Another Kiwi!
Despite its slight american bais, we actualy run and control this bourd
Forget the Celica. about 90% of the Celicas on our roads are Jap imports. They are all heavy, underpowered and use pillows for suspension. Make a great car for your grandmother and thats about it.
A GT4 is a little differnt, has the body and some interior parts in common and thats about it.
Lots of hp, lots of grip, a very fast car. The early ones are lighter and more nimble than the later ones, but most will have been well thrashed, and will require lots of on-going maintiance.
The later models are heavier, but have more hp and will be more reliable. They make nice fast touring cars though.
Which MR2 are you refering two?
There are two major models, the MK1 and MK (they changed models about 91-92)
Again 90% will be used imports, but the Japanese got all the best versions of the MR2.
The MK1 has two models commonly avliable here in NZ, both are now getting old, and like all cars from the 80s will need regular maintiance. Both use the Twin Cam 1600cc 4age engine, but one is supercharged and one isnt. The Super charged car is obviously the fastest, and the model to look for if your after performance. The non S/C model use softer suspension, smaller brakes etc, and although nice, is more of a poser car, than true performer. Just one note, avoid the automatic versions.
Parts are also very hard to find, and can be very expensive. There is also a single cam engined version, but they are VERY rare, and also rather slow, but some what sort after by purists.
The MKII came in a variety of forms and generations, and differnt spec levels. The Turbo cars are of course the fastest, and in in-experianced hands will easily kill you. The non-turbo models are however still very fast, but much easier to control. Both versions use the 3sge, same engine thats in the Celica. Again, avoid any automatics.
The Levin/Trueno are an interesting car. They are basicly Corrolas with a differnt body, and come in such a wide variety of forms and spec levels you have to be careful if you want to buy one.
Avoid anything with drum brakes on the back.
Avoid anything with single cam engine, or that is not fuel injected.
The performance versions all came with some version of the twin cam 4age (same as the MK1 MR2).
The 20valve engines are claimed to make 160+hp, but the reality is more like 150 on a good day on a good engine, 145 being more realistic.
The Super Charged engines are developed versions of what was in the MK1 MR2, and do have closer to a true 160hp (150-160).
Then there are a variety of spec levels of just twin cam 4age engines, with anything from 120-135hp.
There also twin cam fe engined cars, but they are recognisable by a rocker cover that looks like it only has one cam underneath. I don't recomend one, as its the standard corrola engine, and while it will be efficant its not terriably powerful.
Being your a student I would recomend either the N/A MKII MR2, or the Levin/Sprinter Trueno (making sure its a 20valve, or Twin Cam).
The MR2 will be more fun, but is a lot less practicle, its strickly a two seater and has limited visablity (not fun on the motorway if your in auckland) and will cost more to get serviced and put tyres on etc.
They are also more expensive to fix should it break down.
The Levin/Sprinter Trueno while a two door has a useable set of rear seats, and being more tradtional in its design is a little easier to drive. Its a lot more forgiving, at the cost of being more boring, but will be cheaper to run and repair etc.