What to look out for when going to buy, visually, when driving etc
Also what you've had to replace and general costs etc, although I know this shouldn't be too much.
Maybe what you like/like most about the car?
Any reasons not to buy?
What to look for now a days would be rust, the biggest problem with them now is rot and it does eat away at the wheel arches. If your buying a hard top check the drains on the sun roof and if its a T-bar check the seals and the cabin damp. The electrical system was very good when i had mine, but they a 80's car so make sure they all work. The wheels are rare so make sure they are in good condition, i personally don't like them, i added after market wheels and stored them in the garage. All the bushes will be worn by now, so check these, polyurethane bushes are a good upgrade, if these have been done.
The engine is fairly bullet proof, but i would make sure you get a decent service history with it. They have a common problem with the alternator, where water sit on the engine cover and falls down the vents onto it, this should be fairly to detect as your grumbling sound coming from the engine bay. Clutch slave cylinder is common to dry. There are some good mods, like a jimi bracket what replaces the throttle bracket and increases throttle response.
Driving them fun!!! They are not the fasted thing around but they handle well and will beat a lot off the line purely down the power to weight ratio. Can be a little uncomfortable on a long drive but who cares when your smiling.
I loved that it was different, i alway would get people stop and talk to me about it. Use to get a thumbs up from people all the time who admired it. Had one person leave a note on it, asking if i would be will to sell it and left me a number. I was 21-23 when i had mine, so back in the early 2000's, i done a lot work to mine and it was mint. General service cost, were cheap back then, don't know so much about now.
Down side, boot space....... and if you take it above the national speed limit on a track of coarse the steering goes light, very light and that can be a little scary. But there is a mod for that, that requires holes being cut.
The MR2 forum was a good place for me back in the day and there is a 2brutal.com where people shoehorn big engine into the MK1, like the MK2 turbo engine engine and a 3L V6 out of a Camry.
Good luck with the search.
hoping to buy December/January, we'll see what comes up