Anyone Know About the MR2 SW20?

[Negative Creep]

Going to look at this tomorrow and I'm wondering what the collective opinion is?

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2154559.htm


I've spoken to the seller several times by email, he's sent me a lot more pictures and seems to be an honest guy and says it has main dealer/specialist servicing. Nice colour and no stupid mods is always a bonus as well. I've read up on the buyer's guides and joined the owners clubs but is there any more advice or things to watch out for?

I did also notice though is being an early car it won't be the 170bhp stated in the advert but more like 150.


Thanks!

[Liamsaid]

Your right about the power, it wont be the 174ish version.

I'd be wanting to see that the water pump, and both the cam belt tension and idler bearings were done when the belt was swapped recently.

Whilst a main dealer will charge the kind of money he says for a belt change, its not much harder than any other car to do and those indys who know the car charge about £150 labour on a cambelt change.

Id also be asking more about why the need to make the fans run constantly. Does he mean the rad fan, or the engine bay fan? Either way its not normal.

Otherwise, check around that a rev1 (typicaly made between 1989 and 1992) is what you want. There said to be the most raw drivers car of the MkII MR2.

I looked at several before finding my Rev3 4 years ago and have never regretted it.
There are plenty of poor examples around though, as there old cars.

Good luck with the viewing and don't be affraid to walk away as there are loads of them out there.

Edited by Liamsaid on Saturday 11th December 00:06

Edited by Liamsaid on Saturday 11th December 00:14

[Wadeski]

i would be careful of the rust on rear arches - there are plenty of non-rusty ones out there. probably not for 700 quid though!

[nottyash]

If you can go for a later car with the later engine revised back lights etc.

That said £700 is cheap so it will be good fun for the money, however the sales pitch on your advert by someone who knows nothing about the engine in his car and lies on the advert puts me off. What else has he lied about??

[Negative Creep]

Thanks for the replies. Went to have a look today and it did turn out to be a nice car. Had a big folder of receipts from the local specialist (tensioners were done with the belt btw) and main deler history before that with all the original handbooks and documentation. Was a nice area as opposed to a council estate which is always a good sign. Everything seemed legit so I bought it. Paid a bit extra for the anniversary wheels as they had better tyres (wider as well, so apparently less likely to swap ends) and look nicer. After being stuck in a traffic jam on the way home thanks to someone who managed to flip their Corsa on its roof I can confirm there are no cooling problems! A few minor rust bubbles but can't see anything more serious and no advisories on the last MOT.

Only time will tell but I think I've made the right choice

[GravelBen]

Nice one, enjoy. Be interested to hear how it compares to your old MX5.

[Wadeski]

when its not icy out, give it some stick and report back.

the 3S series engines love revs, so dont be afraid to cane it to redline.