Buying an MR2 - Help!
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I'm looking to buy a cheap sports car and I have decided n an MR2. Before you say it, yes I have looked at a few MX5s, a couple of MGFs, even a Fiat Barchetta, but I just love the look and drive of an MR2.
Just wondering if anyone has any tips on what to look out for when buying a used MR2 (mk3 by the way). I've test driven one already and would have bought it had it not been for a couple of things (poor interior, very scratched windscreen etc).
Seeing one next week at a good price and a lowish mileage, but do any of you have any advice of what to look out for when looking at MR2s specifically?
Cheers
Sean
I'm looking to buy a cheap sports car and I have decided n an MR2. Before you say it, yes I have looked at a few MX5s, a couple of MGFs, even a Fiat Barchetta, but I just love the look and drive of an MR2.
Just wondering if anyone has any tips on what to look out for when buying a used MR2 (mk3 by the way). I've test driven one already and would have bought it had it not been for a couple of things (poor interior, very scratched windscreen etc).
Seeing one next week at a good price and a lowish mileage, but do any of you have any advice of what to look out for when looking at MR2s specifically?
Cheers
Sean
Have a look over at mr2roc.org
Usual advice is to buy a facelift model if at all possible (came in end of 2002, has 6 gears, fogs in front bumper) as these are less prone to engine issues (have a read on pre cats...)
They seemed to introduce more underbody bracing (to help reduce chassis wobble) as the years went on, so the later the better.
Fantastic little cars - reliable, efficient fun for not a lot of money, I must get another one at some point!
Usual advice is to buy a facelift model if at all possible (came in end of 2002, has 6 gears, fogs in front bumper) as these are less prone to engine issues (have a read on pre cats...)
They seemed to introduce more underbody bracing (to help reduce chassis wobble) as the years went on, so the later the better.
Fantastic little cars - reliable, efficient fun for not a lot of money, I must get another one at some point!
Kateg28 said:
I am not a fan of Mk3 (although not driven one) and I am not a fan of body kits on many cars but a body kitted Mk3 MR2 is utterly gorgeous. It could tempt me out of a MK1 one day.
If you do go for a quick drive of a mk3 your old mk1 will be no longer required as the Mk3 does everything the Mk1 did so well but without the rust and old age issues (although you will need a hardtop if you are not a fan of convertibles). Obviously a supercharger will make a big difference to either one, never got the chance of a mk1 with an s/c I bet its a lot of fun...Edited by rallycross on Tuesday 14th October 20:42
ukseanb said:
Hi Guys,
but do any of you have any advice of what to look out for when looking at MR2s specifically?
Cheers
Sean
Great little cars, what price range you looking at?but do any of you have any advice of what to look out for when looking at MR2s specifically?
Cheers
Sean
I've had a few, ranging from 34,000 miles up to 140,000 miles, 5 speed and 6 speed (2004 onwards).
They don't seem to be affected too much by mileage, my current 140k miles example drives just as nice and tight as the low mileage ones did - so don't let that be a big factor in which one to buy.
Be aware that (As per any soft-top) they are noisy on the motorway, so not much good if its your only car and you do lots of motorway driving, unless you have a hard top, in which case you need somewhere to store it in summer. (hardtops sell for about £400 on their own).
Very good on fuel, brilliant handling on good tyres and very well made.
Check what tyres its got on, these cars are sensitive to tyre type and pressures, if its got crap tyres use this when negotiating as you really should buy a decent set of matching tyres for one of these. They came new with Bridgestones or Yokohama tyres which had really stiff sidewalls, if its got cheapo ditch-finder tyres it wont drive as it should. Also pressures should be higher at the rear, eg 34/28 but of course depends what tyres its got.
Hard to tell on a test drive if its using oil, look out for fresh oil spill round the oil filler cap (its awkward to get to) and see exhaust tip for really sooty/black residue ie signs of burning oil.
My Mum had one brand new, when they first came out, my Dad had a MK2 (as well as my Brother). I never drove the mk3, but as a passenger it just felt a lot more "budget" than the mk2 (it was a lot cheaper to buy around 18k instead of 23k for the outgoing mk2). There was a rattle, the glove box if I remember correctly, and the radio/CD was rubbish (The sound quality was tinny compared to the 6 speaker set up in the mk2).
My mother and father both sold their MR2s after a while, but my Dad bought my brother's MK2 a few years later, however it is sitting in the garage, and hasn't moved for years.
Personally I would get a nice last of the line Mk2 GT T-Bar (in red), They look like a mini Ferrari, have the glass roof panels (so it is like you are sitting in the cockpit of a 60's jet trainer aircraft) and has the "PH essential" cool feature,......Pop Up Headlights
My mother and father both sold their MR2s after a while, but my Dad bought my brother's MK2 a few years later, however it is sitting in the garage, and hasn't moved for years.
Personally I would get a nice last of the line Mk2 GT T-Bar (in red), They look like a mini Ferrari, have the glass roof panels (so it is like you are sitting in the cockpit of a 60's jet trainer aircraft) and has the "PH essential" cool feature,......Pop Up Headlights
they handle way better than the mk2, but only same performance as the mk1, which is a cracker.
I had a pre facelift and ended up changing precats for a stainless manifold, putting in a new o2 sensor, brake disks all round, rear subframe rotted so new one of them, then various bushes.
It was great fun, but if I bought another I would go facelift with the 6 speed box, front fogs, different rear lights etc, also stronger built I believe.
I bought it for the wife, but liked it so much, I bought a 54 plate Boxster S, which if you can afford it I would highly recommend
I had a pre facelift and ended up changing precats for a stainless manifold, putting in a new o2 sensor, brake disks all round, rear subframe rotted so new one of them, then various bushes.
