Toyota MR2 Mk 2 Rev 5 - picked up yesterday
Discussion
After the rather sad demise of my much loved Rev 4 N/A MR2, and a brief fling with a E36 BMW Coupe (soon to be up for sale BTW 
), I decided that I wanted another MR2, so went on the hunt and picked this up yesterday! It's a late Rev 5 N/A in black with a few mods, some to stay, some to go. Mechanically sound, just a few cosmetic bits to sort out. Feels so good to be back in an MR2...what do we think peeps?
(Sorry pics not great, taken on my phone)
), I decided that I wanted another MR2, so went on the hunt and picked this up yesterday! It's a late Rev 5 N/A in black with a few mods, some to stay, some to go. Mechanically sound, just a few cosmetic bits to sort out. Feels so good to be back in an MR2...what do we think peeps?(Sorry pics not great, taken on my phone)
Pitfalls - usual plus:
Rust depending on age - especially the cills just before rear wheel,
Gearbox syncro,
Clutch and alternator are difficult to get to if they need to be changed,
Sticking brake calipers,
Coolant pipes - metal runnning front to rear under the car,
Leaky roof seals on the tbar - easily fixable tho',
Lots of owners and cars for sale on IMOC.com.
Info on v6 conversions on twobrutal.com
Rust depending on age - especially the cills just before rear wheel,
Gearbox syncro,
Clutch and alternator are difficult to get to if they need to be changed,
Sticking brake calipers,
Coolant pipes - metal runnning front to rear under the car,
Leaky roof seals on the tbar - easily fixable tho',
Lots of owners and cars for sale on IMOC.com.
Info on v6 conversions on twobrutal.com
Mikebentley said:
Like it a lot, what if anything are the pitfalls with this model MR2 when looking to buy?
Avoid the Rev 1 cars unless very cheap and prepared to scrap it if there's a big bill. They'll be over 20 years old now anyway but my immaculate and carefully maintained car needed expensive work on the following by 100,000 miles:Alternator (two failed)
Brakes (continuous - latter cars are better, early cars just aren't up to the job)
Suspension
Steering
Gear linkages (failed twice)
Engine (failure)
About £8000 spent on repairs and maintenance in the last couple of years I owned it.
I gather most of the design issues were fixed in later revisions but whatever you do make sure it's always running the correct coolant; getting the wrong antifreeze will certainly kill them.
I still love MR2s and while my MG TF replacement will run rings round the old car in terms of handling and easily out-brake it it's just not the same.
WeirdNeville said:
psychoR1 said:
Pitfalls - usual plus:
Rust depending on age - especially the cills just before rear wheel, and the bottom of the doors. water gets in the weather strip along the window so they rust from the inside out. Oh and the affectionately named "cancer bars" under the engine.
Gearbox syncro,
Clutch and alternator are difficult to get to if they need to be changed,
Sticking brake calipers,
Coolant pipes - metal runnning front to rear under the car,
Leaky roof seals on the tbar - easily fixable tho',
Lots of owners and cars for sale on IMOC.com.
Info on v6 conversions on twobrutal.com
I've also got a black Rev5 UK Tbar 2000(V). It's completely standard but really decent nick. Torn as to whether or not I should put a 2GR in it or just buy a faster car when it's time for an upgrade.Rust depending on age - especially the cills just before rear wheel, and the bottom of the doors. water gets in the weather strip along the window so they rust from the inside out. Oh and the affectionately named "cancer bars" under the engine.
Gearbox syncro,
Clutch and alternator are difficult to get to if they need to be changed,
Sticking brake calipers,
Coolant pipes - metal runnning front to rear under the car,
Leaky roof seals on the tbar - easily fixable tho',
Lots of owners and cars for sale on IMOC.com.
Info on v6 conversions on twobrutal.com
samdale said:
I've also got a black Rev5 UK Tbar 2000(V). It's completely standard but really decent nick. Torn as to whether or not I should put a 2GR in it or just buy a faster car when it's time for an upgrade.
Enjoy it as it is: Probably the ultimate combination of sportiness and practicality in a single car. Mine could even average 37mpg commuting on the A11/A14. Try that with a V6 or turbo; the N/A four even sounds good.
Great stuff, almost as nice as mine
No this is much nicer i think, those seats have me drooling, and lovely alloys!
Would like more info on the above post about rust points, what are these death bars under the engine?
And where do they rust from inside out?
A picture of mine, for no real reason other than to share
IMG_0241 by danjama, on Flickr
No this is much nicer i think, those seats have me drooling, and lovely alloys!
Would like more info on the above post about rust points, what are these death bars under the engine?
And where do they rust from inside out?
A picture of mine, for no real reason other than to share
IMG_0241 by danjama, on Flickr
Edited by danjama on Sunday 4th November 20:35
The bottom of the doors are the usual point for rusting from the inside out.
My two have both been cheap Rev 2s, so I've had the pleasure of leaky T-bars/rear windows, rusty doors and wheel arches on each of them.
Wouldn't change them for the world though - you forget all the leaks when you get a good drive with the roof off, and the rust on the doors hasn't really bothered me enough to get it fixed yet.
My last one (still on the drive):
My current:
My two have both been cheap Rev 2s, so I've had the pleasure of leaky T-bars/rear windows, rusty doors and wheel arches on each of them.
Wouldn't change them for the world though - you forget all the leaks when you get a good drive with the roof off, and the rust on the doors hasn't really bothered me enough to get it fixed yet.
My last one (still on the drive):
My current:
dragonheart said:
I like that. Which mods are staying and which are going?
Cheers for the comments folks! Mod wise, I think the 'slightly to loud for me' exhaust might have to go. Having said that, I had a closer look at it today, it does not look that old, and the box is stainless, so we will see. Seat wise, they are lovely and comfy (if a little too soft in the bolster department). My only criticism is that they sit a little higher than the standard seats, and as such the steering wheel is almost sitting on your legs (I like the wheel quite low). The wheels are growing on me, so might well stick with them - if I do they will need a refurb. They are not staggered (7" all round), so might keep a look out for a set of 17x8" Superleggeras so I can go 8" on the rear - failing that I could space them a little I guess....decisions decisions
danjama said:
Would like more info on the above post about rust points, what are these death bars under the engine?
And where do they rust from inside out?
These are the bars I mentioned under the engine.And where do they rust from inside out?
As for rust, take off your door card and have a look inside the door (if you're feeling brave). If you see any rust on the bottom rear edge of the door from the outside, chances are it started inside the door.
The strip that wipes the condensation off the window when you lower it (don't know what it's called) doesn't do a very good job of stopping water running down the window and into the door. There are drain holes on the bottom of the door but inside it isn't painted very well at all so rusts easily.
If you're a bit thick like me then follow This. Report back.
Be careful about the door rust. Mine had its door split along the seam at the bottom between inner and outter, completely wrote the door off.
Be ready for the cost of a clutch change, took me ages to get anywhere near the gearbox on mine, just something about them having their engined crammed so far inside the car itself, made it a nightmare to work on.
Get some original leathers and wheels on that and it'd look 100% ammazing, hope you enjoy
Be ready for the cost of a clutch change, took me ages to get anywhere near the gearbox on mine, just something about them having their engined crammed so far inside the car itself, made it a nightmare to work on.
Get some original leathers and wheels on that and it'd look 100% ammazing, hope you enjoy
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