MK3 Toyota MR2...

Southy_ said:
Good luck!

I have owned 3 of these and the engines have all had issues in some way.

Piston Rings went on one, causing massive amount of oil loss. (I crashed and wrote this one off)
The infamous ceramic pre-cat issue in one. (I think the 04 plate model you have doesn't get this)
The final one had an issue where it was running on 3 cylinders that 2 garages couldn't identify.

It's a shame because I loved driving it, such a nice little go kart, but I would never get another one.
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I was very aware of some of the potential issues, especially with the Pre-Facelift (pre-2002) cars - this one seems to have been well looked after, stack of servicing and garage invoices the length of my arm and for the age arelatively low mileage compared to a lot of the (60k), was a great drive back up to Edinburgh in it!

adam cool dude said:
Congrats. Even as a driver's car I think these are better than the MK3 Mx5 only 20hp down but 200kg's lighter. Start looking into 2zz swap options. Really makes them into a mini Elise for a fraction of the price.
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Yeah, not practical but plenty fun to drive!
 
The engine issues are the one thing that put me off these, i think i'd have to go in knowing that i'd need to spend 2k on a decent 2zz conversion. But then like you say it's a Japaneses Elise!
 
Personally, I think most MR2s these days are more for people on a bit of an 80s vibe, than for the driving experience itself. A bit like the Toyota Supra.

That and it usually costs too much to get one in good nick. An acquaintance of mine dropped several grand on one that was already overpriced, and then dropped several more fixing the borked bits and tarting it up. Sadly, a few weeks after finally getting it looking great and running well, the silly ******* launched it up a motorway entry ramp and went nose-first into a tree.
 
ttaskmaster said:
Personally, I think most MR2s these days are more for people on a bit of an 80s vibe, than for the driving experience itself. A bit like the Toyota Supra.

That and it usually costs too much to get one in good nick. An acquaintance of mine dropped several grand on one that was already overpriced, and then dropped several more fixing the borked bits and tarting it up. Sadly, a few weeks after finally getting it looking great and running well, the silly ******* launched it up a motorway entry ramp and went nose-first into a tree.
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80’s Vibe? It wasn’t released until 1999! That said maybe I need to get some Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran on while I drive around with my aviators on!
 
Howard said:
This thread is about the mk3 which was released in 1999 :confused:
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Yes indeed. No one even mentioned earlier models. Not one single person...

kurosagi01 said:
Not tried one myself but a fan of the mk2 MR2/SW20s which is the better car between it and mk3, you could find yourself a imported Mk2 MR2 for around 6k or more.
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rodenal said:
Having owned several mr2's the MK2 simply isn't the better car tbh - if all you wanted was power and a cruiser then a MK2 turbo would be the way to go...if they weren't funny money for a good one now.
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Uncle_Gravy said:
Had a neighbour that had one, Looks wise I think it's a step back compared to the MK2
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I still think it has an 80s vibe - My bike is a 4th gen 1992 model, but still has the 70s vibe of the 1st gen '78 model on which it was based.
 
ttaskmaster said:
Yes indeed. No one even mentioned earlier models. Not one single person...

I still think it has an 80s vibe - My bike is a 4th gen 1992 model, but still has the 70s vibe of the 1st gen '78 model on which it was based.
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MK2 is a 90's car anyway so still no idea where your 80's reference comes from and it is also a tin/targa top which is not the same as a two seater roadster anyway. They share the fact they are two seats and mid engine but completely different target audience.
 
adam cool dude said:
MK2 is a 90's car anyway so still no idea where your 80's reference comes from and it is also a tin/targa top which is not the same as a two seater roadster anyway. They share the fact they are two seats and mid engine but completely different target audience.
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1989, apparently, having been designed a couple of years earlier.
But since when does something have to be made slap-bang in the 1980s in order to LOOK a bit 80s?
 
Iron-man said:
Nice little motor how are you finding it, got any plans for any changes
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It’s been a great first weekend, even the wife seems to have decided that its good with the roof down!!!

First few bits are probably a service/check-up to see if anything major needs done, seems to run nicely though - rubbing noise coming from a wheel though so potentially brake related!

Cosmetically I’d like to clean it up a little, mainly just minor scratches though, nothing major given its 14 years, also want to swap out the original Head Unit for something with DAB and maybe Apple CarPlay (mainly for Telephony) which looks easy enough to do.

After that maybe some suspension bits but will see what’s “needing” done once its serviced.

Might add a removable luggage rack too for some extra storage space for weekends away although well aware I’ll need to make sure and not put anything that might cook on there!
 
ttaskmaster said:
Yes indeed. No one even mentioned earlier models. Not one single person...





I still think it has an 80s vibe - My bike is a 4th gen 1992 model, but still has the 70s vibe of the 1st gen '78 model on which it was based.
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Thing is Toyota's sports cars are all really good. Even by modern standards.
 
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