Talk to me about the MR2
Discussion
Older brother had a Turbo model (Imported). Very nice car to be a passenger, was tuned to around 300bhp iirc so always power readily available. Seemed very reliable during the 9 months he owned the car and bought it reasonably cheap (3kish) with about 70k on the clock.
Never missed a beat from what I was told and alot of fun over this winter we just had.
Never missed a beat from what I was told and alot of fun over this winter we just had.
I expect your thinking of the newer convertable shape.(MK3)
They are not powerful, just 140BHP, same performance as the original 1600mk1s, i know for a fact;)
My Mrs fancied one, basically there is a face lift i think 2004, different back light cluster, front fogs, 6 speed, and a slightly modified engine with a timing chain. Thats the model to go for.
Very reliable, fun handling but no boot space at all.
I had MK2 a Rev 3 Turbo (1994 on), they are 245BHP, but even that was tricky handling the older ones are damn dangerous!
Ive had 2 Mk1s too, Fantastic handling, i think they went backwards with the mk2 and the mk3 is as you say a girls car.
They are not powerful, just 140BHP, same performance as the original 1600mk1s, i know for a fact;)
My Mrs fancied one, basically there is a face lift i think 2004, different back light cluster, front fogs, 6 speed, and a slightly modified engine with a timing chain. Thats the model to go for.
Very reliable, fun handling but no boot space at all.
I had MK2 a Rev 3 Turbo (1994 on), they are 245BHP, but even that was tricky handling the older ones are damn dangerous!
Ive had 2 Mk1s too, Fantastic handling, i think they went backwards with the mk2 and the mk3 is as you say a girls car.
Edited by nottyash on Thursday 24th June 21:05
three models, all quite different:
mk1 MR2
1600cc 4-AGE twincam engine. Very revvy, very light (900kg), fantastic (un-assisted) steering. However, finding one that isnt rusty is difficult and they definitely feel like an old car. Engines are bulletproof, however. A classic, arguably the best MR2 of the bunch.
If you have good money to spend, try to get one of the late Supercharged models - nicer trim and a blower that makes it really quite nippy.
mk2 MR2 (in fact, my MR2)
Sold throughout the 90s, its a classic Toyota of that era. Very reliable, very solid, very well designed. Comes in 168-195bhp naturally aspirated and 220-245bhp Turbo varieties, many of which are Jap imports (dont let that put you off, they are just as good as UK cars).
N/A cars are very strong mechanically, although rain can drip onto the alternators (a wierd design oversight!!) and at this age some suspension components can be on the way out (nothing expensive like Celica figure 8s though). Not massively fast cars (although the late 195bhp BEAMS cars are nippy) but entertaining to drive, and they feel like a proper sportscar to sit in - a sense of occaision. Also, the mk2 is by far the most practical with a really decent sized boot and plenty of room inside. Can be had as tin-top, T-bar or rare convertible models.
Turbos are quick even by todays standard, very stable at speed, and reliable too - however the same care should be taken buying any turbo car, check for signs of abuse, leaking seals (mayo in oil cap), any sign of poor boosting etc. Cheap to modify to 300bhp, but watch out for chav-owned examples.
mk3 MR2
Getting back to the roots of the mk1 (and also aimed more at the MX-5) the mk3 was lighter (just under a ton), revvier and steered better than the mk2 (and are arguably better than an MX-5). However, they arent fast (140hp isnt really that much these days) and have NO practicality. An Elise has more storage space - seriously. There isnt a boot, at all.
Early models suffered some pretty serious engine issues - facelift ones are as bulletproof as you would expect for a toyota. Beware cheap early models.
There are a few expensive TTE turbo models out there, but they are silly rare. Easier to swap in a 190hp Celica engine with the VVTi head.
mk1 MR2
1600cc 4-AGE twincam engine. Very revvy, very light (900kg), fantastic (un-assisted) steering. However, finding one that isnt rusty is difficult and they definitely feel like an old car. Engines are bulletproof, however. A classic, arguably the best MR2 of the bunch.
If you have good money to spend, try to get one of the late Supercharged models - nicer trim and a blower that makes it really quite nippy.
mk2 MR2 (in fact, my MR2)
Sold throughout the 90s, its a classic Toyota of that era. Very reliable, very solid, very well designed. Comes in 168-195bhp naturally aspirated and 220-245bhp Turbo varieties, many of which are Jap imports (dont let that put you off, they are just as good as UK cars).
N/A cars are very strong mechanically, although rain can drip onto the alternators (a wierd design oversight!!) and at this age some suspension components can be on the way out (nothing expensive like Celica figure 8s though). Not massively fast cars (although the late 195bhp BEAMS cars are nippy) but entertaining to drive, and they feel like a proper sportscar to sit in - a sense of occaision. Also, the mk2 is by far the most practical with a really decent sized boot and plenty of room inside. Can be had as tin-top, T-bar or rare convertible models.
Turbos are quick even by todays standard, very stable at speed, and reliable too - however the same care should be taken buying any turbo car, check for signs of abuse, leaking seals (mayo in oil cap), any sign of poor boosting etc. Cheap to modify to 300bhp, but watch out for chav-owned examples.
mk3 MR2
Getting back to the roots of the mk1 (and also aimed more at the MX-5) the mk3 was lighter (just under a ton), revvier and steered better than the mk2 (and are arguably better than an MX-5). However, they arent fast (140hp isnt really that much these days) and have NO practicality. An Elise has more storage space - seriously. There isnt a boot, at all.