It was great fun, but if I bought another I would go facelift with the 6 speed box, front fogs, different rear lights etc, also stronger built I believe.
I bought it for the wife, but liked it so much, I bought a 54 plate Boxster S, which if you can afford it I would highly recommend
Edited by nottyash on Tuesday 14th October 21:22
The mk3 is a great car, don't make my mistake, I loved my mk2 Turbo's so much I absolutely refused to believe the mk3 could hold a candle to them, but having tried one I have to say they are bloody brilliant.
Folk are right to point out you should be wary of early cars because of the pre-cat issues and oval bores, and the rotting rear sub frame too, but there are plenty of good ones out there. I was looking for a decent one in the 3.5k range and couldn't get the right spec for me for love nor money, so after a change of plan started looking at bargain basement cars less than a couple grand. I found a 2001 black car with black leather, a bit frayed around the edges but a basically sound car. The engine was superb and revved easily to the redline, the fold down top was in perfect condition and the suspension felt nice and tight with no knocking or banging. The downsides were I hated the wheels, there was a large crack in the windscreen and there was a rumbling around the nearside rear wheel. I diagnosed that as probably a driveshaft, struck a deal with the owner and drove it home having paid the princely sum of £800 for her!
Unfortunately for me it was the gearbox making the noise and not the drive shaft, but as luck would have it the local scrappy had a 2006 car in with front end damage, and I purchased a 30k mile 6 speed box for £250 and a full red leather unmarked interior for £100, which I made back by selling my black interior for the same price.
It doesn't use a drop of oil, in fact it is still golden after the service that was done when I got her, so I am happy as Larry. Oh, she is doing 37mpg round town, and went on a 200 mile round trip last weekend and she averaged 44mpg, how about that!
I say go for it, they are really fun to own.
Folk are right to point out you should be wary of early cars because of the pre-cat issues and oval bores, and the rotting rear sub frame too, but there are plenty of good ones out there. I was looking for a decent one in the 3.5k range and couldn't get the right spec for me for love nor money, so after a change of plan started looking at bargain basement cars less than a couple grand. I found a 2001 black car with black leather, a bit frayed around the edges but a basically sound car. The engine was superb and revved easily to the redline, the fold down top was in perfect condition and the suspension felt nice and tight with no knocking or banging. The downsides were I hated the wheels, there was a large crack in the windscreen and there was a rumbling around the nearside rear wheel. I diagnosed that as probably a driveshaft, struck a deal with the owner and drove it home having paid the princely sum of £800 for her!
Unfortunately for me it was the gearbox making the noise and not the drive shaft, but as luck would have it the local scrappy had a 2006 car in with front end damage, and I purchased a 30k mile 6 speed box for £250 and a full red leather unmarked interior for £100, which I made back by selling my black interior for the same price.
It doesn't use a drop of oil, in fact it is still golden after the service that was done when I got her, so I am happy as Larry. Oh, she is doing 37mpg round town, and went on a 200 mile round trip last weekend and she averaged 44mpg, how about that!
I say go for it, they are really fun to own.
I had one for five years and 50,000 miles, absolutely cracking car. Fast enough with superb handling but beware of a bit of liftoff oversteer. Couple of well-known engine problems and keep an eye out for hardtops which have been removed permanently from the car. As I understood it could only have a hardtop if specified from new. Go for it
rallycross said:
If you do go for a quick drive of a mk3 your old mk1 will be no longer required as the Mk3 does everything the Mk1 did so well but without the rust and old age issues (although you will need a hardtop if you are not a fan of convertibles). Obviously a supercharger will make a big difference to either one, never got the chance of a mk1 with an s/c I bet its a lot of fun...
But the MK1 is much more rare now (thanks to the tinworm) so IMHO more interesting. Edited by rallycross on Tuesday 14th October 20:42
And as for the SC....
I don't think I could ever sell it.
Recently bought a facelift mk3 mr2, also owned mk2 mr2 turbo in the past and they are a totally different car to drive. The mk3 is much better in fact I preffer the drive to an s2000 I had, and its almost as good as the boxster and Elise i have previously owned for a fraction of the running costs.
Bought one in the summer for £800 That needed a clutch. Great fun to drive and make sure you get a UK model as it'll come with an LSD.
Look out for the rotten rear crossmember and tatty roof. Its a right faff to get a new roof and none too cheap either.
Took us half a day to replace the clutch which cost £70.
There was a 2zz engined example in the classifieds which would be even more fun.
Look out for the rotten rear crossmember and tatty roof. Its a right faff to get a new roof and none too cheap either.
Took us half a day to replace the clutch which cost £70.
There was a 2zz engined example in the classifieds which would be even more fun.
Persuaded the other half (who had always had a hit of an itch) to go for a pre facelift Mk3. We both love it, cracking drive - masses of fun. Pre-facelift ones can go pop but modt dont. MPG is good, tires are getting more tricky if you are on the original rims - currently on a mix of yokohama sdrive and some other yokohama but handljng is still good althou the previous advan for seemed a bit more precise.
Rattles and more rattles, most can be fixed with effort. Cheap as chips to run and service. Lovely fun thing. Go for it.
Rattles and more rattles, most can be fixed with effort. Cheap as chips to run and service. Lovely fun thing. Go for it.
Escy said:
If it was a green one, it was mine. It was run, it's the engine they should have left the factory with. I'm currently building another one.
This has been a conversion I've been interested in for some time. Any chance you could make a build thread on here?How does it compare to standard and how does it affect your insurance?
You can also fit different V6 (or v8) engines but are more involved than a 2zz.
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