Tell me about mk1 MR2s

penski · 2 Jun 2006 at 17:10

How much, where from? Import? UK? tunability? Versions? Power? Engine swaps? Insurance? 22, 1yr NCB, NE8 postcode...

All I know is that they roll with a 4AGE and there was a JDM Supercharged version.

Clue me up!

*n

Zirax · 2 Jun 2006 at 17:52

Subscribing as I am in the market for either one of these or a later mk2 revisions

(although it will be later in the year when the bad weather is around)

Zip · 2 Jun 2006 at 17:59

Your starting to scare me because all the cars uve posted about lately i like :eek:

Engine swaps: 3S-GTE 2ltr turbo, VZ-FE 3ltr V6, 1UZ-FE 4ltr V8(yes thats right, a V8

)
Also some smaller engines aswell.

Heres a website with a bunch of mad nutters that you will learn a lot from. http://twobrutal.co.uk/

just to clarify,only the early B cars came in at 960kgs or there abouts,the B's are heavier and the T-bars heavier still....the heaviest of the lot being the SC's

The S/C model is the most ridged of them all though

In the UK they seem to be cheap, you guys have it good

When you look at them, check around the wheel arches for rust.
Also if you can ask them to take the kit/sills off so you can have a look there for rust aswell.

Edit: the T-Bars have problems with leaking.
Have a look at that website and you will se what a lot of nutters have been doing to these things

And look at this link
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/

There name is the AW11

From Wiki
The small and light MR2, designated AW11, was perhaps something no one had expected from any of the Japanese car manufacturers, known for their economical and practical cars. The two-seat MR2 was definitely not practical as a family car, but the design criteria were different from that of most previous cars. The most important features of the AW11 were its light body (as low as 2,200 lb in Japan and 2,350 lb in the US), superior handling and relatively powerful, small-displacement engine. Thanks to these features, the AW11 is considered by many to be very enjoyable to drive. Its behavior mimics that of highly expensive supercars and is easy to control and nimble in its movements. Toyota's cooperation with Lotus during the prototype phase can be seen in the AW11, and it owes much to Lotus's legendary sports cars of the 1960s and 1970s.

As a powerplant, Toyota chose to use the 4A-GE 1600 cc I4 engine with two overhead camshafts which allowed the use of 16 valves for a better gas flow through the combustion chamber. The engine was also equipped with a Bosch L-Jetronic type multi-point fuel injection and a variable intake geometry (T-VIS), giving the engine a maximum power output of 128 hp (95 kW). US-spec engines were rated at 112 hp (84 kW), Euro-spec at 124 hp (93 kW). The engine had already been introduced earlier on the Toyota AE86 Sprinter, gathering a lot of positive publicity. There was also a JDM model AW10 which used the more economical 1500 cc 3A-U engine, but it didn't gain too much popularity.

For the 1986 model year, the AW11 went through several changes which affected both its looks and performance. The most important addition was probably having the option of a removable t-top, not available in the US until the next model year. The exterior was modified by color-coding the bumpers and side stripes, adding small side skirts and a translucent spoiler to the rear of the roof. Other new options included a leather interior and a four-speed automatic transmission. Some further changes were made to the exterior the following year, but more notable were the addition of larger brakes and a heavier C52 transmission which replaced the older C50.

In 1987, Toyota brought a new choice for an engine for people longing for more power. Based on the same block and head, the 4A-GZE was equipped with a roots-type supercharger and therefore the compression ratio, valve timing and ports were modified. The engine produced a maximum power of 145 hp (108 kW) and accelerated the small car from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in 6.7 to 7.0s. In addition to the new engine, the MR2 SC was also equipped with stiffer stabilizer bars and reinforcements in the bodyshell to improve rigidity. Unfortunately, this model was never sold in European markets, although some cars were privately imported.

The press received the AW11 with open arms and praised its innovation, great feeling, and responsive engine. American car magazines Road & Track and Car and Driver both chose the AW11 on their lists of ten best cars which included some tough competition, such as the Ferrari Testarossa. The Australian Wheels magazine chose the 1988 AW11 as its favourite sports car. The MR2 was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1985. In 2004, Sports Car International named the MR2 number eight on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s. The MR2 was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1986 and 1987.

