Looking for an MR2/Other sports car

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Looking for an MR2/Other sports car

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#1194772 10-Dec-2014 12:03

lxsw20: No mention of fueling, is the ECU even for a gen 1 engine? Is the ECU tuned for the turbo you hope to put on? If so can the MAF support 300hp? Can the Inter cooler support 300hp? Cost for a cert? Has the gearbox got an LSD? If not how do you plan to put 300hp down on the ground? No handling or brake upgrades so the car can actually support 300hp.

Have seen so many people on car forums with big dreams and little ideas on the reality of what it cost to have a fast reliable car. All they end up with is an expensive half finished lawn ornament.

Have to admit, it is a dream at this stage. Thank goodness for forums with people who know what they are talking about. But the fuel pump is rated at 500, big injectors...ect. The turbo it came with is the same as the upgraded one on the body (hence it being perfect...But if this even goes ahead, it will be re-tuned)

I didn't count on suspension, intercooler or LSD however, that's fair enough. It's already certed for the same engine.

300HP is not a set in concrete number. But the ability for expansion with a completely re-furbished motor can't be a bad start, right?

Batman

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#1194801 10-Dec-2014 12:39

you need to look for version 4, 5, 6 Subaru WRX / STIs (both have similar engine outputs in those versions) that is well looked after. They are you best bang for buck. (0-100 around 5.0s flat) But be one bit careless and you will die. Because they pull like a Porsche but have no safety in their builds, esp past 100kph they are a disaster waiting to collide.

ilovemusic

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#1194852 10-Dec-2014 13:24

^ agree, a much better handling car than any stock aw20, which is turbo form was a death trap.

aw11 was much better handling.

as was the later mr-s.

forget that $5k z3, its likely to be a 1.9, going to put you in a coma not rip your face off.

sheer speed is for noobz.

handling is where it's at, especially if you're on a budget.

;)

DravidDavid

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#1194900 10-Dec-2014 14:10

ilovemusic: ^ agree, a much better handling car than any stock aw20, which is turbo form was a death trap.

aw11 was much better handling.

as was the later mr-s.

forget that $5k z3, its likely to be a 1.9, going to put you in a coma not rip your face off.

sheer speed is for noobz.

handling is where it's at, especially if you're on a budget.

;)

I couldn't care less about top speed. I can only go 100KM/h after all. I want sheer acceleration! Haha :) Acceleration / Handling / Sound (in that order) for me.

The MR2 just has the best look out of all the classic cars in my price range. I might just buy a nice stock one with the leather trim and bolt an exhaust on. The options are driving me nuts!

How do I differentiate between the AW20 and the SW20? They look the same!

ubergeeknz

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#1194910 10-Dec-2014 14:24

DravidDavid:
ilovemusic: ^ agree, a much better handling car than any stock aw20, which is turbo form was a death trap.

aw11 was much better handling.

as was the later mr-s.

forget that $5k z3, its likely to be a 1.9, going to put you in a coma not rip your face off.

sheer speed is for noobz.

handling is where it's at, especially if you're on a budget.

;)

I couldn't care less about top speed. I can only go 100KM/h after all. I want sheer acceleration! Haha :) Acceleration / Handling / Sound (in that order) for me.

The MR2 just has the best look out of all the classic cars in my price range. I might just buy a nice stock one with the leather trim and bolt an exhaust on. The options are driving me nuts!

How do I differentiate between the AW20 and the SW20? They look the same!

I don't think there is such a thing as an AW20. The -90 1600 MR2s were designated AW11 and the bigger 90- 2 litre SW20.

I had a basically stock GT SW20 Mk I and that thing flew. They are decent quick and fun to drive even at sensible speeds, and it didn't have too many mechanical problems (beyond the usual, sensors and such). I believe that particular car is still on the road, I have seen it around. All that said, it did try to kill me several times. Apparently the MkIII (96-?) are less inclined towards trying to murder you.

mclean

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#1194915 10-Dec-2014 14:30

lxsw20: 300ZX's are horribly unreliable and terrible to work on.

Just sold my 1998 one after 6 years and 60,000 km. It never once let me down (apart from one dud battery). Best car I ever owned. I sure miss it.

You want cheap but classy try this: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/porsche/auction-819275223.htm. Like any old sports car you'd have to love it enough to keep spending money on it.

Batman

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#1194935 10-Dec-2014 14:58

sheer acceleration? v4 wrx or sti or v5. sedan only. wagons are detuned. it will push you into the seat and force the crap out onto it.

