Discussion
Just bouncing ideas around of what I want to buy in the summer, when I actually have some money. Have kind of settled on a MkII MR2, BUT:
1. How good are the normally aspirated cars? I've heard differing things about them; some people love them, others truly hate the way they handle.
2. What are the running costs like for a Turbo? Budget seem to want to charge me £350 LESS to insure a Turbo than a normally aspirated car
1. How good are the normally aspirated cars? I've heard differing things about them; some people love them, others truly hate the way they handle.
2. What are the running costs like for a Turbo? Budget seem to want to charge me £350 LESS to insure a Turbo than a normally aspirated car
Nothing wrong with the 3S-GE in a N/A MR2. 156 or 175bhp depending on revision.
Aviod the low spec cars with the weedy engine though. There aren't many about.
Turbos are a lot quicker, a lot thirster and a lot more painful to fix should they go bang.
However, I've owned both a 3S-GE powered Celica, and a 3S-GTE powered one, and haven't regretted the extra cash. Ever.
Aviod the low spec cars with the weedy engine though. There aren't many about.
Turbos are a lot quicker, a lot thirster and a lot more painful to fix should they go bang.
However, I've owned both a 3S-GE powered Celica, and a 3S-GTE powered one, and haven't regretted the extra cash. Ever.
I have a G Limited which is a 175bhp normally aspirated jobbie.
0-60 isn't lightning fast (7 seconds) - There are quicker hot hatches but it IS still quick.
However, at the top end of the rev range it pulls and pulls like there's no tomorrow. Acceleration upwards of 80mph is really quite impressive. In the words of my mate, Nigel, "It seriously hoons it."
I have a rev3 and to be honest, it is nowhere near as bad as people like to make out. MR2s have a reputation for being a bit dodgy, but unless you are really going mental, it handles fine. The chassis COULD be a bit more exciting, I suppose, but IMO it is still good.
0-60 isn't lightning fast (7 seconds) - There are quicker hot hatches but it IS still quick.
However, at the top end of the rev range it pulls and pulls like there's no tomorrow. Acceleration upwards of 80mph is really quite impressive. In the words of my mate, Nigel, "It seriously hoons it."
I have a rev3 and to be honest, it is nowhere near as bad as people like to make out. MR2s have a reputation for being a bit dodgy, but unless you are really going mental, it handles fine. The chassis COULD be a bit more exciting, I suppose, but IMO it is still good.
I'm seriously tempted by one. I was thinking of a Clio 172 Cup but I want something rear wheel drive. I don't think I could afford to run a Turbo for a couple of years yet, so it'll have to be a 3S-GE car. If I really want more power I can get a 3S-GTE conversion when I can afford it
There's this for sale in the classifieds:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=20243&s=155
I'm kind of wary of it though because it's a conversion, not a full on turbo car. If the rest of the chassis and brakes haven't been uprated to cope with 280bhp then I should imagine it would be pretty horrible to drive.
There's also reliability and insurance to think about. What do you more experienced heads think?
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=20243&s=155
I'm kind of wary of it though because it's a conversion, not a full on turbo car. If the rest of the chassis and brakes haven't been uprated to cope with 280bhp then I should imagine it would be pretty horrible to drive.
There's also reliability and insurance to think about. What do you more experienced heads think?
I thought that. I suppose you could plead ignorance but I don't think you'd get very far. I too had doubts about this until I saw it was a Fensport conversion.
If there is anyone that knows what they are doing with toyotas in the UK, its them.
Id trust they would have sorted everything that needed doing.
Other things possibly missing that are on original GT turbos are:
- leather
- A/C
- LSD (option and revision dependant)
- driving lights that corner (option and revision dependant)
- suspension (as mentioned and different on various revisions)
- brakes (I thought they were upgraded on the rev3 turbos only? Perhaps NA's as well though)
- probably some other things too.
Search the web for MR2 sites, there are some brilliant ones out there (all saved on favorites at home so cant tell you waht they are!)
If there is anyone that knows what they are doing with toyotas in the UK, its them.
Id trust they would have sorted everything that needed doing.
Other things possibly missing that are on original GT turbos are:
- leather
- A/C
- LSD (option and revision dependant)
- driving lights that corner (option and revision dependant)
- suspension (as mentioned and different on various revisions)
- brakes (I thought they were upgraded on the rev3 turbos only? Perhaps NA's as well though)
- probably some other things too.
Search the web for MR2 sites, there are some brilliant ones out there (all saved on favorites at home so cant tell you waht they are!)
