Talk to me about MR2's.....
Discussion
Hello all, after thinking about getting another car for a while, my insurance company has agreed that I would be able to insure an N/A MR2 (not the roadster, the earlier ones). I have been looking at these cars for a while, but I honestly don't know that much about them.
I love the looks for a start, but what are they like to drive? what revision or mark should I be looking at for around 4-5k? I obviously cannot afford the insurance on an mr2 turbo at this stage, but is an engine swap a relatively easy job in the future?
Thanks alot, I look forward to hearing your replies!!
I love the looks for a start, but what are they like to drive? what revision or mark should I be looking at for around 4-5k? I obviously cannot afford the insurance on an mr2 turbo at this stage, but is an engine swap a relatively easy job in the future?
Thanks alot, I look forward to hearing your replies!!
chuggabugga70 said:
I love the looks for a start, but what are they like to drive? what revision or mark should I be looking at for around 4-5k? I obviously cannot afford the insurance on an mr2 turbo at this stage, but is an engine swap a relatively easy job in the future?
In all honesty if you have 5k to spend then buy a good Revision 3 turbo for £3k and spend the remainder on insurance 
I had an MR2 for 2 and a half years and I loved it! Still got most of it in my back room (broken for parts after it died). Awesome car to drive, a lot of fun and a lot of car for the money. Check out mr2oc.co.uk there is a wealth of info on there.
For that money you will be able to get a very nice Rev 5. Personally I like the sonic shadow colour scheme, and a T-Bar roof is a must IMO.
Have you looked into insurance for the turbo? I have just turned 25 but last year the price difference for the N/A and the turbo was only £20... not sure why but I have heard a lot of people say the same sort of thing.
If there is anything specific you want to know just give me a shout, I'd be glad to help.
ETA: I was insured by Adrian Flux, also try Sky insurance and Chris Knott (highly recommended)
For that money you will be able to get a very nice Rev 5. Personally I like the sonic shadow colour scheme, and a T-Bar roof is a must IMO.
Have you looked into insurance for the turbo? I have just turned 25 but last year the price difference for the N/A and the turbo was only £20... not sure why but I have heard a lot of people say the same sort of thing.
If there is anything specific you want to know just give me a shout, I'd be glad to help.
ETA: I was insured by Adrian Flux, also try Sky insurance and Chris Knott (highly recommended)
Edited by Weaver on Wednesday 15th July 11:34
has anyone actually thought that the OP might be under 20 or 21? surely at something around 19 a turbo would be way out of the question. Then again I may be wrong, as im pretty sure an NA would be hard to insure. Even so, do what the other's have mentioned - ring round the insurers!
Good luck with your search bud.
Good luck with your search bud.
If there's any MK2 MR2 up for £5k then it's either overpriced or had 20k spent on it..
You should be looking to spend around £3k for a good rev 5, get some coilovers, big brakes and 16" light weight wheels with exhaust/induction and you will be laughing. Loads of fun to drive, nice sound and handle well (in the dry)
Make sure you get the T Bar!
You should be looking to spend around £3k for a good rev 5, get some coilovers, big brakes and 16" light weight wheels with exhaust/induction and you will be laughing. Loads of fun to drive, nice sound and handle well (in the dry)
Make sure you get the T Bar!
The N/A is reliable good fun motoring in my opinion! still a little thirsty considering the performance but i guess thats a japanese trait 
I would personally get a rev3 cheap, get used to driving it, enjoy it, save the cash, then go for a turbo when it's more appropiate 
Lovely looking cars for the money !
I would personally get a rev3 cheap, get used to driving it, enjoy it, save the cash, then go for a turbo when it's more appropiate Lovely looking cars for the money !To be honest, If it wasnt a turbo, I wouldnt buy a Mk2 MR2 I dont think. The turbo engine gives it the personality to excite, you have to put in alot of effort to drive the MR2 turbo quickly, but it does reward and can be very quick once you learn it. The NA is still a good car, but wont you be wishing you had 250bhp+ rather than 150-170?
