Where have all the MR2s gone?
Discussion
irish boy said:
Just bought a 50k mile rust free U.K. car. Always wanted one but couldn’t insure them up till 25 and then they were all rotten.
Definitely not a case of don’t meet your hero’s. Pulls, turns and stops well. Remarkably well considering it’s 27 years old.
Question, timing belt was done in 2011 but only 15k miles ago. Considering it’s non interference would you change it?
I had a rev 3 na in white around 5 years ago, it was such a nice car to drive and bullet proof. I ragged it everywhere and it never missed a beat. Unfortunately it died spectacularly after I sold itDefinitely not a case of don’t meet your hero’s. Pulls, turns and stops well. Remarkably well considering it’s 27 years old.
Question, timing belt was done in 2011 but only 15k miles ago. Considering it’s non interference would you change it?
irish boy said:
Question, timing belt was done in 2011 but only 15k miles ago. Considering it’s non interference would you change it?
Nice car. I had my belt changed for the first time a few years ago it was 20 years old and 70,000 miles and had never given cause for concern. - It has squeaked ever since. Apparently they are a real pig to change. It's the eternal dilemma for old, low usage cars - Do you service in line with mileage or age? I tend to split the difference, but change the oil every year, unless a problem presents itself.
thetapeworm said:
If I was in a position to get another, and one was available, that's pretty much what I'd be looking for right there (with the wheels painted a different colour).
Great bit of kit - My Mum would say white wheels on a black car is like a black bra under a white t-shirt!De-catted downpipe/ mongoose exhaust & greddy intercooler - running standard boost and made 285bhp on the rollers.
That's really the sweet spot for power with these cars. I went with a bigger turbo and maxed the power the stock rings could take (about 350hp) and the higher boost threshold was a pain in the ass. Yes it was faster, but you needed a really clear run to wind it up. With the stock turbo and breathing mods the response made it such a point and squirt machine (the chargcooler conversion helped a bit too).
WF36 said:
Great bit of kit - My Mum would say white wheels on a black car is like a black bra under a white t-shirt!
De-catted downpipe/ mongoose exhaust & greddy intercooler - running standard boost and made 285bhp on the rollers.
I like the aesthetic, I'm just incredibly lazy so tend to go for wheels that are the same colour as brake dust De-catted downpipe/ mongoose exhaust & greddy intercooler - running standard boost and made 285bhp on the rollers.
Always a slight relief to get it on a ramp and see that it’s as good underneath as in top. Literally no rust correction needed anywhere.
I’m a bit ocd so list of parts going in today...
Full service inc all filters, fluids,
gearbox oil and antifreeze.
Ht leads and all associated bits.
Timing belt and related bits.
Ordered for delivery next week.
Shocks, springs, bushes and top mounts.
It won’t be used much but the aim is to leave it completely fresh and reliable where a long drive can be taken at short notice without thinking, and to have it going and handling as close to new as possible on a 27 year old car. I reckon I’ll be a further grand in over purchase price in bits.
In March when the weather improves I’ll do the underside, powercoating and rustproofing.
You know when once in a while you hit the dream person to buy a car from because they did things didn't need done? To the detriment of my wallet thats me.
imghost
I’m a bit ocd so list of parts going in today...
Full service inc all filters, fluids,
gearbox oil and antifreeze.
Ht leads and all associated bits.
Timing belt and related bits.
Ordered for delivery next week.
Shocks, springs, bushes and top mounts.
It won’t be used much but the aim is to leave it completely fresh and reliable where a long drive can be taken at short notice without thinking, and to have it going and handling as close to new as possible on a 27 year old car. I reckon I’ll be a further grand in over purchase price in bits.
In March when the weather improves I’ll do the underside, powercoating and rustproofing.
You know when once in a while you hit the dream person to buy a car from because they did things didn't need done? To the detriment of my wallet thats me.
imghost
Edited by irish boy on Friday 29th January 12:48
Edited by irish boy on Friday 29th January 12:55
Edited by irish boy on Friday 29th January 12:58
Bought my Rev2 Turbo in 2005 and taken it from 50-150k miles in that time. On one hand I love it. Still looks great in my opinion, and even though it’s only running circa 270bhp it still feels quick and lively. On the other hand it’s stopped me from experiencing many other performance cars simply because I was too attached to the bloody thing. Ten years ago I was looking at Sierra Cosworths, R32 Skylines and Esprit Turbos/S4s all of which were sensible money then but unlike the MR2 have rocketed well past my means since, so in a way it’s competence and my attachment to it has denied me many an interesting ownership experience.
Rust is starting to become an issue. Near-side sill needs doing and a couple of bad spots on the roof of all places where the seals are for the T-bar panels. The wife hates it and wants me to get rid but it’s too good to let go of or watch it disintegrate so the work will be done much to her disgust.
Rust is starting to become an issue. Near-side sill needs doing and a couple of bad spots on the roof of all places where the seals are for the T-bar panels. The wife hates it and wants me to get rid but it’s too good to let go of or watch it disintegrate so the work will be done much to her disgust.
I had a similar position Mike. Should have sold mine several years before I did. Now that its gone I am glad, it was great but time has moved on. I spent a lot of money on it just before I sold it but I figured I should have spent that on it anyway so was happy to do it and glad to see it go to a good home. The rust was starting to tell for me too and I didn't have the appetite to deal with that. I've since moved into a French car 
White-Noise said:
Just seen you have a gsi as your daily. Impressive! Makes the mr2 seem quite modern now!
I need to update my garage, I sold the GSi about 7 years ago. It had been off the road for 9 years, sat in a rented garage costing £50 a month! I eventually got it roadworthy and daily’d it for a couple of years commuting from Bath to Cambridgeshire every week. It did surprisingly well and got a lot of positive attention but parts were hard to get hold of and it did feel it’s age so it was a choice between the MR2 and the GSI and the GSI had to go unfortunately. Do miss the C20XE “red top” lump, such a good engine.Wadeski said:
This was mine from circa 2008.
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That looks spot on. Love the Advan 3 spoke split rims, those are exceptionally rare especially in the UK. .
I still see a few mk2 Mr2s driving around (all non Turbos) and whilst out cycling around town over the last few months I've spotted a few parked up looking semi abandoned which was a bit sad, not quite enough for me to want to get my cash out and take on another project car just yet.
Underside detail basically finished thanks to ryan at lough neagh autocare. Pleased with the results, Probably 70 hours on the underbody, looks like new now and didn't find any hidden areas of corrosion anywhere. As always when going to this length its bittersweet as I don't want to drive it in the rain. But sure its done now. Drives as new with the new suspension, couple of fiddly bits to finish and should be complete by Easter.
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Edited by irish boy on Friday 19th March 20:53
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