MR2 Turbo - how hard to find?
Discussion
I'd kind of written on this idea last before Christmas and had started looking more at Z3's, GTV's etc.
It seemed like there were very very few reasonably priced, no-barried Turbos for sale.
However - in the past week or so quite a few more have sprung up it seems, on here, on autotrader etc.
Just a case of people knowing they are likely to be a Summer/toy car and waiting sensibly?
I ask because on the way home from viewing a 330Ci coupe, which was admittedly, nice, solid, posh etc but a bit 'safe' and dull - A Black Rev2 passed me making a right racket, stupidly large exhaust, blow of valve, waay to loud, going like a b
d.
It looked very unsophisticated and childish, and very very fun!
It seemed like there were very very few reasonably priced, no-barried Turbos for sale.
However - in the past week or so quite a few more have sprung up it seems, on here, on autotrader etc.
Just a case of people knowing they are likely to be a Summer/toy car and waiting sensibly?
I ask because on the way home from viewing a 330Ci coupe, which was admittedly, nice, solid, posh etc but a bit 'safe' and dull - A Black Rev2 passed me making a right racket, stupidly large exhaust, blow of valve, waay to loud, going like a b
d.It looked very unsophisticated and childish, and very very fun!
snotrag do you mind awfully not living a parallel life?
I tried a z3 2.8 at the weekend and I wasn't impressed (too soft, even the Mrs said it was too soft). Drawn back towards MR2s but I'd want a 100% unmodified Rev3 or later. And the markets not exactly flush with them locally!
(Looked a scoobys as well. But finding one of those local and not touched by upgrades is even harder!)
I tried a z3 2.8 at the weekend and I wasn't impressed (too soft, even the Mrs said it was too soft). Drawn back towards MR2s but I'd want a 100% unmodified Rev3 or later. And the markets not exactly flush with them locally!
(Looked a scoobys as well. But finding one of those local and not touched by upgrades is even harder!)
The other option is to pick up a clean NA model, which there are a few of currently for sale on here and Ebay then swap the motor. I'm told the swap can be done for around £1000, probably the change left over from buying an NA over a turbo model. Not sure how the insurance companies would react to an engine swap though, especially for me at 22!
Sorry Munter! How old are you - who was here first!
To be fair though, there's a few 'logical choices' when it' comes to cheap sportscars, spits quite predictable that theres a group of PHers all looking at the same threads and doing the same research.
I had also wondered about getting a really nice late UK car and doing an engine swap, it's just deciding whether the hassle/faffing is worth it I guess.
The later cars come in some much nicer colours too.
To be fair though, there's a few 'logical choices' when it' comes to cheap sportscars, spits quite predictable that theres a group of PHers all looking at the same threads and doing the same research.
I had also wondered about getting a really nice late UK car and doing an engine swap, it's just deciding whether the hassle/faffing is worth it I guess.
The later cars come in some much nicer colours too.
snotrag said:
Sorry Munter! How old are you - who was here first!
To be fair though, there's a few 'logical choices' when it' comes to cheap sportscars, spits quite predictable that theres a group of PHers all looking at the same threads and doing the same research.
I had also wondered about getting a really nice late UK car and doing an engine swap, it's just deciding whether the hassle/faffing is worth it I guess.
The later cars come in some much nicer colours too.
If you are looking at this one: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3683351.htmTo be fair though, there's a few 'logical choices' when it' comes to cheap sportscars, spits quite predictable that theres a group of PHers all looking at the same threads and doing the same research.
I had also wondered about getting a really nice late UK car and doing an engine swap, it's just deciding whether the hassle/faffing is worth it I guess.
The later cars come in some much nicer colours too.
I'm going to personally come over to where ever you are and steal all your tea bags. I saw it first damn it.
(Probably too far away though to get the Mrs over to see it before it's sold.)
There are a few around, though a 'good' one is probably a bit harder to find as plenty of them have been chavved up, and tuned by madmen who thought that 240bhp wasn't enough!
I'd avoid anything like that, the 240bhp model is enough of a handful if you intend to do anything other than drop the clutch and race it in straight lines everywhere. Even with a LSD you can still struggle to get the power down in the wet, boosting the power will only serve to spoil the drive. Similarly, avoid anything with big wheels, they're supposed to have staggered sizes. Mine was 15" wheels all round with 195's at the front and 225's at the back. A lot of them are knocking about on 17" wheels which are all the same size. I've never driven one of these, but a good friend of mine who has been into MR2's for 20 years advises me that they handle like st.
And the MR2 Turbo is really not a car you want to handle like st; with no electronic trickery to save you if you get it wrong I'd advise some smaller wheels with the correct tyres on to give you maximum control. Also, avoid anything de-spoilered or with an aftermarket spoiler. I imagine Toyota put some thought into their spoiler and getting the airflow over the back of the car correct.
Keep your eyes peeled for a good one and remember that you may have to travel to get to it!
I'd avoid anything like that, the 240bhp model is enough of a handful if you intend to do anything other than drop the clutch and race it in straight lines everywhere. Even with a LSD you can still struggle to get the power down in the wet, boosting the power will only serve to spoil the drive. Similarly, avoid anything with big wheels, they're supposed to have staggered sizes. Mine was 15" wheels all round with 195's at the front and 225's at the back. A lot of them are knocking about on 17" wheels which are all the same size. I've never driven one of these, but a good friend of mine who has been into MR2's for 20 years advises me that they handle like s
t.And the MR2 Turbo is really not a car you want to handle like s
t; with no electronic trickery to save you if you get it wrong I'd advise some smaller wheels with the correct tyres on to give you maximum control. Also, avoid anything de-spoilered or with an aftermarket spoiler. I imagine Toyota put some thought into their spoiler and getting the airflow over the back of the car correct. Keep your eyes peeled for a good one and remember that you may have to travel to get to it!