Early models suffered some pretty serious engine issues - facelift ones are as bulletproof as you would expect for a toyota. Beware cheap early models.
There are a few expensive TTE turbo models out there, but they are silly rare. Easier to swap in a 190hp Celica engine with the VVTi head.
Wadeski said:
mk3 MR2
However, they arent fast (140hp isnt really that much these days) and have NO practicality. An Elise has more storage space - seriously. There isnt a boot, at all.
Early models suffered some pretty serious engine issues - facelift ones are as bulletproof as you would expect for a toyota. Beware cheap early models.
Bought one for the Mrs a couple of months ago and she loves it! Its a 2000 model with 75k and I paid £3300 for it. Good condition all round and looks like new now that I have given it my special clean! However, they arent fast (140hp isnt really that much these days) and have NO practicality. An Elise has more storage space - seriously. There isnt a boot, at all.
Early models suffered some pretty serious engine issues - facelift ones are as bulletproof as you would expect for a toyota. Beware cheap early models.
140bhp is fine, making it nippy but nothing more, ideal for women mostly. Its hard to fault and although the updated models are nicer (slightly) for us the difference wasn't worth anything like the additional few thousand pounds.
The 'boot', which is a compartment behind the seats, is small but fine for shopping and weekends away. Its about the same size as an Elise's, perhaps slightly smaller but access is the real PITA.
Although a few have been treated poorly this was mostly a women's car and so there are less modded/thrashed ones around than with some other 2 seaters. Enjoy.
PS: I have driven to work today in the Mrs' new Audi A4 because she prefers her (10 year old) MR2! In fact she said that she 'hates' her Audi barge now and only drives it when she has to - that's how much she loves the MR2.
Edited by Frimley111R on Friday 25th June 12:18
Gaz. said:
nottyash said:
I had MK2 a Rev 3 Turbo (1994 on), they are 245BHP, but even that was tricky handling the older ones are damn dangerous!
What was dangerous about it? I loved my rev2 turbo and can't say it was 'dangerous' and just had typical mid engined traits.Everyone on Pistonheads who owns one says I must of had a bad one. Homnestly, it went in a Specialist, who said nothing is wrong, its just the tyres, aswell as me comparing to friends cars!!
The handling certainly was not as good as the MK1 or MK3 for that matter. My Rev 3 Turbo and a REV 3 NA With standard tyres/ wheels were bad.I put 17" TVR style wheels on with BF Goodrich Profiler Gs, these helped the grip massivly.
A friend bought a really nice rev 1 turbo, and that was very easy to step out the back end, regardless of weather.
Apparently there were changes to suspension on each rev 1/ 2 and then 3, with the 3s getting a different slightly more powerful engine.
I enjoyed it, but you really have to be on the ball when your tanking on.....Or it would kill you
I dont get why the MR2 is considered tricky when pressing on? its a bit light at the front end (911-like) on corner entry, but so long as you dont try to drift it, i dont get the problem?
slow in, feel the weight lift, then feel it settle as the car reaches its apex (not necessarily the corner apex) then boot it from there and you just rocket out. You can get on the power really really early, just dont try to carry too much speed in and steer the car on the throttle like you would in an FR car because thats not how you are supposed to drive it.
slow in, feel the weight lift, then feel it settle as the car reaches its apex (not necessarily the corner apex) then boot it from there and you just rocket out. You can get on the power really really early, just dont try to carry too much speed in and steer the car on the throttle like you would in an FR car because thats not how you are supposed to drive it.
Wadeski said:
Can be had as tin-top, T-bar or rare convertible models.
Rare, wasn't there only something like 50 Mk2 convertibles ever? i have only ever seen 2 up for sale in the last 6 years.On the topic of speed, my Mk2 seemed a little twitchy when doing an indicated 90-110leptons however it was rock solid over that and i once sat on the M40 at an indicated 135leptons from Coventry to the A404 without it feeling more than 70leptons.
On the OP's topic, I know very little about the Mk3 only ever passengered in one, however the 2 people i know who had them both got rid due to lack of practicality.
omgus said:
Wadeski said:
Can be had as tin-top, T-bar or rare convertible models.
Rare, wasn't there only something like 50 Mk2 convertibles ever? i have only ever seen 2 up for sale in the last 6 years.On the topic of speed, my Mk2 seemed a little twitchy when doing an indicated 90-110leptons however it was rock solid over that and i once sat on the M40 at an indicated 135leptons from Coventry to the A404 without it feeling more than 70leptons.
On the OP's topic, I know very little about the Mk3 only ever passengered in one, however the 2 people i know who had them both got rid due to lack of practicality.
Wadeski said:
I've seen a few more than that, NVi used to get them imported quite often. I saw two parked in their yard at the same time once. An importer could probably find you one if you were patient, too.
I didn't think there were that many, other forums alway claimed that less than 100, and i had seen a magazine article claiming only 20 (but that might have been turbo versions). Having been reminded about them i am currently updating the lottery list. 
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