Bought this today, lovely MR2 Roadster.
Discussion
"Lovely" typo in the title but there we go...
After quite a few months of looking for something fun and sporty to drive around in, I saw this being advertised last week and went to see it today. Looking forward to giving it a proper drive very soon!
Edited by Challen87 on Sunday 2nd November 21:24
Hi,
So this is 1.8 VVT-i mid engine & rear wheel drive. I'd never conisdered getting a mid engine car until I'd been driven around in a clio V6 and saw just how much fun it was. This specific car has no modifications in terms of performance but seems to have been kept in brilliant condition. It was evident that buying the model from 2003 onwards would be a good thing to do so I waited and watched the adverts for months until I saw this.
Before this I used to drive ford escorts and have had the pleasure of driving various Mercedes, BMWs and Jaguars however they were all automatics (and not mine!) I haven't got much to compare this to in terms of a more powerful manual sports car so I'll have to come back to you on that. I'm collecting it on Friday and will be driving up to Manchester so I'll have a much better idea. Fingers crossed taking it to Mercedes World on Sunday if the numbers drop.
Before I saw this I was also considering the Honda S200 and I really liked the look of the Nissan 350z. The only ones in my price range were Cat C/D so moved back to the idea of the MR2 and so far I'm really happy and can't wait to have it parked outside! It's my first proper car purchase outside of university runabouts etc.
More pics attached
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/0hqXUsve.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/mNWMCczq" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/mNWMCczq.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/Zj424ACl" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/Zj424ACl.jpg)
So this is 1.8 VVT-i mid engine & rear wheel drive. I'd never conisdered getting a mid engine car until I'd been driven around in a clio V6 and saw just how much fun it was. This specific car has no modifications in terms of performance but seems to have been kept in brilliant condition. It was evident that buying the model from 2003 onwards would be a good thing to do so I waited and watched the adverts for months until I saw this.
Before this I used to drive ford escorts and have had the pleasure of driving various Mercedes, BMWs and Jaguars however they were all automatics (and not mine!) I haven't got much to compare this to in terms of a more powerful manual sports car so I'll have to come back to you on that. I'm collecting it on Friday and will be driving up to Manchester so I'll have a much better idea. Fingers crossed taking it to Mercedes World on Sunday if the numbers drop.
Before I saw this I was also considering the Honda S200 and I really liked the look of the Nissan 350z. The only ones in my price range were Cat C/D so moved back to the idea of the MR2 and so far I'm really happy and can't wait to have it parked outside! It's my first proper car purchase outside of university runabouts etc.
More pics attached
boy said: Just make sure it doesnt use oil.
Don't worry if it does, they all do, just a characteristic of the engine. Ours needed topping up with fully synth 5w-30 every 3-4 tanks of fuel for the 50k or so miles we had it. Things that tend to wear are wheel bearings, sticking handbrake cables and suspension top mounts - all easy to replace as and when. The engine is pretty noisy because of the timing chain, but exhaust heat shields can rattle (giant jubilee clips work well as a cheap temporary fix).Great fun little car. It's far more of a 'proper' car than the MX5 we had at the same time, much more delicate to balance and make it flow and not as instantly chuckable, but much faster and more rewarding when you do get it right... and it loves to rev. My only criticism was not being able to get my knees under the steering wheel.
ally_f said:
Don't worry if it does, they all do, just a characteristic of the engine. Ours needed topping up with fully synth 5w-30 every 3-4 tanks of fuel for the 50k or so miles we had it. Things that tend to wear are wheel bearings, sticking handbrake cables and suspension top mounts - all easy to replace as and when. The engine is pretty noisy because of the timing chain, but exhaust heat shields can rattle (giant jubilee clips work well as a cheap temporary fix).
Yes, and that characteristic is oval bore wear, which IIRC is also a contributing factor to pre-cat failures. That looks great, quite rare in green. Yours appears to be a facelift version so hopefully you shouldn't have any major issues if the internet is to be believed.
I've looked at these before and nearly bought one before someone beat me to it. They're great little cars, excellent fuel economy, fabulous handling and a proper manual soft top.
I've looked at these before and nearly bought one before someone beat me to it. They're great little cars, excellent fuel economy, fabulous handling and a proper manual soft top.
Yes this is the facelift version, my thoughts exactly - rare colour both inside and out. Looking forward to getting some more pics up over the weekend.
I had seen quite a few and grew quite fond of the Red model, very cool. But, I wasn't going to travel up to Manchester to get it!! (At the time!)
I like them in black too, and I've had a silver and blue car before so thought I'd go for something different. Saw this being advertised on Thursday evening or Friday morning, called them straight away and saw it yesterday. Didn't want anyone beating me to it!
I had seen quite a few and grew quite fond of the Red model, very cool. But, I wasn't going to travel up to Manchester to get it!! (At the time!)
I like them in black too, and I've had a silver and blue car before so thought I'd go for something different. Saw this being advertised on Thursday evening or Friday morning, called them straight away and saw it yesterday. Didn't want anyone beating me to it!
Once I've given it a good clean and polish I'll get some more pictures up! There are some tiny scuffs on the front which I want to work on. It had a new VVTi controller back in 2011 and the MOT is due in 6 months - everything seems to be in good working order at the moment so touch wood. From what I've heard though these are pretty reliable which is nice.
Nothing like being in the outside lane on the M1 and your car dies... That happened in my Escort.
Nothing like being in the outside lane on the M1 and your car dies... That happened in my Escort.
Edited by Challen87 on Monday 3rd November 18:33
This car is a blast to drive. Not as nimble and "light" as an Mx5, but the engine location gives it a different appeal to the driving.
Although it is a Toyota, they are prone to engine failures (burning to much oil is the first symptom) wich.... is not a bad thing at all, as it's a great starting point and excuse to drop a 1.8 from T Sport Celica wich really wakes up this chassis with it's 192ps at a staggering 7800rpm! (Celica 1.8 Tsport specs!: http://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/Toyota/5254...
Although it is a Toyota, they are prone to engine failures (burning to much oil is the first symptom) wich.... is not a bad thing at all, as it's a great starting point and excuse to drop a 1.8 from T Sport Celica wich really wakes up this chassis with it's 192ps at a staggering 7800rpm! (Celica 1.8 Tsport specs!: http://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/Toyota/5254...
What stereo does it have? If it has a CD/AUX function then its more than likely you can get an adaptor from eBay. Means taking the unit out to plug in usually, I fitted one to my Honda last week that makes it think you have a 6 disc. Sadly you need to control the playlist from the phone, unless you buy an X-Carlink - another option to look at but nearly £100 in most cases.
Very nice colour!
I'm sure you are already aware of MR2ROC on the web - excellent resource are v. friendly peeps.
In the 3.5 years I've run mine (also an '03' facelift) it has only dropped a battery, certainly no oil consumption issues and the pre-cats are still there. Having said that I have the SMT derivative so if anything does go pear shaped it'll probably be there.
Still a good drive - just enough power to be interesting, but with cornering prowess. All those turbo diesel reps have little trouble keeping up on the straight, but have no chance on the twisty bits.
Enjoy!
I'm sure you are already aware of MR2ROC on the web - excellent resource are v. friendly peeps.
In the 3.5 years I've run mine (also an '03' facelift) it has only dropped a battery, certainly no oil consumption issues and the pre-cats are still there. Having said that I have the SMT derivative so if anything does go pear shaped it'll probably be there.
Still a good drive - just enough power to be interesting, but with cornering prowess. All those turbo diesel reps have little trouble keeping up on the straight, but have no chance on the twisty bits.
Enjoy!
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