I'm thinking of joining yourselves, advice required

[alex205mi16]

Well after buying a house etc i down graded cars to a various number of hot hatches, mk2 golfs, dear i even type it, a metro (worst car ever made), 406 mi16... which i later fell in love with the engine, ripped it out, rebuilt it and stuffed it into my mint non sunroof miami blue 205 that i had picked up cheap with a blown 8v engine.

now the 205 is very cool, economical, pretty quick (0-60 6.4 ish) and now is a go kart on steroids with around the 180-190 bhp per tonne mark.. but its made by french idoits and as such the build quality is quite poor...the ride is harsh (309 gti suspension wide track ).

i am now finacially better off than i was a year or so ago and things are getting better..

come the next week or so the 205 wil be out of the bodyshop (minor scratches and start of some rust).. and with better weather the 205 has quite a good value with this engine.. it might fetch circa 2-2.5k

now i was thinking whether i could add a bit to this and say get me a rev2?

or should i really be looking to avoid the low end of the market?? and say save up for another year. My friends mr2 rev 2 (which got me hooked) was sold 9 months or so ago (copuld not afford it at time) and he ended up selling it quite cheap, 2.5k or so, and it really was a fantastic car...

i think i would like something quick that i can maintain at a std level or ish.. as modified cars prove to be a lot of hassle from past experiences..

i did and engine rebuild and conversion so i have plenty of space and tools and willing to get my hands dirty to maintain the car.. (i do own a french flying tin can which needs more attention than a baby)

i am just a bit worried with running costs and maintenance.

I guess tyres wont be cheap.. my proxies t1r's are like 40 each at the mo..
it will get through more oil
turbo replacment??> i would dread that bill!
suspension wear? bushes etc

i know it drinks petrol, but train station run for the car and weekdend fun is all it will get, what is it 18 mpg etc?? the 205 does about 28 even when on the limit!!

oh well any advice appreciated and hopefully i may join you in the summer..

unless you tell me to take a running jump with my french tin can..

cheers

alex

[tonigmr2]

LOL mate, we wouldn't do that

Personally I don't think the running costs of a MK2 are too extreme, particularly if it is fairly standard - tyres aren't that bad (though I wouldn't expect the same mileage that you would get from a Eurobox), and as with all these things depends on your 'enthusiasm' when driving.

Toyotas are generally reliable and hardy cars and can stand some pretty serious mileage, servicing costs are not too bad if you don't use a main dealer (no reason to really, just find a good independent). But personally I wouldn't buy at the bottom of the market if you're worried about running costs - better to find a good club owner example or a nicer one from a dealer perhaps and pay a bit more.
T

[alex205mi16]

that pretty much as i thought, i have bought some bargains before and some right dogs..

but i guess with a toyota it could be an expensive dog.

maybe some more saving required then..

oh i still get through tyres, it tends to get a pretty hard drive, as well thats what the 205 does best.. it goes round corners..its another car with a bad repuation for 'biting' with lift off oversteer and going backwards into hedges.

is it common for the tubby's to have minor oil leaks?? is the headgasket a common failure??

thinking of the big jobs that could well be a dog. My mates car was a really nice rev 2, and well looked after, whoever got it had a bargain.. i could well pick up one of those...

[Quigonjay]

mate, find the nearest bridge with your french tin can and....

only jokin dude, welcome to the club mate, personally i like the way 205's handle - turns in like a mini

If you are after keeping a pretty standard car i would reccomend saving up a bit more and go for a rev 3 (245bhp 0-60 5.3/rev2 225bhp 0-60 5.7) especially if you are new to rear wheel drive with the rev 3's being easier to tame (slightly better rear suspension/smoother power delivery) also not nuch hassle to get to 300bhp. Rev 3's (Nov 93 onwards) can be picked up these days for £4k+ dependant on age/mileage/condition. Nowt wrong with the good old rev2's though if budget cant manage it - most turbo's on here are probably rev2's. £2.5 - £3k will get you a good rev2

Wouldnt really worry about the turbo as toyota make there own turbo's for the mr2 (ct26 rev1/2, ct20 rev3>) and they are quite reliable, replacements available at approx £300 (cheaper if you go 2ndhand)

Tyres average about £100 a corner if you want quality rubber (goodyear eagle f1's/bridgestone so3's) and fuel wise i've heard 25mpg is acheiveable if you are easy on the go pedal, probably more like 15-20 with spirited driving

As far as maintenance goes it depends on your level of tune, driving styles more than anything. If standard and you are a competent mechanic they can be as cheap to run as any other car (bar petrol/insurance). If highly tuned and drive hard all the time - expect big bills, same with any modded cars really
hth
Jay

[alex205mi16]

well i have to say its more insipiring than i was expecting

so a rev 2 is well in my budget, and a rev 3 would be stretching it.

i would only have say stage one tuning on a car like this, they are plenty fast enough, so just an exhaust and filter (just for pleasure to the eardrums sake)

and make sure its handling is up to scratch

cheers for replies..

oi, leave my 205 alone..

yeah the turn in is like a mini, which i also have, a 1980 with a brutal 998cc of sheer flatulence

[shafster]

replacing a turbo is very cheap £100 for a used one, and £150 to fit... bobs ya uncle

[alex205mi16]

150 to fit, is that diy for gaskets and the like?? or paying someone to change?? if its diy i dont like sound of that!!!

ah i dont mind getting my hands dirty... whats the mr2 like to work on, it seemed a bit tight in my mates rev 2, although not sure what its like to work from underneath??

[shafster]

£150 for someone else to fit it

mr2's are tight to work with, especially if you are replacing things like the intercooler, cat pipe, turbo, alternator, cambelt etc.

sparks, ht leads, filters etc are very straight forward.

[alex205mi16]

sounds good...working on the 205 with a 405 engine in it is pretty tight, so i should be used to skinned knuckles aand swearing..