My new Toy (1997 MR2)
Discussion
I bought the car knowing it was missing the sunshades for the glass roof panels, and the cases for the panels too, but with the intention to pick these up from ebay. Just before clicking 'Buy it now", I thought I'd look though the old bills and see if I could find details of the previous owner, and if he had these bits lying around.
Amazingly, the previous owner not only told me about the 'secret compartment' where I could find the cases, but also said he'd just found the sunshades lying in his garage. On top this he found two spare keys (I bought it with only one set) and that I was welcome to come collect everything whenever I wanted.
He also has set of original wheels that he paid £50 a while ago, and said I could take them for the same price. A worthwhile phone call then, especially he'd had the car 7 years and was sad to see it go, was pleased it'd gone to a good home (little does he know) and was glad that I was keeping this journal that he could follow.
Amazingly, the previous owner not only told me about the 'secret compartment' where I could find the cases, but also said he'd just found the sunshades lying in his garage. On top this he found two spare keys (I bought it with only one set) and that I was welcome to come collect everything whenever I wanted.
He also has set of original wheels that he paid £50 a while ago, and said I could take them for the same price. A worthwhile phone call then, especially he'd had the car 7 years and was sad to see it go, was pleased it'd gone to a good home (little does he know) and was glad that I was keeping this journal that he could follow.
Synchromesh said:
Glad you enjoyed reading it Raymond, and we'll take it for a spin next weekend, although being Wales the roof will probably have to stay on. 
We're still waiting for the thread on your Alfa though - I expect it up before I see you.
Very excited about next weekend! Can't promise anything with the Alfa thread, I'm aware it's been in the process for a while now but I'm too busy unfortunately. Who's garage is your MR2 parked in btw (in last picture)?We're still waiting for the thread on your Alfa though - I expect it up before I see you.
As I mentioned before, the wheels supplied with the car were Toyota alloys of some description, but not the correct size. Well, they were the correct size for the front (15x6) but MR2s should have a staggered setup with 15x7s on the rear. Although the previous owner had offered me his set of original wheels for an insubstantial sum, I couldn't resist sniping a bargain on ebay, and chanced upon a set of standard wheels complete with a pair of almost new Falken ZE912s on the rear (worth £180 alone) and plenty of life on the fronts. Now all mine for the cost of £120.
After putting the new wheels on, today I headed to Wheels-in-Motion in Chesham to get the tracking sorted. Having heard many times that MR2s are very sensitive to their geo, I thought I better get it looked at before any serious hoonage or track work. Nothing was majorly out (I suppose this is good in that it shows it hasn't been bent) but there were some notable tweaks to be done so it was worth going.
I then popped back over to Pacific Works to get the rad looked at after being advised of its condition by the previous owner. Luke sorted me out with a new one and bled the cooling system to remove any Radweld that might be in it, before topping it back up with Toyota specification fluid. With the car on the ramps it was reassuring for Luke to give it the all clear bodywork-wise, and know that the car is also now mechanically sound and ready to be used in earnest.
IMG_0664 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
Up on the ramps at WiM
IMG_0665 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
Tony attacks a stubborn bolt with fire
IMG_0666 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
Up on the ramps at Pacific Works
IMG_0667 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
What was left of the old radiator!
After putting the new wheels on, today I headed to Wheels-in-Motion in Chesham to get the tracking sorted. Having heard many times that MR2s are very sensitive to their geo, I thought I better get it looked at before any serious hoonage or track work. Nothing was majorly out (I suppose this is good in that it shows it hasn't been bent) but there were some notable tweaks to be done so it was worth going.
I then popped back over to Pacific Works to get the rad looked at after being advised of its condition by the previous owner. Luke sorted me out with a new one and bled the cooling system to remove any Radweld that might be in it, before topping it back up with Toyota specification fluid. With the car on the ramps it was reassuring for Luke to give it the all clear bodywork-wise, and know that the car is also now mechanically sound and ready to be used in earnest.
IMG_0664 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
Up on the ramps at WiM
IMG_0665 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
Tony attacks a stubborn bolt with fire
IMG_0666 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
Up on the ramps at Pacific Works
IMG_0667 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
What was left of the old radiator!
omgus said:
You will soon find that the indicator stalk is on the correct side it is much better positioned there than on the left.
For RHD. 
Air con is a bonus - IIRC it was an optional extra on UK cars.
I have a JDM Rev 4 turbo and a converted UK Rev 5. For bhp/£ ratio nothing comes close.
Edited by Red Devil on Friday 1st March 02:11
Mighty Flex said:
I was very jealous when you disappeared off for your drive today, soaking the welsh sunshine in through the open T-Bar...
I now need an MR2...
Good to meet you today and it was great day - wasn't expecting to pick up a medal at the end!I now need an MR2...
If you're around tomorrow I'll take you out it in. I know a good little route from the track.
And your Alfa looked great, just wish I got the chance to hear it too!
thats an exhaust and a half isn't it?Hi OP, i did write on your flickr but makes more sense to ask here really.
Just curious about your experience with Pacific Works. Really want my car inspected, particularly the suspension/geo as my steering wheel is slightly misaligned. Were PW good/easy to deal with? I only ask as it's a bit of a drive for me to get there.
