Toyota mr3 mk3

funguST

funguST

funguST

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Joined
18 Sep 2008
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Hi,

I posted a little while ago about getting a cheap car to tide me over. I still havent bit the bullet and picked one up yet, but it appears that something like a 2000 (newer shape) mr2 would be cheaper to insure and run for me than a 1.5 nissan almera (which i very nearly bought).

Anyone had any experiences with the mr2's of this age. They seem to actually get decent mpg and the insurance is randomly cheaper than a 1.5 almera.

Seen a couple near me with around 90-100k, 2000/2001 x/y reg for around £1500. That seem like a reasonable price? Full service history etc should be ok on a normally solid toyota?
 
I've had a few mr2's including a mk3.

Couple of things to watch out for.

First and foremost make sure you are absolutely comfortable with the amount of space and storage in the car (next to none). If you buy one make sure it has either had a reconditioned engine, was built after 2003 or costs literally a few hundred pounds as the early engines are at risk of oval bore, a re design in 2003 improved this. If it happens the car will initially burn oil, leading to it potentially ingesting its pre cats which are ceramic...not good for the insides of the engine. If you take the pre cats out an oil burning engine lasts much longer

Couple of other minor things like chain tensioner not seating quite right against the block causing small leaks or the hood losing a little bit of its guide and going dog eared that aren't much to worry about

They aren't brilliantly economical but perfectly acceptable (mid to late 30's on a run, much less round town), don't seem to rust (though the wheels do) and handle fantastically. The little touches on the facelifted car (2003+) make a big difference cosmetically
 
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Just as an addition to the above, the 2003 facelift version isn't immune to the oval bore, but it's much less likely due to a redesign. I had a 2003 silver for almost 2 years and I kinda miss it even now.

The pre facelift ones for £1500 can be absolute bargains or a disaster waiting to happen, just be careful of that minefield. When the engine starts to go it can happen very fast or simply use some oil for years before it gets bad. Once it does go, you'll need a rebuild.
 
Rust on the rear crossmember is probably the worst issue they potentially all suffer with.
 
I currently have one and I highly recommend them. Mine is an 06 plate so won't suffer the engine problems the early ones might. Do not push on in the rain though because if they go, you'll never get it back no matter how good a driver you are!

Another major issue are the discs and pads, they rust all the time no matter how often you use the car, my mate is a Toyota mechanic and gets them in all the time for this reason. It's happening on mine so I'll need to get round to changing them soon.

image_zps2a07468d.jpg
 
I agree re the discs and pads, the oem ones are pretty bad for it. I got a set of pagid discs and pads to replace them with and never looked back. 100x better.
 
I heard they only sorted the cat problem in 55/06 cars. Again, this was from a qualified Toyota mechanic.
 
Pre cats were just a bi-product of the oval bore problems. Removing them just helps a sick car live a bit longer.

They seemed to make steady fixes from 2003-2005 before pretty much resolving it

Rear view mirror was never a problem for me, but then I'm.not very tall. The discs also never bothered me as they still worked well on my car at least
 
I have one, love it. Visibility isn't great out of the back with the soft roof up, it's ok through a hard top which I have on in the winter, and fine with the roof off which is most of the Summer :D knew about the pre cat issues so went for a facelift model. Recently had to replace an 02 sensor which isn't a massive job, and also the radiator went just after the snowy weather but that wasn't really a surprise. Incidentally we've just replaced the radiator on the mk1 too so it's clearly a year for radiators! Buying tyres is annoying due to the different sizes front and rear, I'm generally running on mismatched pairs.

It's fun, topless ;) motoring for not a lot of pennies. Don't expect loads of power but I've never found it lacking when I need to nip out of trouble.
 
Evo8 said:
Did they still rust early Kaeo?
Click to expand...

No they were great, did about 4k miles on them before I sold the car and no sign of surface rust, except when I washed the car of course, the usual.

I had a 2003 with 56k on it with precats removed and didn't have any oval bore all all. Was quite lucky I think.
 
I do not own one but having driven one with a 2ZZ in the back. It is a fantastic car with that engine! I have no idea why Toyota never did it as an option. 90% an elise costing half as much.
 
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