1989 Toyota MR2 Mark 1

[AW111]

It's in a way surprising that it took Lotus 10 years after the MR2 to build their take on the (Matra/Bonett) formula for small mid engined cars:
Take a FWD engine/transmission and move it to the back.

The only difference between a (mk1) MR2 drivetrain and the equivalent Corolla is a minor change to the gearbox shift linkage so it exits the front of the box.

Fun fact: at one time you could buy a new Toyota powered by the same 4age twincam as either

Front engined FWD (Corolla)
Front engined RWD (AE86)
Mid engined RWD (MR2)

[anonymous-user]

Those are fine and nerdy facts.

My MR2 is due for an MOT. I have asked my hippy punkabilly slacker metaaaaaaal brother to get this sorted. I fear RUST.

[anonymous-user]

OMG the Kawaiimobile passed its MOT with no snags.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKqgE4BwAY

[gofasterrosssco]

AW111 said:

Fun fact: at one time you could buy a new Toyota powered by the same 4age twincam as either

Front engined FWD (Corolla)
Front engined RWD (AE86)
Mid engined RWD (MR2)

And all were good / great cars in their day (I had 3x Mk1's)! Indicates how much Toyota lost its way for a period of time in the 00's. If I had to swap the 4A-GE, it would be for the 20V Black-top version, or perhaps the 2ZZ-GE + 6-speed, but really the existing engine is such a sweet little unit and very reliable with just basic maintenance.

[Rich135]

Breadvan72 said:

OMG the Kawaiimobile passed its MOT with no snags.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKqgE4BwAY

Great news, and an even better video!

[gforceg]

Breadvan72 said:

OMG the Kawaiimobile passed its MOT with no snags.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKqgE4BwAY

Two things
Are you certain your scary arse sounding brother didn't put the frighteners on the MOT man to guarantee a pass?

And

Am I hallucinating?

[anonymous-user]

BabyMetal are the best thing ever. I would play their choonze SUPAH LOUD on the stereo in the MR2 if it were not a bit rubbish.

[anonymous-user]

gforceg said:

...
Are you certain your scary arse sounding brother didn't put the frighteners on the MOT man to guarantee a pass?

...

My bro looks well scary, but he is a gentle soul. The MOT bloke wants to buy the Mangatronic Kawaiimobile for his daughter.

[gforceg]

Hang the fk on! Two days ago I'd never heard of Babymetal and now Iggy Pop is playing them on the Iggy Confidential show. Coincidence? I don't think so. You, sir, are Iggy's debauched twin and as the discoverer of such, ICMFPN.

[danllama]

To the purists, I say boo!

Mk1.5 they call it, and it looks the nuts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QKvmtDyEQY

[anonymous-user]

To be regarded as more debauched than Iggy Pop is high praise indeed!

[anonymous-user]

My useless brother left the car out in the rain for three months, parked outside the dry barn that I rent at some expense. The car is soaking wet, has mould on the carpets, and the battery connectors have corroded. It is one and a half working days before Christmas. My brother is a useless .

[mrtwisty]

Just spotted a red one of these today in Clifton (Brissle). Very nice. I'm thinking a mk1 would complement the mk3 daily nicely, along with the mk3 Supra...


So BV.... it's in a pretty bad state eh?



With the greatest of respect, you're not really hands on with your cars are you?



You've got enough to worry about I imagine? Other fish to fry?



Go on, how much?

[anonymous-user]

Your negotiating skills are appalling. I would not sell the car to you after that opening pitch.

[mrtwisty]

:-) oh go oooon!

[anonymous-user]

Nope. The car will be fixed up, tarted up, and in due course given as a present to a friend of mine who is obsessed with all things Kawaii. provided that she is not too tall to fit in the driver's seat.

[mrtwisty]

That's lovely BV. Pics of the car with a big bow tied round it on pressie day, if you please.

[anonymous-user]

Maybe some time next summer.

[anonymous-user]

Mighty (rubbish) bodge powers and primo kwalidee swearing have rendered my MR 2 mobile, and I have run it for a bit with the (very good) heater blasting to dry out the interior. I have scraped the nasty fungus off the carpets, and given the car a wash and vac. So, yay!

[anonymous-user]

Yes, there's nothing like getting your small Japanese hottie covered with creamy foam, hosing off the crusty bits around her tailpipe, and then, when she's all wet and shiny, slathering her with hot wax.