Ceiling prices for turbo's as per year and condition

[masterbateson]

What do you guys is the top price for a Turbo in good condition (not concourse or totally rebuilt) but good all round body work and mechanical wise.

I am in particular thinking what the prices would be like as per each REV and year group.

Currently at a cross roads with my car, I am wondering how much money I can or should spend on doing her up.
Car cost me 1300, I've def spent at least 300 quid on her so far, and that's doing it on a shoestring.

So if I was going to go mad and buy a full poly bush kit, replace all ball joints and have her 4 wheel aligned/tracked that's going to be another 300 ish I guess.
So how much more can I spend and not be going over what the car will finally be worth?

Wondering about this because, and some of you will have experience of this already.
You sometimes need to decide whether you keep throwing money at a car and time and energy or you sell and put the money you would have spent into something else.

What do we reckon the average and top price is for a good condition rev2 91-92 ish? I am right in thinking rev2 is up to 93?

[jimGTS]

it really depends what you want from the car, there are members here who have spent 10k+ on modifications (excluding cars value), engine rebuilds etc, yet would struggle to sell their cars for more than 6-8+k.

they are not doing it for the money, they are doing it for the enjoyment.

but these people likely have more disposable income than most, likely in there mid late 20s/30s, even 40s and care a great deal about the performance and condition of their mr2s, a saleable price isnt in there mind set.

what you've spent on your car alone wouldnt even cover a GT series turbo upgrade kit for example that many like to run.

if you buy a car who's initial new value is 20-25k back in early 90s, you spend 1k buying one on the lower end of the market, you HAVE to expect to maintain it if you want it to behave and be reliable, and that means time/money.

if you want rid of it in 6-12months, then people will generally see the condition its in, and offer appropriately.

[alanmr2turbo]

The simple answer to this is

Don't buy a 20 odd yr old car if you cant or don't want to throw money at it

But Rev 2 turbos are now going for around £3k

[masterbateson]

I spent 5 years (bit at a time whilst using it) building/improving and maintaining my last car and spent a lot of money on it but more importantly I spent a Lot of time and effort on it.

I don't have massive amounts of money to play with, but I always want the cars I own to be the best that they can be.

Like you said jim, on the last forum there were guys who had spent 10-15k on a car that originally cost them 1.5k

I wont be doing anything like that, but if a rev2 can command 2-3k then I may well treat the old girl to the full polybush,ball joints track rod ends, and other goodies.
I am going to have to be relying tho on ebay bargains,2nd hand and any other ways to do the car on a budget, but it will be done with proper stuff and right.

[alanmr2turbo]

As long as you aren't in any rush and have time then bargains are out there to be found.

My best bargains so far are

Genuine Tom's side skirts £50
Genuine Tom's rear bumper £30 (I wont mention the other free one I got LOL)
Genuine Tom's front bumper in exchange for El-glow rear badge and hard rubber boot liner.
Bomex wing mirrors £35
Carbon bonnet £30 which needed a little repair.

With a wife and 3 kids I also have to wait until parts come up.

[gavsdavs]

Echoing what Jim has said. I've sunk a fortune into mine over the 16 years I've owned it, more in restorative maintenance than in upgrades. There's not a chance I'll get back what I've put into it, but I do it to keep it roadworthy, reliable and fun.

You are unlikely to be able to 'make' money on an mr2 at the moment, prices are starting to firm up but aren't climbing.

Keep it roadworthy, keep it stock, keep it well serviced (bushes, brakes, tyres, shocks, engine ignition, cooling and fuelling). It'll repay you by being reliable

[androo007]

Buy one already done, that's it. Anything else will be a loss.

But that's the way with all modified cars - they're a labour of love.

[markstevieandmads]

I paid £1300 for my rev 2 turbo 93- and I've had it for about 3 yrs.

The first year I just tidied it up and done general maintenance. Didn't cost much at all.

The following year I saw the lush mr2s at japfest so decided to go about tricking mine up. I've kept the engine standard with just a cheap decat and intercooler to fit that I got cheaply.

All the bodykit and wheels I got at bargain prices so all in I don't think I've spent any more than £1k extra on my car since I've had it.that includes uprating the brakes, rear suspension, etc etc.

At the beginning of the year I was offered £3k for it.....I declined.

Now try finding a rev 2 onwards turbo for what I paid for mine..... I can only find rev 1s. Even decent non turbos are holding their money now.

As long as your not in a rush....hold out and there is still bargain parts to be had.

[masterbateson]

This is the thing,
I'm not after doing my cars up and making money.
But Its good to know whether to throw money at a car and make it better or put that money towards one that someone has already done for you.

As it stands I reckon my cars in pretty good nick for its age, interior is good and engine is now running well with its buddy the turbo.

I think I can still spend a little more on her yet This is how it went on for 5 years with the TF tho, the "oh I'll just do this next and I might as well change that and........ and so on and so on "

Gives you summat to do if nowt else.
Just wish i had a ramp /2 post lift.

[markstevieandmads]

The way I see it is I'm at the point where I update things when they are due for renewal.

I should have also made it clear, I didn't spend money on the car to make money - it was to make a nicer car for me or make the car ID want,not to sell on.

If i had the money I'd do it properly - proper respray, carbon fibre, forged engine etc but I don't so I just spend money on it when I have it spare.

[simpson_eh]

check my garage easy 10k plus plus plus and its not even running right lol
but she is my baby cant see me selling her just yet hit the 500bhp goal then prob store her lol