DustyC said:
I too had doubts about this until I saw it was a Fensport conversion.
If there is anyone that knows what they are doing with toyotas in the UK, its them.
Id trust they would have sorted everything that needed doing.
Other things possibly missing that are on original GT turbos are:
- leather
- A/C
- LSD (option and revision dependant)
- driving lights that corner (option and revision dependant)
- suspension (as mentioned and different on various revisions)
- brakes (I thought they were upgraded on the rev3 turbos only? Perhaps NA's as well though)
- probably some other things too.
Search the web for MR2 sites, there are some brilliant ones out there (all saved on favorites at home so cant tell you waht they are!)
Not bothered about leather, AC, driving lights or any of that. An LSD would be handy but I can buy one of those. Suspension and brakes would be upgraded as and when I could afford it as well, so to be honest I wouldn't be hugely bothered about that either. Just the insurance on that would probably be higher than buying a genuine turbo car.
Also, I'm taking a couple of years out of uni to have a bit of fun while I still can, hence wanting something a bit quick. I'll be looking to earn about 11 grand a year, living at home. Can I realistically run an MRT off that?
If I were you Id consider running other fun cars.
Cheaper ones too.
How about a CRX VTEC? the MKII (hatch)
Great fun and over 150BHP/ton
Group 12 Ins
I want my old one back. See my profile.
alternately tuned old RWDs would be good fun. MK2 Escorts for example. The insurance may be a struggle though.
I dunno how cheap MX5s are but theyd be fun too.
Cheaper ones too.
How about a CRX VTEC? the MKII (hatch)
Great fun and over 150BHP/ton
Group 12 Ins
I want my old one back. See my profile.
alternately tuned old RWDs would be good fun. MK2 Escorts for example. The insurance may be a struggle though.
I dunno how cheap MX5s are but theyd be fun too.
Gazboy said:
It could cripple you if it develops problems.
I cannot tell you enough how important it is to buy from a VERY reputable dealer, it doesn't matter how good the car is, buy on the type of dealer, then choose the best they have, buy on condition, not age, but REV3's are most desireable because they are the easiest to tune, as it has the revised engine and turbo, but you can legaly ditch the cat. I bought mine from a complete cowboy, check my cars history for the problems it's had.
That Fensport car will eat tyres, drink fuel, destroy brakes, and the suspension is a known weekness on all mk2's.
On a positive note, that Fensport car would destroy M3's, chimera 4.3's and probably pull a genuine 160mph, 0-60 would easily be sub 5 seconds. That car would cause a lot of red faces at Vmax5 for example.
Handling, well unless on track, do not fluck with it, as it will bite you in the arse. But within it's limits, it handles bloody well, the people who dismiss it, go on hearsay, and have never even sat in the bloody car.
Read your profile today mate
I think with a few sacrifices (not go out quite so much, not buy so much music and DVDs, stuff like that) I could afford one. Insurance is ludicrously cheap for how quick they are (£1856!). I won't be buying for a few months yet, just need to see if I could run one. Right, just done the maths on this. I need to work my arse off over the summer to pay off some of the finance on my current car. Currently owe just less than £3000.
Current car:Seat Ibiza, worth £4300 (when I sell it)
Finance owed: £2000
New Car: Toyota MR2 Turbo, £9500
Deposit: £2300
Amount Owed: £7200 (call it £9000 after interest after 4 years)
£9000 diveded by 48 months =£187 per month
Even if the finance is silly and I end up paying back £10500 it's only £218 a month. My Dad and Grandad currently pay £100 a month towards my car, so if they keep doing that, an MRT is easily affordable.
>> Edited by The DJ 27 on Thursday 25th March 13:48
Current car:Seat Ibiza, worth £4300 (when I sell it)
Finance owed: £2000
New Car: Toyota MR2 Turbo, £9500
Deposit: £2300
Amount Owed: £7200 (call it £9000 after interest after 4 years)
£9000 diveded by 48 months =£187 per month
Even if the finance is silly and I end up paying back £10500 it's only £218 a month. My Dad and Grandad currently pay £100 a month towards my car, so if they keep doing that, an MRT is easily affordable.
>> Edited by The DJ 27 on Thursday 25th March 13:48
JohnL said:
How about a Mk1? Looks better (IMO!), handles better, cheaper to run ...
Id get the MK1 and have some fun for your year out and then get a turbo rev3 (4, 5 or 6!) later in life if I was you.
If its just for a year that is.
BTW: If you are on a tight budget and buy a car knowing you are only keeping it for a year its not worth modding it as you wont get the money back
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