Buying an MR2

[Prelude707]

Hey guys, I'm new to the MR2 forums, but I've been around the prelude forums for a while. I'm in the process of selling my 2000 prelude so I can buy my dream car, an early 90s turbo MR2. I've got about $15,000 to spend on it. I looking for one in the $10,000 range so I still have some money to drop into it.

I was just wondering if there is anything I should watch out for while looking at MR2s. You know how eclipses had crank walk, and apex seals like to go on RX-7s. I was wondering if the MR2 had any little problems I should look for, or which years are best, etc.

Also I just found an MR2 turbo with 13,000 orginal miles on it near me. The guy didn't ask a price just best offer. That thing's probably out of my price range right? Thanks.

[Mobit]

Buy an N/A with really high mileage, or buy an MR2 with a blown motor and then do a JDM swap. If you do everything yourself, and make sure to get the best prices before you buy, you'll end up with $10000 to spend on upgrades/restoration.

That is a hell of a lot of money to put into an MR2. With time and effort you can have that thing showroom worthy and running like a beast.

I'm not familiar with anything on MR2s that you should really look out for. If you're looking to get a car thats already in top shape, just check it like you would any other turbocharged car. If some kid owned it, he probably raped the engine on a daily basis so be thorough. I'm sure you know the drill.

Oh, and all years of MR2 are the best :P

Except the MRS, which can burn in hell.

[Prelude707]

Originally Posted by Mobit

Buy an N/A with really high mileage, or buy an MR2 with a blown motor and then do a JDM swap.

I wish. I would probably be driving a supra if I could do that. But unforuntely I live in CT, where we have gay ass emissions. So JDM engines are out unless someone knows how to hook up an EGR and other little things to make it emissions worthy.

[ac427cpe]

buy a "tired" turbo, and rebuild the engine... you'll probably end up saving money this way.

[Mobit]

That too is a good option, especially in harsh emissions states.

[drazhartd]

if you're looking to MOD your mr2 turbo, DO NOT buy that 13k miles one. That's for the garage.

A nice running 91T shouldn't be more than 6500 bucks. Just buy a damn turbo, not the NA to jdm swap. Trust me, there's less nightmare in the long run.

[Prelude707]

What exactly does a rebuild consist of? I've never performed or really looked into one (the prelude only has 58k). Do you go as far as new internals, or only things like seals and such. And afterward I assume in runs as if brand new?

[MR2turbo93]

well the difference are few and far between in the turbo MR2's 91 and 92 had a so called quirky suspension.... in which they would toe out in the rear under agressive driving most enthusists blame the driver though but there was a lot more R & D on the 93 model it got a inch wider in the back and the rear suspension got redesigned and the whole car was a inch lower from factory... they also weigh a little more but it only adds aprox. a tenthe of a second to the 1/4 mile times(or so road and track says).

Road and track says the cracked ehxaust manifold is common due to heat but i donno how true it is.

Also i'd want to check all the vac lines cause if any one is cracked its no big deal but may limit performance.

For 10,000 you could get a sweet one mine was cheaper than that and i bought it the way is is in the pic in my sig and i live right next to you in NY

I'd buy the one with 12,000miles cause the motor would probably take to mods better

Also i'd check the oil, coolant and more importantly...if there factory wires mostly commonly thin and red, they'll have random serial numbers but the year the wires are made will be seperate but on the wire if there more than 2 years old you'd want to replace them along with all the standar ignition (plugs ,wires, rotor, cap) but if its way old i'd question how the person took car of there car.

If your looking for a race car dont buy the one w/ 12,000 miles but if its gonna be a car to be driven on the streets go for it, its the best thing you could do... get a turbo timer if you get it

[Mobit]

There are some pretty nice and heavily modded MR2s out there for 10k+....

Like Draz said, the one with 13k original miles is for the garage.

[MR2turbo93]

yea maybe but all of you are lying if your telling me you'd pass up a MR2 turbo with 13k on it

[MR2turbo93]

prelude.... do what you want cause when it comes down to it its your money and your car

[Prelude707]

Yea, I've been looking around trying to hunt one down. I figure with the money I plan on spending I could get one with under 100k, but it's been a tough find. They're either over or way under and going for like 20k. And the fact that it has to be stock or almost stock makes it worse.

Could someone answer my question on engine rebuilds?

[MR2turbo93]

well i got mine with 136k but it had a turbo timer thats been there since the early 90's which is always a good thing.

Generally a good rebuild replaces all the gaskets, Cleans all the carbon out and changes most of the bearings. the hardest part with a MR2 is that the motor is in the back. most people say its easier to drop the motor and lift the car then try to pull the motor from the top

jekyl's car runs high 11's and pushes over 20psi with over 200,000 miles on it ..... its 98% stock too... the bottom end is 100% factory ask im questions about the rebuilds