Mk1 Toyota MR2
Discussion
Your main issue is rust, pretty much anywhere and everywhere on some cars - what can look solid can be an absolute mess once you take the rolled up newspaper packing and filler away.
Rear arches, area where the front bumper meets the wing, under the skirts and along the top of the windscreen are areas that spring to mind, floorpan etc is well worth a look.
Some have a habit of jumping out of 5th gear, I believe this is quite common so give it a decent drive if you take one out, come on and off the gas in 5th a few times.
Other than this and things wearing out with age I don't think are are any big issues, usual Toyota reliability on the engine side, great handling and quite comfortable over a distance.
A few model differences, MK1a and MK1b I think they call them, as well as imported supecharged versions, I've only been a passenger in one of those but it was a lot of fun from that side. 3S-GTE and V6 engine conversions are growing more popular now, I quite fancy one like that myself one day.
Obviously there are a number of specialist clubs out there but I'm sure the real experts will be along here with decent info soon.
And as if someone knew about this thread I just checked on IMOC and someone has posted up a perfect example of a car that looks nice on the outside but has some hidden issues:
http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12283...
Hope it's OK to post that link here.
This was mine.
I bought it and had new arches put on. Austin Meastro arches and full cavalier sills, then resprayed in its original Mica blue.
It had a SS exhaust, braided hoses and i poped a set of new alloys.
Think i had about 3 grand in the car but it was mint.
Wish i never sold it now
They are great cars for the money. How can you find a mid engined RWD cool looking car for the same money!
see: www.mr2mk1club.com/forums
this should help with finding parts, but also great friendly advice too
As mentioned they can rust (but so do most 20++ year olds cars!)
5th gear popout is not that common, i guess less that 5% from the few cases i've heard and knowing loads of mk1 owners. do the test drive and see. the gear nobs will all 'nod' a considerable amt and this is not a diagnosis of early failure, but may help you haggle the price anyway.
The engines seem to go for ages if treated to a regular service.
Look for worn suspension and bushes
check colour of coolant to see if its been run on water and could be rusing in there.
we love our mk1 track car, and its done loads of trackdays.
Generally they are pretty confy to drive
The tbar versions often leak (but so do elises and Vx220's!) and a change of rubbers will prob solve it or even a tweak of the guide holes for the fixing of the tbar glass - again, its haggling money off rather that a show stopper really, and if parked outside get a cover.
Wheels - they came with 14"s and these are fine. 15"s look cool, handle well, and are easier to find a greater range of tyres. 16" okay, 17"s fine for show but not the best handling for track.
cheap perfomance upgrades: air filter, exhaust - work a treat to get back the horses that have left over the years.
hope this all helps
see: www.mr2mk1club.com/forums
this should help with finding parts, but also great friendly advice too
As mentioned they can rust (but so do most 20++ year olds cars!)
5th gear popout is not that common, i guess less that 5% from the few cases i've heard and knowing loads of mk1 owners. do the test drive and see. the gear nobs will all 'nod' a considerable amt and this is not a diagnosis of early failure, but may help you haggle the price anyway.
The engines seem to go for ages if treated to a regular service.
Look for worn suspension and bushes
check colour of coolant to see if its been run on water and could be rusing in there.
we love our mk1 track car, and its done loads of trackdays.
Generally they are pretty confy to drive
The tbar versions often leak (but so do elises and Vx220's!) and a change of rubbers will prob solve it or even a tweak of the guide holes for the fixing of the tbar glass - again, its haggling money off rather that a show stopper really, and if parked outside get a cover.
Wheels - they came with 14"s and these are fine. 15"s look cool, handle well, and are easier to find a greater range of tyres. 16" okay, 17"s fine for show but not the best handling for track.
cheap perfomance upgrades: air filter, exhaust - work a treat to get back the horses that have left over the years.
hope this all helps
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