Toyota Mr2 mk3 info!
Discussion
Hello
I'm taking one of these out on Sunday back to back with a 1.8i mk2 Mx-5. Mx5 info is obviously plentiful on here but does anyone have any experience of the mr2's?!
It'll be down to the road test but I like the idea of the mr2 more, space isn't an issue, it'll be a fun one person commuter hack and a 'toy' - we've a Golf for a sensible car/load lugger if need be!
I've read that a post 2003 face lift is the one to go for but that's about it... Any other information would be great, thanks in advance!
I'm taking one of these out on Sunday back to back with a 1.8i mk2 Mx-5. Mx5 info is obviously plentiful on here but does anyone have any experience of the mr2's?!
It'll be down to the road test but I like the idea of the mr2 more, space isn't an issue, it'll be a fun one person commuter hack and a 'toy' - we've a Golf for a sensible car/load lugger if need be!
I've read that a post 2003 face lift is the one to go for but that's about it... Any other information would be great, thanks in advance!
Yeah, 2003 onwards are safer as pre-03 had a problem with pre-cats breaking up and oval bore meaning they could use up to 1L of oil every 1000 miles.
I bought an 03 in the middle of Summer and haven't regretted it for a second. Try and get one with a fruitier exhaust, the standard one is a bit boring. Handling is great, be careful in the wet it's quite easy to slide the rear end if you're not careful.
Economy is not bad, I get about 32-35mpg and I don't drive for economy, even though it is my only car and is used for commuting daily, on A-roads and motorway.
They are prone to rattles, but most are an easy fix. I keep a socket/screwdriver set in the frunk just in case. If you have a girlfriend, she will hate the lack of space, mine does.
I have recently lowered mine, the handling was good before, but now it just handles so much better in my opinion. The ride quality has suffered slightly, but it's not too bad. Make sure the tyres are the same make and model and are correctly staggered. I recently put Toyo T1-Rs on mine, a great improvement over the unpredictable nexen/continental combo that was on when I bought it.
Overall I'd say go for it, there is a great forum (mr2roc) with loads of useful info if you need it.
I bought an 03 in the middle of Summer and haven't regretted it for a second. Try and get one with a fruitier exhaust, the standard one is a bit boring. Handling is great, be careful in the wet it's quite easy to slide the rear end if you're not careful.
Economy is not bad, I get about 32-35mpg and I don't drive for economy, even though it is my only car and is used for commuting daily, on A-roads and motorway.
They are prone to rattles, but most are an easy fix. I keep a socket/screwdriver set in the frunk just in case. If you have a girlfriend, she will hate the lack of space, mine does.
I have recently lowered mine, the handling was good before, but now it just handles so much better in my opinion. The ride quality has suffered slightly, but it's not too bad. Make sure the tyres are the same make and model and are correctly staggered. I recently put Toyo T1-Rs on mine, a great improvement over the unpredictable nexen/continental combo that was on when I bought it.
Overall I'd say go for it, there is a great forum (mr2roc) with loads of useful info if you need it.
The Mrs has had a 2003 facelift model for 5 years now, it has gone through 3 lambda sensors, the 6 speed box whines a bit with miles which is normal, fitted front discs and pads, to cure binding, and new rear tyres upgraded to toyo 215/40`s apart from that, very reliable, the panels are very thin, she dented it by the fuel filler with her hand!
Try and get full spec leather, aircon, and hardtop if you can, it will help resale, very limited market due to lack of space IMO.
Join this site and it will give you all the info you need.
http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/index.php
Try and get full spec leather, aircon, and hardtop if you can, it will help resale, very limited market due to lack of space IMO.
Join this site and it will give you all the info you need.
http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/index.php
Quite fun cars, as poster above said, standard exhaust / induction sounds a bit tame / boring. Handling is very nice, go-kart like. Performance is OK, nothing special. Can't comment on fuel economy as only a test drive, but they're supposed to be quite good. Pretty underrated. If it had more performance then I might have traded my clio 182 for it, but it didn't; also the one I drove was belching smoke from the engine, which didn't inspire confidence, as you can imagine, although that was clearly a problem with that individual car...
I did look at one a few years ago before I bought the Alfa. I couldn't live with the lack of space either; not sure what Toyota were thinking of with the design - Porsche got it so much more right with the Boxster and that huge front boot and surprisingly large rear boot. Was keen on an MR2 too, having owned a Mk1 previously.
