Toyota MR2 Mk3 advice
Discussion
I've pretty much 99% decided my next car is going to be one of these. I would have liked an Elise, but with me moving house I don't need the extra expense / debt, and I've already had 2 Mk1 MX5s so I fancy a change.
I have a few queries before I start looking properly.
I am aware that pre-facelift (2003) models had dodgy engines / cats, so I will be going for one of those (unless I am certain I want to do an engine swap, more on that later).
I am also aware that the crossmember (I assume thats the brace that crosses over the engine?) can go rusty. How concerned should I be about this, what sort of price to rectify? Speaking of rust, what are these cars like generally? The MX5 is horrendous for it, I found out the hard way once.
Other than that, I am struggling to identify any potential weaknesses so I want to know if there is anything else I should be looking out for?
Also, what sort of mileage are the engines good for? There are quite a few for under £2k but many of them are well over 100,000 miles.
Lets talk about the 2ZZ for a moment. I'm not completely opposed to getting a 2ZZ swap but I'd want to determine early on whether I really want to do this because it would ultimately determine how much I'd pay for the car in the first place - i.e. I'd pay around £3k for a good MR2 IF i wasn't planning to swap the engine; otherwise, I'd be looking to pay a lot less.
My overall feeling is that with a couple of mods (exhaust, intake) for extra noise, I could maybe be quite happy with the 1ZZ engine? I've had a few VTEC engined cars now and although they are fun, I am conscious that they need to be driven hard (anti-socially) to get the best out of them, so I'm unsure if I'd want an engine with those characteristics again, and considering the extra expense to get it there... and having watched a few videos of 1ZZ engined cars, they seem quite happy to be thrashed relentlessly without necessarily needing to be. Realistically I'm used to ~ 130 bhp in other cars I've had and found it enough to enjoy on the roads.
Modifications wise - as I've already said, I would definitely want to make it sound better - I drove one many years ago and remember thinking it was a bit quiet and dare I say it, dull as standard - I am coming from a straight 6 beemer so I need some form of treat for the ears.
What about lowering springs? I've seen some on lowered springs and they do look a fair bit better but does it spoil the ride and handling? Finally, what other recommended mods can I make to improve handling or tighten things up.
A lot of questions here I appreciate but I just want to know what I'm getting into before I start looking
I have a few queries before I start looking properly.
I am aware that pre-facelift (2003) models had dodgy engines / cats, so I will be going for one of those (unless I am certain I want to do an engine swap, more on that later).
I am also aware that the crossmember (I assume thats the brace that crosses over the engine?) can go rusty. How concerned should I be about this, what sort of price to rectify? Speaking of rust, what are these cars like generally? The MX5 is horrendous for it, I found out the hard way once.
Other than that, I am struggling to identify any potential weaknesses so I want to know if there is anything else I should be looking out for?
Also, what sort of mileage are the engines good for? There are quite a few for under £2k but many of them are well over 100,000 miles.
Lets talk about the 2ZZ for a moment. I'm not completely opposed to getting a 2ZZ swap but I'd want to determine early on whether I really want to do this because it would ultimately determine how much I'd pay for the car in the first place - i.e. I'd pay around £3k for a good MR2 IF i wasn't planning to swap the engine; otherwise, I'd be looking to pay a lot less.
My overall feeling is that with a couple of mods (exhaust, intake) for extra noise, I could maybe be quite happy with the 1ZZ engine? I've had a few VTEC engined cars now and although they are fun, I am conscious that they need to be driven hard (anti-socially) to get the best out of them, so I'm unsure if I'd want an engine with those characteristics again, and considering the extra expense to get it there... and having watched a few videos of 1ZZ engined cars, they seem quite happy to be thrashed relentlessly without necessarily needing to be. Realistically I'm used to ~ 130 bhp in other cars I've had and found it enough to enjoy on the roads.
Modifications wise - as I've already said, I would definitely want to make it sound better - I drove one many years ago and remember thinking it was a bit quiet and dare I say it, dull as standard - I am coming from a straight 6 beemer so I need some form of treat for the ears.
What about lowering springs? I've seen some on lowered springs and they do look a fair bit better but does it spoil the ride and handling? Finally, what other recommended mods can I make to improve handling or tighten things up.
A lot of questions here I appreciate but I just want to know what I'm getting into before I start looking
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Wednesday 7th December 13:00
Cheers
I'd definitely be looking to improve the exhaust. Anyone bothered with an induction kit? Will the car pass MOT with a decat manifold fitted or it would it have to be re-fitted (or visit a friendly MOT guy), and what difference does it make.
Re-assuring reading the cost of parts after having a few rather expensive cars in the past.
They do seem to make a lot of sense as a great drivers car on the cheap. These seem cheaper than MX5s these days for the age / condition. I'm pretty sure the power will be enough. I would very rarely track it anyway - although with having a light car with cheap consumables might actually tempt me to track more often!
I'd definitely be looking to improve the exhaust. Anyone bothered with an induction kit? Will the car pass MOT with a decat manifold fitted or it would it have to be re-fitted (or visit a friendly MOT guy), and what difference does it make.
Re-assuring reading the cost of parts after having a few rather expensive cars in the past.
They do seem to make a lot of sense as a great drivers car on the cheap. These seem cheaper than MX5s these days for the age / condition. I'm pretty sure the power will be enough. I would very rarely track it anyway - although with having a light car with cheap consumables might actually tempt me to track more often!
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