About To Join The Ranks

[Harold56]

Hi guys

After years of wanting an MR2 I've made up my mind to finally get one.

Nothing too new or expensive though.

Im looking for some feedback on what to look out for.

Will be spending a max of £3000 and will be looking to hold onto it for at least 2 years, it will be my only car so will be used for just about anything.

Im looking at a MKII, 91ish non turbo (insurance), not too bothered if T-Bar or not, and hopefuly black.

Your opinions are very welcome.

Oh and whats the difference between an SW20 and SW21 and does it matter.

Thanks

Brett.

[tomaddo]

For 3k you will be looking at either a high mileage uk spec or a jap import with less miles. The only difference being aircon and electric toys as standard on the Jap spec and sometimes insurance might be a bit more but if you go to a specialist there shouldnt be too much difference. I had an import g-limited and found no trouble with it. Any parts were easy to gt through Fensport and insurance wasnt a problem.

There is a black import with 17s and 60k on it for 2995 on autrader. When you look at one check to see when the cambelt was changed last, should be every 60k, if it is due use that as a bargaining tool. Also if you go and look at an import and it says its done 100k dont forget that it is in kilometres and not miles. If you do find an import it usually wont have any history. Try and find out what grade auction car it was, anything of 4 and above is good and shows its been looked after in Japan.

Hope this helps mate.

Tom

[Harold56]

Thanks Tom, this is the kind of advice im looking for, like I said any advice on what to watch out for.

Been checking out Autotrader for the past few days and seent the car you mention, not exactly local for me but theres quite a few there with similar spec at around the same price.

Whats the bodywork like on these, especially at the age i'll be buying, what to look out for rust etc.

[tomaddo]

As far as bodywork goes thats another bonus you get with buying an import. They dont use nasty corrosive salt on the road in Japan so the body tends to be in better knick on imports. Having said that the bodies are pretty solid anyway and i've never heard of one with rust. Just make sure you check the car over incase of accident damage. Also check that there is Pink/Red Toyota coolant in it rather than normal Blue stuff as the aluminium blocks have to have special coolant. When you take it for a test drive make sure you run it right up to the redline and make sure the TVIS at 5k revs runs smoothly, u should feel a big kit as you go up past 5k. Other than that if you can afford it get an RAC inspection or something. You should be pretty safe without one but its better to be safe than sorry.

Tom

[JappyBeast]

I got mine out of autotrader last year, Mk2 GT T-Bar Import (all the toys) '91 with toad remote immob and a KandN airfilter and Koni shocks. It still has its original tool kit, T-top bags and trim inserts. He advertised at £3000 and I got him down to £2600. Told him that it needed a new clutch and I wasnt happy with a knocking sound.

If you go looking at imports check if all the toys work, folding mirrors and aircon. Ask him what the T-bar rubbers are like in the rain and make sure all the lines on the front end line up nicely.

Best car I have ever bought! I wont be selling it for a long time.

[Guest]

I ordered mine from this place www.japanimportcar.co.uk . The site looks quite basic, but the bloke who runs it seems decent enough.

I went for the GT Turbo T-bar ( http://www.japanimportcar.co.uk/46088mr2gtred90.asp )

He was advertising it for £4500, but I managed to get it for £3995. ( what you think ? )

I don't really like red cars ( mainly cos they can go pink ), but what the hell.

Looks in good nic ( with the exception of having red trim on the front right side, accident repaired ?? I got them to get some back trim for me though. )

Did I pay over the price for it ? I dunno..... ( did I ?? )

After a ride in JappyBeast's MR2, I just knew I had to sell my Megane Coupe (still for sale if interested?? ) and get one.. Only issue is if I go to pick up freinds I'll have to do it one at a time.. lol . A selfish car it is !

[TheNissanMan]

Pretty much covered, only other things I'd check on an early car are the rear cross struts, if you look at the bottom of the engine bay behind the drivers compartment you'll see a little stru either side of the bay (only about a foot long), these havene a tendency to corrode away although are only about £20 to buy from Mr. T.

Check the rear tyres as they get eaten the most and although a minor point check if it has decent rubber on the tyres.....

Would recommend an RAC inspection if buying private.

[Guest]

I'm taking the car to Mr T when I get it just to check it over etc...

[TheNissanMan]

why not get an rac inspection insted, mr. t. will only try and make money out of it :)

[Guest]

good idea..

already paid deposit on car tho... so erm... I'll prob be taking it no matter what..

But wouldn't expect anything duff with it. The company said they would fix anything/replace any tyres if required.