Hello MR2 peeps

[chris99]

Hello to you all!

I have decided that the time has come to purchase my first car. I am 23 and passed my test a year ago. Just after i was T-boned off my motorbike (R6) by a tw*t in a 406 which smashed my thigh and wrote off the bike. It took about 3 months to be able to walk without crutches and for the last 6 months i have been driving about in my mums 1. ?? Punto

I now have a nice shiney Ducati 748 and its not really the sort of bike to use every day so i am out looking at cars. I was looking on the auto trader website for what i can get between 2-3K and my options are a 1L 206 or 2L mr2 hence i am on here . I know that that is really the bottom end of the market but we all have to start somewhere. I already have a good insurance quote (£626.40 TPFT) and that can only get better with shopping about.

This is a really great site with loads of info but im trying to stay away from the mods page coz it will end up costing me loads

I think what i am looking for is a 1991-1993 (rev 2????) T-bar in Red, Black or Blue (only if it still has a black finnish inside!!) I have been trying to digest all of the stuff in the knowledge base but it has stopped going in now so will try again later.

Im a bike man and am really new to this car lark and am worried about getting a complete shed that will end up costing me loads!!

Does anyone have any gems to help me out?

Thanks and see you about

Chris

[jamief]

If you find any cars on autotrader post them on here and we will let you know what we think. Personally I would steer clear from buying a car on ebay.

Buying an Mr2 isn't really too different from buying any other car, you just have to look out for some extra things. I don't have a t-bar, nor do I have a N/A, so I can't really advise, but Im sure others will help

[Valentino MR2]

mine is up for sale if you're interested, it's not a t-bar but it's nice!
If you're after a buying guide there is one in the knowledge base at the top of the main forum

[stevenb]

Hiya mate. Im in the process of buying my 2nd MR2...although it's a MK1 again...(i love 'em) but reliability should never really be an issue...it's a Toyota.....look for the usual service history....always a sign of a careful owner and past owner/s.
t-bars are more desirable and cost a bit more. there are bargains around.
someone might live nearby you and be able to pop along with you to have a look at one. toyota parts can be expensive so look for costly parts that may need replacing. ie straight away/in the near future.
there are loads of modding options if your into that stuff too.
Good luck mate. You always find one when you least expect it.....I have....(touch wood).

[skytek]

Hi there mate. I was in a simalar boat to you. I've a blue R6 myself and came from a bike background. I just turned 24 and just bought a black 1992 rev2 t-bar as my first car. Very similar situation to yours really.

My main piece of advice would be to try to buy from a member here rather than a randomer on autotrader or ebay etc. If you buy from a mamber you know it's probably been well looked after. I got mine from a guy off imoc and the car's been very well kept and is a minter, despite being 13 years old!

My mr2 n/a is quick but nothing compared to the r6 or any other sports bike. I aim to get a good turbo eventually i a few years to get the best of both worlds - power without getting wet!!

So far I'm very impressed with the mr2 as a first car and i think there's nothing else quite like it on the road for looks.

DEFINATELY DEFINATELY choose the mr2 over a 206 no matter what!! There's just no comparison!

Good luck!

[chris99]

Thanks for the replies guys. It makes me feel better about it knowing that there are loads of other owners on here who can answer all my stupid questions =D>

I was hoping that being a Toyota it wouldnt be too bad. What do you guys think is a reasonable mileage to be aiming for? some are over 100K which seems like loads to me!

Hiya Valentino MR2, Just had a look at your car in your profile and it looks lurrrrvvly If it has a T-bar roof i would bite your arm off matey Good luck with the sale. Whats your next car going to be then?

[Valentino MR2]

I'm moving up to turbo power!! thats the only reason I would sell an MR2 is to buy another better one!
It's a shame you want a T-Bar only, you do know the sunroof is removable and stores under the bonnet. lol

[chris99]

I'm moving up to turbo power!! thats the only reason I would sell an MR2 is to buy another better one!

Nice one - Looks like once the MR2 is in your blood.....................

