Automatics

[David]

Going to look at a 1992 auto MR2 this week and just wondering what I should be looking out for in an auto MR2 as opposed to manual?

I had a manual for four years and have never driven an auto. Has anyone driven both and how do they compare?

The car is going v cheap (bout 350 quid) so I'm not expecting much but you never know!

[C35Rob]

iv'e got an automatic daily driver (avensis) and it's great.. but an automatic small sports car? unless you need an auto for medical reasons i'd not bother

[David]

[quote="Rob85"]iv'e got an automatic daily driver (avensis) and it's great.. but an automatic small sports car? unless you need an auto for medical reasons i'd not bother[/quote

I was attracted by the overall value of the car. Its v clean, original and being sold for almost nothing. I'll only be driving it during the summer. Obviously a manual would be preferred but good ones aren't exactly plentiful anymore.

[Mullen]

I've only driven auto's so I can't compare them to manuals but if you've not driven one before it's not immediately obvious how the box works.
The gearstick looks like this,

& you'll notice the Manual, Power, Overdrive button, [the little thumb stud on the right-hand side of the stick] & the mystery red button, [which you don't use while driving - it's for putting the car in neutral with the ignition off should you need to move it out of Park when working on it]

The Power button is essentially the sport setting and raises the gearchanges to around 7/7.5K revs from 4.5/5K with it off.

Overdrive gives you a fake higher gear ratio for cruising with increased economy or for very long/steep downhills, you can also use it for engine braking & you should feel a marked difference when you use it.
Button out is off & a dash light will say O/D Off. There is no dash light for when it's on, [Button depressed]

The Manual button, [which I have yet to ever need/use] allegedly locks the car in the current selected gear, supposedly for hill starts in snow/icy conditions, etc.

I drive pretty much everywhere with the power button engaged but you need to be aware of where the kickdown point is if the conditions are poor because if you're a little over-happy with the go pedal it can catch you out, drop a gear and the back-end will be saying hello.

[David]

Thanks for that. I thought autos were meant to make driving easier?! Ha

Do all the early autos have the 3SFE engine?

[Mullen]

Ah, I think the ones with the 3SFE engine don't have the manual/power buttons & are 120? BHP

Mine's a '91 GLimited & has the 3SGE engine with 156 BHP

[David]

I think the one I'm going to look at must be the 3SFE then because u can't see those buttons from the photos I'm looking at.

120hp is pretty lame

[Mullen]

They don't have a rear spoiler either as stock.

Yes, I'd like a bit more power in mine frankly so wouldn't entertain less as an idea.

[David]

But then my one does have a rear spoiler?

[Mullen]

Who knows... there's so many variations between the JDM/UK models & of course there's nothing to stop people adding/taking away bits themselves.

I guess all you can do is look at the engine as it's marked pretty clearly.
Unless the listing states it's a 3SFE already.

[David]

Who knows... there's so many variations between the JDM/UK models & of course there's nothing to stop people adding/taking away bits themselves.

I guess all you can do is look at the engine as it's marked pretty clearly.
Unless the listing states it's a 3SFE already.

Yeah this one is a UK car too not a Jap which maby explains the buttons...won't know until I see it like you say.

[David]

Link to the ad:

http://touch.adverts.ie/car/toyota/mr2/ ... le/6091042

[Mullen]

Yeah that's a rev3/4 spoiler someone's put on it given it's a J plate.
Looks like it's still got 14" wheels too.

& You're right about no buttons as there's no corresponding dash lights on the rev counter.

[David]

Yeah that's a rev3/4 spoiler someone's put on it given it's a J plate.
Looks like it's still got 14" wheels too.

Hmm maybe not so good then. That's annoying because it was the originality of the car that appealed to me most...if that's not an original spoiler then it takes from it a bit.

[Mullen]

Also having just read the comments the seller was offered better money a few times and it didn't sell... I'd be curious as to why those fell through.

[David]

Also having just read the comments the seller was offered better money a few times and it didn't sell... I'd be curious as to why those fell through.

I've spoken to the owner and he seems genuine but you never know I suppose...

I'm just dying to get back in an MR2 !

[Odin_S]

Just to point out, it is the 3S-FE engine in that. Can tell by the speed cluster fe have a rev limit at 6k rpm and 140mph as oppose to 7k rpm and 160mph.

My advice is wait for a better car to come, you'll be sorely disappointed with the performance of that car. Plus it's an auto to top it off.

[Odin_S]

Just to point out, it is the 3S-FE engine in that. Can tell by the speed cluster fe have a rev limit at 6k rpm and 140mph as oppose to 7k rpm and 160mph.

My advice is wait for a better car to come, you'll be sorely disappointed with the performance of that car. Plus it's an auto to top it off.

[David]

Just to point out, it is the 3S-FE engine in that. Can tell by the speed cluster fe have a rev limit at 6k rpm and 140mph as oppose to 7k rpm and 160mph.

My advice is wait for a better car to come, you'll be sorely disappointed with the performance of that car. Plus it's an auto to top it off.

Ah poo

I was really looking forward to getting back in an MR2 but I suppose you are right...120 HP seems ridiculously small amount of power.

[DAN_REV1_TURBO]

Another give away is the FE front bumper with no fogs. To be honest though if the car is in good condition and runs well and is dirt cheap, for a runaround is missing 37 horses going to bother you? I used to own an FE manual (blue with moonroof) and it was a good car. You can still throw it around the country lanes and work it a bit harder to get the most out of it.