Looking for an MR2/Other sports car

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

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1907 posts

Uber Geek

#1195360 11-Dec-2014 00:52

paulmilbank:
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.

Indeed. It's worth a look anyway.

heylinb4nz: Gen4 Caldina engine, with the turbo integrated to manifold, also prone to warpage with leaks, still better than tired high km Gen1 engine.

I believe the Gen4 is popular as it has the additional lug on the manifold where as the likes of the Gen2 and 3 did not. We are waiting for the "dreaded tractor" on our Caldina. Hasn't popped off just yet though :)

The Gen4 also fixed problems with lean cylinders under load.

heylinb4nz

656 posts

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#1195423 11-Dec-2014 09:46

DravidDavid:
paulmilbank:
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.

Indeed. It's worth a look anyway.

heylinb4nz: Gen4 Caldina engine, with the turbo integrated to manifold, also prone to warpage with leaks, still better than tired high km Gen1 engine.

I believe the Gen4 is popular as it has the additional lug on the manifold where as the likes of the Gen2 and 3 did not. We are waiting for the "dreaded tractor" on our Caldina. Hasn't popped off just yet though :)

The Gen4 also fixed problems with lean cylinders under load.

Sounds like a good engine then. If you score for $3000 then a spare $3500 would go a long way to tidying up some of the other things that may need attention. Other than the paint issue. Even so a home respray if you know someone with a compressor, it can be done and still look good.

DravidDavid

1907 posts

Uber Geek

#1195424 11-Dec-2014 09:51

heylinb4nz:

Sounds like a good engine then. If you score for $3000 then a spare $3500 would go a long way to tidying up some of the other things that may need attention. Other than the paint issue. Even so a home respray if you know someone with a compressor, it can be done and still look good.

Definitely, which is why it's such a popular conversion. I think people forge the gen4 because from memory, the rods are weaker than all the previous engines, but it's a more modern engine over-all.

And I look after the IT equipment at a panel and paint shop. I'm sure we can barter, haha :)

floydie

474 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1195456 11-Dec-2014 10:47

another left field suggestion... how about a Fiat punto ABARTH?? small hatch with a decent 1800 engine.
i drove one and it went much better than i thought it would.

they pop up on TM every now and then

mclean

581 posts

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#1195496 11-Dec-2014 11:23

In your price range this http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-811302142.htm looks a good buy. Not quite an M3 but still nice. I think the E46 pre-dates run-flat tyres so that's a plus.

DravidDavid

1907 posts

Uber Geek

#1195503 11-Dec-2014 11:35

floydie: another left field suggestion... how about a Fiat punto ABARTH?? small hatch with a decent 1800 engine.
i drove one and it went much better than i thought it would.

they pop up on TM every now and then

The ABARTH is so ugly it's cool! Would definitely be keen. Pretty sure they had it on TopGear too.

DravidDavid

1907 posts

Uber Geek

#1195505 11-Dec-2014 11:38

mclean: In your price range this http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-811302142.htm looks a good buy. Not quite an M3 but still nice. I think the E46 pre-dates run-flat tyres so that's a plus.

Great looking car, but automatic. I missed out on manuals earlier as I swore by my automatic corolla...I have to make up the lost time! I'll buy an automatic again when I'm 38 and on joint medication. ;)

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heylinb4nz

656 posts

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#1195526 11-Dec-2014 12:27

Hyundai coupe FX or mabey a V6 tiburon.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/hyundai/auction-818899825.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/hyundai/auction-796062558.htm

ilovemusic

1439 posts

Uber Geek

#1195619 11-Dec-2014 16:13

ubergeeknz:
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.

you could well be right though i've seen reference to aw20 and sw20.

wiki avoids confusion by just using wx0...

of all the cars mentioned since, the mrs is the only real contender.

the bmw is likely to have all sorts of mechanical problems.

with few exceptions, modernish fiats (and alfas) are cheap but slow and poor handling cars.

xpd

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#1195624 11-Dec-2014 16:28

Well under spec of what youre looking at, but I had a 95 Toyota Cynos Juno (aka Paseo) , hell of a fun car to drive, especially with the sports mode gearing switch (auto).
I went to that from a Subaru twin turbo, and was impressed by it :)

With the money youve got, could pick one up cheap and get some work done to give it some more of a kick ;)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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frankv

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#1195625 11-Dec-2014 16:29

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

aw11 was much better handling.

