Possible MR2 owner - advice?
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking to change cars at the start of next year and have always loved the 90s Jap stuff.
I'm 19 years old, 2 years no claims and 3 points. Ideally would be looking at a GTS as my current car is turbocharged and I'm accustomed to the 'shove' that comes with it.
My current car is a 1.6T Ds3, however I've recently changed job and public transport is an option for getting to and from work. I'd prefer to still use the car for commuting as it saves a fair chunk of time, however if the car was out of action for whatever reason I could still make it to work.
Looking for an overview on running costs, reliability, and what to look out for in general. I've ran a few insurance quotes by using reg numbers of turbos from autotrader and the like, then checking the 'Japanese Import' field on the form - coming out at 1450 a year which is less than my current car.
I realize these are getting on a bit now, so is it becoming unreasonable to use one as a daily? I'd be looking to pick up the best example I can find, and have been using the MOT history checker to look for signs of clocking or long standing issues. I have a basic mechanical understanding and usually do my own oil changes, brake pads, and anything else I feel I can manage without breaking anything. My dad is a retired HGV mechanic who gives me a hand with any of the more difficult stuff, however I'd rather not be dragging him out to help with things every other week.
Is an MR2 a viable option for me in my current position? I'd rather pick up something I remember from my Gran Turismo days as a kid than join the BMW/Merc lease brigade...
Looking to change cars at the start of next year and have always loved the 90s Jap stuff.
I'm 19 years old, 2 years no claims and 3 points. Ideally would be looking at a GTS as my current car is turbocharged and I'm accustomed to the 'shove' that comes with it.
My current car is a 1.6T Ds3, however I've recently changed job and public transport is an option for getting to and from work. I'd prefer to still use the car for commuting as it saves a fair chunk of time, however if the car was out of action for whatever reason I could still make it to work.
Looking for an overview on running costs, reliability, and what to look out for in general. I've ran a few insurance quotes by using reg numbers of turbos from autotrader and the like, then checking the 'Japanese Import' field on the form - coming out at 1450 a year which is less than my current car.
I realize these are getting on a bit now, so is it becoming unreasonable to use one as a daily? I'd be looking to pick up the best example I can find, and have been using the MOT history checker to look for signs of clocking or long standing issues. I have a basic mechanical understanding and usually do my own oil changes, brake pads, and anything else I feel I can manage without breaking anything. My dad is a retired HGV mechanic who gives me a hand with any of the more difficult stuff, however I'd rather not be dragging him out to help with things every other week.
Is an MR2 a viable option for me in my current position? I'd rather pick up something I remember from my Gran Turismo days as a kid than join the BMW/Merc lease brigade...
jeffers999 said:
Hiya mate. I have one I've owned for about 4/5 years and use it daily to and from work.
And also from Wales to Devon 3 weekends a month my son lives there. As far as it's been only once let me
Down (head gasket).
Check for rusty sills very common. Everything else is simple on them
Appreciated mate, will keep an eye out for the sills and make sure I have a good poke around. Are they okay for routine maintenance stuff like pads, discs etc? Just as they're a bit older I thought it might be harder to source partsAnd also from Wales to Devon 3 weekends a month my son lives there. As far as it's been only once let me
Down (head gasket).
Check for rusty sills very common. Everything else is simple on them
No probs mate. No not at all. I'm a mechanic and Iall the parts I've needed for mine and I do a lot of work on a few others. Clutches / cambelts / water pumps / service parts have all been on the shelf at my local motorfactors. Plus if u do get one I've got tons of spares 👍🏻
👍🏻KieranHamilton said:
Appreciated mate, will keep an eye out for the sills and make sure I have a good poke around. Are they okay for routine maintenance stuff like pads, discs etc? Just as they're a bit older I thought it might be harder to source parts
The real killer is rust, most consumables are still available. T-bars may well leak so try and get to the car without it being started in the morning to see if it smells damp.Try to get under the car and check sills, arches, round the windscreen, behind the fog lights. If it has undertrays it will have survived a bit better.
