Toyota MR2 Turbo Rev 3 - Third time lucky?
Discussion
God, I used to be on IMOC and the OC and I miss my old MR2s so badly.
Unfortunately it was a bit weird how my MR2 ownership ended. There was a good set of members in my local group and they helped me reshell my car, put in a lot of work for me and we built a really nice car.
Unfortunately the turbo went shortly afterwards and I think they fell out with me for then breaking it, but I was broken hearted at the time and said sod it! In hindsight though, it was a huge mistake and I've never filled the hole it left, despite moving onto Subarus which I do love.
I've tried the roadster, and it is great with the roof down and the handling etc. but honestly, it's just not the same.
These threads always kill me a little bit inside as I think back to what was and what could have been. There's a really strong chance I will need to sell the 330i and get another one of these before it's too late. I think we've just about reached the depreciation/appreciation crossover point now. The prospect does scare me a bit though, as almost all of them have knackered sills, despite looking good from the outside. The T-Bar is such a pig to repair as well because of the extra strengthening parts inside the sill. The shocks will want replacing on most and the cancer bars will be done for. Also the hoses from hell may need sorting.
But still I need another!
Great thread.
Unfortunately it was a bit weird how my MR2 ownership ended. There was a good set of members in my local group and they helped me reshell my car, put in a lot of work for me and we built a really nice car.
Unfortunately the turbo went shortly afterwards and I think they fell out with me for then breaking it, but I was broken hearted at the time and said sod it! In hindsight though, it was a huge mistake and I've never filled the hole it left, despite moving onto Subarus which I do love.
I've tried the roadster, and it is great with the roof down and the handling etc. but honestly, it's just not the same.
These threads always kill me a little bit inside as I think back to what was and what could have been. There's a really strong chance I will need to sell the 330i and get another one of these before it's too late. I think we've just about reached the depreciation/appreciation crossover point now. The prospect does scare me a bit though, as almost all of them have knackered sills, despite looking good from the outside. The T-Bar is such a pig to repair as well because of the extra strengthening parts inside the sill. The shocks will want replacing on most and the cancer bars will be done for. Also the hoses from hell may need sorting.
But still I need another!
Great thread.
Agreed TroubledSoul. This is my first MR2 ownership and I am still learning some of these things. I hadn't heard of the hoses from hell until a few weeks ago and they are now always on my mind!
I was lucky to pick up a very straight and rust free rev 2. It was for higher than average money but it was worth it in my eyes. Here's a photo. I really want to change the wheels but important maintenance takes priority. They do however look better in real life. I really look forward to taking this for a blast on the weekend. I'm missing it so much that I've nearly chopped my daily in 3 times this Winter. Hopefully that urge will pass because I do like my daily. It just doesn't excite like the MR2.
I was lucky to pick up a very straight and rust free rev 2. It was for higher than average money but it was worth it in my eyes. Here's a photo. I really want to change the wheels but important maintenance takes priority. They do however look better in real life. I really look forward to taking this for a blast on the weekend. I'm missing it so much that I've nearly chopped my daily in 3 times this Winter. Hopefully that urge will pass because I do like my daily. It just doesn't excite like the MR2.
Hello El, thanks for reviving the thread mate! Winter has been pretty good to me, well we've had it very mild here in the South East/London, temps rarely below 5c and not much rain etc. For me there is no debate about putting the car away for winter, cold night drives are my favourite thing 
Midnight Club by Dan J, on Flickr
And i'm finally collecting some 17" alloys tonight, pics to come
I honestly don't know how you can go all winter without driving it! Have you done a pre-MOT check to see what's what?
TS, sorry to hear about your woes. I do think you're right about them reaching the depreciation low. I've been watching them over winter and values seem to be going up. Cars are being broken more regularly than I am comfortable with. I think the issues you mention and other issues mr2's are known for are fair enough, none are overly expensive to sort (yet) compared to other cars of the same era. Time to get in one before values soar and your troubled soul is lost forever Wouldn't dwell on imoc members etc, a car is for you and nobody else.
And on that note my suspension is tired so again i'm looking into options
Midnight Club by Dan J, on FlickrAnd i'm finally collecting some 17" alloys tonight, pics to come
I honestly don't know how you can go all winter without driving it! Have you done a pre-MOT check to see what's what?
TS, sorry to hear about your woes. I do think you're right about them reaching the depreciation low. I've been watching them over winter and values seem to be going up. Cars are being broken more regularly than I am comfortable with. I think the issues you mention and other issues mr2's are known for are fair enough, none are overly expensive to sort (yet) compared to other cars of the same era. Time to get in one before values soar and your troubled soul is lost forever
Wouldn't dwell on imoc members etc, a car is for you and nobody else. And on that note my suspension is tired so again i'm looking into options
They need a good polish but I've always wanted Sparco Crimson NS2's and they are perfect mr2 fitment which is rare in itself - 8j et32 9j et38. Will get some correct and matching tyres fitted at the weekend. Chuffed
And will look something like this when fitted. I'm thinking about a gold refurb though!
And will look something like this when fitted. I'm thinking about a gold refurb though!
I've not seen those wheels before. They look ace! updates needed when you have them on.
I think I've been a little over cautious with the car over winter. Being my first import I am very nervous about the salt on the roads and the possibility of rust. There is no rust on my car at all and I really want to keep it that way. Even though it hasn't been too chilly here, the councils have still salted the roads more regularly then I would have wanted. I may look to keep it going through next winter though.
Pre MOT checks are due tomorrow. I've sourced a standard BOV which I am also fitting at the same time and the week after it goes to the shop for a load of work, ready for spring.
Glad you're well Dan.
