Looking for an MR2/Other sports car

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

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

2514 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1196504 12-Dec-2014 18:47

A bit pricey but good km's you'd want to makes sure they used the right fluid fot the trans as bad fluid ruins these transmissions.

I loved my FTO was the best handling car i have ever driven.

Just couldn't tow a horse float.

Also watch out this has a face lift bumper on a non facelift so look for accident damage.

dickytim

2514 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1196509 12-Dec-2014 18:49

Is not a mivec

DravidDavid

1907 posts

Uber Geek

#1196903 13-Dec-2014 15:22

I went to see a red MR2 today with major paint fade and a Gen4 swap.

It was missing it's spoiler was majorly dirty inside...However carpets and dash were in mint condition compared to all the over immaculate MR2's I've seen. Most of which had absolutely shot or rough interior.
The ECU is just sitting loose in the boot, so that will have to be sorted out. I'm not keen on his wiring job and it needs an intercooler installed. The body is totally rust free. No leaks (tested with high pressure washer on the day) and electrics work fine.

But for $2800 I don't think I can argue much. A rolling body in general would cost that much without the motor, trans or wheels for that matter. Still not sure if I want to spend thousands on paint doing it up.

I found a stock 1992 MR2 SW20 GT-S (GenII) in black in New Lynn. It's mint on the outside, but the inside is quite rough. They also want $9,500 and that's after haggling with them. I offered them $5,500 and told them when they want to get it off their yard, to call me...Because I'm the only one in New Lynn that's likely to do it within the next 6 months, haha! I also have a sneaky suspicion that it has been wound back. It only has 83K on the clock and my panel beater says the seller is dodgy as hell.

Overview:

Work required:

- Needs whole body paint (can get it done for 2K)
- Needs a serious clean inside (but everything is pretty immaculate for a '90)
- Needs intercooler installed (running stock top mount interwarmer and heatsoaking like mad)
- Need to remove boost tap (running stock boost but easy to remove)
- No stereo (double din)

Plus sides:

- Great wheels
- Great tyres
- Gen4 swap has been done well (minus intercooler and wiring - possibly, I'm not qualified to comment)
- Rust free (unlike others)
- Everything minus the cigarette lighter works (but I know why...it's on the same circuit as the stereo which is missing)

Anyone want to give me a hand with any of it if I decide to buy? Haha! :)

Dairyxox

1594 posts

Uber Geek

#1196929 13-Dec-2014 16:36

90's Starlet GT Trubo. Fun and cheap to run, small displacement with big grins. they accelerate to 100k,s very quick but bigger engines pull away not long after

DravidDavid

1907 posts

Uber Geek

#1197527 15-Dec-2014 08:15

I give up. I'm going to buy a 1600cc Corolla with 80K on the clock.

I'll save up for a decent project car and work on it later. If I do it without a reliable daily, I can't make money after all anyway!

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#1197568 15-Dec-2014 08:59

dickytim:

Also watch out this has a face lift bumper on a non facelift so look for accident damage.

Interesting observation. It looks like the facelift model to me. The front bumper is the first obvious pointer, and the boot sill marking labels it as a GX, a model which wasn't introduced until the facelift, and it is a 1997-manufactured model.

They are fun FF coupes, particularly the MIVEC V6 with a manual box. The non-MIVEC V6 is pretty good, too. The 1.8 I4 is weaksauce.

dickytim

2514 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1197570 15-Dec-2014 09:08

Also the dual airbags and momo wheel.

If it has a 5 speed box then it would be a fully fledged facelift.

Wise

Send money globally for less with Wise - one free transfer up to NZ$900 (affiliate link).

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek

#1197584 15-Dec-2014 09:37

Top mount would probably put new motor out of a celica rather than an MR2, shouldn't be too hard to track down an MR2 cooler, cheap project cars will always be full of hidden issues and shortcuts but hey that's half the fun providing you buy right in the first place

@ $2800 you could probably part it out and make money so little to loose other than time and maybe a bit of skin off your knuckles

A tidy MR2 turbo will hold more value in years to come than any of the other suggestions being bandied about, they are a pseudo sports car rather than a souped up shopping basket like most jap toy cars

ilovemusic

1439 posts

Uber Geek

#1197610 15-Dec-2014 10:35

DravidDavid: I give up. I'm going to buy a 1600cc Corolla with 80K on the clock.

I'll save up for a decent project car and work on it later. If I do it without a reliable daily, I can't make money after all anyway!

good call !

a $5k fast car was always going to be a headache.

Batman

Mad Scientist
29763 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1197658 15-Dec-2014 11:43

Correct

Good move.

Very wise.

DravidDavid

1907 posts

Uber Geek

#1198169 15-Dec-2014 23:19

Well, I found the nearest person already over-seas wanting to flick their car for cash to me and bought it.

It's a 1997 Toyota Corolla Second Edition Saloon.

It's done 173,000Ks, has 4 brand new tyres with tidy interior and the trusty (but totally gutless) 5A-FE 1.5L fuel injected, naturally aspirated power house.
Not rust, no leaks, changes and runs smooth.

Paid $1700 bucks.

Going to do the cam-belt, pump and associated gear. Flush the coolant system, transmission and change out the engine oil just in-case. It even has somewhat of a service history. The guy took it to the same place every single time and they keep all the documentation on hand. It has a reg until mid next year and a recent WOF too.

Pretty happy with the purchase. It will last another 250,000 kilometers if I look after it and with the money I saved, I can still buy the MR2 if I wanted.

Win win!

EDIT: I want to make it unique. Too many corollas on the road that look the same. What do you guys think. Racing stripes? Or lowered suspension with white walls? :D

...Or both!

dickytim

2514 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1198202 16-Dec-2014 06:16

Turbo stickers hard bro

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#1198239 16-Dec-2014 08:39

DravidDavid:
EDIT: I want to make it unique. Too many corollas on the road that look the same. What do you guys think. Racing stripes? Or lowered suspension with white walls? :D

...Or both!

Bonnet pins and a big spoiler. And maybe a customised petrol flap. Not only make it look great, but adds extra power, too!

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#1198328 16-Dec-2014 11:03

Inphinity:
DravidDavid:
EDIT: I want to make it unique. Too many corollas on the road that look the same. What do you guys think. Racing stripes? Or lowered suspension with white walls? :D

...Or both!

Bonnet pins and a big spoiler. And maybe a customised petrol flap. Not only make it look great, but adds extra power, too!

Chop it into a convertible, and stick one of those massive exhaust pipes on it:

DravidDavid

1907 posts

Uber Geek

#1198329 16-Dec-2014 11:04

Inphinity: And maybe a customised petrol flap.

This is a serious pet hate of mine!

I think I'll stick with the white walls idea. It actually looks pretty cool!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9