Low Mileage Toyota MR2 MK2.
Discussion
Hi all,
A couple of weeks ago, I sold my two toys, an Impreza RB5 and a Clio 200 Cup.
Naturally, I was feeling a little low and the thought of staring into an empty garage made me ever so slightly depressed.
I wasn't supposed to be buying another car, but I needed something to fill the void and give me something to tinker with.
Before the other cars were even collected by the new owner, I began to search the usual classifieds. I don't really buy cars like most others do and what I mean by this, is that I don't ever have a model of car in mind that I want, or even 2 or 3. If i see something I like the look of and the advert and initial phone call give me good vibes and the price is right, then I am open to having a look at anything. This is not ideal for researching problems, common faults etc, but it's always seemed to work for me in the past and both the Clio and Impreza were bought like this. Thanks to the internet and forums etc, you can put together a check list in about half an hour if you work fast enough.
Anyhow, Sunday night and I notice an advert for a MK2 MR2 2.0 GTI 16v that is local. I call the seller for a chat to be told that there is someone there as we speak looking at the car and the phone has been ringing off the hook for the past few hours. A return phone call an hour later and I'm told that the viewer couldn't quite reach the asking price, but has left an offer and I am more than welcome to come and have a look at the car.
Checklist to hand I get there within the hour and I could not believe what greeted me...
It turns out that this car had basically spent the last 15 years and 4,000 miles stored in a garage and used very sparingly. It has only covered 40,000 miles from new.
I was really taken a back by the condition. There was not a mark/ stone chip on it anywhere, sills were utterly perfect and look like they had just left the factory (not been repaired) and the interior was basically as new, it has all the original window stickers and after a test drive, the mechanics were nothing but perfect.
It is clear the owner loved this car and after half an hour of haggling, with him unsure that he even wanted to sell, a deal was done and it was mine. A deposit was left and the car was collected on Tuesday and since then it has sat in my garage, not driven....
While the car is in exceptional condition, over the next few months I intend to take it to the next level and turn this car into one of the best examples of a MK2 MR2 out there.
In no particular order here are my aesthetic plans...
1. Remove various parts to access hard to reach places where dirt has gathered and clean, same goes for door shuts and hinges etc.
2. Tart up various trim pieces, such as black ones that might have discoloured over time.
3. Give the paint a new lease of life with the dual action polisher.
4. Give the engine/ engine bay a good going over and see what I can do about cleaning that.
and mechanically....
1. A major service with cambelt and all fluids/filters.
2. Check all the suspension bushes/components.
Other than the service, my plans above will cost me nothing other than my time, I have x amounts of cleaning products that i've built up over the years so won't need to worry about them. I'm sure other odd jobs will appear along the way and i'll try and document them here.
I may also...and i am unsure about this...look for some period correct JDM alloys, Work, Enkei etc and have them refurbished. But this would be it in terms of "modz".
I have decided to make this post so I have a place where my efforts are recorded and maybe help or show others what can be done with a bit of effort. I am not overly mechanically minded and it might encourage others to get stuck in.
Regards.
Matt.
A couple of weeks ago, I sold my two toys, an Impreza RB5 and a Clio 200 Cup.
Naturally, I was feeling a little low and the thought of staring into an empty garage made me ever so slightly depressed.
I wasn't supposed to be buying another car, but I needed something to fill the void and give me something to tinker with.
Before the other cars were even collected by the new owner, I began to search the usual classifieds. I don't really buy cars like most others do and what I mean by this, is that I don't ever have a model of car in mind that I want, or even 2 or 3. If i see something I like the look of and the advert and initial phone call give me good vibes and the price is right, then I am open to having a look at anything. This is not ideal for researching problems, common faults etc, but it's always seemed to work for me in the past and both the Clio and Impreza were bought like this. Thanks to the internet and forums etc, you can put together a check list in about half an hour if you work fast enough.
Anyhow, Sunday night and I notice an advert for a MK2 MR2 2.0 GTI 16v that is local. I call the seller for a chat to be told that there is someone there as we speak looking at the car and the phone has been ringing off the hook for the past few hours. A return phone call an hour later and I'm told that the viewer couldn't quite reach the asking price, but has left an offer and I am more than welcome to come and have a look at the car.