Elesmart
I think I've been a little over cautious with the car over winter. Being my first import I am very nervous about the salt on the roads and the possibility of rust. There is no rust on my car at all and I really want to keep it that way. Even though it hasn't been too chilly here, the councils have still salted the roads more regularly then I would have wanted. I may look to keep it going through next winter though.
Pre MOT checks are due tomorrow. I've sourced a standard BOV which I am also fitting at the same time and the week after it goes to the shop for a load of work, ready for spring.
Glad you're well Dan.
Elesmart
BenWRXSEi said:
Looks good. Will these be on in time for Silverstone SS? I'll keep an eye out
I don't see why not, though the refurb will probably come after! Should have a new windscreen too. Say hello, I'm always on my own with my camera! There's also an MR2OC track session after the SS if anybody wants to hang around for some mr2 porn. (This was a pure coincidence for me that I only found out about today).Elesmart said:
I've not seen those wheels before. They look ace! updates needed when you have them on.
I think I've been a little over cautious with the car over winter. Being my first import I am very nervous about the salt on the roads and the possibility of rust. There is no rust on my car at all and I really want to keep it that way. Even though it hasn't been too chilly here, the councils have still salted the roads more regularly then I would have wanted. I may look to keep it going through next winter though.
Pre MOT checks are due tomorrow. I've sourced a standard BOV which I am also fitting at the same time and the week after it goes to the shop for a load of work, ready for spring.
Glad you're well Dan.
Elesmart
Cheers mate, you will love the standard BOV, very subtle sound. Hope the pre-check doesn't throw anything nasty up! I think I've been a little over cautious with the car over winter. Being my first import I am very nervous about the salt on the roads and the possibility of rust. There is no rust on my car at all and I really want to keep it that way. Even though it hasn't been too chilly here, the councils have still salted the roads more regularly then I would have wanted. I may look to keep it going through next winter though.
Pre MOT checks are due tomorrow. I've sourced a standard BOV which I am also fitting at the same time and the week after it goes to the shop for a load of work, ready for spring.
Glad you're well Dan.
Elesmart
It's funny i've not seen any salt on my local roads! If there's zero rust I can understand why you want to baby it
danllama said:
I don't see why not, though the refurb will probably come after! Should have a new windscreen too. Say hello, I'm always on my own with my camera! There's also an MR2OC track session after the SS if anybody wants to hang around for some mr2 porn. (This was a pure coincidence for me that I only found out about today).
How about that! I'm booked in for the track time, have just signed up for Sunday Service as well. May not end up going on track though as originally I was going to be changing my clutch this weekend which has been postponed now to the weekend after Silverstone. Will have to see how it is on the day I guess.
SonicShadow said:
How about that! I'm booked in for the track time, have just signed up for Sunday Service as well.
May not end up going on track though as originally I was going to be changing my clutch this weekend which has been postponed now to the weekend after Silverstone. Will have to see how it is on the day I guess.
Here's to a whole day of lovely metal at Silverstone then! May not end up going on track though as originally I was going to be changing my clutch this weekend which has been postponed now to the weekend after Silverstone. Will have to see how it is on the day I guess.
I may still try to get some track time but 1) i don't think my exhaust will pass the db test and 2) the radiator has seen better days. But I may just take it easy and enjoy being out on the tarmac.
Quick update then! 17" wheels on and drive very well and look nice, suit the car, wrapped in 205/45 Potenzas and 225/45 Ecstas. If I was being anal about them being flush with the arch I would probably need 10mm spacers on the rear. I'm going to leave it for now and see if it bothers me. I do need to fit 2 extended wheel studs on the rear as 2 were randomly shorter!
Future plans, refurb/paint the wheels and replace the damaged sparco vinyls that were on the wheel barrels.
Change the front end of the car for different bumper (hate the Border) and aftermarket lip. New windscreen on 9th March. Service including all ignition components. Think about suspension refresh.
Future plans, refurb/paint the wheels and replace the damaged sparco vinyls that were on the wheel barrels.
Change the front end of the car for different bumper (hate the Border) and aftermarket lip. New windscreen on 9th March. Service including all ignition components. Think about suspension refresh.
SonicShadow said:
danllama said:
I don't see why not, though the refurb will probably come after! Should have a new windscreen too. Say hello, I'm always on my own with my camera! There's also an MR2OC track session after the SS if anybody wants to hang around for some mr2 porn. (This was a pure coincidence for me that I only found out about today).
How about that! I'm booked in for the track time, have just signed up for Sunday Service as well. May not end up going on track though as originally I was going to be changing my clutch this weekend which has been postponed now to the weekend after Silverstone. Will have to see how it is on the day I guess.
Brand new import bronze windscreen fitted Wednesday, so I celebrated with some pics.
The MR2 Process by Dan J, on Flickr
The MR2 Process by Dan J, on Flickr
Think she's a bit poorly though, noticed fuel vapour on the cam cover and a rich fuel smell
. Hopefully just a gasket in the throttle assembly somewhere. Going into a garage on Monday, I'll have a crack at most things but I don't fancy chasing fuel issues.
The MR2 Process by Dan J, on FlickrThe MR2 Process by Dan J, on FlickrThink she's a bit poorly though, noticed fuel vapour on the cam cover and a rich fuel smell
. Hopefully just a gasket in the throttle assembly somewhere. Going into a garage on Monday, I'll have a crack at most things but I don't fancy chasing fuel issues.MrBarry123 said:
Hope the car is okay - great looking thing. I never realised how much I liked these until watching the Petrolicious video on them.
Cheers Barry, the throttle body was taken apart last year according to the history I got with it, so I'm guessing they put it back together poorly (I hope).I do like that video, bit soppy but most MR2 owners can relate to it
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