your mr2 advice please to a very new owner!

[Anonymous]

Info is simple and advice has been given, don't buy.

[Anonymous]

Definitely use someone independent to check for these issues and do a compression check.

[markiii]

walk away

[kentsmudger]

Get it properly checked by someone not connected with the sale or walk away - There is more than one Roadster for sale, any doubts about one then you chose another.

Welcome to the club - Hope you find the MR2 for you!

[newboi]

It's easier to walk away than go through months of crap trying to get a garage to replace an engine.

+1

There are plenty of nice examples for sale on here and Autotrader, that won't have had the same problems as the car you are viewing.  Why are you so desperate to have that specific car? Hold out for a better buy, that you won't feel paranoid about and won't potentially have to replace an engine on   s:) s:)

[Anonymous]

What if we all said a collective PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE WITH KNOBS ON !!!
Do not buy this MR2

Reading between the lines it looks as though you have got your heart set on this particular car.  We all know how that feels.  Don't be intimidated by the salesman, if he gets humpy about returning your deposit just mention Trading Standards - it usually does the trick.  

There are plenty of 2's on the market and if you are prepared to wait there will be a better option (probly in the 'cars for sale' section of this forum)  I dare say there are a few members who will be prepared to give any prospective purchase the once over for you and maybe even do a bit of haggling.

[Ilogik]

where a bouts are you, maybe a member could go with you.

[loadswine]

Hi and welcome.
I think you are getting the groundswell of opinion here, and it is

 "do not go through with buying this car"

To reiterate what has been said, it is highly likely that an underlying problem with the engine has caused main cat failure, by either excess oil from the engine and or debris from the precats breaking up.
The only sure way of sorting the whole chain out is new engine, properly gutted precats and a new main cat.
On balance you don't want your ownership experience to be horrible, so please find another one.

[Anonymous]

i have slept on it and i am ABORTING MISSION! lol

the hunt is on to find my Mr2 - already seen a couple on autotrader that are worth visiting

i will be beack to ask your very experienced opinion if required and will let you know when i get my Mr2 cos this one aint it!   s:D s:D  

thank you again

[Joey]

Good choice Jenna.

What is your ideal MR2? There might me someone on here that knows where your perfect car is plus (as mentioned before) you'll have a better idea of it's history.

[Wabbitkilla]

Phew, glad you are letting your head rule Jenna.

Keep your hopes up, there is one out there worth your money.   s:D s:D

[Mad Matt]

Well done! It is hard to walk away as I could see you really liked the car, but it's just not worth the risk.

Here's hoping you find what you're looking for very quickly  :-) :-) :-)

[Anonymous]

so im female and i am undecided LOL

ok ok ok i just spoke to the dealer

he has said it was the cat not the pre cat which the car will be replaced.

he is adament that it is not the pre cat and the pre cat is not effected and i have said - if i take this car and take it to get checked out by an independent specialist and it proves the problem we are a concerned about and causes engine failure will you take it back- yes he said.

if the mot was already done and i wasnt aware of this then   s:scared: :scared: s:scared:  we would not be having this debate and i would be none the wiser that there ever was a cat problem. what ever car i buy i would be getting pre cat/cat checked out by independant specialist to ensure no problems. i know now that the car has a new cat.

im going to call a specialist to get tech side advise and if they say what everyone on here is saying im walking away...

[markiii]

it may well be teh main cat that has failed but you have to ask why a cat of that age and mileage has failed.

most common cause is oil from and engine that is dying (probably due to precats)

I'd be asking if its ever had a new engine as often people replace teh engine but leave teh main cat as they don't think its affected, it then soon fails and takes teh new engine with it

seriosuly WE are teh specialists in this field

[uktotty]

If you let us know where you are, we can send a professional down to look at the car with you, or ME if none of them are available.
Dont even go there with this cat with the dodgy cat.

[Anonymous]

Jenna, please, please, please walk away from this car. As Mark has said this board is the place for specialist knowledge about these cars and the concensus here is do not touch this car!

Trust us, this car is a potential disaster.

[markiii]

I forget the details but seem to remember Lynne buying a lemon and following advice from teh ROC taking it back and buying her even better Sable model

we don't want you in teh same boat

[SimonC_Here]

29k miles in a ~10 year old car! I've heard of second cars but really?

I wonder what else has expired due to lack of use.

[Wabbitkilla]

That's right Mark, if you want to contact Lynne (NorthandSouth) I'm sure she'll tell you the story.

There are also others on here who only came along after buying "lemons", it cost them dearly so please pay attention to the opinions of your fellow members they are here to help and guide.

[Anonymous]

Run, don't walk. Really not worth the hassle.

[Anonymous]

so Im female and i am undecided LOL

ok ok ok i just spoke to the dealer

he has said it was the cat not the pre cat which the car will be replaced.

he is adament that it is not the pre cat and the pre cat is not effected and i have said - if i take this car and take it to get checked out by an independent specialist and it proves the problem we are a concerned about and causes engine failure will you take it back- yes he said.

if the mot was already done and i wasnt aware of this then   s:scared: :scared: s:scared:  we would not be having this debate and i would be none the wiser that there ever was a cat problem. what ever car i buy i would be getting pre cat/cat checked out by independant specialist to ensure no problems. i know now that the car has a new cat.

Im going to call a specialist to get tech side advise and if they say what everyone on here is saying Im walking away...

Talk to most 'Toyota main dealers (I assume you are refering to them as 'specialists') and most will tell you that pre-cat failure is not a problem.  That seems to be the official line.  Do not believe him when he says he will take it back unless you get it in writing, signed -in blood if possible - and independently witnessed, and that a FULL REFUND will be given.  How long will he guarantee the engine for, 1 week, 6 months, 3 years?  The usual thing is he takes it back and offers you considerably less than you paid because you have had the use of it.

Do us all a favour and find a good'un - we're all loosing sleep over this.

[enid_b]

and in case you were not aware of this, just to add to your fun.

many of the main toyota garages have very little knowledge about the mr2.  sure they are competent mechanics etc, the coffee is nice in the showroom, and its all very professional, but they dont generally know a lot about this little car.

this has been proven over the years with several members having to actually tell the garage they went to about things on their cars. the exact details escape me, but it is so true.

keep searching, the right car will find you, its fate  s:) s:)

[markiii]

I wouldn;t even define them as mechanics

they are parts technicians

they change what the book tells them to

90% have no clue why or any interest in a rational diagnosis

[Jigwar]

....having to actually tell the garage they went to about things on their cars. the exact details escape me...

Usually starts with which end the engine is at   s:D s:D