Daniels Red NA MR2 (Rev3)

[danjama]

Hello everyone, I have delayed doing this for long enough. I would like to introduce myself and my '2'. I'm Daniel and I live in Romford.

I have had my Red 1995 NA for almost two months now. Bought it from a lovely lady in a little town down near Brighton. Reg is N707 KWV. If anyone has any info on the past lives of this car I would appreciate it

I've been using my '2' daily (actually, It will be less than daily now as I start a new job in the city on Tuesday, which means no more daily drive on the m25), with very few problems (none really). Fuel consumption seems a little low when driving sensibly (about 32mpg), so I have plans for a full service asap (oil, filters, plugs, leads). It also cold idles a bit high, fluctuating between 1800-2000 depending on unknown factors, and warm idle is at 950rpm, which I think is too high. I'm sure it idled at 800 for the first month.

There is an intermittent buzzing sound from passengers side door speaker. It comes and goes, so difficult to say whtat's causing it. Sounds like a bad earth issue.

I applied some silicone sealant to the area of a small leak from the t-bar, which solved the 'problem'. I say 'problem' as I believe I was actually the problem, failing to correctly fit the panel.

I have always wanted an MR2, so getting one is the fulfillment of a dream really. I realise it's not an F40, but it's a bloody thrilling drive and I can't stop looking at her when I'm walking away.

I can't seem to post pictures yet so you can find pics of her at

flickrdotcom/danjamafotos

I would like some advice on looking after the paintwork during the winter months, and also the best way to give the engine bay a clean, especially as the manifold is filthy! Want to get it back to its best.

Please introduce yourselves and let me know if you're local for a shoot as I do photography too

[HighwayStar]

Hello fella and welcome.
I'm Rob a photographer from Herts so not too local I'm afraid. Had my 2 for about 13.5 yrs now and just about got it to the moon on mileage and still love it. Modified quite a lot now... pics in my garage.
They are fabulous cars. Try TCB for service and replacement parts when needed and introduce yourself to a specialist for those times you need help. Its also useful to get to some meets... fellow members are a source of great knowledge and assistance.
Welcome to the 2, the site and ownership. The car sounds fine but for a few niggles though I'm afraid I can't help much. Lose wire to the speaker for the buzz. A fine tune of throttle position for idle? A mop is probably the best way to bring up red paintwork and just a degreaser in the engine bay. I think it's 15 posts to allow images so get typing and lets have a look at it....
Enjoy it and if it's your first mid engine rear drive be cautious in the upcoming winter...

R.

[danjama]

Hello fella and welcome.
I'm Rob a photographer from Herts so not too local I'm afraid. Had my 2 for about 13.5 yrs now and just about got it to the moon on mileage and still love it. Modified quite a lot now... pics in my garage.
They are fabulous cars. Try TCB for service and replacement parts when needed and introduce yourself to a specialist for those times you need help. Its also useful to get to some meets... fellow members are a source of great knowledge and assistance.
Welcome to the 2, the site and ownership. The car sounds fine but for a few niggles though I'm afraid I can't help much. Lose wire to the speaker for the buzz. A fine tune of throttle position for idle? A mop is probably the best way to bring up red paintwork and just a degreaser in the engine bay. I think it's 15 posts to allow images so get typing and lets have a look at it....
Enjoy it and if it's your first mid engine rear drive be cautious in the upcoming winter...

R.

Thanks for the warm welcome. 13.5yrs! that is very impressive. Love the look of your '2 That bay looks excellent. In a strange foreshadowing of events by yourself in that last line, I came unstuck at a soaked roundabout and though I got the car pointing in the right direction, it was just too late, ended up stopping JUST in time to prevent major damage, but did come to a rest with the front bumper against a sign post. So, cracked and scraped bumper, slightly dented wing and cracked amber reflector. I reckon it is all repairable though, but going to see a friend in bodywork to check. At least I now know how it feels to run out of talent. I also forgot to respect this car, which I would never have done when I first bought it. Been much more careful in the wet now.

The damage to my pride and has not damaged my passion for this car at all though. I love coming off of roundabouts in 2nd and booting it up to the speed limit, although this does affect mpg significantly. I think my high idle issue is a case of a grimey ISCV as the engine bay was not very clean at all. Given it a couple of rounds of degreaser and it's a bit better, but needs more work, which I will do when I've treated the idle valve to a clean.

