Charlotte the First and Second - Tricky's Ride

Started by tricky1138, May 18, 2016, 14:16

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tricky1138

Well after over 3 years of owning MR2's I thought it best to start a readers ride!

Started in Dec 2011 when I sold my old eurobox (Peugeot 406 HDi Estate) and wanted something sporty and convertible.

A few mates had a Triumph Spitfire and I liked the idea of being able to drive around with the roof down. I got really angry with other convertible drivers when they would drive about on a nice sunny day with the roof up, thinking to myself "If I owned a convertible the roof would be down all the time!"

So went on autotrader and looked at every convertible possible, from Astra's to MX5's! Went to look at a couple of MX5's but all were rusty and I also didn't fit in them. Went to look at an Astra convertible at a localish garage and liked it but not as much as the MR2 sitting next to it - a nice PFL, Black example with red leather. This one was a little out of my price range and as I had not looked at them before, I decided some research was needed.

As it happens the above car was subsequently bought by Shnazzle and you know his story with that!)

After several stalling's, I finally found another black one, this time a FL, lower miles, FSH but with red cloth interior. I decided that, seats were easier to change than car colour (really wanting a black one) so managed to get a lift from Durham to Manchester, I went to see it, bought it there and then and drove it home. Unfortunately, it was raining all the way home so never got the roof down, but was still a great drive and never put a foot wrong.



The next day it snowed - what was I doing buying a rear wheel drive, mid engined sports car in winter!




So the car was completely standard other than a set of Team Dynamics Alloys in facelift sizes with a set of brand new Bridgestone's on them (to be honest they were the deal maker as the £800+ bill was there for them)

I really didn't do much to it in the first few months of ownership, fixed the door switch, replaced the aerial fixed the leaky chain tensioner.

Cleaned, drove, cleaned, drove again, Cleaned - why did I buy a black car!

Jobs I remember doing on her:

Replace Aerial
Replace O ring chain tensioner
Alarm move
Spare wheel flip
Nath's gearbox bushes
Black side repeaters
Dev's key covers
Clear interior light
Small Mongos
Clear wind deflector
KrissG kick panels
Zunsport engine grills and upper bumper grill
Small lip spoiler
Radio with Single DIN
Custom Leather Navy/Cream seats
Replaced fabric on door cars with leather
Replaced manifold with JDMHondaParts and wrapped it
Replaced stock exhaust with Powerflow twin exit exhaust
New Cat
New Temperature sensor
Refurbed rear callipers
Hard Top and fitting kit
Mohair roof
Refurbed Steering UJ
K&N air filter
Markiii Pipe.

That's more than I remember - that's what you get for trawling through your old posts on here!

So after 3 years of ownership and many miles of happy motoring, including a fantastic trip to Austria, a change of circumstances meant that I could retire the MR2 from daily use to weekend toy. I bought a new daily (RAV4) but I couldn't get used to driving that daily and missed the MR2.

Decided that the RAV4 had to go and MR2 was back to daily and all the plans I had for her were put on hold as the Land Rover was going to get the money spent on instead. (Not sure of right decision - still we'll see!)

As per chance someone advertised a MR2 for sale locally and had mentioned they'd be looking for a RAV4 to buy after selling it. A lightbulb lit in my head and after some negotiation, I drove to his with a RAV4 and drove away with another MR2!

So now I had two!



Knew I had to sell the old one, and it has gone to a good home on here. I have only just realised how much I had done to the car today when I listed them!

I have swapped a lot of the mods from one car to the other, but as I go through doing the some of the same things again, I wonder if I would have been better keeping the old one.

Still, once I've done the changes I'm sure I'll be happy again. This one is different, and will be a different beast by the end (there's never an end!)

Sorry for the long read - hope you've managed to keep up!

I'll update this thread as I go along as best I can.

Current standing (Need to find a better picture)



And current plans (as always subject to change!)

Lowered on Teins
Matt Brace
New seats - nowt wrong with old ones just fancied a change
Double DIN ICE
New speakers and sound deadened
Silver HVAC panel
Chrome dial rings
LED DLR and fogs
Braided brake lines and 5.1 fluid
Toyosports manifold and TTE exhaust

And that will keep me busy for a while!

Need to get some new tools first - as mine were in the back of the Landy when it was stolen - haven't even got a trolley jack!  s:( :( s:(
2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

shnazzle

#1
I had forgotten you had considered Snuggles  s:) :) s:)
Good little car that.
...neutiquam erro.

Tomo70

#2
Got spare trolley Jack and a pair of axle stands you can have with the tyres we spoke about at the cars in the park.
🚘Just a pass time to break the monotony

tricky1138

#3
Quote from: "Tomo70"Got spare trolley Jack and a pair of axle stands you can have with the tyres we spoke about at the cars in the park.

Thats really good of you Tom, but only if you really dont need them.
2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

StuC

#4
That is a substantial work list for Charlotte 1st fella.

KrissG kick panels FTW.  s:-D :-D s:-D  

Surprised you never had a matt brace though.
URBAN CUSTARD COLLECTIVE FOUNDING MEMBER

tricky1138

#5
Quote from: "StuC"That is a substantial work list for Charlotte 1st fella.