Checklist to hand I get there within the hour and I could not believe what greeted me...
It turns out that this car had basically spent the last 15 years and 4,000 miles stored in a garage and used very sparingly. It has only covered 40,000 miles from new.
I was really taken a back by the condition. There was not a mark/ stone chip on it anywhere, sills were utterly perfect and look like they had just left the factory (not been repaired) and the interior was basically as new, it has all the original window stickers and after a test drive, the mechanics were nothing but perfect.
It is clear the owner loved this car and after half an hour of haggling, with him unsure that he even wanted to sell, a deal was done and it was mine. A deposit was left and the car was collected on Tuesday and since then it has sat in my garage, not driven....
While the car is in exceptional condition, over the next few months I intend to take it to the next level and turn this car into one of the best examples of a MK2 MR2 out there.
In no particular order here are my aesthetic plans...
1. Remove various parts to access hard to reach places where dirt has gathered and clean, same goes for door shuts and hinges etc.
2. Tart up various trim pieces, such as black ones that might have discoloured over time.
3. Give the paint a new lease of life with the dual action polisher.
4. Give the engine/ engine bay a good going over and see what I can do about cleaning that.
and mechanically....
1. A major service with cambelt and all fluids/filters.
2. Check all the suspension bushes/components.
Other than the service, my plans above will cost me nothing other than my time, I have x amounts of cleaning products that i've built up over the years so won't need to worry about them. I'm sure other odd jobs will appear along the way and i'll try and document them here.
I may also...and i am unsure about this...look for some period correct JDM alloys, Work, Enkei etc and have them refurbished. But this would be it in terms of "modz".
I have decided to make this post so I have a place where my efforts are recorded and maybe help or show others what can be done with a bit of effort. I am not overly mechanically minded and it might encourage others to get stuck in.
Regards.
Matt.
Thanks for all the kind words.
Soad- the RB5 was a special car indeed, a little sad it is gone, but the special price I sold it for made saying bye a little easier!
Rich135- Your car sounds like something to treasure and yes, it's nice having something to tinker with that doesn't require major work/ headaches but gives you the satisfaction of still doing little jobs. I have started using the dual action polisher on the rear bumper today with very good results, I will post before and after photos when i do a more obvious panel like the roof which catches the light better.
BrettMRC- eek! I actually dismantled the rear light clusters/ panel today and was commenting on how logical it was to remove...did I speak too soon?
J4CKO- yep, even 10 years ago, alot of them appeared tired!
Elesmart + Heaveho- The seller actually mentioned these! They are still there....but, the car has always been a toy/garaged/never taken out in the rain thing and were left in for the sake of originality! Will have a butchers anyway to see what the fuss is all about.
This was a 15 minute job I did the day after getting it home...unbolted, wire brushed to get rid of the corrosion, spray painted and then bolted back on. So simple but makes all the difference.
Before
After
Soad- the RB5 was a special car indeed, a little sad it is gone, but the special price I sold it for made saying bye a little easier!
Rich135- Your car sounds like something to treasure and yes, it's nice having something to tinker with that doesn't require major work/ headaches but gives you the satisfaction of still doing little jobs. I have started using the dual action polisher on the rear bumper today with very good results, I will post before and after photos when i do a more obvious panel like the roof which catches the light better.
BrettMRC- eek! I actually dismantled the rear light clusters/ panel today and was commenting on how logical it was to remove...did I speak too soon?
J4CKO- yep, even 10 years ago, alot of them appeared tired!
Elesmart + Heaveho- The seller actually mentioned these! They are still there....but, the car has always been a toy/garaged/never taken out in the rain thing and were left in for the sake of originality! Will have a butchers anyway to see what the fuss is all about.
This was a 15 minute job I did the day after getting it home...unbolted, wire brushed to get rid of the corrosion, spray painted and then bolted back on. So simple but makes all the difference.
Before
After
I can tell you about my experience with the Clio in isolation, having not really driven the MR2.
I can easily say, on any road with a number of turns/corners, point to point, the Clio would annhilate any MR2, no matter the revision, or engine type. In fact, most cars would struggle to keep up. You'll sometimes see articles in magazines claiming they are giant killers and this is very much true.
