Are They As Bad As Peeple Say

[fatso]

hi, this is my first proper post on here,

im looking to sell my present car and replace it with a mid 90s corrola or celica.

but ive always liked the looks of the mk1 mr2, the only thing thats putting me off though is ive sum right horror stories about them rusting and stuff.

now i understand the rear arches can be sorted if your good at bodywrok by using nissan micra ones, is this true?

also what other places should i look at with regards to rust?

what is the best engine spec to go for?

[jdbecks]

i say get your self a mk2 tubby t-bar

i have an n/a but i would like to have a tubby...n/a are still great cars...plus make it a t-bar!!! you wont regreat it

[ricomr2]

now i understand the rear arches can be sorted if your good at bodywrok by using nissan micra ones, is this true?

I've heard that about the rear arches but i dont know for sure as mine is a mk2

There are still some really good ones about,

just depends how much you want to spend mate.

Oh.. and if your going to buy an MR2, buy a T-bar ;)

[fatso]

well know a few very good body work people so i cna get the arches sorted

its more structural rust that im worried of

nah ive i get one it will be a mk1 dont tlike the looks of the mk2 though i do know where there is a bright yellow, g limited coming up for sale soon

[Rash@R.A.Motors]

Majority of mk1's are rusty unless they've been garaged most of their lives - personally i'd rather get one with a bit of rust than one that had rust and has been bodged up...!!

a good late mk1 can set you back upto £2000...

The main areas to look for with regards to rust are:

- rear arches

- bottom of doors

- sills

- front bumper/valance

(doesn't leave much else does it really :P )

As long as the floor/sills are solid - superficial rust on bodywork can easily be sorted

Rash.

[ZeroBlade]

Rash is spot on, they are rust prone, and tbh most of them will have spots here and there, they are pretty old cars after all! unless the owner has cared for it like a little baby.

but, they're supposed to be great fun to drive, and fairly cheap insurance on them bad boys!

-Z

[JappyBeast]

Funny how non of the Mk2's rust.

Actually I saw a UK white Mk2 with a bit of rust round the rear arches.. was a little shocked!

[LimeyMk1]

There are some pretty good specimens of MK1 out there it just takes a little time to find them! If you can find a good one the arches may have already been done (watch out for botch jobs though). Structural rust isn't a huge problem in my experience, looking at areas like the base of the A pillar, inside the vents round the doors and giving the bumper a squeeze just in front of the indicators will show up some of the hidden rust.

There are replacement arch units available from MR2DC.com and from the Mk1 register www.mr2mk1club.com (cheaper).

There's not much in the way of engine options (SC or NA), but it's a pretty tunable engine and you can always stuff a 3SGTE in it (should have been there in the beginning IMO).

Tintops>coupes>t-tops! T-tops may look cool but they're less rigid, heavier and they leak!

HTH

Chris

Edit: Sorry I repeated some of what Rash. said, reply was say on my computer whilst I was in a meeting!

[Karma Supra]

Funny how non of the Mk2's rust.

LOLz

(Edit: sorry was searching for something alse and found this)

[JappyBeast]

Funny how non of the Mk2's rust.

LOLz

(Edit: sorry was searching for something alse and found this)

Why is this funny??!!!

[Karma Supra]

Errr, because 5 years on and they clearly do rust!

[Calisto]

My doors are very rusted on my MK2. REV 1 very much beyond repair, So I bought new ones! ^_^

[JappyBeast]

Errr, because 5 years on and they clearly do rust!

Not a spot of rust on mine, 18 years and going strong!

[Karma Supra]

Imports are cheating :P

There isn't on my old supra either at 21 years old... but most UK ones are rotten to buggery!

I just had to change a part on Millys today, the under braket thing it was rotten clean in half lol

[JappyBeast]

You mean the part that they remove for MOT as it doesnt do anything? :P

[Johan007]

I would have to agree the MK1 is a retro cool classic. I too would like one as the second car and have the same concern (I am looking at Smart Roadster but they are little expensive and have a ***** engine so I don't know my next move...could be an MK2).

[JappyBeast]

I would have to agree the MK1 is a retro cool classic. I too would like one as the second car and have the same concern (I am looking at Smart Roadster but they are little expensive and have a ***** engine so I don't know my next move...could be an MK2).

Depends what you want really as the Mk2 is a lot heavier than it looks. I can imagine the Mk1 being quite nimble but cant comment as I have never driven one.

[Charlies Angel]

I really advise againt a t-bar!! I love mine for the summer but get Pee'd on when it rains

hahaha yes even with the roof on (i was waiting for it)

even if you lube up the seals with silicon conditioner, it still leaks a treat!!

[Sky Insurance]

Agreed, sod getting a t bar.. yeah they are great for the odd day you can take out the panels but T bars have the least rigid chassis and they leak.

[JappyBeast]

Agreed, sod getting a t bar.. yeah they are great for the odd day you can take out the panels but T bars have the least rigid chassis and they leak.

Dissagree!!

Mine doesnt leak that bad and it is worth every drip on the clear days. I take em out all year round if its clear. Owning a T-Bar is like owning 2 different cars. I wouldnt buy any other type of MR2.

[Karma Supra]

I never though it felt "that different" with the roof off, as the removable area is so small.

Having had three (4 including Milly's) T bars, next time I think I'd go tip top with no sun roof. I think it looks "cleaner".

Maybe I have just had my fill of them lol

Does anyone make carbon fibre roof panels yet?

[Calisto]

There in the pipe line lol.

[Basil Fawlty]

carbon fibre t-bar panels have been around for years.