Help me burn 10k!!!

[ldjh1985]

Hi all,

First-time poster here.

I've had many Japanese cars in my younger years, and now I'm back looking to buy an MR2 Spyder, ideally with the 2ZZ engine conversion already done. I have a £10k budget for the car, mods, insurance, tax, etc.

I've spent weeks considering options like the TTR, Boxster, and Lotus Elise, but I'm now focusing on finding an MR2.

What options are available in terms of body kits (nothing outrageous)? I'm based in the UK—are there any places in the South of England that can help with body work upgrades?

Thanks in advance

[Carolyn]

One on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167147706123

[ldjh1985]

One on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167147706123

Thank you...
Ohhh don't you worry my eye is firmly on that   

[Carolyn]

Thank you...
Ohhh don't you worry my eye is firmly on that   

Make sure you inspect the underside.  Shiny cars have been known to give nasty surprises.  It's high mileage!

[Pete McCue]

Doesn't a 2003 car already have a 2zz engine??

[Call the midlife!]

Doesn't a 2003 car already have a 2zz engine??

No cars came with a 2zz as standard, all 1zz fe.

[Pete McCue]

No cars came with a 2zz as standard, all 1zz fe.

Oh, my bad. I thought the facelift engine changes made it a 2zz, but it's obviously not. 

[Gaz mr-s]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SJAutosport

Father & two sons, - they have a pretty good reputation.

Unlikely the previous owner had the conversion done given distance away.

Looks tidy, but the seat damage, crusty foglight & aerial possibly stuck up are wee warning-signs to me.

[Topdownman]

I wouldnt touch that one personally, the dealer is completely washing their hands of the car and has no knowledge of it at all.

I would also get an insurance quote now, just make up a list of likely mods (or use an adverts listed mods). Try Sterling who seem to be one of the cheapest.
Insurance companies dont like engine swops so the insurance can be steep. I just sold an engine swopped car and a lot of the potential purchasers were stopped by the insurance cost. Best you know now if its affordable for you. Oh, the tax bracket stays the same as the original engine so I assume that ulez stays the same too.

Have you spotted the nice 2zz advertised on our site and ebay for 6.5k? Much better to buy from the owner direct so you can judge if you trust them!

[ldjh1985]

Appreciate the feedback. 6.5k seems a little steep? Unless that's the going rate and the other eBay offering is unusually cheap?

I wouldnt touch that one personally, the dealer is completely washing their hands of the car and has no knowledge of it at all.

I would also get an insurance quote now, just make up a list of likely mods (or use an adverts listed mods). Try Sterling who seem to be one of the cheapest.
Insurance companies dont like engine swops so the insurance can be steep. I just sold an engine swopped car and a lot of the potential purchasers were stopped by the insurance cost. Best you know now if its affordable for you. Oh, the tax bracket stays the same as the original engine so I assume that ulez stays the same too.

Have you spotted the nice 2zz advertised on our site and ebay for 6.5k? Much better to buy from the owner direct so you can judge if you trust them!

[rusty0273]

No bids yet on the grey one so I wouldn't take £3,500 as the final selling price.
As a 2ZZ owner, it will be interesting to see what it goes for.

[Topdownman]

The car market is not so good at the moment of course but 6.5k for a good car is certainly in the  ballpark of what we have seen historically (if not cheaper?).

3.5k is not at all realistic for a good car in my view. There was a post recently of someone faced with scrapping his new car due to hidden corrosion hence my comments!

I always advise going to look/drive as many cars as possible to get a feel for them (even 1zzs will give you more knowledge) and to learn to inspect the car underneath if possible.

[ldjh1985]

I asked about rust and suggested taking a look... no response 

The car market is not so good at the moment of course but 6.5k for a good car is certainly in the  ballpark of what we have seen historically (if not cheaper?).

3.5k is not at all realistic for a good car in my view. There was a post recently of someone faced with scrapping his new car due to hidden corrosion hence my comments!

I always advise going to look/drive as many cars as possible to get a feel for them (even 1zzs will give you more knowledge) and to learn to inspect the car underneath if possible.

[Gaz mr-s]

Checking the underside is absolutely essential.  I travelled about 300 miles by two trains lugging a trolley jack & axle stands.  It was a V6 & the chassis is modified, so it was even more important that the chassis was sound.  The owner didn't inspire confidence either.  Luckily the car was sound.  Scruffy, but sound.

There's mention by Trade guys that FL's suffer worse for rust than pfl's.

Personal opinion, a modified car could be worth £6k or more, but not if it's been tracked.  Pics of everywhere, especially underneath.  Zero flaws.

[fawtytoo]

There's mention by Trade guys that FL's suffer worse for rust than pfl's.

Apologies for hijacking the thread but, is there a reason for that or just observation?

[Gaz mr-s]

Apologies for hijacking the thread but, is there a reason for that or just observation?

Words 4 & 5 of my sentence....

[Alex Knight]

Personal opinion, a modified car could be worth £6k or more, but not if it's been tracked

I'm not of the opinion that tracking a car reduces value. I've been tracking my car for 12 years now and it's in superb condition.

[Gaz mr-s]

I'm not of the opinion that tracking a car reduces value. I've been tracking my car for 12 years now and it's in superb condition.

Your engine may be in as a good a state as when you started using it Alex, but the hardest way to use a car is on a circuit.  You don't really have to be on dedicated 2zz forums to hear about blown engines.

[rusty0273]

One on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167147706123

Did anyone on here win this Ebay auction for the 2ZZ? I was very tempted but didn't bid in the end. Looked like a pretty good example based on the vids shared and background.

[ldjh1985]

Did anyone on here win this Ebay auction for the 2ZZ? I was very tempted but didn't bid in the end. Looked like a pretty good example based on the vids shared and background.

No, I decided to wait it out until January.... I'll be honest I'm now torn between MR2 2zz, Lotus Elise or a VX220.

[rusty0273]

I had an Elise SC (with supercharged 2ZZ) before the MR2. Elise has a stiffer chassis and handles better no doubt. Rides really well also but it's pretty uncompromising in other areas. It's really tight inside for two. Unassisted steering is brilliant but no servos on the brakes is a mistake IMO. Had a few moments braking at full effort but still not sufficient to overcome tyre grip - that's not right. Maybe different pads would have helped. Gear change is only mediocre. Bit of a pain to get in and out with roof on if you are of a certain age. Really noisy at anything over 30 mph. Having said all that, it looks much more like a mini supercar and it's a more special drive compared to the MR2. Happy searching!

[Gibla]

There is this car in the Forum For Sale section via @Dave Angel

https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=75210.0

Seriously good looking spec afaik.

Adding my 2d worth to alternative choices

A Boxster 987.2 may just about fit into your price range , I have a 987.1 and they are really special cars that offer a wide range of ability as well as being surprisingly practical + modestly cheap to insure.

 But only you know the exact circumstances of ownership :- where kept eg garaged or not, how many other cars you use .....etc etc So it's tricky for relative strangers to give you relevant advice 

[ldjh1985]

There is this car in the Forum For Sale section via @Dave Angel

https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=75210.0

Seriously good looking spec afaik.

Adding my 2d worth to alternative choices

A Boxster 987.2 may just about fit into your price range , I have a 987.1 and they are really special cars that offer a wide range of ability as well as being surprisingly practical + modestly cheap to insure.

 But only you know the exact circumstances of ownership :- where kept eg garaged or not, how many other cars you use .....etc etc So it's tricky for relative strangers to give you relevant advice 

Thank you, some context...
I have a company vehicle which will be used Monday-Friday. The new vehicle will be garaged, and mainly used at the weekend.