Discussion
I know I've touched upon this before, but can anyone remind me a bit about them (performance figures, handling traits etc)? IIRC they have a bit of a reputation for rust 
I suppose my main question is this - what sort of difference does the t-bar roof make in the handling? (compared to the fixed head) Oh, and does it leak?
Decided I want an open car again - probably that or spend a bit more on a decent Mk1 MX5.
I suppose my main question is this - what sort of difference does the t-bar roof make in the handling? (compared to the fixed head) Oh, and does it leak?
Decided I want an open car again - probably that or spend a bit more on a decent Mk1 MX5.
Hiya
the tbar is slightly heavier than the sunroof model, as there is more chassis strenthening to stop shake.
You wont notice the difference in performance.
the handling of later mk1's will be slightly different than earlier mk1's due to suspension changes, but not much difference tbh.
Some people will say the early mk1's are more tail twitchy on track - but this is often fun anyway
lots of the tbars do leak - of 3 i have had, 2 leak. but get a car cover or a garage and it's fine. also there are a few things to try to do to fix leaks, that most people don't do. even a good clean of the rubbers and clearing drainage holes can do the trick!
I love the tbar in summer - it makes for a cheap fun RWD open top car
the general spec is 125 BHP @6600 rpm, the earlier mk1's havign a slighty better torque than the later models
the supercharged imports are 145 bhp, and can easily be modified to 180-190 bhp
obviously rust will be a consideration, but for around £1500 you should get a relatively rust free good example, up to £2500-3000 for a mint one
£3000-4000 for a supercharger
check out:
www.mr2mk1club.com
HTH
Jo
the tbar is slightly heavier than the sunroof model, as there is more chassis strenthening to stop shake.
You wont notice the difference in performance.
the handling of later mk1's will be slightly different than earlier mk1's due to suspension changes, but not much difference tbh.
Some people will say the early mk1's are more tail twitchy on track - but this is often fun anyway
lots of the tbars do leak - of 3 i have had, 2 leak. but get a car cover or a garage and it's fine. also there are a few things to try to do to fix leaks, that most people don't do. even a good clean of the rubbers and clearing drainage holes can do the trick!
I love the tbar in summer - it makes for a cheap fun RWD open top car
the general spec is 125 BHP @6600 rpm, the earlier mk1's havign a slighty better torque than the later models
the supercharged imports are 145 bhp, and can easily be modified to 180-190 bhp
obviously rust will be a consideration, but for around £1500 you should get a relatively rust free good example, up to £2500-3000 for a mint one
£3000-4000 for a supercharger
check out:
www.mr2mk1club.com
HTH
Jo
Chris71 said:
Cheers Jo.
Supercharged one sounds fun - bit worried about the insurance though, briefly enquired into a turbo'd Mk2 a while back and the inusrance quote was something like £3000!!
CP
Supercharged one sounds fun - bit worried about the insurance though, briefly enquired into a turbo'd Mk2 a while back and the inusrance quote was something like £3000!!
CP
Yep, you will be hammered for insurance. I advise you do your homework before buying one. If you have the cash to do it the rust on a mk1 is usually surface rust (rear arches mainly) and is repairable. Then again I would rather spend money on restoring a mk1 than getting a more boring newer car for the same money.
A v6 or mk2 tubby conversion is a cool option - i want to do this to my orange mk1.
the insurance is not too bad for the supercharger.
It costs me the same to insure my modified mk1 na as it does the sc.
off the top of my head its around £360 for the sc with adrian flux, with the all sc mods declared, 6 speeding points, extra driver, and no off road parking so parked on road (i'm 30)
the insurance is not too bad for the supercharger.
It costs me the same to insure my modified mk1 na as it does the sc.
off the top of my head its around £360 for the sc with adrian flux, with the all sc mods declared, 6 speeding points, extra driver, and no off road parking so parked on road (i'm 30)
mr2mk1chick said:
A v6 or mk2 tubby conversion is a cool option - i want to do this to my orange mk1.
the insurance is not too bad for the supercharger.
