50 replies to this topic

[jammiedodger26]

One car that has always got me going slightly....other than the mini obviously....is a nice mk1 MR2.

I just think they are they perfect 80's mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car! Especially in white!

And you can pick them up for about a grand now...1.8 engine rwd.

Basically, wanted to know if anyone had any experiences with them?

They are supposedly well known for their handling, and being a Toyota they will go on forever!

So any personal experiences on TMF?

Here's a picture to whet your appetite/remind you!!!

[AzMaN]

i work with a chap who had a red tbar version (like the one in the top pic) i think the only problems he had were things like the light motors dieing, alternator failed, just genral age issued. oh then the big ends went so a scrappie engine was bunged in and away he went

but he used to say it stuck to the road like *melon* to a shovel.

Edited by AzMaN, 18 January 2009 - 07:24 PM.

[coopermpi]

I think the mk1's are 1.6 16v. I had the mk2 MR2, last one made before convertible, V reg. LOVED it, great car. I had no problems with it, toyotas are renouned for reliablity.
Good fun, but not practical suppose like a mini!!!!

[Ouster]

Sexiest car ever. I really want one - will probably be my next car after the mini.

[Gexx]

Fantastic cars My first modified car

If you're gunna get one either hold out for the supercharger varient (only in Jap import) or get one go to Fensport and get a supercharger fitted to a uk model!

Here's a photo of mine - best handling car I have ever owned!

edited to sya - they are only avail in a 1.6 - however you can fit the 2.0t engine out of the mk2s

 mod.jpg   171.1K   9 downloads

Edited by Gexx, 18 January 2009 - 07:33 PM.

[BGB]

I had one a couple of years ago.

so much fun. but it had a driinking problem

never got to the bottom of why it was only getting 10-15 mpg.


sold it for what i bought it for


my dads one was rotted to hell and cost him a fortune gettign it on the road

[jammiedodger26]

Yeh I'd love one and I keep looking at them....but the only way I could do it is by selling the Mini....and that's where the problem starts! Could i do away with the mini? I'm not sure!!

Ok, sorry bout engine size! 1.6 it is! (better on insurance anywho!!)

[Phaeton]

There is no comparison between a Mini & a MK1 MR2 you're talking about a British agricultural relic & one of Japanese's finest exports. They are simple one of the best cars ever produced, 1.6 16v with TVIS putting out around 130bhp in standard trim, you can fit if modding is your aim, the 2.0 Turbo from the MK2 giving it 245bhp again as standard or fit the 3.0 V6 from the Camry. But realistically you don't need that, just lower it 30mm make sure all the bushes are good & it will run rings round 90% of the cars on the road. Braking is a little on the naff side, but that can be improved by fitting ST185 discs & calipers up front & MK2's at the rear. If you do you looking for one, then watch the rear arches, they are prone to rust, for whatever reason Toyota decided to put a foam infill between the inner & outer arches which gets wet & rots from the inside. T-Bars are neat but you have to watch for leaking seals, which, unless you import them from the states cost a fortune. There is a big fan & owner base out there with several websites dedicated to them. I cannot comprehend anyone having driven a MK1 MR2 one how anyone would put up with a 1950's relic except as a toy but not as a serious daily car.

Alan...

[jammiedodger26]

.....useful info.....

So you think the MR2 could do as a daily driver? If, like the mini, it is looked after etc of course!

[coopermpi]

i used mine everyday! If i went on away anywhere i could only get 1 suitcase in the boot etc.
If you can afford the petrol too, i was getting 20-25 mpg

Edited by coopermpi, 18 January 2009 - 08:05 PM.

[Phaeton]

.....useful info.....

So you think the MR2 could do as a daily driver? If, like the mini, it is looked after etc of course!

Easily, it's a Toyota, they do things you probably won't understand if you use a Mini. Firstly they start first time every time no matter the weather, cold, rain, snow as long as the battery is good, you can leave them months & they will just fire up. They are warm, comfortable, no headaches or sore derrière after 30 miles, not particularly biased but have had 4 in the past, wife currently has a MK2 Turbo.

Alan...

[jammiedodger26]

Haha actually I spent a year working for Toyota GB's marketing dept so I'm familiar with their robustness!!! Hmmm, seems like a definite viable option, I may have a good look into it!

I'm surprised at how cheap they are as well! So apart from rust on rear wheel arches, what else would you say to look out for particularly? I'm not big into modding things so would want a pretty much standard one!

[Phaeton]

There are no real gotcha's with them, you just have to remember the last one's produced are 19 years old, but you can find mint ones out there if you are prepared to pay the price. Engines pretty much bombproof, but they can suffer head gaskets if the cooling isn't looked after, it all comes down to price really. If you want a 'GOOD' one then check the colour of the water it should be a nice pink, recommended by Toyota & if used & replaced will see no problems. Other people will say that normal blue anti-freeze is okay, but I've always used Toyota stuff. The MK1 does suffer from a synchromesh (or however you spell it) on 5th gear on the over run, it will sometimes pop out, there is an easy fix but it does mean gearbox out. There is also an issue when they first start that the revs do up & down, it's either air in the water system or the waxstat choke sticking.

As said earlier it comes down to price, I have one currently sat in a friends yard, cost me £180 with a blown bottom end, last owner ran it with no oil. Bought an engine for £100 put it in, turned the key 3 times & it fired & ran, it's waiting for better weather to come to put a sill on the drivers side, a handbrake cable on the nearside. But it's a red T-bar with full leather all for ££280 & a bit of time.

Alan...

[dazza78]

One car that has always got me going slightly....other than the mini obviously....is a nice mk1 MR2.

I just think they are they perfect 80's mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car! Especially in white!

And you can pick them up for about a grand now...1.8 engine rwd.

Basically, wanted to know if anyone had any experiences with them?

They are supposedly well known for their handling, and being a Toyota they will go on forever!

So any personal experiences on TMF?

Here's a picture to whet your appetite/remind you!!!

The Mk1 MR2 is one of the greatest handling cars ever made, the Mk2 wasnt a patch on the Mk1. The engines are bombproof and the only real issues are that of rust. Rear arches, front wings and sills on bad cars, they are everyday cars and a real blast on the twisty stuff. Pure 80s style dash though...

[miniman retford]

I am parts manager at a Toyota centre. The mk1 is certainly my favorite we have some customers with some great cars but just be carefull as some body panels & trim parts are no longer available !

Edited by miniman retford, 19 January 2009 - 10:16 AM.