I assume that your "aw20" was a typo. There's no such thing as an aw20. I guess you meant the SW20, since the AW10/11 didn't have turbos.

Now, as an SW20 owner, (previously a G-Ltd (non-turbo), now a GT (turbo)), I can tell you that there's nothing particularly dangerous about either. You *do* have to know what you are doing, and know what the limits are, particularly pushing it towards oversteer. But it's no more a death trap than any other car, except for the foolhardy.

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#1195636 11-Dec-2014 16:40

frankv:
Now, as an SW20 owner, (previously a G-Ltd (non-turbo), now a GT (turbo)), I can tell you that there's nothing particularly dangerous about either. You *do* have to know what you are doing, and know what the limits are, particularly pushing it towards oversteer. But it's no more a death trap than any other car, except for the foolhardy.

I think someone already pointed out earlier in the thread, there were significant changes for the GT-S and GT SW20s in both the 2nd and 3rd revision (manufactured Jan92-on and Nov93-on respectively), which dramatically improved handling and safety - it also got a slight power bump in that 3rd revision from Nov93 ;)

The first SW20s were pretty painful imo as they didn't have the traction or handling characteristics to match the performance, which for some people can be 'fun' but for a daily driver, is not. The 2nd rev wasn't bad, and the 3rd rev is imo a really fun car, factory by that point it gets 180kw, viscous LSD,better braking & steering.. just all around little improvements that add up to a major change. Having driven a 91 GT and 91 GT-S back to back, it's imo a significant improvement to go for the slightly newer revision.

Like any car, though, drive sensibly, treat it with respect, and now it's and your limits.

heylinb4nz

656 posts

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Inactive user

#1196125 12-Dec-2014 10:52

xpd: Well under spec of what youre looking at, but I had a 95 Toyota Cynos Juno (aka Paseo) , hell of a fun car to drive, especially with the sports mode gearing switch (auto).
I went to that from a Subaru twin turbo, and was impressed by it :)

With the money youve got, could pick one up cheap and get some work done to give it some more of a kick ;)

Cant be serious ?? :)

82 kW from the Toyota Paseo 5E @ 950 kg = 0.086 kw per Kg
190 kw from twin turbo legacy @ 1450 kg = 0.131 kw per Kg

Other than exhaust and intake (good for another 3-5kw) what other work could you do to a Paseo ?? other than strip it right down so it didnt look like a Paseo. :)

heylinb4nz

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#1196129 12-Dec-2014 10:57

Saw this pop up today on TradeMe, worth a look

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/mitsubishi/auction-820014199.htm

- 1997 with Lowish Kms

- V6

These sound pretty nice with a good exhuast, the mini V6 produces quite a pleasant sound, sporty feel on the inside, handling wise they are pretty good, tiptronic (INVEC-II) shifts pretty quick, high redline.

The GPXs with Mivec are pretty good (but rare)

Quite a few aftermarket accessories available (interior dress up items, body kits, wings)

ubergeeknz

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#1196135 12-Dec-2014 11:06

heylinb4nz: Saw this pop up today on TradeMe, worth a look

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/mitsubishi/auction-820014199.htm

- 1997 with Lowish Kms - V6

These sound pretty nice with a good exhuast, the mini V6 produces quite a pleasant sound, sporty feel on the inside, handling wise they are pretty good, tiptronic (INVEC-II) shifts pretty quick, high redline.

The GPXs with Mivec are pretty good (but rare)

Quite a few aftermarket accessories available (interior dress up items, body kits, wings)

Yeah these things handle well, Mivec V6 goes pretty hard

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