mr2 tubby budget.

[summy]

Hi there,
I new to this forum and very new to mr2's.
I want a weekend car, preferbly a tubby.

My budget is £2000.What should i expect. I'am not a chav ...just limited budget for my second car.
I've seen one for this price G reg 134km import although its got no service history. Should i be worried? I would of course take a round a macaninc round to inspect it.


My general impressions from reading the post on this site is that that the mr2 handling got better as it aged.
eg rv1 to rv2 to rv3 ect.

Are WHat is particlary wrong with the rv 1 handling. any thing else i should be worried about.

I asked this question cos i dont want to wrap myself round a tree or kill myself. I 've never had a turbo car before or a Rwd for that matter.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. there just so much to take in from this site. Great site though.
TIA

[Fonzy]

Hi welcome to imoc, this is my opinion for what its worth!

2000 is not alot of money and since its a weekender you can wait a while, for 2000 you are more than likely looking at the very low end cars with stacks of miles or general poor condition, you do have another option!

for example, if i was starting out fresh in the mr2 world, the very best info someone could give me to spend my money best, is to buy a very cheap rev2/3 na car with a shagged engine, i bought 2 so far for around 400-500 quid, get yourself a tubby bundle (currently rev4 turbo for sale on parts for sale section) and do a transplant (not difficult at all) you would then have in effect a 250bhp performance car for 2000.
I have spent masses of money on mr2 most of it not necessary!
This may sound all too much trouble but if im not mistaken its a weekender and you could wait a bit for this option (couple of months or so)
Good luck cant wait to see what you decide!

[summy]

Thanks Fonzy for the quick reply.

I am not macanically minded. General car checking is ok but engine transpant is way too far from my skill set.
I had a friend who did an engine trasplant for his ae86 corolla GT and the costs just spirialed out of control. Lucky for him the value of them cars just shot up. Bought it for 1200 sold for 4500. with 20v engine.

It the mr2 tubby just out of my reach? Really fancy one.

[Fonzy]

Seroulsy the transplant is not too difficult! where are you based, there is lots of support!

[Fonzy]

As i said you can find one for 2000 but it would be a pooooper definately!

[Paul R]

Oi, I got mine for 2k!!!!

Oh yeah, it was a pooper :D I knew that when I bought it tho

Paul.

[summy]

yeap just called up another one
aorund 2000.

no service history again...hmm

Hey paul did you get any service history? invoice.
How do they validate the low milages thay all seem to have. one 134km and the other 71000 miles.

What spec was your Paul when you bought it and what have you spent.

Thanks Fonzy i will keep that in mind.

[Paul R]

yeap just called up another one
aorund 2000.

no service history again...hmm

Hey paul did you get any service history? invoice.
How do they validate the low milages thay all seem to have. one 134km and the other 71000 miles.

What spec was your Paul when you bought it and what have you spent.

Thanks Fonzy i will keep that in mind.

Hi,

I had a few receipts for mine, theres no way to validate the mileage I dont think.....even worse if they have been converted to MPH somewhere along the line!

Mines a 1990 GT T-Bar Turbo, came with aftermarket 15" wheels, dump valve, lowered, exhaust....the usual really.

I've spent about a grand on mine...probably another 300 to clean up the bodykit.

but for my grand I've got an uprated turbo, uprated head gasket, uprated pistons, downpipe, exhaust, completely rebuilt engine and some other bits!!

I've done all the work myself though....otherwise it would have cost a LOT more in labour.

If you wanted to then you could do it a lot cheaper....depends...you might get lucky and get one with a good engine that needs cosmetic work or something!!

Paul.

[AM TUNING]

yes u can get a tubbie for 2k but u need to look at it as a on going project not a car u can nip around in for ages and not touch,,,,,

[Fonzy]

think we established that!

[madbadweasel]

You say that, My rev 2 tubby only cost £2000 and was perfect condition with FTOYOTASH and 17" momos with brand new tyres, and i never had a problem with it!

[summy]

Well gonna have a look at 2 tomorrow(sat)

madbadweasel: You car looks great mate. I'll give you 2k for it.

Where are the best places to look. Autotrader ,here???EBAY??
Well if you know anyone selling (cheapish) send them my way.

Hey what should i be more careful on when driving tubbies. Twitchy back ends. Will i feel it or will it just snap at me.

cheers

[Rowland]

Hey what should i be more careful on when driving tubbies. Twitchy back ends. Will i feel it or will it just snap at me.

Hi Summy,

I think to be totally honest common sense prevails here.
To begin with get a 'feel' for the car and for the power delivery. On some tubby's you'll feel the power all at once and will know to be slightly wary of flooring it in anything but a straight line.
On other cars the power delivery will feel a lot more gradual I tend to find.
If your not completely confident at first let the owner take you out, he/she drives the car every day so I'm guessing they know where the limits are.

Also be observant on tyre condition, have a glance at the amount of tread on the rear tyres and note whether or not they're a decent brand name.
Taking a test drive in a MR2 turbo for the first time on worn poor quality tyres could have disastrous consequences.

The only time my own car has got out of hand rear end wise has been by me applying too much power too soon in wet/semi-wet conditions exiting a roundabout.
I've learned to be progressive with the throttle, use the best tyres I can afford and have respect for the car.

Bare this in mind and you won't go far wrong

[nikaso]

I was looking to spend tops around £3500 but I have ended up spending £5750! However I am getting a very nice condition Rev 3 Tubby from Japan!

Just got to wait for my ship to come in now!

[BLOODUK]

Awsome, get some pics up when you get it