New to the MR2 game, looking to buy one

So I am looking to buy an MR2. I am a 21 year old male so insurance is going to be an issue.

I would think that the NA version will be much cheaper then the turbo model for insurance. If I ended up getting a NA how hard would it be to swap a 3sgte into it? or would it be much easier to do the whole rear clip. And would that be something that you had to notify your insurance company once you completed.

Any help would be appericated

If it were up to me, it would always b cheaper to buy a turbo model or one that had the engine already installed. The 3sgte swap is very common (easiest with the clip) but after you add up the cost of the NA and the clip u got a nice turbo model. Either way the mr2 is a very fun car to have. I dunno if i would drive it everyday but i cannot forsee when i will sell mine.

Hummm... Makes sence. Do the t-tops spike the insurance cost a lot? I don't really want t-tops anyways because it rains a lot where i live, but it seems to be hard to find a turbo model with out the t-tops.

I would say probably yes. By much...probably not. What I can tell you, however, is the t tops are what makes the mr2 a very desirable car. You can take those tops out and the experience just gets that much greater. I have the sunroof model and my buddy has the t tops and I can tell you, I wish I had them. Definitely get the t tops.

I would not worry about insurance costs. The mr2 is a fairly older car. Definitely get the turbo though. I want to know fast you feel it is. Its always been a question of mines.

I have heard that they leak a lot. I live in Oregon where it rains like everyday. So t-tops would be a poor choice. Do most turbo models have t-tops. It seems like i cant even find a MR2 with out them that is not NA.

Oregon...I see your point. I really dont think they leak that much. My buddys do not leak at all. Plus it is basically the same with the sunroof. The sunroof is a removable unit. If either leak you just replace the seals and problem solved. With these mr2s, the name of the game is maintenance. All of them are old cars now and with require a healthy amount of maintenance by you and the previous host. Something always breaks here and there.

Finding a hardtop mr2 is a task but it can be done. I would imagine, however, you probably would pass up some good examples in the process. If you see a hardtop in good condition, I would jump on it but if not, get yourself the nicest one you can find. When these cars break, to fix them it costs a larger than average amount of money to fix them. Finding one in oregon will be a task I imagine though.

Will this car be your daily driver?

Yes, you would want to notify your insurance company that you swapped engines.

Buying an NA and swapping in a turbo engine to avoid the higher premiums is called insurance fraud.

The car will be my daily driver. And had no idea that was a case of insurance fraud.... good to know. There is a sweet one localy for sale right now that is a turbo t-top, for 5500. Sound like a good deal?

Oh, and how safe is a MR2 with t-tops vs. with out. I have been looking EVERYWHERE on the internet and can't find much at all. I have heard they are pretty safe, but is there any evidence to back it up on the internet? If anyone has any specific events that "Wowed" them from the safety, would also like to hear that. Thanks guys.

I can answer that question of how safe they really are. My buddy fell asleep in his mr2 w ttops and veered into someones yard. He rolled it a couple times and ran into pole. He walked away without a scratch. Also, figure that the cars have airbags. From the rear, if you get hit hard enough, I would imagine you would get hurt but that could apply to any car. I still regardless try my best to be a driver that watches out for what other drivers are doing. I feel that will keep you safer as well.

I feel you on the daily driver. See if you can get a small old corolla or something. I have driven mines in the snow before and rain and it performs pretty well but I cannot say I recommend it. Also, when the repairs go down you will b down some transportation. When you get an mr2, you love to modify them and hit the gas pedal hard. Then, stuff breaks here and there. If you can get the second car. If not, buy one anyway and join us in mr2oc.com. Good luck and keep us posted.

Yes, you would want to notify your insurance company that you swapped engines.

Buying an NA and swapping in a turbo engine to avoid the higher premiums is called insurance fraud.

This strikes an important question I have. Yes, I agree it is insurance fraud. But the way I see it, the insurance companies are getting the best of us on this one. If you put a turbo engine in your car and then get into an accident and demand them to pay you the value of a turbo car, then that should be insurance fraud. If you only take the value of a NA car, then it should not be insurance fraud. The turbo swap will not make a orignally NA car as valuable as a stock turbo model nor does it necessarily indicate that it will make the car or driver more dangerous. So the flip side is.....after notifying your insurance company of the swap and the ins company taking your extra pennies....do they pay you the value of a turbo car?

THanks guys. Man you guys are much more helpful then the honda/acura forum. lol. Will keep you posted