Best of luck finding a clean one. Prices are firming up but there are still good cars out there.
Everyone is different but I would consider these a bit too old to be a daily these days (used mine daily about 10yrs ago). They also need premium fuel so will cost more. Quite a few things will fail due to age (power steering relays hand brake cables are quite common issues) quite a few have required engine rebuilds too, and it's very hard to buy a stock one anymore which could further effect reliability. Great cars but wouldn't want this to be my only option or the bus.
Same here, I've had two now, both being N/A's. I chose a T-Bar this time around and haven't regretted it, the roof adds so much character to the car especially in the summer. Solved any little leaks it did have with the little rod guides and some silicon.
It is possibly a bit full on for a daily driver (I drive down a bumpy 10 mile back road) but i only notice this when I borrow something modern and realize how easy they are to drive comfortably and make progress in.
For example the gearbox is getting a bit tired and needs a gentle touch on a cold morning, the brakes are just OK and yes there a few little creaks here and there and the ride isn't plush.
However all is made up when i see everyone else sat in their 'normal' cars with their heated seats, sat-nav, stability management and stop/start engines...but I'm sat low, transmission tunnel running right next to me, pop up lights in-front and a t-bar sky view means I'm not envious in the slightest.
It all depends on your personal opinion, my younger brother can't understand how i put up with my MR2 everyday but then I don't know how he can get any satisfaction from a diesel Mercedes!
And lastly, for the money they are, I can't see what you could get that would be of more / similar interest and also as reliable in that price range? possibly an MX5? an FTO maybe? a knackered old 3 series?
If you take £1500 to the classifieds you will find a nice, usable MR2 N/A, possibly on a lucky day a £1000 would get you one. Thats Fiesta / Corsa money!!
It is possibly a bit full on for a daily driver (I drive down a bumpy 10 mile back road) but i only notice this when I borrow something modern and realize how easy they are to drive comfortably and make progress in.
For example the gearbox is getting a bit tired and needs a gentle touch on a cold morning, the brakes are just OK and yes there a few little creaks here and there and the ride isn't plush.
However all is made up when i see everyone else sat in their 'normal' cars with their heated seats, sat-nav, stability management and stop/start engines...but I'm sat low, transmission tunnel running right next to me, pop up lights in-front and a t-bar sky view means I'm not envious in the slightest.
It all depends on your personal opinion, my younger brother can't understand how i put up with my MR2 everyday but then I don't know how he can get any satisfaction from a diesel Mercedes!
And lastly, for the money they are, I can't see what you could get that would be of more / similar interest and also as reliable in that price range? possibly an MX5? an FTO maybe? a knackered old 3 series?
If you take £1500 to the classifieds you will find a nice, usable MR2 N/A, possibly on a lucky day a £1000 would get you one. Thats Fiesta / Corsa money!!
Appreciate all the responses guys. I'd love to own one, and it seems to be the pick of the bunch for someone my age looking to get into the older Jap stuff - prices seem to be soaring on anything else even remotely desirable.
I'm starting to think I might be being a little unreasonable expecting one as a daily though. If - in the new year - funds allow, I'd possibly look at picking up an N/A to share with my dad whilst getting something newer for my own daily.
Is mileage a big factor on these? I'd probably look for the cleanest, best cared for one I could find but I hadn't considered mileage up until this point.
I'm starting to think I might be being a little unreasonable expecting one as a daily though. If - in the new year - funds allow, I'd possibly look at picking up an N/A to share with my dad whilst getting something newer for my own daily.
Is mileage a big factor on these? I'd probably look for the cleanest, best cared for one I could find but I hadn't considered mileage up until this point.
Don't look solely for mileage, look for sills and arches, especially the arches as the sills can be purchased and welded up (albeit by someone competent).
My only happens to have 95k but i was looking at 150k examples and nearly purchasing. I saw a few ones at 70-80k that where knackered. The engine's are pretty industrial on the N/A's so shouldn't concern if they've done a few miles.
