Toyota MR2 Mk3 questions
Discussion
So, I'm going to downgrade the 350Z for something cheaper to run. I figured the MR2 would fit the bill. Reliable, cheap tyres, decent on petrol but a little kart to drive.
I am quite willing to sacrifice absolute performance and the noise because it will be cheaper to run and will hopefully handle better than the hulking 1600KG monster. I don't really require a car as quick as the 350Z, as it just tempts me up to and beyond 3 figure speeds all of the time.
Am I right in thinking its the 2003 model onwards that are the ones to go for (revised engine and no pre-cat problem?).
I've seen one in the classified for £3k, 70,000 miles, 53 plate. Thought this might be a decent enough buy?
I am quite willing to sacrifice absolute performance and the noise because it will be cheaper to run and will hopefully handle better than the hulking 1600KG monster. I don't really require a car as quick as the 350Z, as it just tempts me up to and beyond 3 figure speeds all of the time.
Am I right in thinking its the 2003 model onwards that are the ones to go for (revised engine and no pre-cat problem?).
I've seen one in the classified for £3k, 70,000 miles, 53 plate. Thought this might be a decent enough buy?
The later ones have different back lights, front fogs, and a 6 speed gearbox aswell as some engine modifications to stop the oval bore I believe.
My 2001 car had a rusty rear x member too, which I am told happens a fair bit, the facelift is a different X member.
Precat problems can still happen I believe on later cars.
Lots of info here
http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/index.php?sid=c2928a0...
They are great fun to drive.
My 2001 car had a rusty rear x member too, which I am told happens a fair bit, the facelift is a different X member.
Precat problems can still happen I believe on later cars.
Lots of info here
http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/index.php?sid=c2928a0...
They are great fun to drive.
Great fun little things and excellent value now.
Have had an early model and a late model mk3, both UK cars.
Have previously owned MR2 mk1, 2 and 3 and the 3 is the best one, ok lacks a bit of power but handles like the mk1 but even better as the mk3 has an lsd which you can feel working when pushing it along.
Later model has 6 speed which is the biggest thing you will notice between pre an post 2003. Expect to pay £4k to £6k for a decent 6 speed mode, hardtop and leather and aircon make a big different on price.
Have had an early model and a late model mk3, both UK cars.
Have previously owned MR2 mk1, 2 and 3 and the 3 is the best one, ok lacks a bit of power but handles like the mk1 but even better as the mk3 has an lsd which you can feel working when pushing it along.
Later model has 6 speed which is the biggest thing you will notice between pre an post 2003. Expect to pay £4k to £6k for a decent 6 speed mode, hardtop and leather and aircon make a big different on price.
To answer the OP's question specifically, yes it will fit the bill.
Do ask yourself though if you really do want to downsize on the power front.
Yes, no real storage, and could use a lot more power (couldn't everything).
But definitely fits the bill in terms of downsizing from your 350z.
I have a Porsche itch going on, but went to test drive a 911 last weekend.
It was lovely and a C4S will be arriving shortly.
But I went in the MR2 and had such a hoot there and back, it is hard to justify the outlay in terms of bang for your buck.
Go for a facelift post 03 model, and look for one with the TTE exhaust.
Make sure it has decent, correct size rubber and no chav wheels etc.
Insure it for buttons, put petrol in and enjoy.
Oh and to answer one post, I can assure you, as much fun as a Clio can be in a fwd Clio kind of a way, it ain't better to drive.
Regards
Do ask yourself though if you really do want to downsize on the power front.
Yes, no real storage, and could use a lot more power (couldn't everything).
But definitely fits the bill in terms of downsizing from your 350z.
I have a Porsche itch going on, but went to test drive a 911 last weekend.
It was lovely and a C4S will be arriving shortly.
But I went in the MR2 and had such a hoot there and back, it is hard to justify the outlay in terms of bang for your buck.
Go for a facelift post 03 model, and look for one with the TTE exhaust.
Make sure it has decent, correct size rubber and no chav wheels etc.
Insure it for buttons, put petrol in and enjoy.
Oh and to answer one post, I can assure you, as much fun as a Clio can be in a fwd Clio kind of a way, it ain't better to drive.
Regards
Edited by Emley on Sunday 24th February 20:32
Edited by Emley on Sunday 24th February 21:42
I have a pre-facelift one, and can confirm the TTE exhaust sounds good 
Tyres aren't as cheap as I expected thanks to the fronts being a slightly odd size, but other than that I think it's a good car. Would be better still with the celica 190 engine, not sure why that was never officially fitted, but hey.
I don't find the storage too bad - between the front boot and the behind-seat lockers you can get a fair bit in, especially if you use soft luggage!
Handling and brakes are great though, very good on fuel, and I personally find the interior very cosy and pleasant, although it's not very spacious.
Only issue I've ever had with mine is the roof drainage holes blocking up and the storage bins filling with water, which was annoying but not the end of the world, and very easily fixed.