KrissG kick panels FTW.  s:-D :-D s:-D  

Surprised you never had a matt brace though.

It really did surprise me how much I'd done - most were very subtle and most never noticed them!

Still have the KrissG panels - and are on the new one.   s:D :D s:D  

Matt brace was always in the todo list and was either skint when they were available or out of stock when I had the money! I've had this one sitting in my house (and previous house for over a year!   s:( :( s:(
2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

StuC

#6
The list above would explain the skintness.  s;-) ;-) s;-)
URBAN CUSTARD COLLECTIVE FOUNDING MEMBER

tricky1138

#7
Matt brace now fitted - cheers Mulaz!   s:D :D s:D  



Also fitted Halo DRLs - cheers Hamspeed!   s:D :D s:D  

2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

tricky1138

#8
A productive day at Ding Day.

Alarm moved and tyre flipped:



Doors sound deadened,

And rear brake light painted:



I've got a third brake light on the TRD spoiler, and there is a blank that is supposed to be fitted to cover the brake light in the boot. I acquired a spare brake light and got that painted body coloured. Really looks good.

Also picked up my TTE exhaust on the way home - but Karl had already persuaded me to transport his newly bought TTE exhaust home so now there were 2 x TTE on my passenger seat!   s:scared: :scared: s:scared:  

2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

HereComesTheWife

#9
How have I never known your car is called Charlotte?

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

1979scotte

#10
Quote from: "HereComesTheWife"How have I never known your car is called Charlotte?

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

I think its strange myself.
Isnt stews mythical wife called charlotte?
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Free Ukraine 🇺🇦

HereComesTheWife

#11
Quote from: "1979scotte"
Quote from: "HereComesTheWife"How have I never known your car is called Charlotte?

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

I think its strange myself.
Isnt stews mythical wife called charlotte?
Ha ha, I was going to ask him if it is named after stews wife aswell, but then decided against it

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tricky1138

#12
It was named before I really knew Stew.

Charlotte as in Charlotte's web - web - spiders web - spyder - mr2!

At last the link is complete!   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

tricky1138

#13
Bit more work done over the weekend!

Removed manifold upper heatsheild in prep for replacing manifold - so checked Pre-cats while I was on!



Still there - so they're coming out!

Old exhaust off!



TTE exhaust on!   s:D :D s:D  





Old springs off and Teins on (with new droplinks)!





2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

shnazzle

#14
Yay! And..happy with the ride?
...neutiquam erro.

tricky1138

#15
Quote from: "shnazzle"Yay! And..happy with the ride?

More than happy with the ride.

No noticable difference in ride quality, immediate increase in cornering speed and less shake over poorly made roads.

Considering didnt change shocks thats really good.

Although it possibly didnt help that one of the springs came off in two pieces!   s:scared: :scared: s:scared:  

Oh and I can still get on and off my drive!   s:D :D s:D
2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

tricky1138

#16
Havnt updated here in a while. Will work out what I've done and post over Christmas!

But new knobs today!

2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

tricky1138

Wow, cant believe how long it is since this has been updated. How things have changed since then.

I'll try remember whats happened to her for the last 4 years! Unfortunately not driven enough for my liking, but thats another story to be covered.
2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

tricky1138

#18
So from what I remember (and Google Photos reminds me  ;) ) I briefly tried a set of Celica seats in the car, but I just couldn't get on with them. I know lots of people find them comfortable, but for some reason I found the MR2 seats better, so they came back out.

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I then stumbled across a set of Black leather heated seats, door cards, centre console and wiring so knew I had to have them. The leather wasnt in great condition, but I thought they were just dirty from storage, so they get put in. (I still havent got the heaters working!) Sorry for the bad picture.

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Edit: also remembered, however much I tried to clean the seats, I just count get them as nice as I wanted. I remember Patrick going for his new retrim, so I got his old leathers off his seats and got them put on these. Much better now.

I had also picked up a set of PFL wheels (Must have been 2015 when I got them and put winter tyres on them) so for winter 2016 I got them refurbished and put on for that winter.

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2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

tricky1138

2017 didnt see much work done on the car, passed its MOT again no issues  ;D although the tester did mention to me afterwards that the subframe was looking a bit rusty and I should keep an eye on it. So duly bought a secondhand one from Dean at Rutland ready for swapping out if needed.

I also had a rumble from the car, which I guessed was a wheel bearing. My mechanic mate agreed, so new wheel bearing was put in, along with new ABS sensor as that got broke during installation.

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Oh and the shock news of the year was I was going to be a dad, so I decided the MR2 was definitely staying, but I'd need a more child friendly transport. Neither the MR2 or the Defender were suitable, so sticking with Toyota, a Yaris was bought as my new daily, and the MR2 was back on weekend dutys. (Now 3 cars to worry about!)

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3 cars was too much and with baby on the way I decided 1 needed to go. Luckily for everyone here, I decided the Land Rover was the least used, and least practical (yeah really!) so it went up for sale and was actually exported to America!

After that was sold and with baby now here, I realised how much stuff they need, so the Yaris went and a Volvo V60 was bought for all baby duties.

