I have a new toy!
Discussion
Ok, confession time.
I have no patience.
I'm at my parents' house tonight before we go on holiday (haven't had a family outing for years).
On the way here I took my favorite shortcut, the twistiest, curviest, most cambred, least friendly roads I know. Imagine the descending back section on the Nurburg ring, (albeit flattened out a bit) and you're getting there.
There's a reason EVO use Lincolnshire in their group tests - it's roads like these!
The car was absolutely fantastic. The accelleration is blistering, the grip eye-popping and the handling was lush. I didn't try to slide or anything (I'm impatient, not daft!) but I can see how it could.
I'm in love...
On top of all that - even under sodium lamps the paint checks out. 100% original, barely a mark on her.
They say you should never realise a dream as you'll always be disappointed. Whoever wrote that needs to try this car!
Next stop - trackday!
I have no patience.
I'm at my parents' house tonight before we go on holiday (haven't had a family outing for years).
On the way here I took my favorite shortcut, the twistiest, curviest, most cambred, least friendly roads I know. Imagine the descending back section on the Nurburg ring, (albeit flattened out a bit) and you're getting there.
There's a reason EVO use Lincolnshire in their group tests - it's roads like these!
The car was absolutely fantastic. The accelleration is blistering, the grip eye-popping and the handling was lush. I didn't try to slide or anything (I'm impatient, not daft!) but I can see how it could.
I'm in love...
On top of all that - even under sodium lamps the paint checks out. 100% original, barely a mark on her.
They say you should never realise a dream as you'll always be disappointed. Whoever wrote that needs to try this car!
Next stop - trackday!
Gazboy said:
They say you should never realise a dream as you'll always be disappointed. Whoever wrote that needs to try this car!
I was so upset I was almost in tears when I drove an Esprit, it was my dream car since I was 10, posters on walls, model cars, matchbox cars- the lot. Got to drive one when I was 25, it sucked BIG TIME. It was SO hard to drive, infact I gave up after a mile or so. To be fair, I was driving along a narrow road in torrential rain.
I think I know how you feel Gaz!
The MR2 is my dream car (unless anyone wants to lend me the cash for a Diablo SV).
The first MR2 I saw was a red G-Limited, parked outside Halfords when my Dad was buying me a helmet for my first non-stabalised bike.
It just looked other-worldly to a childs' eyes - like it could just lift off into the sky at any moment. I've been mad for them since that day. Couldn't stop asking my Dad what it was, how much it was and when I could own one.
The first time I drove a N/A model it felt like I collapsed into absolute depression. It was utterly useless and I'd hyped myself up so far. In all fairness to N/A MR2s the one I drove had smoke pouring from its' engine and could only use 3 gears reliably.
The next attempt (that white turbo from my previous thread) turned out to be little better, despite being in apparently good condition. That time was especially bad as I'd idolised that particular car all the way through my school years and had been told repeatedly (by a mechanic who knew it) that it was well looked after and 'at the top of its game'.
I had made up my mind to buy one just because they looked good (and accept the crushing disappointment of terrible performance/dynamics) when I test drove the car that's now sat in my garage.
There was never any question after that first mad lunge up the dual carrigeway... I was grinning like a kid at Christmas, more through shock than anything else!
In short, I feel very lucky. I was prepared to buy one - just to say I'd done it, and hopefully silence the craving - but by lucky chance I seem to have purchased my dream after all.
My digicam is buried in a suitcase following my recent house move; I'll get some shots tomorrow using Dads' camera.
As for mods - well, I really have to establish what's already on there first.
Looking around it this evening I've found a few interesting stickers - particularly the badge that says 'GREDDY', the Blitz sticker and three others I've never heard of.
They're all hidden on the inside of body panels and under the boot lids. Srangest thing I've ever seen.
Does seem to rule out the possibility that they're hollow boasts though. Why plaster your car with stickers where nobody can see them?
Tomorrow I'll have a good go around it and see what I can find.
As for mods - well, I really have to establish what's already on there first.
Looking around it this evening I've found a few interesting stickers - particularly the badge that says 'GREDDY', the Blitz sticker and three others I've never heard of.
They're all hidden on the inside of body panels and under the boot lids. Srangest thing I've ever seen.
Does seem to rule out the possibility that they're hollow boasts though. Why plaster your car with stickers where nobody can see them?
Tomorrow I'll have a good go around it and see what I can find.
In a style remaniscent of every other car I've ever owned I have already had my first failure. 
Coolant temp gauge on the dash isn't working. Traced it to a broken (rusted through) contact on the temp sensor. New one ordered, should be here tomorrow.
Still; if that's the worst that happens I'll be happy!
Coolant temp gauge on the dash isn't working. Traced it to a broken (rusted through) contact on the temp sensor. New one ordered, should be here tomorrow.
Still; if that's the worst that happens I'll be happy!
