Which one to get

[Damo]

Hello, sorry if u guys have had to answer this question 1000's of times already but i cant find wot im after.
Ive just sold my previous car (i wont mention wot it is as i dont want to be slated) so i now have around 5k to spend on an mr2 which ive been wanting to do now for ages.
My question is which one to get, i def want a turbo so do i get
Rev2, then spend the extra money on mods
or get the Rev 3 and mayb do a few mods.
I want to do a few mods but nothin major just the obvious stuff
So wot wud u guys suggest, will my budget stretch to get a decent rev 3 and get a few mods on or shud i get the rev 2
Cheers for ur help in advance

[Rowland]

*I'd* be tempted to look out for a tidy rev3 with your budget.
Although it does depend slightly on what sort of mod's your looking to carry out. Engine/power or Styling/cosmetic etc
Are you aware of the differences between the two revisions?
A red tintop should be well within your budget at the very least

[Damo]

Yeah i think i know most the differences from reading the forum like improved shocks & turbo, an extra 20bhp which prob doesnt make much difference due to the added safety gear, and cosmetic stuff like colour coding etc.
The mods i wanna do are mainly performance mods like induction kit, boost controller, dump valve, exhaust , little stuff like that really just to give it a bit more perfromance. I mite do a bit of modding to the body but i like the look of it standard really, prob just do a respray if the colours faded.
Id prefer the t-bar really as il prob only get the car out in the summer time, will i end up paying more for a t-bar and are they harder to find?

[Rowland]

Id prefer the t-bar really as il prob only get the car out in the summer time, will i end up paying more for a t-bar and are they harder to find?

The Japanese Turbo model came either in T-bar or a Tintop style roof.
I believe more Tintops were manufactured and it's pretty true to say that T-bars are generally considered more desirable, and therefore always tend to cost a bit extra.
I wouldn't say there harder to find, but to find a T-bar in a particular colour, rev3 + with low miles etc etc you will undoubtedly have to wait a while if you have your heart set on something specific. (I did!!)

Due to the fact that rev 1 & 2's have air flow metres, installing an aftermarket dump valve over the standard BOV is often bad news.
Do a search, have a read and make you're own mind up!
Rev 3's are fine with aftermarket BOV's though.

I've owned 3 mk2 T-bars in total and I wouldn't opt for a tintop but that's my choice

[Damo]

Cheers for the advice, i dont mind waitin for the t-bar as il only regret not gettin one. Ive read other posts and most people suggest to get the rev 3, how come u decided on the rev 3 and not 2?

[Rowland]

Cheers for the advice, i dont mind waitin for the t-bar as il only regret not gettin one. Ive read other posts and most people suggest to get the rev 3, how come u decided on the rev 3 and not 2?

Me personally, I was selling my rev5 n/a to buy a turbo model - it had to be a rev3+ really!
The styling aspects such as the colour coding, rear spoiler set-up made it easier for me to do what I wanted to do to the car to achieve the look I wanted.
I wanted 300 bhp without spending £1000's of pounds. A rev3 with some tasteful HKS engine mods from Japan meant I could do this without too much expenditure.
Also, when I was changing the styling of my rev3 I found I could sell various rev3 parts considered quite desirable to the rev1 and rev2 owners to fund other goodies!

[Damo]

Cheers for the advice m8 i think il look for a rev3 as uve done pretty much i il end up doing with the engine mods and eventually il look into body styling. All i gotta do now is find one ive got a m8 whos a trader n goes to an auction down in southampton that regulary have mr2 imports in so il take a look down there.

[Rowland]

Cheers for the advice m8 i think il look for a rev3 as uve done pretty much i il end up doing with the engine mods and eventually il look into body styling. All i gotta do now is find one ive got a m8 whos a trader n goes to an auction down in southampton that regulary have mr2 imports in so il take a look down there.

No worries matey.

These might be worth a browse too...
http://mr2-direct-imports.co.uk/
http://www.neweraimports.com/
http://www.nvi.uk.com/

[Vindezal]

there was a nice white rev5 turbo on autotrader mint original tip top for £7k 2 months ago..

i have tin top-more desirable to look at and wax complete looking tho couldnt afford T-bar as it was a grand more at the time 18months ago