It’s immaculate “mint”

[s12vea]

I like to think I know my way round an mr2, I've owned many and been within the mr2 circles for many years now.

I've been looking to buy an mr2 for the past 6 months or so and been unsuccessful, what has become apparent when asking people about the cars condition is they either have a different perception of "mint" or they bare face don't tell the truth

I viewed a car last week, two owner garaged whole life, rare colour, hardtop and they were asking top money. When I arrived the car was parked outside the front of the house with multiple stained mattresses and dog poo everywhere which wasn't a great first impression.

The car bodywork was covered in many deep visible scratches which weren't mentioned but worse still both rear quarters had rusted badly due to being jacked up incorrectly allowing water to get into the seal. I would say 8"x 8" both sides.

I always ask for recent pictures but they couldn't even honest with that

It was a 150 mile round trip wasted

Interested to know anyone else's experiences when viewing a car

[Alex Knight]

When I was last car shopping for a daily driver, I phoned the seller and had a long chat with him before I made the long round trip.

He sounded pleasant, well educated, knew about maintenance & preventative maintenance.

I checked the area on Google Streetview.

But most of all, he knew the importance of good tyres. X4 brand new Eagle F1s fitted. Despite the fact that he was selling up.

It's been a great car, and I'm very happy with it.

I did all the due diligence I could think of. It sounds like you perhaps could have done a little more.

[s12vea]

Sometimes people tell a great story and say the things you want to hear and possibly share with rose tinted glasses.

Having owned a huge collection of cars over the years I'm confident I can spot tell tail signs from the phone call / messages etc maybe these last couple slipped through the net.

Maybe people are getting desperate to sell and bending the truth to suit there needs

The car market is currently all over the place which doesn't help and many people are selling cars purchased since lockdown where they paid over the odds and now coming to the realisation they will be loosing ££££

[SV-3]

I bought my car from a bloke in Colchester over 5 years ago...Still got it  

[s12vea]

I bought my car from a bloke in Colchester over 5 years ago...Still got it  

Bet it's still immaculate 

[MrChris]

Most recent MR2 purchase happened because I was dropping my wife at a concert "near" where the MR2 (2zz) was. Went very well and was better than most dealings I've had.

The MR2 before that was buying blind from @shnazzle based solely on his posts and reputation on here!

I've had some pretty poor experiences too though which means now I have a policy of only buying from far away if I either happen to be nearby for some other reason or if I'm 100% certain the seller is trustworthy.

I've also had poor experiences when selling cars, with some cars I've had some people literally come along to "joy-ride" and generally waste time. I think there are a bunch of people out there who just "view" cars with the idea of being able to say they've "driven" this or that car.

So now my policy when selling is I drive, and if you want to drive you give me full payment to cover anything or have proof of insurance I can verify myself.

[Bcxbcx]

Not an MR2, and not quite the same, but I once went to pick up an engine for my TVR.
I bought it on ebay.
I had spoken to the seller in advance, and he said I wouldn't need an engine crane, or tools and I'll be able to put it in van and go; i had a date that evening to get to...

I drive 3 hrs, get there and the engine is still in an F'in car!

I'm still impressed to this day how i removed it with only basic tools, rope and few meter long 2x4s.
My date wasn't impressed with how covered in oil I was.

[Gaz mr-s]

Not an MR2, and not quite the same, but I once went to pick up an engine for my TVR.
I bought it on ebay.
I had spoken to the seller in advance, and he said I wouldn't need an engine crane, or tools and I'll be able to put it in van and go;

Weight?  How did you lift it?

[Bcxbcx]

Weight?  How did you lift it?

V6 cologne so probably 130kg-ish
A few of the 2x4s together as a lever, and blue rope around the engine to lift it up and out of the car (another tvr, so low), with old carpet to dump it on. Then lift it into the back of a van in a similar way. It wasn't pretty, and there was a lot of swearing.