It's a shame you want a T-Bar only, you do know the sunroof is removable and stores under the bonnet. lol

Er no i didnt

Do you have a picure of the roof with it off?

Im 6'2" and feel rally closed in on the one without the T-Bar

[Valentino MR2]

I'm actually 6'3" and is suprisingly spacious inside for even me, the t-bar seems smaller inside with the roofs on IMO
i'll take a pic later and post it up on here

[77West]

£2-3k should get you an import with reasonable mileage - usually a few decent NA's on the for sale board every week. I suppose MR2's are as close to bikes as cars are going to get - in fact didn't yamaha screw the mk2 together for toyota?

Oh and the luggage space is better than a bike - only just mind!

[chris99]

£2-3k should get you an import with reasonable mileage - usually a few decent NA's on the for sale board every week. I suppose MR2's are as close to bikes as cars are going to get - in fact didn't yamaha screw the mk2 together for toyota?

Oh and the luggage space is better than a bike - only just mind!

Could you please define reasonable mileage?

It has to be a UK car because the insurance is £800 more for an import

[77West]

Well thats a good point UK cars do tend to have higher mileage than imports, are you sure you cant get cheaper insurance for an import? Have you tried Houghtons?

Jap car I'd say under 70k, but a uk car I'd aim for one with a good service record (new belts etc) and not worry to much about mileage.

Mind you x pac man is flooging a nice sounding uk car with 67k miles for just 1400 quid on the boards - not sure if its a t bar though....

[chris99]

Well thats a good point UK cars do tend to have higher mileage than imports, are you sure you cant get cheaper insurance for an import? Have you tried Houghtons?

Jap car I'd say under 70k, but a uk car I'd aim for one with a good service record (new belts etc) and not worry to much about mileage.

Mind you x pac man is flooging a nice sounding uk car with 67k miles for just 1400 quid on the boards - not sure if its a t bar though....

I have only had one quote so far and its with Adrian Flux. Will shop around when i have an acual car in mind.

When do the belts need doing?

£1400 are you sure?? Whats up with it?

[77West]

i'd see other links re- Adrian flux (use search tool), they get very varied reports from other members. ok I'm 28 but my NA import only costs me £230 a year on a limited mileage policy (5000 miles, £100 excess).

I dont now if theres much wrong with the car x pac man is selling, probably needs a bit of work, but worth asking him i would have thought.

if you can insure an Import then you are likely to get a lower mileage car, with higher levels of equipment.

You can also check the sales board at www.mr2dc.com

[chris99]

Have you tried Houghtons?

Never heard of them. Do you have contact details?

[SwissHeavy]

If u need any advice with buying ur 2 I'm available also (PM me), I've just got one about a month ago... personally I went for a UK car as I couldn't take the risk of an import unless I was going to go for a turbo, obviously....

Make sure ur happy with the brakes (that they don't judder or lack punch) and also steering. Engine's seem pretty sound if well looked after, FSH is totally invaluable... check the gearbox too and get a good rapor with the seller.

Happy hunting, don't rush into the first thing u see!

[Simon]

personally I wouldn't be put off by high mileage cars. Mine had 125k when I bought it, drove better than other mr2s with considerably less miles. Had it 2 years and no major problems

[Barney]

I had my N/A for about 18 months now.

Tyres are expensive although worth it.

Parts arent cheap and insurance can be costly. I had to shell out abit on brake parts.

I would opt for the T-Bar all the way. You can get a decent car for low money with T-Bar, leathers, new stereo etc. Mines a H reg with 103,000 miles.

On a UK car you should get a decent service history, old MOTs to back up the mileage and bills.

I would avoid Adrain Flux if you can. Direct Line are good for me

[Quigonjay]

only had one quote so far and its with Adrian Flux. Will shop around when i have an acual car in mind.

dont take 1 quote as any indication of what an average price will be, i'd say when your phoning round you need to calling at least 10-15 companies and you'll probably find that the difference between the highest and lowest quotes will be more than £1000
Jay

[noidy]

ya can have mine i want a turbo already