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lxsw20

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#1194940 10-Dec-2014 15:06

mclean:
lxsw20: 300ZX's are horribly unreliable and terrible to work on.

Just sold my 1998 one after 6 years and 60,000 km. It never once let me down (apart from one dud battery). Best car I ever owned. I sure miss it.

You want cheap but classy try this: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/porsche/auction-819275223.htm. Like any old sports car you'd have to love it enough to keep spending money on it.

Was it the twin turbo one?

heylinb4nz

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#1194942 10-Dec-2014 15:10

Ex MR2 owner here, had 1987 AW11 Supercharger for 4 years and 1990 SW20 GT for 10 years.

The SW20 I tipped a ton of money into over 10 year period, many mods, to much to list here.

A quick check on TradeMe in the $6500 range already confirms

a) SW20s, mostly high kms now and/or molested
b) AW11, not many great ones, and those that are are well over $6500

Having owned a 1990 Turbo from 95,000kms to 205,000 kms I can say immediately anything you buy over 160,000 kms is going to start costing $$$$ and $$$$ as tired factory items start failing (suspension components, turbo blowing oil, sensors, ignition leads etc etc).

Now its not all bad news, the 3rd gen (zzw30) are coming down in cost with a few floating around your price range, and whilst not turbo charged they handle more truer to the AW11, combined with low weight, 140PS engine and of course being convertible, you do get a fun summer car, all be it not quite a full on performance car.

One to consider here in your price range.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/toyota/auction-814116637.htm

DravidDavid

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#1194962 10-Dec-2014 15:25

That certainly looks cool. Almost looks as if it was designed to compete with Porche. It's not exactly my style however.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/toyota/auction-813561500.htm

This is one I previously did not consider due to the WOF/Reg situation. But it is the cheapest and has the Gen4 motor. If the interior is tidy, it might be worth it for $3,000.

If it fell to bits, I could probably sell the motor and box again for the price of the car and part the interior out for a little bit on the side.

heylinb4nz

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#1194968 10-Dec-2014 15:36

DravidDavid: That certainly looks cool. Almost looks as if it was designed to compete with Porche. It's not exactly my style however.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/toyota/auction-813561500.htm

This is one I previously did not consider due to the WOF/Reg situation. But it is the cheapest and has the Gen4 motor. If the interior is tidy, it might be worth it for $3,000.

If it fell to bits, I could probably sell the motor and box again for the price of the car and part the interior out for a little bit on the side.

Gen4 Caldina engine, with the turbo integrated to manifold, also prone to warpage with leaks, still better than tired high km Gen1 engine.

Body at 220,000 the main things id be checking would be

- suspension (top hats, sway bar links, shock, springs etc) usually done for by 180,000 and will make the car handle very sloppy.

- power steering rack & pump (play can affect straight line stability), mine was poked at 200,000 kms, $1500 to fix

- fuel pump ($250-$300)

- MR2 Red paint will (if it hasnt already) fade to chalk...unavoidable even with religious waxing and polishing.

Remember you want to

a) be driving it not fixing it
b) enjoy driving it
c) not look back in 3 years times and wonder where your other $3500 went.

heylinb4nz

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#1194975 10-Dec-2014 15:44

Completely left field but what about this for something different ?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/toyota/auction-688512107.htm

Note: I've been in this car before and OMG its completely mental (and so much fun), certainly no problem pinning you into your seat, and the sound of that Eaton supercharger :) bliss. No classic but it certainly turns heads.

mclean

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#1194990 10-Dec-2014 15:58

lxsw20: Was it the twin turbo one?

No, NA. The later JDM models were really simplified to keep the cost competitive - they took out all the non-essentials like VVT, hicas steering, security, central locking, etc, and ended up with a very reliable unit. Apart from the cambelt the engines are bulletproof.

I replaced it with a 350Z. 315 bhp is nice but it's characterless compared to the old Z32.

toyonut

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#1195023 10-Dec-2014 16:31

DravidDavid: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/toyota/auction-813561500.htm

That one has been on for maybe 4 months now. Does make me wonder why. Looks OK from the photos, but the interior or motor install could be a basket case. Doesn't hurt to have a look though.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

Lurch

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#1195098 10-Dec-2014 18:03

DravidDavid:
This is one I previously did not consider due to the WOF/Reg situation. But it is the cheapest and has the Gen4 motor. If the interior is tidy, it might be worth it for $3,000.

If it fell to bits, I could probably sell the motor and box again for the price of the car and part the interior out for a little bit on the side.

Would avoid going by the comments, also needs to be certed. If it came with the girl then maybe ;-)

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