mk1 ownership what can i expect

[jacenotts]

im on the verge of buyign a mk1 mr2,not a particular one just plan to get one this coming week.
it was gonna be a second car but know looks like it will be my only drive until i leave the uk in june

what can i expect from ownership?
pros
cons
problems to keep an eye out for
any years to avoid
thank you

[Grendel]

For a great condition low mileage one like mine budget for about £2k. The T-bar version is great fun and has the advantage of that little bit better head room if your 6 footer like me and great fun to pop the roof out in the Sun. BUT make sure the rubber T-Bar seals are well looked after or you may find it leaks in heavy winter rain. Otherwise get any Mk1 that takes your fancy you won’t be disappointed.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/nick.chall ... mk1bg.html

http://www.padandwheels.com/mr2/index.html

http://members.aol.com/mr2mkii/lookfor.htm

[jacenotts]

thanks mate im well excited and ta for the links
well guess i may miss summer as im off in june to relocate to chille(damn wish i cud take the car lol)
but im sure ill have some fun in the meantime

[John R]

hi Jace

Apart from the obvious. I've found that little things mean a lot!

Make sure its got rear mud flaps, they fall off when the rust gets to the bottom corners.
Put your hand up behind the the 'triangle return' (just in front of the rear wheels) of the side skirts, make sure its solid.
Open the front boot, look down were the bonnet catch is, make sure the front bumper reinforcer is good.

Open the doors, look at the bottom door hinge, then down to the bottom of the 'A' pillar, make sure its still there!
Check the rear arches, put your fingers on the inside, and thumb on the outside, run them round the length, squeezing as you go. squashy means rusty!
Look at the top of the screen for (rust) bubbles
Test the hand brake, make sure it goes on smoothly and then release, now push the car, it should roll freely.

If its a T bar, feel for damp on the carpets, if they are damp, thump the floor in front of the seats, check that no rust falls on the ground below.
On the test drive, check that it goes into all gears smoothly, especially first to second. Get it up to fifth gear, and push the throttle up and down, check that it don't jump out of gear.
Brake firmly from 40mph-ish, vibration means new discs required.

If its got an immobiliser, make sure it works, its thatcham cat 1 and there a fitting cert, my insurer insisted on this.

Remember the youngest is over fifteen years old now, but if its been looked after, it will show.

John R

[jacenotts]

brill that thanks deffo some thing to use and to think about ta

[ppmr2]

lo jacenotts

where are you based ?

i'm currently part exchanging my mr2 mk1 on saturday but their price is rubbish

i'm based in bedford

take a look at my pics in the garage section

if interested pm me

you would have to be quick mind

ppmr2

[Chunky Monkey]

the engine should also sound like a sewing machine.

I have so far only driven mine about a mile, as there is most of the above needing doing to it, but I can tell you its a experiance that stays with you. Heck even just typing this wants me to rush out & take her for a spin.
In my option there is only two models, the T-bar & supercharger, I say the T-bar because with a tin top or a sun roof model they'll be that one day, & it may only be the one day where your sitting in traffic, sun blazing down & you think damn should have bought the T-bar.
Also if you decide to go for a T-bar I always carried round a small tub of vaseline, if your suddenly in a rain storm & water arrives on your lap, it'll do wonders as a tempory seal.
Oh and the best & only colour you need look at is red

[b19rak]

ppmr2: you have a pm or email me on [email protected]

Im interested in your car a few questions first.

[Lauren]

the engine should also sound like a sewing machine.

I have so far only driven mine about a mile, as there is most of the above needing doing to it, but I can tell you its a experiance that stays with you. Heck even just typing this wants me to rush out & take her for a spin.
In my option there is only two models, the T-bar & supercharger, I say the T-bar because with a tin top or a sun roof model they'll be that one day, & it may only be the one day where your sitting in traffic, sun blazing down & you think damn should have bought the T-bar.
Also if you decide to go for a T-bar I always carried round a small tub of vaseline, if your suddenly in a rain storm & water arrives on your lap, it'll do wonders as a tempory seal.
Oh and the best & only colour you need look at is red

Have to say, i'm not a fan of the t-bar. I've owned 1 t-bar and two coupes now. I just felt that there was way too much buffeting at anything over 30mph to the point where it just got annoying. Also i didn't like the greenhouse experience of being in a t-bar so i always had my sunshades in in the end. If you have long hair then its a nightmare as you end up looking like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards. Then there is the leaks (though mine was pretty good on that count).

Coupe is lighter and stiffer too, though the t-bar by no means handles badly.

I like the sunroof in that i can just pop it up (I never take it out, nowhere to put it in my car).

I agree someway on the colour. I had mica blue, white and currently red. Liked the mica blue (though very hot in the summer). Just couldn't get on with the white, decided it wasn't for me. Have grown to really like the red, though i like it because it contrasts well with the black bumpers etc.

[leewaring]

I like the sunroof in that i can just pop it up (I never take it out, nowhere to put it in my car).

Should fit in the front boot Lauren. There's a catch and some holes to place it in. Unless you have changed the front boot that is.

[Digital]

I like the sunroof in that i can just pop it up (I never take it out, nowhere to put it in my car).

Should fit in the front boot Lauren. There's a catch and some holes to place it in. Unless you have changed the front boot that is.

Is that the catch at the front? I had been wondering what that was for

[Lauren]

I like the sunroof in that i can just pop it up (I never take it out, nowhere to put it in my car).

Should fit in the front boot Lauren. There's a catch and some holes to place it in. Unless you have changed the front boot that is.

GLOL!!

Are you sure? Even with a strut brace?

Sorry i just knew someone would say that!

[Lauren]

I like the sunroof in that i can just pop it up (I never take it out, nowhere to put it in my car).

Should fit in the front boot Lauren. There's a catch and some holes to place it in. Unless you have changed the front boot that is.

Is that the catch at the front? I had been wondering what that was for

LOL. yep thats it. Basically it locks into the sunroof catch and the front of it slides under/over the brackets on the passenger bulkhead.

[MegatronUK]

I like the sunroof in that i can just pop it up (I never take it out, nowhere to put it in my car).

Should fit in the front boot Lauren. There's a catch and some holes to place it in. Unless you have changed the front boot that is.

GLOL!!

Are you sure? Even with a strut brace?

Sorry i just knew someone would say that!

You not got a proper sunroof-type strut brace then? One sold on ebay about a week ago.