Tyres aren't as cheap as I expected thanks to the fronts being a slightly odd size, but other than that I think it's a good car. Would be better still with the celica 190 engine, not sure why that was never officially fitted, but hey.
I don't find the storage too bad - between the front boot and the behind-seat lockers you can get a fair bit in, especially if you use soft luggage!
Handling and brakes are great though, very good on fuel, and I personally find the interior very cosy and pleasant, although it's not very spacious.
Only issue I've ever had with mine is the roof drainage holes blocking up and the storage bins filling with water, which was annoying but not the end of the world, and very easily fixed.
Had mine years ago (sold around 6 years back) & still miss it greatly-such a fantastically well balanced car. Actually traded it for a 350Z & even though I liked that it was a step in the wrong direction.
I then swapped that for an Exige but I still maintain the mister2 was the better car.
Mine was a 2001 iirc & in the 3 or so years I had it nothing of note ever went wrong. I wasnt on the Internet back then so I never knew of precat failures not that it would have made much difference.
The pre facelift cars didn't have stability control either. I span it a few times but I really did drive it like a nutter, sideways everywhere but at sane speeds.
Tte exhaust was worth it, as was the tte lowering kit-it was also on 17's & they filled the arches perfectly. The alloy design was the same as ferrari's & as it was red people did honestly point & ask if it was a dancing donkey-no word of a lie!
I then swapped that for an Exige but I still maintain the mister2 was the better car.
Mine was a 2001 iirc & in the 3 or so years I had it nothing of note ever went wrong. I wasnt on the Internet back then so I never knew of precat failures not that it would have made much difference.
The pre facelift cars didn't have stability control either. I span it a few times but I really did drive it like a nutter, sideways everywhere but at sane speeds.
Tte exhaust was worth it, as was the tte lowering kit-it was also on 17's & they filled the arches perfectly. The alloy design was the same as ferrari's & as it was red people did honestly point & ask if it was a dancing donkey-no word of a lie!
I am v happy with mine. Cheap to buy, cheap to run. It certainly won't raid you pocket like the 2.7 Boxster would to service and mend.
As everyone has said above, could do with more poke, but rather than worry about stamping on the throttle in a straight line, get to the twisty stuff, stir the gearbox, keep the revs up and it is very rewarding.
Get a facelift (03 plate and on with 6 speed with fog lights) and it won't miss a beat. Mine hasn't used a drop of oil in 12 months.
The pre-cat problems can happen, but it is rarer than they hype makes out.
As everyone has said above, could do with more poke, but rather than worry about stamping on the throttle in a straight line, get to the twisty stuff, stir the gearbox, keep the revs up and it is very rewarding.
Get a facelift (03 plate and on with 6 speed with fog lights) and it won't miss a beat. Mine hasn't used a drop of oil in 12 months.
The pre-cat problems can happen, but it is rarer than they hype makes out.
Emley said:
To answer the OP's question specifically, yes it will fit the bill.
Do ask yourself though if you really do want to downsize on the power front.
Yes, no real storage, and could use a lot more power (couldn't everything).
But definitely fits the bill in terms of downsizing from your 350z.
I have a Porsche itch going on, but went to test drive a 911 last weekend.
It was lovely and a C4S will be arriving shortly.
But I went in the MR2 and had such a hoot there and back, it is hard to justify the outlay in terms of bang for your buck.
Go for a facelift post 03 model, and look for one with the TTE exhaust.
Make sure it has decent, correct size rubber and no chav wheels etc.
Insure it for buttons, put petrol in and enjoy.
Oh and to answer one post, I can assure you, as much fun as a Clio can be in a fwd Clio kind of a way, it ain't better to drive.
Regards
Better to drive is very subjective. I can see why people would say the MR2 is better to drive, but for me it was too 'wallowy' on the limit, and that was with new suspension. It was nice having an LSD and I wish I still had one now. Do ask yourself though if you really do want to downsize on the power front.
Yes, no real storage, and could use a lot more power (couldn't everything).
But definitely fits the bill in terms of downsizing from your 350z.
I have a Porsche itch going on, but went to test drive a 911 last weekend.
It was lovely and a C4S will be arriving shortly.
But I went in the MR2 and had such a hoot there and back, it is hard to justify the outlay in terms of bang for your buck.
Go for a facelift post 03 model, and look for one with the TTE exhaust.
Make sure it has decent, correct size rubber and no chav wheels etc.
Insure it for buttons, put petrol in and enjoy.
Oh and to answer one post, I can assure you, as much fun as a Clio can be in a fwd Clio kind of a way, it ain't better to drive.
Regards
Edited by Emley on Sunday 24th February 20:32
Edited by Emley on Sunday 24th February 21:42
Yours was a green version of mine! (there's a TTE 'style hoop' you can't see in this picture)
Edited by deadmau5 on Sunday 24th February 22:14
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