Discussion
Very fast in a straight line although the on the limit handling can be a little worrying.
Generally reliable, however there are some horror stories out there, if something does go wrong the bills can be scary.
Pricey to insure, but generally cheap.
If you like fast turbo nutter japanese cars, this one is for you. Dont pay too much though and the normal rules about possible grey ad parrallel imports apply.
If you like it, think about supras as well.
Generally reliable, however there are some horror stories out there, if something does go wrong the bills can be scary.
Pricey to insure, but generally cheap.
If you like fast turbo nutter japanese cars, this one is for you. Dont pay too much though and the normal rules about possible grey ad parrallel imports apply.
If you like it, think about supras as well.
I had one (although given it was specially done by Toyota themselves) but it was great....it was a 92 model on wider rims for better handling and grip which it sorely needed - they are very quick (mine was limited to 115mph though which was a pain but you can get the restrictor taken off) - hard to check history as they are all imports but pretty simple to take care of if you know someone in the carbiz....anyone out there got J261 BJN ???
I agree. Fast in a straight line, but don't handle that well. I wouldn't have too many concerns about reliability or getting parts. It's basically the same as any other MR2 - but with a turbo on top.
Jap parts can be ordered over the internet. You just pay the postage and then get a competent independant garage to do the work. Don't go near a main agent with it - they don't have a clue as their part numbers don't match to the uk cars.
A better buy might be an old shape 200SX. Almost as fast, but better handling and much more predictable on the limit handling. The Nissan will be cheaper to buy too.
Jap parts can be ordered over the internet. You just pay the postage and then get a competent independant garage to do the work. Don't go near a main agent with it - they don't have a clue as their part numbers don't match to the uk cars.
A better buy might be an old shape 200SX. Almost as fast, but better handling and much more predictable on the limit handling. The Nissan will be cheaper to buy too.
I test drove one before I bought the GT4.
It was wet and it scared the crap out of me. Sideways twice in 10 miles, and I wasn't trying very hard......
It *had* been modified, so that might have explained the tricky handling (big wheels and lowered suspension).
There are two types of 3S-GTE engine. The early ones (2nd generation) get around 220bhp. The later (3rd Gen) ones get 250bhp. I don't know on which year they changed.....
These guys/gals will know....
www.mr2dc.com/
It was wet and it scared the crap out of me. Sideways twice in 10 miles, and I wasn't trying very hard......
It *had* been modified, so that might have explained the tricky handling (big wheels and lowered suspension).
There are two types of 3S-GTE engine. The early ones (2nd generation) get around 220bhp. The later (3rd Gen) ones get 250bhp. I don't know on which year they changed.....
These guys/gals will know....
www.mr2dc.com/
willdew said: I agree. Fast in a straight line, but don't handle that well. I wouldn't have too many concerns about reliability or getting parts. It's basically the same as any other MR2 - but with a turbo on top.
Jap parts can be ordered over the internet. You just pay the postage and then get a competent independant garage to do the work. Don't go near a main agent with it - they don't have a clue as their part numbers don't match to the uk cars.
A better buy might be an old shape 200SX. Almost as fast, but better handling and much more predictable on the limit handling. The Nissan will be cheaper to buy too.
Sorry mate but neither of things you said there are right.
I've got a Black 1994 MR2 T-Bar Turbo and I used to have a 200sx (s13).
Firstly the Turbo's are most definately not like a normal MR2 they run uprated Bilstein suspension which transforms the handling, also the post '94 models have revised rear suspension geometry to make them more predictable at the extremes of grip. The stories about them being a handfull (pre and post 94 cars) are bollox though, providing your running decent tyres you need to be really really stupid for it to let go in the dry. They can be a handful in a wet but again its only when your being daft that it'll bite you, this is true of all rear drive cars though.
They are nothing like the 200sx to drive either (talking standard cars here), the 200 is much more of a tourer, a bit wallowy round corners, not as sharp and knowhere near as quick. The MR2 is a proper sports car, it goes round corners perfectly flat, changes direction beatifully and sticks to the road like a big stick...in the road. The MR2 also feels much better built and comes with all the oprition the 200 doesn't.
Performance wise there's not a lot you can buy for the money that comes close, true you could get a 200 and tune it to buggery with the money saved but you'd never get any of it back when time came to sell it.
It is also becoming increasingly difficult to find good s13's.
However
An s14 would be a very good alternative if your after something a bit more practical and not so focused.
BTW a 94 MR2 Turbo will do 0-60 in 5.2 - 5.5 seconds and go on to 160, mine's standard and been dynoed at 226 RWHP so upping the boost a bit and upgrading the exhaust will see you really flying.
You'll pay for a good one though mine was £7400 about 6 months ago, its in top nick though, apart from the bloody aerial which just bust.
www.mr2dc.com is a good place for info
Oh and don't worry about parts, the engione is exactly the same unit thats in a Celica GT4, which is an official UK car so your covered there, almost everything else, bar the suspension, is the same as a UK model.
>> Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 30th January 13:50
Mr E said:
There are two types of 3S-GTE engine. The early ones (2nd generation) get around 220bhp. The later (3rd Gen) ones get 250bhp. I don't know on which year they changed.....
These guys/gals will know....
www.mr2dc.com/
IIRC the engine is the same is just the turbo and boost levels which are slightly different. The one your looking at will be the 245bhp model (rev 3).
Rev 3 and after is what you want, they look a lot nicer with the revised spoiler and colour coded bits.
I thought 2nd Gen 3S-GTEs had air/air intercooling and 3rd gen had water/air....
But yes, it's the same lump to all intents and purposes.
My Jap spec GT4 has identical oily bits to the UK car, and Fensport (www.fensport.co.uk) can provide all the spare parts you need.....