Just curious about your experience with Pacific Works. Really want my car inspected, particularly the suspension/geo as my steering wheel is slightly misaligned. Were PW good/easy to deal with? I only ask as it's a bit of a drive for me to get there.
danjama said:
Just curious about your experience with Pacific Works. Really want my car inspected, particularly the suspension/geo as my steering wheel is slightly misaligned. Were PW good/easy to deal with? I only ask as it's a bit of a drive for me to get there.
Luke at PW is great, and I chose to go to him based on the personal recommendations of some MR2 owning friends. I'll have no hesitation in using him again next time I need something doing.For the geo I went to Wheels in Motion. Very easy to deal with and I'd recommend them too.
wackojacko said:
Next time you're around give me a PM I'm sure I can show you some of the Chilterns best roads.
Not sure whether that was aimed at me or Dan but it would be great to go for a blast round the Chilterns some day and talk MR2s. I'll be in touch next time I'm that way.Synchromesh said:
Not sure whether that was aimed at me or Dan but it would be great to go for a blast round the Chilterns some day and talk MR2s. I'll be in touch next time I'm that way.
Both 
I'm actually based just outside Reading, but spend a fair amount of time at GF's in Denham.
So anywhere in between/near them then drop me a PM.
It'd taken me a while to actually get round to trying a CD in the player but when I did I found it wasn't cooperating. Not only this but the LCD was suffering intermittent hissy fits, so coupled with the fact the whole unit looked a bit vulgar and garish (silver on a black dash anyone?) I though I'd treat the car to an upgrade. In line with me not spending much on buying the car itself a second hand unit seemed a good bet, and Chav Converters had just a the thing - an Apline CDE120RR up for £50. After haggling and bagging it for £37 I opened it to find the original Halfords receipt from April 2011 for £99.95. Bargain. The problem however, was in going from a double DIN to single DIN unit there was a gaping hole in the dash, but we rectified this with a DIN sized cubby pocket.
So it was time to call favours on a friend who knows his stuff when it comes to in-car audio and rip the dash apart. Out with the old and in with the new...
IMG_0678 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
IMG_0679 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
IMG_0682 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
Much smarter I think, and with the cubby looks very in keeping with the dash, while also bringing the cockpit up to date slightly. The cubby is also very useful for stuffing a wallet and phone but I'll need to get something grippy to stick inside it and stop things flying out. The head unit itself though is a definite improvement in sound quality although it really shows up the flaws in the speakers now. Another improvement are the connections for both 3.5mm jack and USB inputs.
In other news I put another 500 miles on it over the weekend with a trip to Llandow for some karting. I visited the previous owner in Bournemouth en route to pick up the sun shades and spare keys, and he also found some touch up paint which I was dreading to have to source for myself - absolutely top bloke. He also offered me his standard MR2 wheels for £50 but their condition wasn't massively better than my ebay specials and as the garage is turning into a bit of a parts shop I had to decline.
While I was in the west country I did get a chance for a few good B-road hoons though, and I think it's when you're on these roads that this car really starts to come alive. The controls are so perfectly weighted and the balance of the car makes it shine. Keeping the motor spinning it sings and picks up decently above 5k. In this range the car feels like it has just the right amount of power - enough so that it'll punt along well, but that you can also use all of it and feel you're really giving it all that it's got, and that's very satisfying.
Who says sports cars aren't practical, in the back boot alone I fitted;
-a medium sized suitcase
-a rucksack
-a helmet bag
-some boots
-a coat
-a head unit box
-a head unit in a bag
...and there was still another 6 inches of free space at the top!
IMG_0681 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
A flattering angle I think...
IMG_0684 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
So it was time to call favours on a friend who knows his stuff when it comes to in-car audio and rip the dash apart. Out with the old and in with the new...
IMG_0678 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
IMG_0679 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
IMG_0682 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
Much smarter I think, and with the cubby looks very in keeping with the dash, while also bringing the cockpit up to date slightly. The cubby is also very useful for stuffing a wallet and phone but I'll need to get something grippy to stick inside it and stop things flying out. The head unit itself though is a definite improvement in sound quality although it really shows up the flaws in the speakers now. Another improvement are the connections for both 3.5mm jack and USB inputs.
In other news I put another 500 miles on it over the weekend with a trip to Llandow for some karting. I visited the previous owner in Bournemouth en route to pick up the sun shades and spare keys, and he also found some touch up paint which I was dreading to have to source for myself - absolutely top bloke. He also offered me his standard MR2 wheels for £50 but their condition wasn't massively better than my ebay specials and as the garage is turning into a bit of a parts shop I had to decline.
While I was in the west country I did get a chance for a few good B-road hoons though, and I think it's when you're on these roads that this car really starts to come alive. The controls are so perfectly weighted and the balance of the car makes it shine. Keeping the motor spinning it sings and picks up decently above 5k. In this range the car feels like it has just the right amount of power - enough so that it'll punt along well, but that you can also use all of it and feel you're really giving it all that it's got, and that's very satisfying.
Who says sports cars aren't practical, in the back boot alone I fitted;
-a medium sized suitcase
-a rucksack
-a helmet bag
-some boots
-a coat
-a head unit box
-a head unit in a bag
...and there was still another 6 inches of free space at the top!
IMG_0681 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
A flattering angle I think...
IMG_0684 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
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