However, I simply did not find the car as much fun to drive as I thought i would. The reason is very simple. unless pushed to the absoloute limit, which you should not be doing on public roads, it simply felt that the car was on rails and there was no real involvement with you and the chassis. It was very much see a corner, point, turn, go round it very quickly and exit out the otherside with zero drama or communication with the car. At first you are in awe of this ability, but after a while it just becomes second nature and is all a bit boring.
I never tracked the car, but I am sure that this is where the car deserves to be and driving flat out, on the limit, would show the car under a very different light and bring a new dimension to driver involvement that simply cannot be experienced safely on the roads.
I can easily say, on any road with a number of turns/corners, point to point, the Clio would annhilate any MR2, no matter the revision, or engine type. In fact, most cars would struggle to keep up. You'll sometimes see articles in magazines claiming they are giant killers and this is very much true.
However, I simply did not find the car as much fun to drive as I thought i would. The reason is very simple. unless pushed to the absoloute limit, which you should not be doing on public roads, it simply felt that the car was on rails and there was no real involvement with you and the chassis. It was very much see a corner, point, turn, go round it very quickly and exit out the otherside with zero drama or communication with the car. At first you are in awe of this ability, but after a while it just becomes second nature and is all a bit boring.
I never tracked the car, but I am sure that this is where the car deserves to be and driving flat out, on the limit, would show the car under a very different light and bring a new dimension to driver involvement that simply cannot be experienced safely on the roads.
Thanks once again for all the kind comments, advice, opinions, pictures and past tales of ownership!
I didn't know aftermarket alloys would divide opinion so much, I appreciate that standard is often better, but wheels can be changed in 30 minutes and once the car is complete, I'll need something to do, so refurbishing a set of split rims appeals!
Here are some Enkei wheels I noticed advertised today, with polished lip with matching to the paintwork centres, might look ok! Would be very much a Gran Turismo on the PS1 look.
Anyhow, I mentioned previously that I'd taken most of the tailgate fixings/ lights out so here is what greeted me.
Dirt, as expected on a 25 year old car....Oh, and I did it with only one plastic retaining clip for the carpet breaking...but will add some to my shopping list as that would seriously bug me.
With everything else removed...I gave it a good wipe down, clay bar to get the stubborn dirt marks off and will wax it in due time...
So, now the lights and tailgate panel were out, I got to work.
Life was breathed into this using forever black, basically a black dye that turns discoloured black plastics, back to their original colour.
...and then it was on to the tail lights. I have basically dismantled them at the rear, washed them to get rid of all the dirt and used forever black on the rears to make them look like new again. Pointless as no one will ever see this and I could have just wiped them down, but I think its best to do things properly.
On to the lenses, the dual action polisher came out and I used Meguiars polishing compound and I am happy with the results, no more swirls and they have a lovely deep shine now they are sealed with wax.
Before...
and after...
Job well done, so on to the next one tomorrow!
I didn't know aftermarket alloys would divide opinion so much, I appreciate that standard is often better, but wheels can be changed in 30 minutes and once the car is complete, I'll need something to do, so refurbishing a set of split rims appeals!
Here are some Enkei wheels I noticed advertised today, with polished lip with matching to the paintwork centres, might look ok! Would be very much a Gran Turismo on the PS1 look.
Anyhow, I mentioned previously that I'd taken most of the tailgate fixings/ lights out so here is what greeted me.
Dirt, as expected on a 25 year old car....Oh, and I did it with only one plastic retaining clip for the carpet breaking...but will add some to my shopping list as that would seriously bug me.
With everything else removed...I gave it a good wipe down, clay bar to get the stubborn dirt marks off and will wax it in due time...
So, now the lights and tailgate panel were out, I got to work.
Life was breathed into this using forever black, basically a black dye that turns discoloured black plastics, back to their original colour.
...and then it was on to the tail lights. I have basically dismantled them at the rear, washed them to get rid of all the dirt and used forever black on the rears to make them look like new again. Pointless as no one will ever see this and I could have just wiped them down, but I think its best to do things properly.
On to the lenses, the dual action polisher came out and I used Meguiars polishing compound and I am happy with the results, no more swirls and they have a lovely deep shine now they are sealed with wax.
