£256 MR2 Roadster 'gamble'
Discussion
markyb_lcy said:
Can someone confirm whether the fatter springs are for the rear, so I don’t make the mistake of putting them on the wrong way round.
I think this is what I did, being used to front engined cars I just reverted to type and put the bigguns on the front. Will try and confirm for tomorrow!
So a week of using the MR2 has been great! The CIL came on - it had shown on the previous MOT and once plugged into my OBD reader one of the precat Lambda sensors was to blame - autofactors across the road from work did me one for thirty something quid so all sorted.
I've done about 130 miles in it over the week. First impressions:
Engine: Not as bad as some would make out, a little soulless but I don't think the 5spd box helps it's urgency. It's nicely driveable pottering about, isn't gutless but on track you would be begging for a little more up top. So 2ZZ is still part of plans.. I would understand a more free flowing exhaust and lightened flywheel would change the feel significantly though.
Gearbox: Doesn't feel 108k old, direct and positive to use which is nice.
Chassis: Would benefit from one of the underbody braces just for a bit of extra body control, i've got no knocking bushes or strange feelings- the Toyo's have impressed me, i've pushed it on into and out of junctions/roundabouts when clear to feel where they might break away but nothing screams 'ditchfinder' to me ,they seem really well suited to the car, glad I went for factory sizes. The Tein springs on the KYB shocks feel OEM, the ride wouldn't surprise you given that the car is a 2 seat roadster!
Brakes: The braided lines, new fluid and yellow stuff upfront have given me a really nice pedal fee without it feeling wooden, they feel more than up to the task!
So overall, really happy! It's nice to be out of the diesel Alfa and into something a bit more direct, looking forward to getting the first proper drive done - Roof should be done in the next month, I am going to investigate the rear subframe first for peace of mind and possibly look at getting one of the ebay manifolds and give the car a detail - my boss has offered to lend me his kit. This will spruce it up really nicely I hope and i'll record that process with pictures..!
I've done about 130 miles in it over the week. First impressions:
Engine: Not as bad as some would make out, a little soulless but I don't think the 5spd box helps it's urgency. It's nicely driveable pottering about, isn't gutless but on track you would be begging for a little more up top. So 2ZZ is still part of plans.. I would understand a more free flowing exhaust and lightened flywheel would change the feel significantly though.
Gearbox: Doesn't feel 108k old, direct and positive to use which is nice.
Chassis: Would benefit from one of the underbody braces just for a bit of extra body control, i've got no knocking bushes or strange feelings- the Toyo's have impressed me, i've pushed it on into and out of junctions/roundabouts when clear to feel where they might break away but nothing screams 'ditchfinder' to me ,they seem really well suited to the car, glad I went for factory sizes. The Tein springs on the KYB shocks feel OEM, the ride wouldn't surprise you given that the car is a 2 seat roadster!
Brakes: The braided lines, new fluid and yellow stuff upfront have given me a really nice pedal fee without it feeling wooden, they feel more than up to the task!
So overall, really happy! It's nice to be out of the diesel Alfa and into something a bit more direct, looking forward to getting the first proper drive done - Roof should be done in the next month, I am going to investigate the rear subframe first for peace of mind and possibly look at getting one of the ebay manifolds and give the car a detail - my boss has offered to lend me his kit. This will spruce it up really nicely I hope and i'll record that process with pictures..!
Been poor at keeping this up to date.. MR2 has been a great runabout-does what it says on the tin!
Really happy with choice of brake parts and tyres, the Toyos as I first thought are a good match for the car whilst in road use.
I have finally been able to get the roof down which has been great- i can't beleive how hard it is to get down, my na mx5 was a lob it over your shoulder job..new roof is still on the list, I'm hoping a fabric one will be less temperature dependent and go up and down easily!?
The other modification I feel needs to be done is a chassis brace, you can certainly feel the car flex and shake even under normal conditions.
Overall, really happy with it, I washed, clayed polished and waxed it a few weeks back which was a first for me and it came out not looking like a £250 car!!
Really happy with choice of brake parts and tyres, the Toyos as I first thought are a good match for the car whilst in road use.
I have finally been able to get the roof down which has been great- i can't beleive how hard it is to get down, my na mx5 was a lob it over your shoulder job..new roof is still on the list, I'm hoping a fabric one will be less temperature dependent and go up and down easily!?
The other modification I feel needs to be done is a chassis brace, you can certainly feel the car flex and shake even under normal conditions.
Overall, really happy with it, I washed, clayed polished and waxed it a few weeks back which was a first for me and it came out not looking like a £250 car!!
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