MR2 owners - How many have you owned?

[BIRMA]

I've had two, the first one was one of the very first batch that came to the UK way back in 1984. It was silver and I removed all of the stickers and badges, when I used to turn up at petrol stations people would gather round it and ask what it was. Tongue firmly in cheek I used to say it was a baby/economy Ferrari I was trial testing, because nobody had seen one before I got away with it for ages and fooled countless people. I loved it and drove it flat out all of the time and embarrassed many of my friends with much, much more expensive cars, I did starship mileage in it then in 1989 bought another new T bar in blue. They were so good I preferred it to my brand new BMW M5 which was also pretty rare at the time.

Edited by BIRMA on Sunday 26th January 13:37

Edited by BIRMA on Sunday 26th January 13:38

[TLandCruiser]

I had owned 3 in my time, one UK N/A, a rev3 GT and a rev4 GTS. They are fantastic cars to own and have lots of charm.

[Mark T]

I've had 4 all used mainly as track and roadtrip cars.
Rev 3 turbo T-bar - pretty standard
Rev 3 turbo coupe - suspension and boost upgrades with charge cooler.
Mk 1 with just suspension upgrades, thought I wouldn't miss 200+ extra horses, wrong, so:
Rev 3 turbo coupe - suspension, forged engine, charge cooler, big turbo - 400hp
The standard engine turbo with decent coilovers, a good geometry set up and carbotech pads was probably the best.
400hp is too on/off in these - 2nd gear corners become nothing..nothing..nothing...shiiiiit
Fabulous track cars though, 2 Ring and Spa trips were the highlights.
8:30ish BTG at the ring with 140 on 2 straights is pretty exciting!
Would have another but getting hard to find any good ones left.

[Benbay001]

Im on my first.
'97 na in white.
Feels gutless and makes a dull noise, but is great fun to drive.
As a plus it seems to cost pittance to run!

My previous car was an S Type R, i sold it due to needing to save some money for a bit.
The MR2 seemed to fit the bill.
I have a habbit of paying too much for cars.
Which is why i ended up paying £1400 for a 120000 miler that had no recent service history (so needed a full service and i gave it a new cambelt too, needed a new clutch, has rusty sills, a fuel gauge that wasnt working (it fixed its self, yay!) and a third gear graunch when cold.
But hey, could be worse, it could be a non runner.

[TRUENOSAM]

I have owned 2 SW20's both imports and both tin tops. Very addictive

[Mr LoTo]

Had my first MR2 in 1997, a beautiful red 1986 Mk1... Got me hooked on mid engine rear drive cars... Sold it when I needed a motorway car for new job...
Then in 2004 bought a 1985 Mk1 with a SC engine, I had the car stripped and track preped with leda suspension, roll cage, etc - still own the car to this day.
In 2007 bought a 2001 Mk3, did numerous driving holidays over the next couple of years - great car, eventually had to trade it in as the family grew.
In 2012 bought a 1992 Mk2 turbo which I still own - great car...

[pti]

I've owned (and currently own) just one. Rev 3 Turbo tintop with a few breathing mods and pushing ~275bhp. It's so much fun to drive but I don't get to drive it how I'd like most of the time

I'm actually considering getting rid of it for an estate to lug my bike around but I hear so many people saying they regret getting rid of theirs once they do!

Imported in 2011 so not a spot of rust anywhere, she has the capability to be a keeper I suppose

[MR2Kris]

Hiiii!
Excuse the exitement please ive just bought my first..
1991 Mk2 GT Turbo, Rev?? (not sure! help please?) imported from japan..
paid the princely sum of £550 although it needs a little love as not running right
apparently is a vac line issue but waiting for her to be dropped off saturday to begin investigations...
never thought of buying one but saw it and thought nice project...
reading the posts here as im bored working nights just makes me even more exited to get my hands on it..
will keep you updated on the progress!!

Edited by MR2Kris on Friday 4th July 01:33

[MR2Kris]

|http://thumbsnap.com/B0jgEbFp[/url]

Any oppinions rev1 or rev2??

Edited by MR2Kris on Friday 4th July 06:40

[OlberJ]

Hi Chris,

It's a Rev1 with Advan Neova wheels and an Autopista rear spoiler.