Before...
and after...
Job well done, so on to the next one tomorrow!
So, today I got handy with the dual action polisher on the rear quarter panels, back. This is the first time i have ever used one!
The one I used was made by "Guild" and from Argos. It is the cheapest dual action polisher you can buy (£40), but it seems to have perfectly ok reviews and I cannot fault it one bit.
Without boring you with to much details...here are the steps.
1. Clay bar and detailer, as the last thing you want is trapped dirt on a rotating pad.
2. Meguiars cutting compound. (firm pad)
3. Meguairs polish. (soft pad)
4 Meguairs liquid wax (very soft pad).
I took my time so I didn't mess up and was a little nervous at first, but there really isn't nothing to worry about. You read stories about people ruining/ burning through paintwork, but you'd have to be doing something seriously wrong for this to happen.
I think one tip I'd give is that best results will come from not applying too much pressure. Literally let the polisher sit flat on the paintwork and simply guide it along allowing the pad to rotate at will.
Here are the results below...I'm chuffed. The paint is now a very vibrant red and there are no swirl marks whatsoever.
And in this last photo you can see the difference between the boot lid and the engine cover which has yet to be done.
The one I used was made by "Guild" and from Argos. It is the cheapest dual action polisher you can buy (£40), but it seems to have perfectly ok reviews and I cannot fault it one bit.
Without boring you with to much details...here are the steps.
1. Clay bar and detailer, as the last thing you want is trapped dirt on a rotating pad.
2. Meguiars cutting compound. (firm pad)
3. Meguairs polish. (soft pad)
4 Meguairs liquid wax (very soft pad).
I took my time so I didn't mess up and was a little nervous at first, but there really isn't nothing to worry about. You read stories about people ruining/ burning through paintwork, but you'd have to be doing something seriously wrong for this to happen.
I think one tip I'd give is that best results will come from not applying too much pressure. Literally let the polisher sit flat on the paintwork and simply guide it along allowing the pad to rotate at will.
Here are the results below...I'm chuffed. The paint is now a very vibrant red and there are no swirl marks whatsoever.
And in this last photo you can see the difference between the boot lid and the engine cover which has yet to be done.
Progress has been slow, but steady over the past couple of days, but all in all very satisfying.
I have been working my way from the front to the back of the car cleaning hinges and other places where dirt builds up.
Sunroof surround was nice and easy as it just pops out (you can even store it in the front boot) and the same goes for the fuel filler, which can be removed with just 2 bolts.
While the sunroof was out, I noticed a tiny little bit of surface rust on the edge of the surround, so sanded this back to bare metal and touched it up.
So, we went from this....
to this...
and this...
to this...
I have also continued with the dual action polisher on the engine cover and the roof, both have come up really well.
and under a cool white light, it shows just how good 25 year old paint can look with a bit of love.
Previously someone asked me for a picture of the interior, I will post more once I get round to it, but here is a teaser...or not...
...talk about a complete lack of inspiration on behalf of the designer. Still, it is functional I guess and a nice place to sit and everything falls to hand nicely, including the gear lever which rests at the end of the transmission tunnel where you rest your arm.
You can also probably spot something that is really bugging me...an all singing, all dancing Pioneer stereo, which does not look right. It's actually quite a high end model, so this will be sold and with the money, I will look at sourcing a period CD player from Alpine. I do have the original stereo, but it is cassette only...
Something like this would be perfect.
I have been working my way from the front to the back of the car cleaning hinges and other places where dirt builds up.
Sunroof surround was nice and easy as it just pops out (you can even store it in the front boot) and the same goes for the fuel filler, which can be removed with just 2 bolts.
While the sunroof was out, I noticed a tiny little bit of surface rust on the edge of the surround, so sanded this back to bare metal and touched it up.
So, we went from this....
to this...
and this...
to this...
I have also continued with the dual action polisher on the engine cover and the roof, both have come up really well.
and under a cool white light, it shows just how good 25 year old paint can look with a bit of love.
Previously someone asked me for a picture of the interior, I will post more once I get round to it, but here is a teaser...or not...
