Toyota MR2 Turbo Rev 3 - Third time lucky?

[James Junior]

Hi Dan,

I saw your old car in the classifieds a few months back (I still scour the MR2 Turbo ads regularly, watching...waiting...) and meant to check on here as I figured you must have upgraded to a REV3.

Sounds like you are appreciating the extra refinements and power. Will watch this thread with interest.

Once I have got the minor inconvenience of buying a new house out of the way I will finally be ready to find a minter of my own to get back in the fold... Hoping to hold out for a mint REV5 turbo.

[Elesmart]

Am I right in saying that the rev 5's run BEAMS engines? They're definitely the most desirable. One day....

These cars are so understated and these days there seems to be a lot of people who don't know what they are. Especially if, like mine, you're running with no badges.

I just did 500 miles in mine this weekend and enjoyed every second. Even when pottering around town in traffic there is a sense of occasion with these cars.

[James Junior]

Shnozz said:

I remember when I was in my early 20s and a mate of mine bought an Mr Tubby. The thing smoked me in my TVR and I was simply staggered at how much car you got for the money. Always had a soft spot for them afterwards - great looking bargain rapid car.

I had a similar experience with a cocky Chimaera owner in Trafford park many moons ago when I had a lightly modified REV3 Turbo. He was next to me at a set of lights and we both had our roofs off. I turned and complimented him on his car and he turned to his passenger and appeared to make some sarcastic comment. The lights changed and we both floored it and to our mutual surprise the MR2 gradually pulled away, HKS exhaust roaring and dump valve chirping with the TVR rumbling behind.

He was very red faced as we pulled up to the next set of lights and spluttered 'f..ing hell that things fast?!', to which I just smiled and turned off carrying on my journey nonchalantly!

Naturally this occurred on the part of Trafford Park that is a private race track.

I miss that car - it took quite a few scalps from unsuspecting owners of much more expensive machinery. The only things I ever recall that pulled away from it were an F355 on a dual carriageway (to be expected) and a mental Corsa Van driver on a twisty road in the peaks - I have never seen anyone drive those roads at that pace before or since! Sir - I salute you!

[cirian75]

James Junior said:

Shnozz said:

I remember when I was in my early 20s and a mate of mine bought an Mr Tubby. The thing smoked me in my TVR and I was simply staggered at how much car you got for the money. Always had a soft spot for them afterwards - great looking bargain rapid car.

I had a similar experience with a cocky Chimaera owner in Trafford park many moons ago when I had a lightly modified REV3 Turbo. He was next to me at a set of lights and we both had our roofs off. I turned and complimented him on his car and he turned to his passenger and appeared to make some sarcastic comment. The lights changed and we both floored it and to our mutual surprise the MR2 gradually pulled away, HKS exhaust roaring and dump valve chirping with the TVR rumbling behind.

He was very red faced as we pulled up to the next set of lights and spluttered 'f..ing hell that things fast?!', to which I just smiled and turned off carrying on my journey nonchalantly!

Naturally this occurred on the part of Trafford Park that is a private race track.

I miss that car - it took quite a few scalps from unsuspecting owners of much more expensive machinery. The only things I ever recall that pulled away from it were an F355 on a dual carriageway (to be expected) and a mental Corsa Van driver on a twisty road in the peaks - I have never seen anyone drive those roads at that pace before or since! Sir - I salute you!

Ah, the Barton Dock Road private test track

[SonicShadow]

Elesmart said:

Am I right in saying that the rev 5's run BEAMS engines? They're definitely the most desirable. One day....

Only JDM Revision 5 G-Limited's. No UK models came with a BEAMS engine from the factory. Quite uncommon as you can import a decent Rev3/4 Turbo for the similar money to a Rev5 BEAMS.

[cirian75]

anyone want to swap a good MR2 for my 09 Suzuki Swift?

[Baryonyx]

I loved my old MR2 Turbo Rev 3. A fantastic performance car you could use every day without worry.

[Dakkon]

danllama said:

Cheers! Ah I forgot about the air scoop. That will probably be going as well. Not a fan and it increases your blind spot on shoulder checks.

I'm just not into massive rims with stretched tyres...But i do concede they suit the car well and don't ride half as bad as expected.

Edited by danllama on Monday 21st September 17:16

The air scoop is just terrible and goes against the design principles of the car, the rear wing is not for downforce but conbined with the rear butresses it creates an area of low pressure to suck the hot air out the engine lid, as air is drawn in the side scoops and from underneath.

By fitting an air scoop you are trying to force air against the direction of travel of the overall air flow, get rid, it is worse than useless.

[danllama]

JJ, sod the house, buy an MR2

I already have stock inspection panels lined up for this weekend to replace the pod Apart from the point you've made, it also howls at random! Bloody stupid thing.

Been loving the conversation here - would love to drive a BEAMS to compare to my first NA but they are so rare.

Funny you should mention about a mental Corsa van - there was I late on Sunday night, heading home from family. Decide to take my favourite B road home and find myself behind an Astra van just as we enter NSL. So I huff and puff but it doesn't bother me too much as I know the road well and there's a wide, well sighted bend a minute away, i'll just pass him.

Oh no I wont!! Off he goes. He was pushing on through the bends when I was lifting off.