Cut off was Aug 1992 for Rev2. Unless the engine has been changed for a later one but Rev1/2 have very similar engines externally.

If you can post up a pic of the engine bay from top down we may be able to help with the vac lines.

[OlberJ]

Rev 3 back lights and what looks like a Japspeed or the likes aftermarket exhaust. Is it silly loud?

[Red Devil]

OlberJ said:

Cut off was Aug 1992 for Rev2. Unless the engine has been changed for a later one but Rev1/2 have very similar engines externally.

Really? Every source I know of says Rev 2 production began in late 1991. That was the crossover year. It's had a least one 'upgrade' - Rev 3 rear light clusters and centre panel. There might well be others. The panels are different shades too so it may well have been resprayed at some point.

What is the paint code on the VIN plate? (It's on the bulkhead in front of the spare wheel)


Check the Frame No. AFAIK, if it's under 0059266 it will be a Rev 1. If it's higher than 0059265 it will be a Rev 2.

Edited by Red Devil on Friday 4th July 10:00

[OlberJ]

Aug 1992 was the crossover from memory. It's certainly that for gearboxes.

[MR2Kris]

Goood info guys
Took a quick snap of the engine bay but when i first looked around it i didnt know where to find vin plate so will check that out tomorrow when it rolls off the trailer...
Yes, apparently is a japspeed exhaust which has been on for 50 miles max!
Also has apexi induction kit and greddy trust variable valve controller...
The guy said every gasket and o ring has been changed...
By All accounts hes spent thousands over the last 3 years but hasnt got the time for it now...
He took it out and at some point there was some steam and it became very loud so manifold/ water and boost pipes??
Rough idling and no power are the symptoms at the moment but will investigate further...

Its done 106k so not too many for the year i thought...
Oh and the paint work is faded in places and lacquer is coming off on front wing so i think thats why it looks different shades but i may be wrong? same colour interior so a respray is doubtful i think.. but that will be on my list later..
Thanks for the help

Edited by MR2Kris on Friday 4th July 15:52

Edited by MR2Kris on Friday 4th July 15:55

[MR2Kris]

Thats what ive read gaz.. Will know for sure tomorrow when i check out the vin no

[danjama]

Ooh i love this thread.

Good recent updates. I'm now on my second after 1.5 years of NA fun. It looks the same as my Rev 2 hardtop tubby, which has the darker colour rub strips. So my money is on Rev 2. Good price too, and it will probably clean up very well.

Nice wheels too, love the 3 spoke advans on mr2's. Oh and i'm also after an autopista spoile1r if you want to change now or in the future.

Here's mine

Taken with a potato by danjama, on Flickr

[MR2Kris]

Looks a lovely motor
Im not too sold on the wheels yet but maybe theyl grow on me, the spoiler on the other hand is probably my favourite part of it so id have to let you down on that one! Sorry...
Im guessing it probably is the rev2 but its right on the time of the switchover so it could almost be a little of both haha.
Just been notified a wedding has gotten in the way of delivery so wont get it till sunday now. How inconsiderate!! tut, tut..

[danjama]

if you want to sell or swap tge wheels ill be interested.

Have a set of sparcos not pictured. Need a paint but good rare wheels.

let us know how it is after collection

[OlberJ]

Assuming it's standard, have a look at the subframe and tie bars. The later ones, rev2 onwards, have longer tie bars.

[MR2Kris]

Right then,
After a wait of two weeks for delivery my rev2 arrived on the trailer wednesday night.
After some investigation found the problem the guy was referring to
Big Leaky head gasket pmsl
The head gasket was changed about 6months prior and ive found out the gasket was a cheap one so hope its just blown the gasket and not the head...
As my first project car ive definately got something to get my teeth into haha
The leak is directly beneath the thermostat on LHS of the engine so i cant get a good look at it right away..
I have a new head gasket and a place to get the head skimmed so i will be attempting this repair myself... ( oh st )
Any advice/ pointers would be appreciated thanks guys..
Ps i do have the toyota technician BGB now so will be reffering to that for instruction but would like to know if any of you have done this and know any tricks that might help
Ps.. Could you post a pic of the sparcos please danjaman

Edited by MR2Kris on Friday 25th July 10:43