How much money to spend?

[almitch1]

Hello all,

Apologies, you're all probably sick of my posts already....

I just thinking about my 2 and the work that it needs/could do with to improve it. The engine has done 104000 miles and has had the precats done. As you may be aware with one of my other posts i have had an oil leak issue which fingers crossed is now fixed. Aside from new tyres and alignment where is my money best spent first or you would you not spend anything on it at all and run it till it bangs the car only cost me £1000 with 8 month MOT. When taken into a garage to give it the once over they said the following needed doing;

Cam cover gasket - Done
Oil tensioner O ring - Done
New front discs and pads - Done
Coils were slightly corroded but would sail through and MOT.

I would be looking at maybe body kits, new exhaust, new suspension or components, new roof and  possibly a re spray and maybe an engine change. Now i know all of this is way more that the car is worth but i like the idea of brining something from being a bit average to decent.

Or am i better off saving my money and just buying a better example?

Thanks

[Call the midlife!]

I paid £1200 for mine a few years ago, basically for a bet after a few pints one night.
I'm now at least 6 grand in and still spending, I sometimes think about what I could've bought "off the shelf" for the same money, or less but the silver problem child got right under my skin.

[Carolyn]

Welcome to becoming a true enthusiast.

I'm sure there are many many members who have spent thousands of squids on their babies.

Mine: A couple of engines, clutch, Seats, roof, hardtop, radiator, hoses, shocks, springs, a-arms, wheel refurb, radio, door engine lid, bonnet, disks, and then the little stuff.....

It'll be a good car one day!!

What fun!

[shnazzle]

What's the fun in having one that's all done?
Besides, there's always a nasty surprise.

I'd say start with your suspension. Then exhaust. Then roof (unless it's leaking in which case it'd be first). Then go bodykit etc. Then respray

[almitch1]

Welcome to becoming a true enthusiast.

I'm sure there are many many members who have spent thousands of squids on their babies.

Mine: A couple of engines, clutch, Seats, roof, hardtop, radiator, hoses, shocks, springs, a-arms, wheel refurb, radio, door engine lid, bonnet, disks, and then the little stuff.....

It'll be a good car one day!!

What fun!

Lets hope so, and i already the the better halves approval.. Lets see what happens.

Al

[almitch1]

What's the fun in having one that's all done?
Besides, there's always a nasty surprise.

I'd say start with your suspension. Then exhaust. Then roof (unless it's leaking in which case it'd be first). Then go bodykit etc. Then respray

Ok great, what suspension would be recommended, just keep it original or are there upgrades that a worth the while and money?

Thanks

[1979scotte]

What's the fun in having one that's all done?
Besides, there's always a nasty surprise.

I'd say start with your suspension. Then exhaust. Then roof (unless it's leaking in which case it'd be first). Then go bodykit etc. Then respray

Ok great, what suspension would be recommended, just keep it original or are there upgrades that a worth the while and money?

Thanks

Option A) fit kyb shocks and tein springs
Option B) fit koni inserts and tein springs.

Can't go wrong with either of those and the price isn't eye watering.


Option C) fit cheap coilovers BC or MeisterR
Option D) fit expensive coilovers either Tein or KW.

Those options aren't to every ones taste and the KW are worth more than some MR2s.

My total spend on various MR2 roadsters takes me deep into Boxster S territory but then I've done some silly things.

[almitch1]

What's the fun in having one that's all done?
Besides, there's always a nasty surprise.

I'd say start with your suspension. Then exhaust. Then roof (unless it's leaking in which case it'd be first). Then go bodykit etc. Then respray

Ok great, what suspension would be recommended, just keep it original or are there upgrades that a worth the while and money?

Thanks

Option A) fit kyb shocks and tein springs
Option B) fit koni inserts and tein springs.

Can't go wrong with either of those and the price isn't eye watering.


Option C) fit cheap coilovers BC or MeisterR
Option D) fit expensive coilovers either Tein or KW.

