NEWBIE, MR2 TURBO

[blueorb]

Ok, please can you help me!
I am looking at buying an mr2 turbo, I have always wanted one, and now I am a little older, running costs are no big deal.
I have already looked at a few cars, and let me tell you "What a load of rubbish!" Blown head gaskets, accident damage, badly done repairs etc....
And they all say "No mate, mine is a minter!" Yeah right!
Ok, so I've got max £4,000 to spend. I no that these cars are not new, and expect a few imperfections. I want a standard car (No engine mods) 230bhp is pleanty for now, and I dont want something that has been abused. I want a car with low mileage (Genuine) and pref' in black. It must have leather, a/c, abs.
I have recently seen a car on e bay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 40961&rd=1
It is in red not black, but I can comprimise.
It looks a beauty, and I have spoken to the seller who assures me it is every bit as good as it looks. However, you will notice that although it is a 1992 rev 2, it is full of rev 3 parts, look at the interior, rear lights, back spoiler, front skirts etc...Should this be cause for concern? The newer parts look great, but does it indicate accident damage/repair or is it a later car with an earlier reg?
I am becomming frustrated as it seems like a minefield buying these cars!
Would I just be better handing my money over to Topspec imports (Reccomended) to source me a car, or is this a bad idea?
Please help, as I despirately want to join the gang! Regular meets etc...
Thanks in anticipation

[stevecordiner]

Hi mate,

Firstly welcome aboard!

Realistically the vast majority of MR2's have been tinkered with a little bit. Either in styling e.g. wheels, different rear lights etc or minor performance increases.

To be honest I'd say go for the car that looks like its been maintained the best! Theres plenty of fellas on here who have modified there cars and service them religiously with superb oil and good quality parts, this can be a better option in my opinion than going for the totally standard example. It'll also save you a few quid in the long run as you wont have to go and buy the usual parts everyone ends up doing in the end ... e.g. nice exhaust, boost controller etc

Look for the one thats been best looked after, big service book with loads of receipts for oil, filters, brake pads etc etc. If its been well kept it should be in great condition

Oh, check to see if the timing belt was done recently. Thats an ar$e of a job to do.

Steve

[The Morris]

Looks good, a few exterior mods.

I bought mine from e bay and its been great, but trust me as soon as you get it you will want to mod it.

It has bigger wheels and lower suspension which is a must. As said above, buy off a guy with a lot of receipts.

[jimGTS]

first off mate, good choice of car!
mr2 tubbies are great!
for that sort of money, i reckon you could get a mint rev2, or an average rev3 tubby!
one thing to mention, you are not gona find an mr2 tubby that hasnt been thrashed at some stage! thats the point of buying these cars, if you dont want to treat them that way, you might as well of got an NA mr2.
LOTS of peeps say theyve got a minter, of course there gona say that, its there pride and joy! you can only really tell if it is if there a regualr mr2 peep that goes to meets, is a member of the clubs, and generally, takes his/her car to all the shows! then other people will tell you if its mint or not!
standard rev1/2 tubby put out between 220-225bhp, and rev 3 241-245bhp (AVERAGE).
i would hold out for your car mate!
i was looking for a couple of months, then soon as i got my loan through, i found my perfect one within 2 weeks, i was lucky.
it still needed some minor work done to it (i couldnt tell on the test drive), and ive spent a fair bit getting it 100%.
if i were you, id only buy of a member off, imoc, mr2oc, mr2dc and the toc. least you know its been looked after.

hope this helps a little!

[prezjamin]

Firstly Welcome to the club man !!

I was in the same boat as you a few weeks ago, looking to buy a tubby was begining to seem like and enless trawl through ragged out old clappers. But the guys on here are really helpfull. I would suggest having a look round all the different owners club websites to see if someone is selling, Enthusiast generally look after there cars better than Joe average, generally because they have the knowledge of what to look after. I would have a look at lots, and drive lots as well if you can that way you can tell a good one from a bad one. If you are going to buy from a dealer then see if you can get some recomendations from friends or colleagues or the guys here. And dont go for Red just because the car looks sound, If you want Black wait for the right car to come along, you will only kick yourself if you buy one and then a buety comes along.

Happy hunting

Ben

[craigt1097]

Is it just me or does "66,000 KILOMETERS" should really low. that's about 42,000 miles. I would ask for proof this is genuine. Not sure where about you are from but I brought my 2 from www.keykars.co.uk and am well happy with it. He imports them and trust me you cannot go wrong with an import. best thing I ever did.[/url]

[blueorb]

I am in nottingham and have my cash ready to buy. Do you think that car on e bay has been clocked?

[blueorb]

Also, do cars have service hisory in japan, because every one I have looked at does not have any history, Why is this?

[ENSMR2]

They did.... but papers usually get lost somwhere between the jap owner selling it and it actually coming over to uk soil. Maybe the jap owners don't bother passing it on? I don't know. But many cars come over with no history from japan.

As long as its got history for its time over here then thats ok.

[senie]

cars in japan do have a history, but no one bothers to get them translated and imported. Most people that do, ask their importer to translate it for them:

"Your car has been used once a week by a nun, sir!"

If you can get a copy of the SHAKEN report, that is good.
Also, the auction report. Should be bare min grade 3.
If u want, get a bitma check to confirm milage.
66000 is not necessarily low. A lot of Japanese cars are used for racing at weekends, rarely during the week. I would highly doubt it has been clocked as the japs are very tight. Us brits however...

[blueorb]

So how do I check the mileage is genuine?

[Driftlimits Performance]

Don't 'settle' for something your not 100% with. ie, if you want a black one, hold out for a black one. You'll just go to a meet, see my car, and wish you'd got a black one

I got mine from Japanese-Direct-Imports, which I honestly can't recommend enough, but I don't think its really viable within your budget.

[Cliff]

I want a standard car (No engine mods) 230bhp is pleanty for now

Thats what I said when I bought mine about a month ago.

Now I've bought a boost gauge, fuel cut defencer, boost controller and samco vacuum hoses as well as buying some service items that I needed to fit, (distributor cap, spark plugs and rotor arm) and having a CAT 1 alarm fitted!!

I bought my MR2 Turbo to save money .

Loved it so far though and worth every penny!!!!

[blueorb]

I really dont want crazy modified power, standard is good! Also insurance on mods is a ba$tard. The car will be used for short commutes to work (5miles) in cold weather. (I have a yamaha fazer for good days and summer) and hopefully weekend meets/day trips/fun

I dont want to buy a lemmon, and I am becomming frustrated!

HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Driftlimits Performance]

when I was looking for one, once I found one, I posted up saying where it was, and if anybody would come and look at it with me. And someone did. They stopped me from buying a lemon. Shame you're not nearer by I'd be happy to help you out mate.
Patience is the key. Most people here spent a few months finding there other half

[shafster]

mine will be back on the road and for sale as soon as i can fit the rear driveshaft. it is in very nice condition. at the moment it is pretty much standard with a few nice touches. it also has a new engine and has been looked after very well over the 4 years i have had it.

if you can wait a couple of weeks for me to get the minor paintwork sorted. you will have a minter on your hands and not too far away either

[stevecordiner]

I really dont want crazy modified power!

I believe I said something similar shortly before fitting nitrous

[ENSMR2]

So did I, just before 4.5k left my wallet. Plenty more due to leave it too!!