RE: PH Blog: buyer's notes

RE: PH Blog: buyer's notes

Author
Discussion

Scrof

197 posts

154 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
pits - I see your point, but I'd contend that being pleased about a large group of fellow car enthusiasts appreciating your choice of car is somewhat different to worrying about what people in the office will think if you buy something they don't like!

carinaman - Thank you kindly! FWD is just fine too, though, in its own way - I've had many front-drivers that I've enjoyed in my time! smile


Manicminer

10,839 posts

197 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
Good choice, here's my B reg example.

Rust is the enemy, need to keep on top of it before it ends up just another parts scrapper.



I'm too afraid to take the windscreen pillar covers off to paint weeping

Edited by Manicminer on Monday 3rd December 17:29

HowMuchLonger

3,004 posts

193 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
Article author said:
natch
WTF

Am I missing out on hip lingo speak? I have no idea what this means.

Amirhussain

11,489 posts

163 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
HowMuchLonger said:
Article author said:
natch
WTF

Am I missing out on hip lingo speak? I have no idea what this means.
Short for naturally.

dandarez

13,286 posts

283 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
MR2 Mk1 was a good little sports car... but time meant they disintegrated.
The only opposition to the MR2 Mk1 came from the Brit alternative the G32. No T-bar but there is one major difference, it didn't rust (galv chassis) - the doors could corrode if left unloved though. And it was a better looker, but that's a personal thing.
At the moment can be had for similar money to a MR2 for a good one (if you can find one, of course).

And don't say 'it's a kit', it was only available fully built and was crash tested and type approved.


Alfa159Ti

827 posts

157 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
Epic choice sir! Great driving position. Great fizzing 1.6 engine. Great gear shift. The styling may not have aged gracefully, but I bet you'll have a blast with it. I only got to drive a mates once many moons ago, but it really left an impression on me.

MR2s are addictive - you might find this won't be your last. Funnily enough like one of the other posters, I have also owned four, though mine were MK2s.

I always felt that every journey was an experience. Just getting in one gives me a sense of excitement and anticipation. Can't say that about many cars.

Look forward to reading more about your new steed.


Ocellia

186 posts

149 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
Pop up headlights!
Yes, on a Lincoln Continental, (but for the 80% fuel/foul tax we endure here!)

Hellbound

2,500 posts

176 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
I have a budget of less than £1000 for a reliable run around. I think rust will have to become a lifestyle choice for me if I'm to get one of these.

carinaman

21,292 posts

172 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
Everybody needs love and adventure, everybody needs cash to spend. smile

Baryonyx

17,996 posts

159 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
dandarez said:
MR2 Mk1 was a good little sports car... but time meant they disintegrated.
The only opposition to the MR2 Mk1 came from the Brit alternative the G32. No T-bar but there is one major difference, it didn't rust (galv chassis) - the doors could corrode if left unloved though. And it was a better looker, but that's a personal thing.
At the moment can be had for similar money to a MR2 for a good one (if you can find one, of course).

And don't say 'it's a kit', it was only available fully built and was crash tested and type approved.
I have always liked the look of these, though that one in green looks a bit pap. Fiesta running gear, which means a turbo charged CVH engine wouldn't be out of the question!

rotta

159 posts

140 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
ultima GTR "natch"

v8manta

4 posts

146 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
Fantastic car, I made exactly the same choice a few years back. I've still got it and still love it. It's had a few choice mods - plate diff, quickrack, stiffer rear ARB, and the usual suspension refresh. Still entertains every time I have an excuse to drive it.

Like yesterday at Cadwell Park. :-)

http://youtu.be/GP-V6B06jfI

Note the giggling.

whythem

773 posts

177 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
The idea of classic insurance, decent MPG, great handling and peppy engine appeals to me. Been considering a MK1 MR2 or Porsche 924S for a while now.
A lot on here have mentioned rust problems. Anyone care to expand on where and what to look for? Is it repairable?

un1eash

597 posts

140 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
Ive had my Mk1 MR2 for nearly 8 years now, its a little faded these days but has never let me down and still puts a smile on my face. I dont think i'll ever sell it, it currently shares the driveway with my Alfa GT and Elise S2 111S.

As for rust, front and rear arches, sills (always worth removing the skirts as they can hide alot), front lower suspension mounts, ARB mounts, top of windscreen are some of the more common areas. Mines had the rear arches done but could do with new front wings. Aslong as the rust hasnt got into the chassis everything is repairable and repair panels are available. It just isnt cost effective most the time.

FELIX_5

952 posts

197 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
HowMuchLonger said:
WTF

Am I missing out on hip lingo speak? I have no idea what this means.
You would understand had you read page 1 where it was already discussed.....

spudgun GB

461 posts

168 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
Good choice that man. Really good to see someone at Pistonhead HQ getting into the MR2 scene.

Here is mine.





Some good points well made already.

I was lucky I had a welder and could weld, of sorts, long before I bought mine back in 2001.
I you weld it gives you a different mind set to rust and I just tend to get on with it rather than bury my head in the sand and let it get worse.

On another note, the Toyota BGB manuals are the best I have ever come across and had the pleasure of using. I have never been stumped with any technical issue when using this info. It makes a Haynes manual look like a primary school crayon drawing.

Bloody shame the weather has been so poor this year. My trip to the Highlands was about the only mileage I did this year. I wouldn't be without mine.

greggy50

6,169 posts

191 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
You brought a car from Walsall! hope you did a few HPI checks...

Yes I am from Walsall...

Scrof

197 posts

154 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
Indeed, she is HPI clear. Natch. ;-)

Great shout on the G32! I had completely forgotten they even existed, but I can see just what you mean about the resemblance to the MR2!

Great to see these pics of other 2s coming out of the woodwork, by the way! :-) and thanks also to all who've contributed ownership advice, it's all being studiously noted down!

Garlick

40,601 posts

240 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
Sell it. Get an MX-5 wink

snorkel sucker

2,662 posts

203 months

Monday 3rd December 2012
quotequote all
v8manta said:
Fantastic car, I made exactly the same choice a few years back. I've still got it and still love it. It's had a few choice mods - plate diff, quickrack, stiffer rear ARB, and the usual suspension refresh. Still entertains every time I have an excuse to drive it.

Like yesterday at Cadwell Park. :-)

http://youtu.be/GP-V6B06jfI

Note the giggling.
Great vid!

Absolutely love the sound - looks like it handles beautifully, too.