Those options aren't to every ones taste and the KW are worth more than some MR2s.

My total spend on various MR2 roadsters takes me deep into Boxster S territory but then I've done some silly things.

But i bet its as quick if not quicker that most Boxster S's. What i like about it is that i can spend the money when i have it rather than a big outlay on a "better" car I use the word better liberally... lol

[almitch1]

With suspension upgrades can you do it in stages?

Fit springs then a month later new shocks etc etc or is this not advisable?

Also would you buy lowering springs?

Thanks

[Carolyn]

As you're an originality freak, which a few of us are, go with KYB shocks and OEM spec springs.  I did and I love it.

These cars are sweet just as they were originally produced.

I'm not saying you shouldn't modify, (I wouldn't do that would I?).

Mind you when you go for 'factory fresh', that's about as expensive as it gets.

[Petrus]

With suspension upgrades can you do it in stages?

Fit springs then a month later new shocks etc etc or is this not advisable?

Also would you buy lowering springs?

Thanks

Shocks & springs together. For one it is a way better technical option and secondliy it saves on labour.

Lówering springs... euh.... on the real world street those are a bit of a good looking pile of drawbacks; have look at:

https://www.spyderchat.com/threads/spring-rates-table-for-lowering-springs.104465/#post-1511633

[Dev]

 Its better to have a plan and save up for it. Buying for the sake of doing what is popular is not always the best choice. All of those suspension modifications have drawbacks and if they are not tuned  right can make the car handle worse for your experience level. Best to get the car back to factory fresh with new dampers until you know what you want. 

[Ardent]

@almitch1

Re your opening line. Not at all, we love proper sensible enthusiast quest for knowledge questions.

These cars are about handling.
Think you have sorted/sorting the tyres out. (Apologies if I have completely mixed up posts in my head)

Like many here, I'm in the, spent more on it, than it cost club. The point being, wanted to. Not had to.

To answer your question, need to ask a question. Where are you going to use it,
Road or track?

I went the stock oem KYB shock route with tein s springs and very happy.
You'll end up having another geo after the work is done.
Are you spanner spinning or paying for the work?
If paying, then shocks and springs same time  unless you enjoy paying for the same work twice.

I'm just a B road bandit. No interest in track work. So stock is where it's at for me.

[Joesson]

I mentioned several posts back that I know of one member that has / had over 200k miles on his OE engine. Yours is only half way there so it could be a while before it " bangs the car", so I would wait and determine the condition of your engine by checking oil consumption.
Little point in having body kits if the car won't start.
Meanwhile, if you do decide to change the suspension, and are doing it yourself I suggest that you keep the old shocks and springs. The new equipment wouldn't add value to the car if you sell, so if then you decided to get a "better example" you could swop the suspension back again or sell it to get some £ back.

[Gaz mr-s]

If I were you I'd wait until you find out if it's an oil-burner before you spend money on it. Have you had an opinion as to how the body is underneath for rust?

[almitch1]

@almitch1

Re your opening line. Not at all, we love proper sensible enthusiast quest for knowledge questions.

These cars are about handling.
Think you have sorted/sorting the tyres out. (Apologies if I have completely mixed up posts in my head)

Like many here, I'm in the, spent more on it, than it cost club. The point being, wanted to. Not had to.

To answer your question, need to ask a question. Where are you going to use it,
Road or track?

I went the stock oem KYB shock route with tein s springs and very happy.
You'll end up having another geo after the work is done.
Are you spanner spinning or paying for the work?
If paying, then shocks and springs same time  unless you enjoy paying for the same work twice.

I'm just a B road bandit. No interest in track work. So stock is where it's at for me.

I'll be using it on roads only.. So like you a B road bandit

[almitch1]

If I were you I'd wait until you find out if it's an oil-burner before you spend money on it. Have you had an opinion as to how the body is underneath for rust?