It costs me the same to insure my modified mk1 na as it does the sc.
off the top of my head its around £360 for the sc with adrian flux, with the all sc mods declared, 6 speeding points, extra driver, and no off road parking so parked on road (i'm 30)
the insurance is not too bad for the supercharger.
It costs me the same to insure my modified mk1 na as it does the sc.
off the top of my head its around £360 for the sc with adrian flux, with the all sc mods declared, 6 speeding points, extra driver, and no off road parking so parked on road (i'm 30)
You're also female. I heard a man has to reach 45 before he is considered the same road-risk as his 17 year old daughter on her first lesson
(not saying that's necesarily wrong, just expensive for that 50% of us!
) Will still be 24 when I come to buy and many classic insurers will refuse me for being under 25 still. Doh!
Anyway, whinge over, will definitely keep my eye out for Mk1 SC and get a quote before I look at anything too seriously. Theres one in the ads at the moment which looks rather promising. If only I had the money to hand now (sadly it's tied up in other cars!!) Would have to be a T-bar I think though. Hmm.
Edited by chris71 on Monday 8th January 16:50
chris71 said:
...will definitely keep my eye out for Mk1 SC and get a quote before I look at anything too seriously......
Bear in mind that the SC was never brought into the UK by Toyota so you it will be looking at an import (or a UK car with SC conversion) either way it could mean higher insurance.
definately get a provisional quote for an sc, as they are great fun
some friends of mine are around 24-25 yrs i think, and they get insuured for thier sc with mods for under £400 with A-Plan.
A-plan also offer a discount for imoc members (an mr2 forum)
there is also an sc for sale on imoc which IIRC is a tbar:
www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=57428
some friends of mine are around 24-25 yrs i think, and they get insuured for thier sc with mods for under £400 with A-Plan.
A-plan also offer a discount for imoc members (an mr2 forum)
there is also an sc for sale on imoc which IIRC is a tbar:
www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=57428
ae111sr said:
I have to agree
mr2mk1chick said:
definately get a provisional quote for an sc, as they are great fun
I have the supercharged engine in my 1998 Corolla and can vouch for the fun this engine can give Hi John, Good to see you lurking here too.
For those who don't know, I am the co-owner of Jo's SC
Our SC has been "tweeked" just a tad and is putting out 180bhp with 214pound/ft of torque - it's brilliant fun to drive on the road and on track, but I still prefer our little red N/A for track. We've done a few of the Northants runs in both the red car and the SC and I think they somewhat surprise some of the more modern metal on the twisties
Wadeski said:
i know they are very different cars, but from those who have owned / driven both, how does a blown Mk1 compare to a Mk2 Turbo?
obviously the turbo is more powerful, but is it more fun to drive?
Talk about stiring up a hornets nest. obviously the turbo is more powerful, but is it more fun to drive?
You'll have owners of both now stating theirs is best now.
The mk1 feels better due to it's weight (mk2 is softer and more GT like). The mk2 is quicker due to it's power.
The MR2 Challenge racing showed the mk2 is a lot quicker on the track I believe.
(and wait for the mk3's to say theirs is the best of both, and then the modifieds saying that the SC'ed 3.0 V6 in a Mk1 will kick all their arses
)
I've seen a refurbished MK1 near me for a reasonable price. The question is would it be usable as a day to day car or would it rust away into oblivion in 2-3 years? I wouldn't be too worried about the AGE engine. Also, would it still drive nicely on Fensport springs, KYB dampers and polybushes. The car has had all these. The paint is non standard 2-tone which I'm not a fan of but I'm tempted by this 22 year old classic!
Forgot to say that it's an early MK1 without the side skirts and the owner reckons the sills won't rust because of this fact. Can that be true?!
Forgot to say that it's an early MK1 without the side skirts and the owner reckons the sills won't rust because of this fact. Can that be true?!
Edited by phil_cardiff on Thursday 20th September 17:28
There was a recent thread on IMOC with a similar setup with fensport spring and KYB dampers, they found it was very hard
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