Looking for an MR2/Other sports car

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

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#1200602 19-Dec-2014 15:03

lxsw20:
DravidDavid: Plans have changed significantly. Other car broke and required thousands of work. So no more MR2.

Will just do the belts on the Corolla and leave it at that I think until I re-cooperate funds after compulsory gift giving day.

You mean your car with the bulletproof 3S-GTE :P

Engine is still perfect. It's the not so perfect CV joints, boots and bearings that are causing problems. It was cheaper to get two second hand drive shafts from a wrecker and recondition them.

The belts are due on it too though. But that's the usual stuff :P

lxsw20

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#1200608 19-Dec-2014 15:21

Toyota Genuine ones are not that expensive, or they never used to be anyway.

DravidDavid

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#1200610 19-Dec-2014 15:35

lxsw20: Toyota Genuine ones are not that expensive, or they never used to be anyway.

It was 250 a side from a wrecker. But one of the boots was exhibiting the same problems as my current one. So the mechanic is re-packing them with new grease, changing the boots and clamps and making sure it's all good.

It's a problem on the Caldina models.

DravidDavid

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#1234397 11-Feb-2015 01:42

An exciting update.

After months of searching and only finding scrap-worthy bombs, or abused turbos, I've finally found one! A '92 Toyota MR2 GT-S Turbo T-Top. Kept by a straight up car enthusiast.

I pick it up this week and then the modifications/learning/heart-ache/problems/towing fees begin. Hope not, but it's a classic sports car and I'm setting the bar low to avoid disappointment.

Short term:

- Exersize clutch foot and get a foot transplant for a smaller one. It's certainly not an Astra.
- Cut and polish to see if I can get the paint looking better.
- Clean it.
- Water proof car cover, even though the T-top leak isn't that bad apparently.
- Full leather kit. Probably go with custom upholstery. Haven't decided yet.
- Cat removal to bring out that glorious 3SGTE pop-popity-pop-pop.

Long Term:

- Gen4 Conversion. Have a gen4 3SGTE lined up already with loom and Mines performance ECU.
- Better looking mags
- Different colour. Haven't decided yet. Probably not red, which it is now.

My mechanic is going to go over it and make sure everything is in order, then let the mods begin! Want to keep the body stock for now. Will look at skirts and different spoilers for a custom look later when it comes time for paint.

Still within the initially stated budget. Still pretty confident I can get the conversion done within 5K considering it gets a clean sheet with the mechanic and major bits don't need replacing. Mags/leather/paint will be slotted in later. I think I'll want to drive it around for a while stock standard first so I appreciate the extra 70 odd horsepower in a few months time. I'll be keeping a close eye on what I spend for sure.

Will update later with photos. It's going to be interesting only having two seats and a boot only big enough for my camera, but that's part of the fun I guess. My sedan three quarters empty 99% of the time anyway. Life is too short to drive a slow car!

Cheers!

richms

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#1234399 11-Feb-2015 03:05

Glad you found something. When I was looking all I found was overpriced dreamers and totally thrashed and misrepresented trademe ad's

Richard rich.ms

ubergeeknz

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#1234400 11-Feb-2015 05:09

DravidDavid: An exciting update.

- Exersize clutch foot and get a foot transplant for a smaller one. It's certainly not an Astra.

I had this problem in my '90 GT, very heavy clutch, also it wasn't engaging properly causing some syncro difficulties. Had it rebuilt and it was as light as anything. So if your clutch is heavy, there is probably something wrong.

lxsw20

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#1234422 11-Feb-2015 08:13

Or it's just got a heavy pressure plate. Doesn't mean it's an issue.

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Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

DravidDavid

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#1234433 11-Feb-2015 08:41

richms: Glad you found something. When I was looking all I found was overpriced dreamers and totally thrashed and misrepresented trademe ad's

Exactly what I found. I would drive an hour to see a car only to find the owner hadn't mentioned anything about the crunchy third gear or neglected to take a photo of the caved in door on the other side of the car. :|

Pretty happy with what I've found. I'm glad the clutch has the potential to be lighter...It is pretty damn heavy for my taste.

EDIT: Yikes, I think the leather can stay tatty for a little while longer. I've been quoted $2,000 to get it replaced. Perhaps I'll get the rips fixed and the existing leather reconditioned instead. Or second hand leather seats maybe considering I don't really fit in the stock ones, haha!

Wade

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#1234462 11-Feb-2015 09:13

Leaking T Tops can usually be remedied by replacing the rubbers and then keeping them clean. I had a 90 GT and was as water tight as a normal sedan

Regarding leather, try Aussie Ebay, some of those off the shelf leather seat cover suppliers/manufacturers might have something suitable (Replacement covers to fit over existing foam and frame not seat covers persay)

ubergeeknz

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#1234482 11-Feb-2015 09:28

lxsw20: Or it's just got a heavy pressure plate. Doesn't mean it's an issue.

I'm making the assumption it's stock :) but yeah

DravidDavid

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#1234640 11-Feb-2015 12:25

It's stock. But will probably just wait until the clutch needs to come out and do it all then.

DravidDavid

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#1236126 11-Feb-2015 22:48

IT'S MINE! I'VE GOT IT!

Not as quick as the Gen3. But it's pretty damn quick! I took it for a spin in the dark and it was great!
I regret buying a Corolla whole heatedly now. I feel ripped off for time I could have had with this amazing machine. There are things wrong with it, but it's all cosmetic and general TLC.

That clutch really is abnormally heavy. But I think it adds to the character...Said every poor person ever. I'm already loving walking out on to the deck and seeing it parked in the driveway. It's pretty far from clean, so pictures come later. :)

Don't regret buying it for a second! If it died tomorrow I'd grab another one.

ubergeeknz

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#1236177 11-Feb-2015 23:38

DravidDavid: That clutch really is abnormally heavy. But I think it adds to the character...Said every poor person ever.

From experience .. get it fixed as soon as you can. The difference in driving it, for me, was night and day. Sadly when I got it replaced, I'd already sold the car!

DravidDavid

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#1236247 12-Feb-2015 08:36

ubergeeknz:
DravidDavid: That clutch really is abnormally heavy. But I think it adds to the character...Said every poor person ever.

From experience .. get it fixed as soon as you can. The difference in driving it, for me, was night and day. Sadly when I got it replaced, I'd already sold the car!

It's just pulled in to the mechanic's shop now. I'm sure he will comment after he has put a WOF on it and properly inspected it. :)

The car is so fun to drive, I don't even care if it empties my wallet. It will be worth it.

ubergeeknz

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#1236327 12-Feb-2015 10:05

DravidDavid:
ubergeeknz:
DravidDavid: That clutch really is abnormally heavy. But I think it adds to the character...Said every poor person ever.

From experience .. get it fixed as soon as you can. The difference in driving it, for me, was night and day. Sadly when I got it replaced, I'd already sold the car!

It's just pulled in to the mechanic's shop now. I'm sure he will comment after he has put a WOF on it and properly inspected it. :)

The car is so fun to drive, I don't even care if it empties my wallet. It will be worth it.

They are great cars to drive. Just don't push too hard in the bends because they bite back, very hard and suddenly, I found myself facing the wrong way a few times.

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