But yes, it's the same lump to all intents and purposes.
My Jap spec GT4 has identical oily bits to the UK car, and Fensport (www.fensport.co.uk) can provide all the spare parts you need.....
Don't know for sure but I'm fairly confident that the rev 3 engines still have air/air intercooling. The intercooler lives in the same place (fed from the right hand air scoop I think) as it does on the rev 2, that would tend to suggest its the same.
I'm open to being wrong though
>> Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 30th January 14:00
>> Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 30th January 14:00
I'm open to being wrong though
>> Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 30th January 14:00
>> Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 30th January 14:00
Dave,
Sorry, I'm sure you're right about the suspension. I was meaning the engine, drivetrain, most of the body etc. I worked for a Jap importer for a few summers at uni so I'm no expert on the finer points.
The only tricky bit, as I mentioned, is finding out with part you need and what it's number is in Japan if it's a non UK equivalent item. There must be good web sites for this, but toyota main agents are reluctant to help.
The handling I guess is subjective. I've used 2, both for about a month each, but I find them much happier with the point and squirt approach than using any finesse. The 200SX is soft, but it's fun too. Lots of power oversteer and very controlable.
300ZX's start from around £3,500 for the twin turbo. They are a little uncouth, but good fun.
Sorry, I'm sure you're right about the suspension. I was meaning the engine, drivetrain, most of the body etc. I worked for a Jap importer for a few summers at uni so I'm no expert on the finer points.
The only tricky bit, as I mentioned, is finding out with part you need and what it's number is in Japan if it's a non UK equivalent item. There must be good web sites for this, but toyota main agents are reluctant to help.
The handling I guess is subjective. I've used 2, both for about a month each, but I find them much happier with the point and squirt approach than using any finesse. The 200SX is soft, but it's fun too. Lots of power oversteer and very controlable.
300ZX's start from around £3,500 for the twin turbo. They are a little uncouth, but good fun.
The 300zx is a top motor but an absolute nightmare to run.
If you ever browse through the 300 forums they're filled with post about things going wrong and how they cost an arm and a leg to fix due to the cramped engine bay and lack of specialist who will touch them.
Another major factor re an MR2's is the tyres, they have GOT to be good quality and the correct sizes (195 section front / 225 back) or it will totally ruin the handling.
And like you suggested, its not difficult at all to get parts for em.
>> Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 30th January 14:34
If you ever browse through the 300 forums they're filled with post about things going wrong and how they cost an arm and a leg to fix due to the cramped engine bay and lack of specialist who will touch them.
Another major factor re an MR2's is the tyres, they have GOT to be good quality and the correct sizes (195 section front / 225 back) or it will totally ruin the handling.
And like you suggested, its not difficult at all to get parts for em.
>> Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 30th January 14:34
er...mine ran 295 buy had a larger turbo and was running a lot of boost (it was 8 years ago but i seem to remember 1.2 bar) and 0-60 times was 5.3 so i would say a standard 245 will run around 5.8-6 seconds...yes bilsteins were standard and fully adjustable too and you can uprate the rollbars to stiffen up the car....all in all a fantastic experience for 7k at the time (including the shiping from Japan where I found it) - also got a free weekend in Amsterdam to go and pick it up.. 
Hmm, I'm just quoting the time that I've read in quite a few places about the standard cars, and it really feels a lot faster than a 200 which is supposed to get to 60 in 6.7s.
Maybe your 0-60 was similar due to the bigger Turbo and a longer spool up time??
Yoursd probably would've kept going at the same rate till it went back in time though
>> Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 30th January 14:15
>> Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 30th January 14:16
Maybe your 0-60 was similar due to the bigger Turbo and a longer spool up time??
Yoursd probably would've kept going at the same rate till it went back in time though
>> Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 30th January 14:15
>> Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 30th January 14:16
Heres a pretty good home made site all about them
http://users.breathemail.net/mensah/my95turbo.html
http://users.breathemail.net/mensah/my95turbo.html
dave_s13 said: Don't know for sure but I'm fairly confident that the rev 3 engines still have air/air intercooling. The intercooler lives in the same place (fed from the right hand air scoop I think) as it does on the rev 2, that would tend to suggest its the same.
I'm open to being wrong though
Entirely possible due to the mid-engine configuration. The GT4 with the 3rd gen lump has water/air intercooling.
Having run against a 91 MT2 Turbo in a 94 GT4, the performance is pretty much identical in a straight line.
When I drove the MR2 GT-S, my thoughts were along the lines of "great, great fun, but a little hardcore for an only car. As a second car for the weekend, fantastic...."
Mr E said:
Having run against a 91 MT2 Turbo in a 94 GT4, the performance is pretty much identical in a straight line.
That'll be because the MR2 willl have been 200hp and yours will have been 245hp, but heavier and 4wd.
Match up the same age MR2 / GT4 and the MR2 will be quicker. They different cars for different things though.
When I drove the MR2 GT-S, my thoughts were along the lines of "great, great fun, but a little hardcore for an only car. As a second car for the weekend, fantastic...."
Your absolutely right there, our other car is a pug 405 td so I get a rest 3 days a week.
dave_s13 said: That'll be because the MR2 willl have been 200hp and yours will have been 245hp, but heavier and 4wd.
Match up the same age MR2 / GT4 and the MR2 will be quicker. They different cars for different things though.
Jap spec GT4s have a quoted 255bhp (more aggressive ECU fuel mapping), although I'm sure the drop in octane of UK fuel will knock the power back again.
And the MR2 will be quicker due to weight. I'd suspect the GT4 will have better takeoff due to superior grip. Both are an absolute hoot and I'd happily own either. Or preferably both......
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