Yeah it's rust free

[Zxrob]

The way I see it is, spend your money as you please, some spend on performance, some on handling, some on cosmetics, I dread to think what I have spent on motorbikes over the years, I recently paid £1500 for two carbon fibre wheels for one of them . I purchased my MR2 to keep standard, whoops, didnt last long

Anyway, you would only spend it on something else

Rob

[Petrus]

Yeah it's rust free

Then it is a good one already no?!

Also, you mentioned it fleetingly but a detail it is not, NÓT; you have the missus with you!!

That is two biggies.
The last biggie is getting your ducks in a row about what you want with the car.

[pistol pete]

I bought mine for 1500..
I have probably spent 6-7K on mine..

Anyone with a 2GR would have spent 10k plus..

The silver one we have, we got for 1500 and spent literally nothing on it and its stock.
So really its what ever you are comfortable spending on it

[Beachbum957]

Option A) fit kyb shocks and tein springs
Option B) fit koni inserts and tein springs.

Can't go wrong with either of those and the price isn't eye watering.


Option C) fit cheap coilovers BC or MeisterR
Option D) fit expensive coilovers either Tein or KW.

Those options aren't to every ones taste and the KW are worth more than some MR2s.

My total spend on various MR2 roadsters takes me deep into Boxster S territory but then I've done some silly things.

Option B+) fit koni inserts and H&R springs.

We have done A, B and now B+, and prefer the H&R springs over the Tein.  They don't lower quite as much, have a better ride because of slightly more travel even though they seem a bit stiffer, and handle just as nice as the Tein.  While KYB are OK with lowering springs, the Koni are much better

[SV-3]

Just take the body kits off your list and you'll be fine

[pistol pete]

On a side note to further up about a boxsters.. .they are whole different league to the mr2 so much more capable, easier to drive quickly, etc etc just a very grown up MR2 . When I can get another I will.

But I will still be in the mr2 because it is a lot cheaper fun and cheaper when it goes wrong.

[1979scotte]

On a side note to further up about a boxsters.. .they are whole different league to the mr2 so much more capable, easier to drive quickly, etc etc just a very grown up MR2 . When I can get another I will.

But I will still be in the mr2 because it is a lot cheaper fun and cheaper when it goes wrong.

I very much like the Cayman/Boxster but I hate the long gearing.
It's purely driven by economy emissions etc and totally stupid in a sports car.

Quickly in a 2 is a very different speed to quickly in a porsche.

[virginpaul]

I'd monitor the oil usage for a few driving weeks.  If it's good, move onto other stuff.

I've just completed a fairly comprehensive suspension refresh on my 62k miler.  It was clonking and the springs looked like they'd been pulled out of the English Channel.
So first attack was new complete shocks, springs and mounts.
Handling improved loads - like a different car.  Because of the corrosion on the other suspension parts......
Then Sway bars and bushes, front lower wishbones, and all 3 rear suspension rods each side.
Now it's like a new car - silence is golden - no more clocks.
For my parts list, see https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=70661.0

Before I did all that, shortly after buying her, I replaced the battery, stock radio inc. rear camera, purchased a Jack and wrench set (was missing!), refurbished the standard wheels, and had a small bit of surface rust repaired on the right rear wing below the intake.

I also did a number of "high return for low investment" mods last summer lockdown...
Alarm relocate.  Flipped the spare wheel.  Relocated the heated seat switches.  Reassigned the passenger window switch to an aerial control switch.  Illuminated the remaining right side switches.  Installed heated mirrors.  Replaced the front fogs (badly corroded).  Replaced the interior light lens for clear version with bright LED.  Laid in long USB and charging lines.  Wired in front and rear dash cams.

Whatever you do, enjoy it. 

With "no rust" underneath - you're lucky and mot's shouldn't be a bum clencher!

There's no "right amount to spend" but there is a "right amount for you to spend" and that's whatever  you want to and can afford to.