The MR2 still had pride of place in the garage, and as it was not going to get used over winter, the winter wheels got sold.

I also picked up a trickle charger from ALDI as the car was not getting used much.  :(

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2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

tricky1138

#20
2018 was a bad year for the MR2, with it not being practical for the transport of a baby it sat most of the time in the garage. I think I did get to 1 meet during the year, but at least it did pass its MOT without issue (and a quick reminder that I still should look at the subframe!)

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I did pickup a newish drivers headlight, as I just wasnt happy with the old one, so that got installed, along with a new ZunSport front grill.

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Winter was coming and again as it wasnt being used, the Hard Top was the next to go. Bought by a nice bloke from Carlisle  ;)  who came over and swapped it on the drive.

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Think that was it for the rest of the year as the MOT history showed it only drove 358 miles that year!  :o  :o  :(  :(
2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

tricky1138

Determined 2019 was going to get more miles on the MR2, as Imogen was now into a forward facing car seat, I could do the journey to work on sunny days and still pick her up from nursery on the way back.

Moved the MR2 out from the garage to take for the MOT and there was a large puddle on the garage floor.  :( By its placement under the car it was determined it was power steering fluid, so topped that up and off to the MOT station. Passed, but the tester said it needed new pipes as they were leaking (I could have told him that!  ;D ) I do now remember that I had put a set of second hand ones on a few years back, so they didnt last long. A new set duly purchased and installed.

Also mentioned was that my front tyres were getting low / old. I really wish Bridgestone still made the RE040 as I loved them. But as I couldn't get hold of them any more I decided to replace all 4. I would have gone for AD08 but couldnt justify the cost for them sitting on the car in the garage! Carolyn persuaded me  that the Nankang were a great tyre and at the price they are, were worth the risk. Tyres bought and put on.

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Love how practical these cars are!
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After that I just drove it when I could.  :)

The car developed a knocking noise from the front and seamed to be getting worse, I thought front shocks / top mounts, so put 2 new Japanparts shocks on the front, bought from on here. But the knocking noise was still there. My mechanic mate said its probably the front wishbones, so I bought a set of 2 Yaris ones.

My mechanic mate was busy so I ended up taking the car to a different garage to get the arms installed (I didnt have time either!) and got the phone call everyone hates - "theres a problem"  :(

I thought I'd bought the wrong ones and they didnt fit, but no, when they came to install them the front subframe, where one of the bolts attaches was so rusty they couldnt bolt it in. "Can you get a new front subframe?" I was asked.

I knew you could get rear subframes, but after talking to Toyota, TCB and a couple of breakers, they all said you cant get replacements! It is a welded in part that cant be bought new.

The garage did say they could attempt to weld it, but if I was able to get a replacement, they would weld that back in instead. So after many conversations with breakers, I drive down to Rutland and back in the same day (about a 400m round trip for me!) and pick up a less rusty front subframe. The garage then unpicked the welds of my and rewelded the new one back in.

All working again and no knocking noise now!  ;D

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Great, back to fully working again. Nope - the battery had decided it had had enough so time for a new battery. TBH I had no idea how old the battery was and it had been sitting not being used for long periods.

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After that it was time for nice things, rather than essential things, so front strut brace was bought and installed.

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And that was it for 2019. Back in the garage for winter! SORN in November, the first time I had ever SORN the car.

2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

tricky1138

So 2020 came and determined that the rear subframe that had been sitting in the garage for at least 3 years was going to be replaced before the MOT in April, so January saw me move the car out of the garage (started first time!  :) ) and back in the other way round so I had space to work in it.

Up on axle stands, started stripping the back end to get to it.

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Also decided that as it was easier to get the subframe off without the cat there, that I could also install that manifold that has been sitting in the garage as long as the subframe. So a couple of weeks later, the exhaust was off and the old subframe was off too.

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Guess the subframe did need doing!  :o

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Manifold wrapped and on.

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Then lockdown happened! All those days off I had planned went out the window as I was now working from home and also looking after Imogen. A day off involved just looking after her with no chance to work on the car.  :(

Of course we counln't drive anywhere so no worries there, and the MOT extension has also helped by the fact that I had longer to get the work done, but I still wanted to get it done sooner so that if we got the chance, I could get out and drive it again!

So June 1st happened and nursery re-opened, great - day off and with subframe painted and full of waxoil, it was installed, along with refurbed arms.

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Cat went back on once I had drilled out the snapped bolts, and she was started and ready. Time for a 4 wheel allignment.

Then Topdownman posted about the discount for the KYB shocks, and as I was going to do them later on this year, I decided to get them now and install them, saving the need for a second alignment later on in the year.

New KYB shocks, new top mounts and Teins installed.
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I'm still undecided as to whether to replace the Japanparts front shocks with KYBs just so they match up all round.

July saw the MR2 taxed and off to the garage for alignment. All sorted and ready for the first meet of the year.  ;D

Pity it was wet, but I'm so glad to be out and driving her again.

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But did manage to get the top down on the way home.  8)

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Now lets see what happens the rest of the year!





2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

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