Want to buy an MR2 MK3, but...

Want to buy an MR2 MK3, but...

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Discussion

CABC

5,769 posts

107 months

Saturday 28th April 2018
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LaurasOtherHalf said:
To be honest, everything after the MR2 was chasing an automotive tail. .
n
and you had a 5 and an Exige.... do tell.
(big fan already of mr2 btw)

Moominman2

Original Poster:

21 posts

90 months

Sunday 29th April 2018
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TiminYorkshire said:
However what are these like in wintry conditions (ice/frost, light dustings of snow)? I've the Disco for proper snow dump days, but how "twitchy" are these when it gets slippy? I had an XJR that always felt like it was trying to swap ends at any hint of frost, although I accept that's no real comparison to one of these!
Mrben1 said:
I used to use it as my snow car - when my BMW wouldn't get up my drive, the MR2 would still work! Engine over the wheels meant no issue getting going, and it would slide around rather nicely. Obviously if you pushed too far, the weight of the engine would spin it, but I never lost it without trying to!
Same with my MK2. My BMW 330 was useless in the snow- even a light dusting of snow and it went to s**t, but the MR2 I used to have was fine as long as you treated it with respect.

LaurasOtherHalf said:
Good to see a successful conclusion to the question OP!

Mine was a Y reg one, so an early model with the 5 speed but more importantly no stability control. I can remember when I was looking at selling it being aghast at how much the nanny controls had come on and thinking it would be a pain having to switch it off with every journey! The beautiful way it drifted meant that you could be driving a normal commute and suddenly the perfect radius corner would appear with no oncoming traffic, a quick check in your mirrors to make sure no old bill were following and with a scandi-flick you could be sideways in an instant.

Pure hooliganism but so much fun!

The previous (first) owner of mine had really went to town on the spec, so it had TTE lowering springs, TTE exhaust, phase 2 side air intakes (they did look nicer) and 17” wheels that looked a bit like the Ferrari 430 ones-twin 5 spokes.

I ran with Falken tyres and I thought they were the perfect blend of good grip and wet weather performance but a steady and simple break of traction so you could drift so easily.

I remember talking to the apprentice about drifting (the fast & the furious was probably at the cinema at the time) and him not believing I could do it so after work we took it out, one of those frosty winter evenings.

We spent about half an hour just flinging it around with it doing it’s thing, gently sliding at probably not much more than 30mph, it absolutely handled beautifully. There was much laughter!

Simpler times hehe

I also remember doing the launch event for the Boxster Spyder and going into the polished concrete ice simulator. After a few drifts the instructor commented “oh you’ve done this before!” and I told him about the MR2, he mentioned he thought it the best handling mid engined car too (an ex BTCC driver if I remember correctly).

I bought mine after reading an article in Evo where they pitted some second hand cars against some new ones and it scoring very highly.

I’d buy that car back again if I ever could.
Ha ha, thanks for sharing.

I’m not really one for modifying my cars, but I might look into a few subtle bits for this, if it improves the performance. But I’m still learning about how it drives, so for now, I’m happy.

Cheers!

Moominman2

Original Poster:

21 posts

90 months

Wednesday 2nd May 2018
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Ok guys, one issue...

When I lock the car using the key fob, I can guarantee that the alarm and lights will go off.

If I lock both doors manually, it’s ok.

I’m going to change the battery in the fob tomorrow I hope, but does anyone have any ideas as to what this could be otherwise?

Thanks!

RedAndy

1,261 posts

160 months

Friday 4th May 2018
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Toyota alarm or an aftermarket?

if Toyota its posibly just the main battery is goosed (the car one - not the fob). Mine went nuts all the time until i bought a new battery and all was fine.

Moominman2

Original Poster:

21 posts

90 months

Friday 4th May 2018
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Thanks for the reply.

Yeah it’s a Toyota alarm, so I’ll look into that! It’s embarrassing more than anything.

Next silly question...how can you tell if your battery is shot? Do I just have to replace it and hope it’s shot?

Cheers!

RedAndy

1,261 posts

160 months

Tuesday 8th May 2018
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Moominman2 said:
Thanks for the reply.

Yeah it’s a Toyota alarm, so I’ll look into that! It’s embarrassing more than anything.

Next silly question...how can you tell if your battery is shot? Do I just have to replace it and hope it’s shot?

Cheers!
basically yes thats what i did. you can get it tested at halfords, but weirdly, EVERY battery ive ever had tested failed and they offered me a new one. Even some that were brand new!