got yourself another one! If you fancy popping over to Southend sometime drop me a PM and I'll bring mine out, there's a couple of decent roads around Wakering and Chelmsford.
Ant
Cheers Ant I do miss my NA but once I got a quote on the turbo to match the NA the writing was on the wall. I was a bit tempted to keep it after refreshing the rad but the wheels were already in motion...
Now im like a kid who's been told he can't play with his toy, as I'm not using the car whilst it has an exhaust gasket leak!
Will give you a message about a drive then. I do enjoy Essex roads mostly. Got any pics of yours?
Now im like a kid who's been told he can't play with his toy, as I'm not using the car whilst it has an exhaust gasket leak!
Will give you a message about a drive then. I do enjoy Essex roads mostly. Got any pics of yours?
Here it is after I'd fitted some Rev 3 wheels (actually broken down here --ran out of electricity -- the alternator is pretty much the only thing that's failed so far, apart from the rheostat for the binnacle lights).
Here's a pic of my replacement "cancer bar"
actually jigged up (this was a pre-production one, to take a working jig from) -- on another car. Mine isn't that rusty!
It's a sweet old thing, gentle and poised until you loose the rear end, when you have to react quickly!
Thus far I've replaced the alternator, polybushed the rear end, fitted new drop links, popped on some fairly decent Konis, changed the wheels, put on a set of s/h Goodridge lines. I'm leaving the cosmetics till after I've finished the suspension rebuild.
Got it last June for £560 with a little tax and MOT!
Edited by TheRealFingers99 on Thursday 24th April 02:00
Glad to hear you are looking after her and that is a great price!! Well done. My alternator went on my NA - i think they are very prone to dying from rain water.
Think I will also replace bushes. Also found one of the front dampers leaking yesterday when i had it up on a ramp, so will need to do something with the suspension soon. Don't really want coilovers to be honest. I actually quite like the ride as it is so may just replace the front two units with brand new...
Forgot to check my cancer bars so will make sure i do over the weekend.
Here is a pic of the rear end, showing off the Kakimoto single exit exhaust with bung fitted. It is extremely loud without the bung. Great around tunnels but not so fun on the A13.
I've decided I will be fitting a decat next week at the same time as replacing the turbo gaskets. Probably a Berk one as it has a built-in flexi. Apparently this gets the turbo spooling easier.
MR2 Turbo by danjama, on Flickr
Think I will also replace bushes. Also found one of the front dampers leaking yesterday when i had it up on a ramp, so will need to do something with the suspension soon. Don't really want coilovers to be honest. I actually quite like the ride as it is so may just replace the front two units with brand new...
Forgot to check my cancer bars so will make sure i do over the weekend.
Here is a pic of the rear end, showing off the Kakimoto single exit exhaust with bung fitted. It is extremely loud without the bung. Great around tunnels but not so fun on the A13.
I've decided I will be fitting a decat next week at the same time as replacing the turbo gaskets. Probably a Berk one as it has a built-in flexi. Apparently this gets the turbo spooling easier.
MR2 Turbo by danjama, on Flickr
The difference is night and day - i didn't believe it could be so different. Apart from all the new noises, it accelerates much more rapidly, and feels very dramatic when you put your foot down. It has new pads all round which need bedding in but they feel nice and progressive. I haven't had a chance to push it on a nice twisty B road yet, but it feels great on the 16" wheels with 45 profile tyres. Much better than the 17" 40 on my NA. Feels planted at high speed even though people say they become floaty. And the Recaros are really comfortable and hold you well. The steering has a nice weight and is pretty accurate.
One of the nice things is it will accelerate well in most situations, compared to the NA where in some situations it took a bit of time, for example in 5th at 65-70 you can accelerate to overtaking speed in a really short time thanks to the turbo.
I can't wait to sort the exhaust blow and take it to my favourite B road.
The important question is - where do I put the PH smiley which has just arrived?
One of the nice things is it will accelerate well in most situations, compared to the NA where in some situations it took a bit of time, for example in 5th at 65-70 you can accelerate to overtaking speed in a really short time thanks to the turbo.
I can't wait to sort the exhaust blow and take it to my favourite B road.
The important question is - where do I put the PH smiley which has just arrived?
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