Getting dismayed with the mr2s i am seeing...

[scottedlin19]

Right,

getting kinda dismayed with some of the mr2s I have been to see. Just went to see a 145k miles 1 owner 1997 car, and granted I dont expect perfect I dont mind work but it needed alot doing, the car had a lot of drive line shunt, didnt get up to temperature, had a loud wine from the gearbox, lots of bodywork issues etc.

Went to see a 66k miler that had awful paintwork, needed alignment, new brakes all round and servicing etc.. and was told it was immaculate condition.

Really looking for a rev 5, I have seen the red one on here for sale, and might be going to see it but, its 270 miles away (each way), with no guarantee it is any good plus it has no tax which makes life difficult.

Anyone know of someone selling a tidy rev 5? or has anyone got any advice.

One last question but is it just me or does it seem you need to turn the steering wheel a little bit more than it feels natural to when cornering at lower speeds? Might just be me.

[pnicho]

Don't get dismayed dude, you have to realise that a lot of the cars that you are going to look at will be 15 years old-ish, they will have problems.

Alignment isn't a big thing and can be knocked out easily. Just make sure that the suspension isn't bent rather than just old and out of alignment.

Brakes are the weak point of an MR2 - you'll probably find that it's just the sliders that are sticking causing problems.

The MR2 does have quite a slow steering rate compared to other cars, but you'll get used to it. The big standard Mr T wheel in your hands doesn't help, but I like mine.

If a car is struggling to get up to temp it could just be a weak thermostat - there was a post on here recently where a members car would take 10mins to warm up, he changed the thermostat and then it was 2 mins.

Just be patient dude there is a nice car out there. Also remember that a sparkling clean car might wow you etc but then you might look over the bad bits, or not notice them.

Good luck with the search.

[scottedlin19]

Thanks for the reply.

Just really want one, I like the cars always have done; just want someone to be honest and there seem to be so few about that I have to travel far and then get disappointed.

I posted this on my other thread but this advert has a few more pictures..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-TOYOTA-MR2-G ... 735wt_1139

Should I go see this tomorrow it is 110 miles each way

He says the air inlet on passenger side has some lacquer peel, ive seen the picture but these can be replaced, also has a bad stone chip on the front bumper and splitter is cracked, lastly he said that the clutch is slighty high but they are the only things wrong..

He sounds honest enough, is it a fair price (2000).

[JohnnyC]

One last question but is it just me or does it seem you need to turn the steering wheel a little bit more than it feels natural to when cornering at lower speeds? Might just be me.

I picked my MR2 up from the dealership (back in 2003) during my lunch break.
Drove it back to work, 90 degree turn required to get off the main road and through the gate - I nearly drove into the wall
So yes, more turn is needed (I'd been used to gen6 & gen7 Celicas previously).

Keep looking, there are good ones out there

You need to buy mine

[pnicho]

Ok - from looking at that link, there's been no mods at all on that car, standard wheels etc, air box blah blah blah.

As far as I was aware the clutches are hydraulic and thus should be self adjusting? (someone will correct me here)

If you would want to be really picky on the ad then you could look at things like the handbrake lever is up an awefully long way (common problem on mr2's) and could mean you need new cables or calipers refurbing.

Secondly the aerial isn't all the way down, which means that it's either missing some teeth or broken. Not super cheap to fix - you can find good 2nd hand ones on here but you have to wait. Or get one from a breakers.

Thirdly not knowing Rev 5's (I have a 4) the rear mesh bit between the exhaust pipes has been painted red (usually black I think). This alone would make me check the back for a respray, it could be because someone didn't like the black, the bumper had a bump and needed re-spraying or it's had a rear ender at some point.

Just noticed what looks like standard stereo as well so it's not had too much if any mods (apart from painting brake calipers red).

I would be interested in having a look but I would have a look around the rear end where the mesh between the pipes has been painted red (don't think they were body coloured). Then try and knock some money off for the aerial and handbrake......good luck dude.

[scottedlin19]

Thanks again.

You lot are very helpful and full of knowledge

Yeah he also told me about the aerial forgot to mention it, it goes all the way up but not all the way down.

Thats some good advice I will try and knock him down a bit and make sure to check the rear..

To JohnnyC:

You got on advert for your car..

[JohnnyC]

As far as I was aware the clutches are hydraulic and thus should be self adjusting? (someone will correct me here)

I believe that's correct, they should be self adjusting. But then clutches are beyond my mechanical knowledge
The pedal can be adjusted though.

If you would want to be really picky on the ad then you could look at things like the handbrake lever is up an awefully long way (common problem on mr2's) and could mean you need new cables or calipers refurbing.

It's actually quite normal. That high up would be about 5 or 6 clicks, and the technical manual states the car should hold at between 5 to 8 clicks.
I wished the Toyota dealership I used to take my car to realised this. They adjusted it so I could barely get one click, causing the rear discs to get quite hot!! (I wasn't driving the car that day, if I had been I'd have got one of their monkeys to sort it immediately).

To JohnnyC:

You got on advert for your car..

It's not for sale
Well, I'd sell if for £3-£3.5K, but if there's rev5's out there for £2K then I guess mine isn't worth it

[scottedlin19]

Ahh ok then, Ill make sure to check the handbrake anway.

Haha fair enough

Got any pictures of your car or like a progress of mods you have done, just interested in seeing your car

[Dale_V]

Id wait a week mate,. . . . .

[Dale_V]

Im a bit pi$$ed atm, but seriously wait a week. . A good uns coming for sale

[scottedlin19]

Ah right..

Any info on the car.. mileage colour, spec, price maybe..

Then I can really decent to wait

[Dale_V]

Rev5 mica orange. Ive blown my mr2 turbo so I need to sell this one. . And ive just spent a xxxx load of cash at the rev5 too to get it upto svratch, its problem free!!

[pnicho]

You're welcome dude.

Where are you based anyway?

With regards to the aerial they're run on a plastic belt type of thing so it means that some teeth have broken off or something. You can't repair it so it would need replacing.

Remember to wait for the right one, there are loads of sh1tters out there.

[scottedlin19]

Hi I am based in swad, near derby in the midlands if you know it.

Hmm orange, dunno what to think of that.. Bet it is a decent car though.

[Dale_V]

Yes I know derby im in yorkshire, mica orange is rare, uk car. . Ive been through the car and sorted everything I can find, problem free. . Totally standard and zero mods what so ever. . Ill be taking pics tues and you can see its a good un for yourself

[pnicho]

I love the rare colours.

This is Mica Orange.



Edit: Sorry am in Kent so not too easy to help you on your quest!

[Dale_V]

Thats my car, before ive done the work to it

[pnicho]

hehe - there ya go - done some of the hard work for you and shows how rare they are as that's the best pic I could find on google quickly!

[Driftlimits Performance]

I have a turbo for sale!

Clutch is hydraulic but throw on pedal is adjustable altering biting point.

[jack-p]

make an offer on mine, i need it shifting!!
perhaps somebody more local would be willing to view the car on your behalf to give an un-biased opinion?