This car is bloody mental.
Had my first powerslide in it today (i.e. the second day I've owned it).
Took everyones' advice and found a nice smooth bit of tarmac to explore the limits, away from the nice police persons and indeed the general public; (one of the nice things about Lincolnshire is the number of abandoned air-fields).
Came off a corner, damp surface, gave it a bootful of throttle and it just went sideways. Stayed that way till halfway down the next straight when I decided that tyres are too damn expensive these days and backed off.
Had my mate James in the passenger seat. Now it smells funny...
The strangest thing was it was so natural . It was exactly as I'd imagined a powerslide would be. Want a greater angle, apply more power. Getting to much angle, gently lift and it pulls back in.
Utter bliss!
Had my first powerslide in it today (i.e. the second day I've owned it).
Took everyones' advice and found a nice smooth bit of tarmac to explore the limits, away from the nice police persons and indeed the general public; (one of the nice things about Lincolnshire is the number of abandoned air-fields).
Came off a corner, damp surface, gave it a bootful of throttle and it just went sideways. Stayed that way till halfway down the next straight when I decided that tyres are too damn expensive these days and backed off.
Had my mate James in the passenger seat. Now it smells funny...
The strangest thing was it was so natural . It was exactly as I'd imagined a powerslide would be. Want a greater angle, apply more power. Getting to much angle, gently lift and it pulls back in.
Utter bliss!
_Al_ said:
The first MR2 I saw was a red G-Limited, parked outside Halfords when my Dad was buying me a helmet for my first non-stabalised bike.
How old are you now then?? either your sub 20, or you were on stabiliser far too long???
Congrats on the motor by the way. I am very jealous.
I need an MR-T. My golfs a laugh (not to mention cheap to run), but I miss the sound of the 3S-GTE in the GT4, so can only imagine what it sounds like sat inches behind your head.
Also, sort of carrying on from the comments about handling and driving tips, check out www.mr2mk1club.com/drivingtips.html
I know its about the mk1, and not a turbo MK2, but some of the principles (if not all of them) are the same.
HTH and enjoy your new motor
I know its about the mk1, and not a turbo MK2, but some of the principles (if not all of them) are the same.
HTH and enjoy your new motor
_Al_ said:
Looking around it this evening I've found a few interesting stickers - particularly the badge that says 'GREDDY', the Blitz sticker and three others I've never heard of.
They're all hidden on the inside of body panels and under the boot lids. Srangest thing I've ever seen.
Does seem to rule out the possibility that they're hollow boasts though. Why plaster your car with stickers where nobody can see them?
Pop us an email if you want information on the stickers as if its anything interesting I have some contacts who would be able to fill in the blanks. If its just tuning company stuff I'll recognise it.
Its great watching you guys talking about the MR2-T's- just to make you all jealous, you can pick them up in good nick for probably around 3000-4000 pounds down here in New Zealand! And to echo for about the fifth time, don't kill yourself in it. I nearly lost it in 2nd gear at about 35km/h in a friend's non-turbo MR2. Gave me one hell of a fright- and it was unprovoked (as far as I was aware!). It was wet though.
good choice mate love the MR2! although i am biased! (check profile hehe)
miss my Mk1 MR2 hugely! never had a car handle as well as that and i may have to part with my current turbo (running costs killing me!) but i'll hang onto it as long as i can as i' addicited to that turbo kick in at 3k RPM
miss my Mk1 MR2 hugely! never had a car handle as well as that and i may have to part with my current turbo (running costs killing me!) but i'll hang onto it as long as i can as i' addicited to that turbo kick in at 3k RPM
Cheers everyone!
I'm back from France - I should have been relaxing but I was craving the MRT!
Let's put it this way...
The Ford Mondeo - widely praised for its' fine handling, communicative chassis, immaculate road manners and sharp driving dynamics. I've driven them before, they are pretty good.
After my day in the MRT it felt like a bloody whale. Only slower...
I'll be fitting my new temp sensor tomorrow and polishing the car (the paint isn't perfect when viewed in dull light, but I'm sure we can sort that! ).
Once done I'll try and get some photos of the mysterious 'tuning stickers' for closer analysis.
More pictures to follow...
p.s. I'll have a look at those links, cheers!
I'm back from France - I should have been relaxing but I was craving the MRT!
Let's put it this way...
The Ford Mondeo - widely praised for its' fine handling, communicative chassis, immaculate road manners and sharp driving dynamics. I've driven them before, they are pretty good.
After my day in the MRT it felt like a bloody whale. Only slower...
I'll be fitting my new temp sensor tomorrow and polishing the car (the paint isn't perfect when viewed in dull light, but I'm sure we can sort that!
). Once done I'll try and get some photos of the mysterious 'tuning stickers' for closer analysis.
More pictures to follow...
p.s. I'll have a look at those links, cheers!
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