I'm smart enough to know when I've lost and decided to just enjoy the drive

I'll be giving the car a full service this weekend, new plugs, new oil/filter, new fuel filter, new dizzy cap/arm. Then new wheels/tyres. The boost controller is also seized and so pretty pointless. I'm only getting 11psi at the moment which is less than actuator pressure for a Rev 3 I think. So I've ordered a high quality boost controller and will set it to 15psi, which is safe for the cars modifications.

It really is a quick and nimble little thing. Once I have some properly sized wheels/tyres it will be a weapon. Another interesting thing is I went to a big local meet on Saturday. My Rev 2 with standard exterior used to get little to no attention...the chav wagon had pretty much every group of people stopping and chatting. Very strange.

[danllama]

BuzzBravado said:

Not sure, but its irrelevant anyway. If it were too strong (low) it would stall and if it were close to ATM then it would just idle faster. As long as it is idling then its fine.

Thanks mate, idle is bang on hot and cold. Happy days.

[InfamousKeiran]

Nice MR2, just realised I follow you on Insta.

[WhisperingWasp]

I've made the same move as you, albeit forced. I lost my rev2 turbo to an engine fire last year and after a mk3 roadster in between I am now back in a mk2 turbo. It's a rev4 in the "Goodwood Green" colour. You might have seen it on imoc - the one in NI?

As such I've been interested to read your thoughts on the "upgrade". The power delivery is certainly different and the pull to the redline a massive improvement but... I have to say I find myself currently preferring the rev2. I certainly liked the old-school turbo feel of nothing, nothing, everything (then nothing again! ). I also prefered the turbo stall sound to the venting to atmosphere "hiss".

I can't deny that the rev4 is the better car. And think the main thing is that I had my rev2 exactly how I wanted it whereas the rev4 is not quite there yet. Added to that it cost me A LOT of money almost immediately after buying it which I guess I am holding against it at the mo!

The main thing is - irrespective of revision, turbo/NA, etc - they are just the greatest looking cars. I parked up in town the other day and as I turned round to look at the car I noticed that I had parked it under a large tree with autumnal leaves littered around the car and I genuinely thought I want nothing else in its place

[SonicShadow]

WhisperingWasp said:

I've made the same move as you, albeit forced. I lost my rev2 turbo to an engine fire last year and after a mk3 roadster in between I am now back in a mk2 turbo. It's a rev4 in the "Goodwood Green" colour. You might have seen it on imoc - the one in NI?

A JDM Turbo in Goodwood Green (well, Dark Green Mica as it's called over there!)? Don't see many of those at all!

[Shnozz]

What sort of money does a decent Rev 4/5 go for now?

[SonicShadow]

Shnozz said:

What sort of money does a decent Rev 4/5 go for now?

Varies, certain colours command a premium (sonic shadow and cosmos blue). Obviously a JDM Rev5 Turbo goes for a lot more than a UK NA, so it depends on what particular model you're looking for. T-bars usually cost more as well.

[danllama]

Importers seem to have a decent number of rev 4/5 turbos at any time, and they seem fairly priced. When you do see them for sale here they are more times than not the same price as a fresh import.

Hello Kieran, now there's words to go with the pictures! How's the dc2 treating you?

[danllama]

WhisperingWasp said:

I've made the same move as you, albeit forced. I lost my rev2 turbo to an engine fire last year and after a mk3 roadster in between I am now back in a mk2 turbo. It's a rev4 in the "Goodwood Green" colour. You might have seen it on imoc - the one in NI?

As such I've been interested to read your thoughts on the "upgrade". The power delivery is certainly different and the pull to the redline a massive improvement but... I have to say I find myself currently preferring the rev2. I certainly liked the old-school turbo feel of nothing, nothing, everything (then nothing again! ). I also prefered the turbo stall sound to the venting to atmosphere "hiss".

I can't deny that the rev4 is the better car. And think the main thing is that I had my rev2 exactly how I wanted it whereas the rev4 is not quite there yet. Added to that it cost me A LOT of money almost immediately after buying it which I guess I am holding against it at the mo!

The main thing is - irrespective of revision, turbo/NA, etc - they are just the greatest looking cars. I parked up in town the other day and as I turned round to look at the car I noticed that I had parked it under a large tree with autumnal leaves littered around the car and I genuinely thought I want nothing else in its place

Well said WW. Every one I've owned I look back pretty much every time I Park and I've always said there's not many cars I'd rather be in. I know what you mean about the punch of the ct26 but the power is now much more usable. Still not sure which I prefer. What caused your engine to set on fire?

I love goodwood green, any pics? On the subject of blow off sound, the forge bov on mine gives a nice, sharp hiss rather than anything dramatic. I like it.

[cirian75]

mmm, my swift is worth around £2750 rock bottom.

mmm, what kinda MR2 does £2500 get ya ?

[danllama]

Very decent rev 2 turbo or very ropey rev 3 if you look hard enough.

[cirian75]

danllama said:

Very decent rev 2 turbo or very ropey rev 3 if you look hard enough.

mmm, be doing insurance quotes

it'll be a UK spec 2.0 NA only, thats just over £500 per year.

the Turbo's go past £1000, gezz, 39 years old, max NCB and a confirmed low crime area of Manchester and they still want to screw me if I go above 175bhp.