...talk about a complete lack of inspiration on behalf of the designer. Still, it is functional I guess and a nice place to sit and everything falls to hand nicely, including the gear lever which rests at the end of the transmission tunnel where you rest your arm.
You can also probably spot something that is really bugging me...an all singing, all dancing Pioneer stereo, which does not look right. It's actually quite a high end model, so this will be sold and with the money, I will look at sourcing a period CD player from Alpine. I do have the original stereo, but it is cassette only...
Something like this would be perfect.
Thanks! Sill foam has been mentioned by a number of helpful people including the seller himself who has left it in for purposes of originality.
And Dino, I totally agree regarding the originality side of things, but the only tape cassette I own is NOW28. lol.
I wonder if they did an original upgrade CD player... car was made in 1993 and I don't think CD players in cars became popular until the very late 90's.
And Dino, I totally agree regarding the originality side of things, but the only tape cassette I own is NOW28. lol.
I wonder if they did an original upgrade CD player... car was made in 1993 and I don't think CD players in cars became popular until the very late 90's.
Edited by MattsCar on Monday 2nd September 19:08
I have actually found a picture of the REV2 CD player which is different from the one in the later models i.e the REV4 Sonic mentioned, so currently on the hunt. The chances of finding one however is tiny. I might try the owners club, or i might just go for that period early 90's Alpine.
Dave_S13, in an ideal world where you couldn't see the unit, that would be ideal! lol, I think it would just look out of place. With the period Alpine though, if it had an Aux in, I could install a JL Audio bluetooth dongle, which would be handy.
Rich, glad to hear! Pads were from Halfords, they are about a fiver each. Made by Draper, you can get them cheaper online, Amazon sell some KKMoon ones which are supposed to be ok. With the Guild polisher, you need "Hook and Loop" pads, this is another copyright infringement free way of saying velcro.
Lancer, those headunits are from the MK3 MR2 i believe, but thanks for searching!
So today, off came the wipers and the panel...yep, dirt again...
[url]
After a clean and a wax...I was left with this.
|https://thumbsnap.com/iKw3uTRv[/url]
The panel also had a fair amount of attention. It is a shiny plastic but had gone dull...
This was one tedious job! Had to get into every little slat with a tiny polishing pad i'd cut up. Well worth it though
Finally, this product comes highly recommended if you are doing this type of work. Spray on, work it in with a paint brush and either wash or wipe off the dirt.
Dave_S13, in an ideal world where you couldn't see the unit, that would be ideal! lol, I think it would just look out of place. With the period Alpine though, if it had an Aux in, I could install a JL Audio bluetooth dongle, which would be handy.
Rich, glad to hear! Pads were from Halfords, they are about a fiver each. Made by Draper, you can get them cheaper online, Amazon sell some KKMoon ones which are supposed to be ok. With the Guild polisher, you need "Hook and Loop" pads, this is another copyright infringement free way of saying velcro.
Lancer, those headunits are from the MK3 MR2 i believe, but thanks for searching!
So today, off came the wipers and the panel...yep, dirt again...
[url]After a clean and a wax...I was left with this.
|https://thumbsnap.com/iKw3uTRv[/url]The panel also had a fair amount of attention. It is a shiny plastic but had gone dull...
This was one tedious job! Had to get into every little slat with a tiny polishing pad i'd cut up. Well worth it though
Finally, this product comes highly recommended if you are doing this type of work. Spray on, work it in with a paint brush and either wash or wipe off the dirt.
Thanks Alex! Will do.
Rich, that looks clean enough to eat your dinner off! Quick question, have you had to buy any replacement pop clips that hold the thin black panels in the front boot. I am missing a few but trying to find ones that are visually similar to the standard ones is proving difficult.
Rich, that looks clean enough to eat your dinner off! Quick question, have you had to buy any replacement pop clips that hold the thin black panels in the front boot. I am missing a few but trying to find ones that are visually similar to the standard ones is proving difficult.
Thanks again for the kind comments, advice and interest in the thread.
B'Child...it will be driven, just sparingly and only in good weather, but rest assured I will enjoy it and drive it as intended.
TimWick, it is not your car I am afraid. Glad it bought back good memories and yes, I do realise how lucky I am!
and nice wheels Kuro!
Anyhow, I have been busy...
