MR2 Roadster Precat problems. How common?
Discussion
Hi guys,
Im currently going through my last few weeks of university and when i finish my mother will no longer be helping me out with paying my car insurance (she does drive my current car too.)
This does mean that as i will be paying for the car myself i can finally by the two seater roadster that i have been craving.
I have been looking at the MX-5 and the MR2 as options and must say visually I prefer the MR2.
I have read that they have problems with the Precats breaking and ruining the engine but cant seem to find out roughly what percentage of cars are affected.
Anybody have any ideas roughly how many are affected?
Does this only affect a small amount of cars or is it something to be genuinly concerned about?
Im currently going through my last few weeks of university and when i finish my mother will no longer be helping me out with paying my car insurance (she does drive my current car too.)
This does mean that as i will be paying for the car myself i can finally by the two seater roadster that i have been craving.
I have been looking at the MX-5 and the MR2 as options and must say visually I prefer the MR2.
I have read that they have problems with the Precats breaking and ruining the engine but cant seem to find out roughly what percentage of cars are affected.
Anybody have any ideas roughly how many are affected?
Does this only affect a small amount of cars or is it something to be genuinly concerned about?
Hi
The general opinion seems to be that is that post face lift cars are the only way to go and that pre face lift cars will explode whilst being driven off the forecourt - this is however not my experience.
I have a 2001 MR2 Mk3 and was also initially put off the purchase by the pre-cat tales of woe. However - whilst the pre face lift cars seem to be more affected they are also now 8 - 10 years old, if the problem was very common there wouldn't be so many of them still on the road!
There is lots of info on www.mr2roc.co.uk, I followed their advice after purchasing my 2001 model of replacing the manifold with an aftermarket item of the same spec minus the pre-cats. As the pre-cat problem tends to happen very quickly it is reasonably same to assume that if the car isn't showing signs of the problem it hasn't yet started - and therefore replacing the manifold ensures the problem will not occur in the future.
I have owned the car now for a couple of years and have not had any problems at all - great car!
When buying any car it's always sensible to buy the newest, best condition car within budget - however, in this case, if your budget doesn't stretch to a post face lift don't be put off buying a pre face lift, just read up before you buy to spot the tell tale signs and make the basic upgrades to ensure the precat problem can't be a future problem...
Hope that this helps - stay with the mid-engine choice! It's the only way to go!!!
The general opinion seems to be that is that post face lift cars are the only way to go and that pre face lift cars will explode whilst being driven off the forecourt - this is however not my experience.
I have a 2001 MR2 Mk3 and was also initially put off the purchase by the pre-cat tales of woe. However - whilst the pre face lift cars seem to be more affected they are also now 8 - 10 years old, if the problem was very common there wouldn't be so many of them still on the road!
There is lots of info on www.mr2roc.co.uk, I followed their advice after purchasing my 2001 model of replacing the manifold with an aftermarket item of the same spec minus the pre-cats. As the pre-cat problem tends to happen very quickly it is reasonably same to assume that if the car isn't showing signs of the problem it hasn't yet started - and therefore replacing the manifold ensures the problem will not occur in the future.
I have owned the car now for a couple of years and have not had any problems at all - great car!
When buying any car it's always sensible to buy the newest, best condition car within budget - however, in this case, if your budget doesn't stretch to a post face lift don't be put off buying a pre face lift, just read up before you buy to spot the tell tale signs and make the basic upgrades to ensure the precat problem can't be a future problem...
Hope that this helps - stay with the mid-engine choice! It's the only way to go!!!
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