Off to see a Mk1 MR2 this morning...
Discussion
...anyone got any experience with them? Are there any particular things I should be looking for, etc.? Had a quick drive in one the other day and rather enjoyed it. I know they're a bit gutless, but I can live with that. It's a T-Bar I'm seeing, and will of course check for roof-type leaks!
Rust, rust and more rust. Rear arches, rear valance, front arches, around the slam panel etc. Engines are great with a lovely little kick around 4.5K rpn when the tvis kicks in. Check for movement in 5th gear when driving. It will probably nod when you get on and off the gas but is fine as long as it doesn't pop out. Check synchros are ok between 1st and 2nd with a redline change but warm the car up first.
T bar will probably leak somewhere but there are various fixes. In early cars yhe heater setting often don't work in anything but full as the resistor breaks. Not a hard fix either.
If you can do a compression check on the engine but nit essential.
finally enjoy what is a great little car.
T bar will probably leak somewhere but there are various fixes. In early cars yhe heater setting often don't work in anything but full as the resistor breaks. Not a hard fix either.
If you can do a compression check on the engine but nit essential.
finally enjoy what is a great little car.
Get underneath check for more rust.
Jumps out of 5 th gear on the over run - this can be tricky to spot on a test drive, you need to be on the open road and lift off the throttle sharply when driving in 5 th does it pop out of gear? Try doing that a few times to see if provoked it will do it.
Brakes - if it's not been getting used much will have sticky callipers which gives poor brakes and binding try to Use the brakes hard a few times and feel for heat on the wheels when you stop to see if you have any sticky brakes.
Jumps out of 5 th gear on the over run - this can be tricky to spot on a test drive, you need to be on the open road and lift off the throttle sharply when driving in 5 th does it pop out of gear? Try doing that a few times to see if provoked it will do it.
Brakes - if it's not been getting used much will have sticky callipers which gives poor brakes and binding try to Use the brakes hard a few times and feel for heat on the wheels when you stop to see if you have any sticky brakes.
Some great advice here chaps; thank you! I'm sort of preparing myself for having to chase the tin worm and get it sorted periodically throughout my ownership. Assuming I do buy it, of course. Not that I've sold myself on a car before seeing it, you understand. That would just be foolish. Ahem.
dave_s13 said:
I had a G reg red one about 15years ago and even that was starting to rust back then,
Great cars when in good health but as has been said I would also not bother and get a mk2 turbo.
I had a black rev 3 T bar; the mk1 was fun, the turbo was proper epic!
I once met a bloke who transplanted the mk2 turbo engine into a mk1. 300bhp in a car weighing slightly less than a ton made for a seriously rapid little machine! Great cars when in good health but as has been said I would also not bother and get a mk2 turbo.
I had a black rev 3 T bar; the mk1 was fun, the turbo was proper epic!
RobCrezz said:
dave_s13 said:
I had a G reg red one about 15years ago and even that was starting to rust back then,
Great cars when in good health but as has been said I would also not bother and get a mk2 turbo.
I had a black rev 3 T bar; the mk1 was fun, the turbo was proper epic!
I once met a bloke who transplanted the mk2 turbo engine into a mk1. 300bhp in a car weighing slightly less than a ton made for a seriously rapid little machine! Great cars when in good health but as has been said I would also not bother and get a mk2 turbo.
I had a black rev 3 T bar; the mk1 was fun, the turbo was proper epic!
DrTre said:
very nice and looks a lot of fun.150bhp and 1100 kg and 0-60 6.5-7
people would scoff at that now not me thou..
Edited by The Spruce goose on Saturday 1st December 11:30
I owned one for nearly 7 years. Did lots of miles (65k) without too many mechanical problems. Great fun cars ... and pop up headlights.
Mine was a T-bar.
Like others have mentioned rust is the biggest issue. Mine was rusting on the rear arches, sills (under the plastic sill covers), front radiator mounts and at the top of the windscreen. Best policy would be to check everywhere for rust.
Sold mine at 135,000 miles and engine was still sweet.
Mike
Mine was a T-bar.
Like others have mentioned rust is the biggest issue. Mine was rusting on the rear arches, sills (under the plastic sill covers), front radiator mounts and at the top of the windscreen. Best policy would be to check everywhere for rust.
Sold mine at 135,000 miles and engine was still sweet.
Mike
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