Coming over to the purist MR2 side.

[merdeux]

Hey guys its happened I finally am beginning to miss my MR2 MK2.

So looking to get back into MR2 ownership albeit a MK1 this time.

After the pleasures of having power streering in my MK2 I am looking to go more purist this time with a MK1. Also fulfilling a need/desire for something eighties and the cars of that period designed by rulers and straight edges.

I have been looking at MG Midgets, Spitfires (not to deviate from the AW11) and I think the Mk1 makes the best all round choice of retro and reliability and fun factor.

So the search begins....

http://m.gumtree.com/p/toyota/mr2-mk1-f ... 1048812994

Anyone know anything of the car in the link above justa littletoo far for me to inspect but if its good I wouldn't mind travelling.

Thanks guys hopefully I will be in your ranks agsin soon.

[Lauren]

If the rear arches need some paintwork it's because they've rusted from the inside out. So this is bound to need doing.

Check everywhere for rust as they are total rust buckets.

Shame about the interior being ripped. Not sure what you'd offer a grand perhaps?

[scomr2]

*Edited by IMOC moderator* Add your location and we can see where you are.

Simon.

[merdeux]

Cheers Lauren

Rust has been the main reason I have not bought one in the past and stuck to MK2's
which are slightly better at not rusting.

I was just thinking if its ok for now I coud run it over the summer and if I decide to keep it and its a good one to begin body restoration after. For £850 it looks decent value and for that kinda money they always need something doing.

As for the interior I would be looking to put seats from a mk2 turbo in like the half suede leather look and I found them to be very confortable. (read an earlier pist about me complaining about hurting my back)

[Lauren]

You need to be a premium member to sell on here Simon.

[SuperRedMR2]

The mk1 seats are very comfortable.

I've have them in my daily driver if I could!

[Lauren]

No worries.

As long as you are prepared to keep up with the rust, waxoyl the chasiss and accept that it will want to turn to a pile of dust again (okay I'm being slightly over dramatic!) then it's fine.

I have the same problem with my AE86, you fix one bit and another needs doing.

But, all said and done, MK1s are cheap and great fun and I think you might find it a bit more involving than the MK2, it's different for sure.

[Lauren]

The mk1 seats are very comfortable.

I've have them in my daily driver if I could!

They don't offer much support though. Tbh I find this true of all MK's of MR2. Recaro would be my preference.

Conversely I found the MK1a seats to be the most comfortable of all.

[un1eash]

The problem with finding good rust free mk1's now is the price they demand. I loved mine for 8.5 years but if I were to get another mr2 it would have to be a mk3 roadster now.

[Lauren]

I think you have to accept that there will be rust somewhere on any MK1 you buy unless you pay extra for a totally restored one which are few and far between.

[Ben]

I've driven this on quite a few occasions, and it's a cracking little car

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic. ... highlight=

[merdeux]

I am not really after a garage queen I want something that I can enjoy and you know if needs be sort out rust issues later. Obviously if the right example came up that was totally clean and at the right price I don't mind paying a little more.

Ben I was just looking at that this morning when I should be working. Sounds like a really good one but white is my least favourite colour and the fact its not T-Bar is just one compromise too many I am afraid.

Thanks for pointing it out.

P.S Isn't rust an issue on most cars that are of a certain vintage. My friends VTI EG9 has rusted just as bad on arches as any MR2 MK1 and his is a 1994 car.

[merdeux]

Anyone happenende to the blue Supercharger on Gumtree/MR2MKclub.com.

I tried contacting the guy something didn't seem right only wanted to converse over texts and then never got back to me.

[Ben]

Is it the dark blue auto Supercharger? Got a link?

If it's the one I think it is it's not far from me

[merdeux]

http://www.mr2mk1club.com/showthread.ph ... s-for-sale

This one based in Coventry.

I think the auto ine I have seen on ebay but as my daily driver is an Auto Barge I need a manual.

[Ben]

Ah, right - sorry, not the one I was thinking of!

That one with the white wheels has been part of the mk1 club for a while I think, but I don't know it personally.

[Lauren]

P.S Isn't rust an issue on most cars that are of a certain vintage. My friends VTI EG9 has rusted just as bad on arches as any MR2 MK1 and his is a 1994 car.

It is, but it's particularly bad on the MK1 due to the crappy Italian steel that was used at the time.

[merdeux]

Well I suppose its the catch 22 situation Lauren.

If they were better protected against rust and more durable than I guess they would be a lot more expensive and out of my reach so maybe not such a bad thing after all.

[Lauren]

That's not the reason they are cheap to buy, to be fair. As an example AE86s are just as bad if not worse and have a far higher value.

But, all that aside, just be really careful when you buy. If someone tells you the car is rust free, don't believe them. I remember even getting on for ten years ago looking at MK1s. I asked the seller if there was rust on the rear arches, he said no. Got there and the rear arches weren't too bad but the fronts were terrible. I didn't even bother test driving.

I bought another, which looked far better but really it had had a quick blow over and then rusted to pieces. That was a £1200 car back in 2003!

So at that price point be very careful.

[SuperRedMR2]

Yes, like Lauren says don't believe them when they there is nothing wrong with it.

I got duped when I bought my first mk1 8 years ago.

Check everywhere and don't be afraid to ask them to lift up the carpets in the front boot and behind the spare wheel where rust can form.