Ev0 · 2 Jun 2006 at 18:06

iirc the supercharged version was introduced fo rthe US market to give them something with a little more grunt.

Also read that as standard the brakes on the supercharged weren't great

Was a while ago I read this so could be mistaken, was an old mag review I found on the net when I was looking for one

Zip · 2 Jun 2006 at 18:07

Ev0 said:
iirc the supercharged version was introduced fo rthe US market to give them something with a little more grunt.

Also read that as standard the suspension and brakes on the supercharged versions aren't up to much Was a while ago I read this so could be mistaken, was an old mag review I found on the net when I was looking for one

The Supercharged version was built heavyer then the rest of the models, they also made it understeer a bit more to stop it from being tail happy.
Thats why the Superchyarged version doesnt have as good handling as the N/A

SKILL · 2 Jun 2006 at 18:54

Zip has posted most of what i know, just a couple of things...

The MK1a's (pre-1987) were the lightest and also had the 'best' handling, they softened it slightly with the mk1b

So best of the bunch handling wise would be a mk1 tin-top without the sunroof

Engine swap wise as well as the three Zip posted there is a 20v 4AGE (165ps as standard for the blacktop) not a huge increase but a fairly easy swap, same engine mounts, also the standard 16v 4AGE will put out fairly silly power (for a 1.6) if you throw enough money at it, it's used in a racing series in america in a 240hp - 11000 redline variant, also there is a very rare twincharging kit that apparantly goes to 400bhp easily enough...

I'm looking at doing the 20v conversion to mine sometime next year, with programmable ecu and a fully custom exhaust/manifold i reckon 190bhp atf isn't too unrealistic, just need to get the money for the engine and everything and obviously source it

They are lovely cars though, handling is great fun and the engine loves to rev (7750 redline)

kaiowas · 2 Jun 2006 at 19:07

It's very easy to find cheap ratty looking rust ridden ones on eBay, you'll love 'em

Bodywork condition completely defines the price of a mk1. Ones with rust in all the usual places can be picked up for a few hundred. Solid ones with all the rust sorted and average mileage can be picked up for 1-2k. Low mileage minters and superchargers can fetch anything up to 4-5k

UK wise there are only a few variants and ther's not a lot to choose between them. Early cars (usually referred to as mk1a's all had sunroofs and cloth interior. Later cars (mk1b) had various minor styling changes, slightly different suspension and brake setups and a couple of other little things here and there. The later cars were also available as a T-bar and with leather interior.

There are a few tintops out there, i'm pretty sure all are imports but don't quote me on it. Don't think the auto was ever sold here either.

Oh and I've got 3 of them

penski · 2 Jun 2006 at 19:55

kaiowas said:
It's very easy to find cheap ratty looking rust ridden ones on eBay, you'll love 'em

Why would I want a rusty car? :/

Bodywork condition completely defines the price of a mk1. Ones with rust in all the usual places can be picked up for a few hundred. Solid ones with all the rust sorted and average mileage can be picked up for 1-2k. Low mileage minters and superchargers can fetch anything up to 4-5k

I'd been thinking of about £1,000-1,500...Want a solid body, not too bothered about the mileage.

UK wise there are only a few variants and ther's not a lot to choose between them. Early cars (usually referred to as mk1a's all had sunroofs and cloth interior. Later cars (mk1b) had various minor styling changes, slightly different suspension and brake setups and a couple of other little things here and there. The later cars were also available as a T-bar and with leather interior.

There are a few tintops out there, i'm pretty sure all are imports but don't quote me on it. Don't think the auto was ever sold here either.

Oh and I've got 3 of them

Cheers - mk1a sounds like the one for me then

Zip - I'm already well familiar with the Lexus V8

*n

monkeyspank · 2 Jun 2006 at 20:13

You should get a tidy one for that sort of money. Cracking little cars, loads of fun. I picked one up a couple of weeks ago for my girlfriend to keep her out of my mk2 turbo but she hasn't been able to get anywhere near it cos I'm enjoying it so much.

Some useful links
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/forsale.html

twos r us in the US is handy for bits and bobs, especially if you know someone in the states..
http://www.twosrus.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21&osCsid=7fe3e7dc9c7f309e061a4dfce39ea149

Wish I had the time and money to sort myself out with a mk1.5 - - http://twobrutal.co.uk/

Rust is always a problem with the mk1 but normally quite easy to sort out if you're handy with welding equipment. replacement rear arches are expensive but you can use Datsun Cherry ones with a bit of modification, which only cost about a tenner each side.