Mines not given any trouble apart from a leaky cam cover which is quite common especially on the REV1/2's, and front top mounts but i would half say they are consumable items?
My only happens to have 95k but i was looking at 150k examples and nearly purchasing. I saw a few ones at 70-80k that where knackered. The engine's are pretty industrial on the N/A's so shouldn't concern if they've done a few miles.
Mines not given any trouble apart from a leaky cam cover which is quite common especially on the REV1/2's, and front top mounts but i would half say they are consumable items?
If the OP is looking at a GTS, and Jap imports for insurance, that means a Mk2 turbo not an n/a. Not many companies will quote for a 19 year old. Not impossible but he will need an intermediary/broker which knows the market.
He doesn't say which model his current car is: the THP 165 or the Performance. A stock MR2 Mk2 turbo is a little over 2 seconds faster 0-60 than the THP 165 and still a tad over 1 second faster than the Performance. That extra shove shouldn't be underestimated. Another thing to remember is the mid engine rear wheel drive layout. Not wanting to put him off but he may never have driven a RWD car with that much poke. It's an alien world for someone who may well have only ever experienced FWD. It takes some getting used to.
Even the final production date of a Mk2 (whether turbo or n/a) means a 17 year old car. JDM (as opposed to a conversion) Revision 5 turbos are very rare (and so command a higher price than earlier Revisions) therefore he will be more than likely be looking at a 20 year old, or more, example.
With a car of that age mileage is not the thing he should be concentrating on. Condition is everything, especially the bodywork. My tally of Mk2s over a 10 year span is 5. Of those I have owned one for 7 years now. All but my first have been sourced through the owners clubs (IMOC/MR2OC).
The pitfalls to be aware of are all well documented there. I would recommend anyone seriously thinking of buying one to join and do a bit of homework first.
He doesn't say which model his current car is: the THP 165 or the Performance. A stock MR2 Mk2 turbo is a little over 2 seconds faster 0-60 than the THP 165 and still a tad over 1 second faster than the Performance. That extra shove shouldn't be underestimated. Another thing to remember is the mid engine rear wheel drive layout. Not wanting to put him off but he may never have driven a RWD car with that much poke. It's an alien world for someone who may well have only ever experienced FWD. It takes some getting used to.
Even the final production date of a Mk2 (whether turbo or n/a) means a 17 year old car. JDM (as opposed to a conversion) Revision 5 turbos are very rare (and so command a higher price than earlier Revisions) therefore he will be more than likely be looking at a 20 year old, or more, example.
With a car of that age mileage is not the thing he should be concentrating on. Condition is everything, especially the bodywork. My tally of Mk2s over a 10 year span is 5. Of those I have owned one for 7 years now. All but my first have been sourced through the owners clubs (IMOC/MR2OC).
The pitfalls to be aware of are all well documented there. I would recommend anyone seriously thinking of buying one to join and do a bit of homework first.
exelero said:
I would want one later on next year hopefully, although I never drove anything with RWD, but I want a RWD mid engined roadster, so there is only 2 options in my budget TF and MR2. Thinking of MR2 loads and loads nowadays
Understandable. I owned an N/A mk2 rev1 first then sold it to a mate and bought a mint rev 3 GTS with light mods pushing out 270 bhp /245 ft of lb. Whilst I loved the GTS for its "shove" and ability to see off 996 Carreras on track etc ultimately the Rev1 was more enjoyable being N/A for me and you really had to drive it properly (slow in /fast out through the bends and feeling the weight transfer). The turbo was much more planted and compliant which lost that charm of the driver skill involved.Anyhow fast forward 10 years and I have a rev 1 early Honda s2000 but that original mr2 n/a has been offered me for a song and I'm so tempted and will probably end up getting it. There really is something about mid engined handling.
In response to the OP I would get the N/A for the daily driver option between them. However if you really want the drive I would go for the early rev 1 as the handling was made idiot proof from rev 2 onwards which lost some of the driver skill. No power steering too on the rev 1!
Edited by fuchsiasteve on Saturday 7th January 18:48
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