I will definitely be getting myself to a few meets or more in 2013, but first to get the car back to mint. I saw a post over at pistonheads about an mr2 meet via imoc, which looked rather large and involved 900 miles around the UK, any ideas? Would love that.

Anyway, here is a few pics, before the little accident. Haven't had the heart to take any photos since.


IMG_0246 by danjama, on Flickr


IMG_0248 by danjama, on Flickr


IMG_0253 by danjama, on Flickr

Forgot to close the boot for this one


IMG_0217 by danjama, on Flickr

Anyway, we all know what a red NA looks like. But if anyone has a cheap red bumper for sale in essex or nearby get in touch. Will be looking to lower by 30/40mm and fit a juicy induction kit, early in 2013. Then will see.

[donna]

Looks great

[craig]

looking fresh!

[Rob66]

Hi Dan

Good looking car you have there. I am in Romford too (well when i am not working) and on my 4th MR2

I have a plenty of car cleaning gear so will have to meet up sometime and give the cars a once over, red always looks great with a bit of TLC so drop me a PM in the New Year.

Rob

[danjama]

Hi Dan

Good looking car you have there. I am in Romford too (well when i am not working) and on my 4th MR2

I have a plenty of car cleaning gear so will have to meet up sometime and give the cars a once over, red always looks great with a bit of TLC so drop me a PM in the New Year.

Rob

Sounds good mate, been looking for local owners!

[danjama]

Had a brilliant little road trip at the weekend, to Bexhill, Hastings, and all around that area. Never missed a beat, all whilst looking and sounding the part.

What a machine.


IMG_0711-2 by danjama, on Flickr

[danjama]

Came home to find this:


Untitled by danjama, on Flickr

So went and did this:


Untitled by danjama, on Flickr

[danjama]

As she stands now. The wheels will be coming off in the next few weeks for a set of painted grey standards. Unfortunately the left n/s caliper is sticking slightly at the moment so going to give that a going over. Other than that, and a dead alternator after leaving her standing in the snow for two weeks, she has not missed a beat. Awesome car.


Biscuit factory by danjama, on Flickr

[Ryan6926]

Looks tidy mate it's nice to see a red car that still looks red,


What cleaning gear do you use out of interest? I use Meguiars and swear by it although a friend uses Auto Glym

Anyways nice looking 2

[DanT]

looks nice..i like the wheels

im also called dan and do photography;)

[danjama]

I use auto glym

Normally give it a normal 'wash' every week and a good polish/wax every 1.5-2 months.

....

Cheers Dan, your two looks absolutely mint and gorgeous. Nice photography too! Have you got a flickr page?

I love the alloys too and they really attracted me to the car when I bought it, but they're rubbing on the calipers at the front so i have had to replace them. Hopefully they are repairable Not sure why they're rubbing yet, could be worn bearings or just the wrong offset. Will see when i get them off.

I have another issue with the steering wheel sitting to the right about 5 degrees when the car is driving straight, is this probably just alignment/geo? All i know is it wasnt like this when i got it and only really noticed it after having a play in the snow.

[Ryan6926]

If it's rubbing on the caliper you may be able to just grab some spacers and pull them out that way mate if it's not a huge rub?

With regards to the steering wheel is it just something like tracking have you noticed the car pulls to one side or anything?

[danjama]

If it's rubbing on the caliper you may be able to just grab some spacers and pull them out that way mate if it's not a huge rub?

With regards to the steering wheel is it just something like tracking have you noticed the car pulls to one side or anything?

Too late for spacers i think, the damage has been done to the inside of the alloys

The strange thing is the car never pulls to one side or tries to kill me. It seems to be straight and true, but the steering wheel says otherwise.

Anyway, the situation might completely change when i put on the new alloys and replace the front bearings. I hope.

[DanT]

if the car drives straight just remove the wheel and fit it straight

yeh do have a flickr page but only recently started using it so isnt really much of my stuff on there..

my flickr name is DanT.Photography

[danjama]

if the car drives straight just remove the wheel and fit it straight

Is it really that simple? Why would the wheel go from straight to not straight?

I'll look up your flickr! Cheers.

Oh and nice photos of your car and the red/black two in your thread.