Good luck finding a nice one. They are always coming up for sale now and then. There's always loads on ebay but with a car of this age and nature you have to be careful, but I don't need to tell you that.

don't forget the pics!

kaiowas · 2 Jun 2006 at 21:23

monkeyspank said:
You should get a tidy one for that sort of money. Cracking little cars, loads of fun. I picked one up a couple of weeks ago for my girlfriend to keep her out of my mk2 turbo but she hasn't been able to get anywhere near it cos I'm enjoying it so much.

Some useful links
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/forsale.html

twos r us in the US is handy for bits and bobs, especially if you know someone in the states..
http://www.twosrus.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21&osCsid=7fe3e7dc9c7f309e061a4dfce39ea149

Wish I had the time and money to sort myself out with a mk1.5 - - http://twobrutal.co.uk/

Rust is always a problem with the mk1 but normally quite easy to sort out if you're handy with welding equipment. replacement rear arches are expensive but you can use Datsun Cherry ones with a bit of modification, which only cost about a tenner each side.

Good luck finding a nice one. They are always coming up for sale now and then. There's always loads on ebay but with a car of this age and nature you have to be careful, but I don't need to tell you that.

don't forget the pics!

Heh, was I speaking to you at the Bar Hill meet last weekend?

Penski - you'll have a harder time finding a nice mk1a compared to mk1bs but good luck with the search.

monkeyspank · 2 Jun 2006 at 22:01

kaiowas said:
Heh, was I speaking to you at the Bar Hill meet last weekend?

Penski - you'll have a harder time finding a nice mk1a compared to mk1bs but good luck with the search.

Erm, possibly

In fact this quote sounded veeeery familiar

Bodywork condition completely defines the price of a mk1

I had the 2 drinks

Vix · 2 Jun 2006 at 22:03

monkeyspank said:
Erm, possibly

Your girlfriend had the white over silver mk1? I had the white one

monkeyspank · 2 Jun 2006 at 22:18

Yeah that's me

hi!

I've ordered in a few bits to get it up to scratch, some poly bushes, wheel bearing, front brake discs and pads. It could do with some new shocks on the back so Im trying to find the money to uprate all four and stick some new springs on while I'm at it.

How's yours working out? It looked really nice!

kaiowas · 2 Jun 2006 at 22:22

We're off to pick up another drivers door tomorrow, will be less hassle than patching up the ding/scrapes on the existing one.

Vix · 2 Jun 2006 at 22:26

However, you can't actually fit a door *in* an MR2 so I'm borrowing the company Ford Focus - euch

She's running really well, just got to get the council to lower the speedbumps in the estate so I can get out

Apart from that, once I've discovered what the high pitched whine is, I'll be fine.

She's great though and I don't regret taking the Smart off the road for an instant.

Hows yours running?

L0rdMike · 2 Jun 2006 at 22:27

mine used to make a high pitch whine at about 30mph.

Vix · 2 Jun 2006 at 22:30

Mine makes a constant high pitched whine, even just after I have turned the ignition off :eek:

Sounds kind of electrical, very high frequency :/.

Penski, don't be put off by all this talk, they are grrreat - in the words of Tony the Tiger

L0rdMike · 2 Jun 2006 at 22:33

Yeah great cars, despite mine being a bit of a rusty shed I still miss it at times.

Zip · 3 Jun 2006 at 03:17

penski said:
Why would I want a rusty car? :/

I'd been thinking of about £1,000-1,500...Want a solid body, not too bothered about the mileage.

Zip - I'm already well familiar with the Lexus V8

*n

DO IT!!!!!

Try looking arounds clubs and forums for people selling MR2s, they seem to be treared better then most and have the best condition

saitrix · 3 Jun 2006 at 11:08

I know its not a Mk1a but I just had to post it as it looks like it is in such good nick.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/68656.htm

Zip, That V8 involves lots and lots of work to fit.

In thoery I bet you can twin charge the 4A-GE 20v.....

Oh also the mk1b has the stronger engine block then the mk1a as it was for the supercharged version.