Frunk cleaned and then waxed and components, which you never see because they are behind the panelling, cleaned...
Then it was time to start putting things back together. I have cleaned all the plastic panelling and dyed it with forever black and it now looks factory fresh.
I also spent an age polishing this...
And it now looks like this...
Refitting the lights was not too bad, as warned by SonicShadow, an adjustment had to be made after the first attempt, but they align just fine now.
I also got to work on the front bumper with the dual action polisher and this is how it looks now.
Slowly but surely, I am getting there and getting to where I want to be in terms of what I envisaged for the car. I have quite a lot left to do, but I can honestly say I am really enjoying doing this and learning a fair bit along the way.
B'Child...it will be driven, just sparingly and only in good weather, but rest assured I will enjoy it and drive it as intended.
TimWick, it is not your car I am afraid. Glad it bought back good memories and yes, I do realise how lucky I am!
and nice wheels Kuro!
Anyhow, I have been busy...
Frunk cleaned and then waxed and components, which you never see because they are behind the panelling, cleaned...
Then it was time to start putting things back together. I have cleaned all the plastic panelling and dyed it with forever black and it now looks factory fresh.
I also spent an age polishing this...
And it now looks like this...
Refitting the lights was not too bad, as warned by SonicShadow, an adjustment had to be made after the first attempt, but they align just fine now.
I also got to work on the front bumper with the dual action polisher and this is how it looks now.
Slowly but surely, I am getting there and getting to where I want to be in terms of what I envisaged for the car. I have quite a lot left to do, but I can honestly say I am really enjoying doing this and learning a fair bit along the way.
Thank you mossy and I am sure that one day you will. They are in that strange place of not quite being a classic and not being modern enough to see regularly, so for the moment are still attainable in terms of price.
Just noticed that this is now on the front page of Pistonheads as readers car of the week. A good day has just been made even better and I feel honoured.
Just noticed that this is now on the front page of Pistonheads as readers car of the week. A good day has just been made even better and I feel honoured.
Stevie, sorry again bud and if it is any consolation, I didn't get that much off the asking price.
Ok, on another note...I've found some very nice wheels. Recently refurbished.
Correct PCD and all that, in size 16", 7 fronts, 8 rears and the buyer said offset is roughly mid 30's, does this sound ok for an MR2?
Ok, on another note...I've found some very nice wheels. Recently refurbished.
Correct PCD and all that, in size 16", 7 fronts, 8 rears and the buyer said offset is roughly mid 30's, does this sound ok for an MR2?
Thanks for the fast reply. Very much appreciated.
So, a little mission up the motorway to collect the wheels tomorrow. If they are as good as the advert suggests, then I will be happy.
Centre caps appear OK! After searching I see they are selling for 300 on their own!
Will report back.
So, a little mission up the motorway to collect the wheels tomorrow. If they are as good as the advert suggests, then I will be happy.
Centre caps appear OK! After searching I see they are selling for 300 on their own!
Will report back.
Thanks for the advice guys.
Mission accomplished.
A set of recently refurbished and immaculate (bar the lip which needs a little polish with some AutoSol) Work Equip 05's with centre caps (not shown) and a free set of tyres as I don't think the very nice seller could remove them. They were left partially on to prevent any scratches. I won't be using them and will buy something a bit better, but will stick them on Facebook and see what I get for them.
As you can see, the centre has been front mounted on the lip, I plan to rear mount as I don't think it looks right will also push the wheel out into the arch more.
The gunmetal grey actually looks real nice...but...I may spray them red to match the car, but as said, they are perfect with not a single mark on them, so we shall see.
Mission accomplished.
A set of recently refurbished and immaculate (bar the lip which needs a little polish with some AutoSol) Work Equip 05's with centre caps (not shown) and a free set of tyres as I don't think the very nice seller could remove them. They were left partially on to prevent any scratches. I won't be using them and will buy something a bit better, but will stick them on Facebook and see what I get for them.
As you can see, the centre has been front mounted on the lip, I plan to rear mount as I don't think it looks right will also push the wheel out into the arch more.
The gunmetal grey actually looks real nice...but...I may spray them red to match the car, but as said, they are perfect with not a single mark on them, so we shall see.
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