If you can live with the lack of space, then go for it. I keep saying this, but for me, the whole point of a sporty 2 seater convertible is for you and a bint to disappear off for a dirty weekend. Which means you need a little bit of room for her shoes and make up. The MX5, MG TF, Alfa Spider, Porsche Boxster, all TVRs, Z3/Z4, S2000 etc all do this. The MR2 does not.
If you can live with the lack of space, then go for it. I keep saying this, but for me, the whole point of a sporty 2 seater convertible is for you and a bint to disappear off for a dirty weekend. Which means you need a little bit of room for her shoes and make up. The MX5, MG TF, Alfa Spider, Porsche Boxster, all TVRs, Z3/Z4, S2000 etc all do this. The MR2 does not.
It doesn't look that low because there's still a bit of a gap in the arches, but it's about 30mm lower than standard.
A weekend away is perfectly fine as long as you don't take suitcases. You can easily fit a normal sized holdall behind each seat and another bag in the frunk. Believe me, I've done it!
If you need luggage space get an estate.
Otherwise,as a second car the MR2 is great fun to own, I had one for nearly 6 years. There is a small amount of storage space and light packing can see you manage for weekends away or even short breaks. If you get desperate you can get a sports car luggage rack yo put over the engine cover on the back. I never bothered but others used them.
As others have said, try to get a post 03 as engine mods reduced the risk of oval bores and there were quite a few upgrades on the car including additional bracing.
Handling is agile and precise, ride is firm, performance is quickish with 0-60 times in the low 7s or high 6s, but the engine loves to rev and you can make great progress on the twisties. As others have said, an upgraded exhaust is desirable. I had twin pipe TTE exhaust from new and I felt it really improved the car.
There are plenty around, so worth waiting for one in good condition.
Roof is fantastic, takes 5 seconds to lower/raise manually. Stows away brilliantly and once down gives you the delight of open top motoring all year round- the heater is great so even midwinter sunshine can be enjoyed.
Hope you find a good one if you decide to go for it. In nearly 6 years it never let me down. Had new front discs and a new battery as I didn't drive it all that much in winter.
I would definitely recommend the MR2 if you want an open top car for little money.
Otherwise,as a second car the MR2 is great fun to own, I had one for nearly 6 years. There is a small amount of storage space and light packing can see you manage for weekends away or even short breaks. If you get desperate you can get a sports car luggage rack yo put over the engine cover on the back. I never bothered but others used them.
As others have said, try to get a post 03 as engine mods reduced the risk of oval bores and there were quite a few upgrades on the car including additional bracing.
Handling is agile and precise, ride is firm, performance is quickish with 0-60 times in the low 7s or high 6s, but the engine loves to rev and you can make great progress on the twisties. As others have said, an upgraded exhaust is desirable. I had twin pipe TTE exhaust from new and I felt it really improved the car.
There are plenty around, so worth waiting for one in good condition.
Roof is fantastic, takes 5 seconds to lower/raise manually. Stows away brilliantly and once down gives you the delight of open top motoring all year round- the heater is great so even midwinter sunshine can be enjoyed.
Hope you find a good one if you decide to go for it. In nearly 6 years it never let me down. Had new front discs and a new battery as I didn't drive it all that much in winter.
I would definitely recommend the MR2 if you want an open top car for little money.
Edited by Ullevi on Thursday 14th April 10:35
alfa pint said:
... I couldn't live with the lack of space either; not sure what Toyota were thinking of with the design - Porsche got it so much more right with the Boxster and that huge front boot and surprisingly large rear boot. Was keen on an MR2 too, having owned a Mk1 previously.
And it's the only MR2 which has this problem, mk1 & mk2 have 2 boots as the Boxster.Awesome, thank you!
What is TTE? I've googled them and there isn't a direct website...
I've now got the girlfriend swaying towards one over an MX-5 but we're testing them back to back this weekend so we shall see!
I'll go for a facelift one for sure, is £4k a realistic budget to get one? Will hang on until I find one with a fruitier exhaust and lowered if possible!
How do they get on with miles? I mean is it the usual buy the lowest mileage one etc when looking? With my car history mileage isn't that important - all have been around the 100k mark!
What is TTE? I've googled them and there isn't a direct website...
I've now got the girlfriend swaying towards one over an MX-5 but we're testing them back to back this weekend so we shall see!