To be fair some of the modifications people make are an improvement over the 22 year old Toyota design. For example adding slightly larger wheels (provided you keep the correct stagger front to rear) doesn’t make handling any worse and can improve the grip. Similarly I would rather have aftermarket shocks over near 20 year old original ones.
The stock exhaust will have mostly likely rusted away/or more likely the baffles failed as these bits were not stainless. And a better intercooler/charger cooler is a good idea even at stock boost.
It’s not mine (but I do know it) and I would be taking at look at this example if I was in the market with a decent budget.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3602518.htm
Even badly modified the rev3 onwards mr2 turbo’s seem to last fairly well. I put over 30k miles on my old one running 1.3bar of boost on an otherwise near stock engine without problems and it was very fast as a result (Toyota put in a big margin of safety compared to other jap manufactures of their day).
The stock exhaust will have mostly likely rusted away/or more likely the baffles failed as these bits were not stainless. And a better intercooler/charger cooler is a good idea even at stock boost.
It’s not mine (but I do know it) and I would be taking at look at this example if I was in the market with a decent budget.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3602518.htm
Even badly modified the rev3 onwards mr2 turbo’s seem to last fairly well. I put over 30k miles on my old one running 1.3bar of boost on an otherwise near stock engine without problems and it was very fast as a result (Toyota put in a big margin of safety compared to other jap manufactures of their day).
I've just picked one up this Sunday. Took a while to find one but it was worth the wait for a '97 Rev5 with no modifications or barrying (save for blue LEDs in the headlamps, which will be removed forthwith.)
They are out there, and there are some in pretty good condition too - even those that have been barried can probably be taken back to stock fairly easily, although of course you can't guarantee that the car hasn't been thrashed.
They are out there, and there are some in pretty good condition too - even those that have been barried can probably be taken back to stock fairly easily, although of course you can't guarantee that the car hasn't been thrashed.
Baryonyx said:
Not surprised that has hung around at £6000! It's not even a GTS! You'd have to be 'passionate' to pay that much for one, for sure.
The "GT" was the top of the range model with all options as standard, the "GTS" had a lower trim and equipment level off the shelf but could be specced up if desired.My Rev 2 is a GT, came with Aircon, Climate Control, Steering front foglights, electric folding mirrors, limited slip differential, leather/alcantara interior, Super Live 8-speaker sound system and T-Bar roof. Not bad for a 20 year old car.
- as an aside, lots of owners of UK MR2s advertise their cars as "GT" they're not they're "GTi-16"
Edited by MikeyMike on Tuesday 28th February 10:50
gazchap said:
I've just picked one up this Sunday. Took a while to find one but it was worth the wait for a '97 Rev5 with no modifications or barrying (save for blue LEDs in the headlamps, which will be removed forthwith.)
They are out there, and there are some in pretty good condition too - even those that have been barried can probably be taken back to stock fairly easily, although of course you can't guarantee that the car hasn't been thrashed.
LEDSThey are out there, and there are some in pretty good condition too - even those that have been barried can probably be taken back to stock fairly easily, although of course you can't guarantee that the car hasn't been thrashed.
you sure they're not just uprated bulbs? The SW20 has pretty poor headlights so alot of owners install brighter bulbs, almost all of which have a distinct blue hue to them. MikeyMike said:
The "GT" was the top of the range model with all options as standard, the "GTS" had a lower trim and equipment level off the shelf but could be specced up if desired.
My mistake. My MR2 Turbo had the steering fog lights, I was quite surprised when I discovered them. I think they're as crap on the MR2 as they are on VW/Audi/Seat etc etc!MikeyMike said:
LEDS you sure they're not just uprated bulbs? The SW20 has pretty poor headlights so alot of owners install brighter bulbs, almost all of which have a distinct blue hue to them.
No, it's literally got normal headlamp bulbs, but then a single blue LED in there somewhere (like a lot of the barries do to their Corsas these days :P) you sure they're not just uprated bulbs? The SW20 has pretty poor headlights so alot of owners install brighter bulbs, almost all of which have a distinct blue hue to them. Pain in the bum.
Baryonyx said:
Similarly, avoid anything with big wheels, they're supposed to have staggered sizes.
Mine has correctly staggered 17" wheels and handles fine wet or dry. The MR2 is particularly sensitive to geometry. Nearly all the poorly handling ones have, ime, been in need of a proper 4 wheel alignment and the camber settings correctly adjusted. I am also amazed by how many people are happy to put budget rubber on their wheels. Do that on a turbo and I'm not surprised it will bite you in the .mikey P 500 said:
To be fair some of the modifications people make are an improvement over the 22 year old Toyota design. For example adding slightly larger wheels (provided you keep the correct stagger front to rear) doesn’t make handling any worse and can improve the grip. Similarly I would rather have aftermarket shocks over near 20 year old original ones.
The stock exhaust will have mostly likely rusted away/or more likely the baffles failed as these bits were not stainless. And a better intercooler/charger cooler is a good idea even at stock boost.
+1The stock exhaust will have mostly likely rusted away/or more likely the baffles failed as these bits were not stainless. And a better intercooler/charger cooler is a good idea even at stock boost.
mikey P 500 said:
It’s not mine (but I do know it) and I would be taking at look at this example if I was in the market with a decent budget.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3602518.htm
So do I. I was with its owner last weekend and know that he is selling many of the aftermarket parts and making the car closer to stock which will be reflected in the price. Have a look here.http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3602518.htm
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