Try adrian flux or sky insurance for turbos, they are quite well priced. (insured my girlfriend who is 21 on a turbo for around £900)
Try adrian flux or sky insurance for turbos, they are quite well priced. (insured my girlfriend who is 21 on a turbo for around £900)
Edited by RobCrezz on Wednesday 15th July 12:31
dont get me wrong lads, I would love a turbo, but being 19 the NA is the only safe bet. To be honest, I wouldn't trust myself at this age with a turbo, and neither would the insurance companies, it seems. This would be my first "proper" RWD car, having only driven a fwd fiesta, and a rear engined RWD beetle, this is my first "proper" car. The idea is to find a tidy example, do the usual (exhaust, wheels etc, non chavvy!) Get used to it, then go for a turbo later on once I have got used to the MR2ness.
It was down to an mr2 or an accord type r, both can be had for similar sort of money, both similar insurance but the mr2 just seems to have that flair that I can't put my finger on. Of course the accord has rear seats, wayyy more luggage space and is quicker, but is it as fun to drive?
It was down to an mr2 or an accord type r, both can be had for similar sort of money, both similar insurance but the mr2 just seems to have that flair that I can't put my finger on. Of course the accord has rear seats, wayyy more luggage space and is quicker, but is it as fun to drive?
chuggabugga70 said:
dont get me wrong lads, I would love a turbo, but being 19 the NA is the only safe bet. To be honest, I wouldn't trust myself at this age with a turbo, and neither would the insurance companies, it seems. This would be my first "proper" RWD car, having only driven a fwd fiesta, and a rear engined RWD beetle, this is my first "proper" car. The idea is to find a tidy example, do the usual (exhaust, wheels etc, non chavvy!) Get used to it, then go for a turbo later on once I have got used to the MR2ness.
It was down to an mr2 or an accord type r, both can be had for similar sort of money, both similar insurance but the mr2 just seems to have that flair that I can't put my finger on. Of course the accord has rear seats, wayyy more luggage space and is quicker, but is it as fun to drive?
They are fun, but untill you really get the hang of it, and how a mid engine car behaves, you will probably be slower than your mates in their fwd boxes in the corners - but that can all change once you figure out how to drive it. The Accord type R, will be alot easyer to drive quickly, more practical, but you will look like a taxi to most people. The accord is probably the better car based on your experience.It was down to an mr2 or an accord type r, both can be had for similar sort of money, both similar insurance but the mr2 just seems to have that flair that I can't put my finger on. Of course the accord has rear seats, wayyy more luggage space and is quicker, but is it as fun to drive?
Have had one for last 4 years......hasn't really gone wrong at all (and its an early one that has 130k on it), is good fun to drive although not amazingly quick, and is surprisingly practical.
Your budget is mid to late turbo money, so if its gonna be an n/a get a very very late UK one and save about half the cash.
Your budget is mid to late turbo money, so if its gonna be an n/a get a very very late UK one and save about half the cash.
Good info about models and is a buyers guide here - http://mr2oc.co.uk/know-your-2/mk2.html (may need to register)
Have you considered a mk1? £800 will get you a working car with solid mechanicals but a bit of rust, 1.5k will get you a mint condition N/A. 2.5k will get you a mint condition manual gearbox supercharger. Not fast enough? The later engines can take a 50 shot of wet nitrous reliably or you can engine swap to a mk2 turbo or camry V6.
Ed- as mentioned above, the mk1 is low power but all about handling. It will see off an MX5.
T-bar versions leak but have more headroom, and the leaks are repairable. This applies to the T-bars on both mk1 and mk2 but they are worth the hassle.
You will need to learn how to drive mid engine RWD on both cars. If you drive it like a FWD hot hatch you will spin it. If you lose it in a mid engine car they are nowhere near as forgiving as other drivetrain kinds. If you extract the urine in a turbo car it will try to kill you, particularly if it is raining.
Ed- as mentioned above, the mk1 is low power but all about handling. It will see off an MX5.
T-bar versions leak but have more headroom, and the leaks are repairable. This applies to the T-bars on both mk1 and mk2 but they are worth the hassle.
You will need to learn how to drive mid engine RWD on both cars. If you drive it like a FWD hot hatch you will spin it. If you lose it in a mid engine car they are nowhere near as forgiving as other drivetrain kinds. If you extract the urine in a turbo car it will try to kill you, particularly if it is raining.
Edited by sadako on Wednesday 15th July 15:00
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