MR2 Roadster Precat problems. How common?
Discussion
Hi guys,
Im currently going through my last few weeks of university and when i finish my mother will no longer be helping me out with paying my car insurance (she does drive my current car too.)
This does mean that as i will be paying for the car myself i can finally by the two seater roadster that i have been craving.
I have been looking at the MX-5 and the MR2 as options and must say visually I prefer the MR2.
I have read that they have problems with the Precats breaking and ruining the engine but cant seem to find out roughly what percentage of cars are affected.
Anybody have any ideas roughly how many are affected?
Does this only affect a small amount of cars or is it something to be genuinly concerned about?
Im currently going through my last few weeks of university and when i finish my mother will no longer be helping me out with paying my car insurance (she does drive my current car too.)
This does mean that as i will be paying for the car myself i can finally by the two seater roadster that i have been craving.
I have been looking at the MX-5 and the MR2 as options and must say visually I prefer the MR2.
I have read that they have problems with the Precats breaking and ruining the engine but cant seem to find out roughly what percentage of cars are affected.
Anybody have any ideas roughly how many are affected?
Does this only affect a small amount of cars or is it something to be genuinly concerned about?
Problem with the precats disintegrating tended to wear the bore liners and was remedied after 2002 (not sure from which month) and only afflicted the 138bhp 1.8 and not the 189bhp 1.8 as found in the celica 190.
Edited due to stupidity
Turns out the roadsters were 6 speed after all...
Edited due to stupidity
Turns out the roadsters were 6 speed after all...Edited by Baffled Spoon on Monday 19th April 19:27
There was a facelift in 04 (i think) after which pre-cat problems are pretty much unheard of. Vastly better car all round.
Basically, as said above, anything with a 6-speed gearbox should be fine.
I'm not sure how much of a problem it is with the pre-facelift cars, but it is heard of.
Basically, as said above, anything with a 6-speed gearbox should be fine.
I'm not sure how much of a problem it is with the pre-facelift cars, but it is heard of.
Can't say I've had any problems yet (touches wood) but then I've got a post facelift and from the posts above it doesn't seem to affect them.
The facelifted MR2 roadster was introduced in 2003 so get an 03 or above and you should be fine. You can tell a facelift from a pre by the subtley different front/rear bumper, colour coded side vents, 16" rear alloys and six speed box. It's also supposed to have a rear differential but allegedly the old one had one too.
Best to check
http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/index.php
to see just how many people have suffered the problem you're referring to.
Anyway good luck and I hope you pick a decent one up. Have to say I love mine and whilst it's no serious sportscar is a fantastic handling car. Very predictable, fun, fast enough and very cheap to run.
The facelifted MR2 roadster was introduced in 2003 so get an 03 or above and you should be fine. You can tell a facelift from a pre by the subtley different front/rear bumper, colour coded side vents, 16" rear alloys and six speed box. It's also supposed to have a rear differential but allegedly the old one had one too.
Best to check
http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/index.php
to see just how many people have suffered the problem you're referring to.
Anyway good luck and I hope you pick a decent one up. Have to say I love mine and whilst it's no serious sportscar is a fantastic handling car. Very predictable, fun, fast enough and very cheap to run.
Hi
The general opinion seems to be that is that post face lift cars are the only way to go and that pre face lift cars will explode whilst being driven off the forecourt - this is however not my experience.
I have a 2001 MR2 Mk3 and was also initially put off the purchase by the pre-cat tales of woe. However - whilst the pre face lift cars seem to be more affected they are also now 8 - 10 years old, if the problem was very common there wouldn't be so many of them still on the road!
There is lots of info on www.mr2roc.co.uk, I followed their advice after purchasing my 2001 model of replacing the manifold with an aftermarket item of the same spec minus the pre-cats. As the pre-cat problem tends to happen very quickly it is reasonably same to assume that if the car isn't showing signs of the problem it hasn't yet started - and therefore replacing the manifold ensures the problem will not occur in the future.
I have owned the car now for a couple of years and have not had any problems at all - great car!
When buying any car it's always sensible to buy the newest, best condition car within budget - however, in this case, if your budget doesn't stretch to a post face lift don't be put off buying a pre face lift, just read up before you buy to spot the tell tale signs and make the basic upgrades to ensure the precat problem can't be a future problem...
Hope that this helps - stay with the mid-engine choice! It's the only way to go!!!
The general opinion seems to be that is that post face lift cars are the only way to go and that pre face lift cars will explode whilst being driven off the forecourt - this is however not my experience.
I have a 2001 MR2 Mk3 and was also initially put off the purchase by the pre-cat tales of woe. However - whilst the pre face lift cars seem to be more affected they are also now 8 - 10 years old, if the problem was very common there wouldn't be so many of them still on the road!
There is lots of info on www.mr2roc.co.uk, I followed their advice after purchasing my 2001 model of replacing the manifold with an aftermarket item of the same spec minus the pre-cats. As the pre-cat problem tends to happen very quickly it is reasonably same to assume that if the car isn't showing signs of the problem it hasn't yet started - and therefore replacing the manifold ensures the problem will not occur in the future.
I have owned the car now for a couple of years and have not had any problems at all - great car!
When buying any car it's always sensible to buy the newest, best condition car within budget - however, in this case, if your budget doesn't stretch to a post face lift don't be put off buying a pre face lift, just read up before you buy to spot the tell tale signs and make the basic upgrades to ensure the precat problem can't be a future problem...
Hope that this helps - stay with the mid-engine choice! It's the only way to go!!!
Thanks mrloto it is good to hear from a pre facelift owner as my budget is most likley only going to allow me to get a pre face lift model. I would defenatly get them removed as soon as possible and from what I read that iradicates the problem. I do like the fact that the MR2 is mid engined its a plus point for me.
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