I'll go for a facelift one for sure, is £4k a realistic budget to get one? Will hang on until I find one with a fruitier exhaust and lowered if possible!
How do they get on with miles? I mean is it the usual buy the lowest mileage one etc when looking? With my car history mileage isn't that important - all have been around the 100k mark!
CpnSpankyPantz said:
Awesome, thank you!
What is TTE? I've googled them and there isn't a direct website...
I've now got the girlfriend swaying towards one over an MX-5 but we're testing them back to back this weekend so we shall see!
I'll go for a facelift one for sure, is £4k a realistic budget to get one? Will hang on until I find one with a fruitier exhaust and lowered if possible!
How do they get on with miles? I mean is it the usual buy the lowest mileage one etc when looking? With my car history mileage isn't that important - all have been around the 100k mark!
TTE is Toyota Team Europe, and they don't operate anymore.What is TTE? I've googled them and there isn't a direct website...
I've now got the girlfriend swaying towards one over an MX-5 but we're testing them back to back this weekend so we shall see!
I'll go for a facelift one for sure, is £4k a realistic budget to get one? Will hang on until I find one with a fruitier exhaust and lowered if possible!
How do they get on with miles? I mean is it the usual buy the lowest mileage one etc when looking? With my car history mileage isn't that important - all have been around the 100k mark!
£4k is a realistic budget. There is an exhaust made by Cobra which is £355 fitted I think. I bought my springs from an affiliate of the mr2roc, and they were £60 delivered, and I fitted them myself. The springs are FK Automotive.
Same as any engine really, look after it and it will be fine. Keep any eye on oil levels obviously.
I currently own a Mk1 MX-5 (Eunos) and have previously owned a Mk3 MR2 (pre-facelift)
The two cars are actually surprisingly different to drive, and depending on your driving style you'll probably prefer one over the other just down to this alone - the MR2 rewards a precise driving style in a point and squirt kind of way to make the most of its agility, whereas the MX-5 is more akin to a RWD hothatch and you can be far more hooliganistic in it, sliding it around in a manner that would see you spat off through a hedge backwards in the MR2.
The one thing that will make or break the MR2 is tyres - they *really* do need decent matching tyres all around in my opinion, as odd or budget tyres make it little short of a liability on the limit.
MR2 feels a bit more modern/refined than the MX5 does (although mk2 MX5 will probably be similar), the MR2 fuel economy is a fair bit better, and MR2's are better with regards rust. On the downside, the "boot" is pretty useless on an MR2 (although you quickly work around it), the engine is a bit bland and character-less, and some of the interior plastics leave alot to be desired.
Very good car though if you want a day to day useable 2-seater on a budget, and I would have certainly considered another if I hadn't bought an Eunos instead.
The two cars are actually surprisingly different to drive, and depending on your driving style you'll probably prefer one over the other just down to this alone - the MR2 rewards a precise driving style in a point and squirt kind of way to make the most of its agility, whereas the MX-5 is more akin to a RWD hothatch and you can be far more hooliganistic in it, sliding it around in a manner that would see you spat off through a hedge backwards in the MR2.
The one thing that will make or break the MR2 is tyres - they *really* do need decent matching tyres all around in my opinion, as odd or budget tyres make it little short of a liability on the limit.
MR2 feels a bit more modern/refined than the MX5 does (although mk2 MX5 will probably be similar), the MR2 fuel economy is a fair bit better, and MR2's are better with regards rust. On the downside, the "boot" is pretty useless on an MR2 (although you quickly work around it), the engine is a bit bland and character-less, and some of the interior plastics leave alot to be desired.
Very good car though if you want a day to day useable 2-seater on a budget, and I would have certainly considered another if I hadn't bought an Eunos instead.
The luggage space thing is, IMO, spouted mostly by people who have never had to live with an MR2. My OH (who is 6'2" (most of which is legs. And norks.) drove it for 3 years and could get all our shopping in etc. You can get a surprising amount behind the seats and in the front spare wheel cubbyhole. If you want to try something serious like a Euro-tour or camping simply get a rack for the back from Classic Carriers and Bobs your uncle!
As to tyres: I once fitted Kumho Ecstas and touched the face of Death
Mister Yokohama is your friend.
As to tyres: I once fitted Kumho Ecstas and touched the face of Death
Mister Yokohama is your friend.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff