Buying advice - Going Cold Turkey!

Victor Kiam · February 20, 2006, 09:36

Hello Everyone

My name is Victor....& I'm an MR2holic. I've been without an MR2 now for 7 days.

I sold my beloved Supercharger last week, feeling I needed to grow up a bit. But now I realise that won't happen, I'm in the market for a roadster.

I am seeking advice about the different versions of the Roadster, as my budget just about straddles 2001 to 2003 models, I have seen the thread on specific changes (very useful) but wondered, is there really a noticeable difference in the driving/owning experience?

I've found a 2001 model in the exact spec I want (Black, Hard top, black leather,) but would I be better off waiting (and saving) for a 2003 model to come along?

One last thing, has anyone attempted the 2ZZ-GE engine transplant?

Grateful for any advice you can offer.

Many Thanks

philster_d · February 20, 2006, 09:39

Yes there is a transplanted engined car around.

I love my 02 car with plenty of bracing and stuff, the newer model had more bracing as standard

and also a 6 speed gearbox. Although you would replace all that anyway I presume with the engine swap.

Phil

markiii · February 20, 2006, 09:40

in simple terms if you wanted to add teh extra bracing to a pre 03 to bring it up to 03 standards budget up to £500

then they will be much on a par.

personally I'd stretch and get teh post 03 though

as for 2zz swap, I reccomend a search for JapGT300 as we did this swap on his a couple of years ago. The only one in the UK to my knowledge,

though loads have been done in the US.

When you've read all their is on 2zz swaps please discuss it further in one of those rather than adding another result to the search.

oh and welcome by the way s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Victor Kiam · February 20, 2006, 09:51

Thanks for that, I'll find out more about the swap as it seems an interesting proposition, but it's just a pipe dream at the moment. Need a car to play with 1st.

roger · February 20, 2006, 11:50

Welcome from another Oxfordshire, not many of us around - well not on here, any way.

Anonymous · February 20, 2006, 12:12

I've now got an 03 roadster having previously had a 2000 model.

speaking from personal experience, my current car feels much more 'planted' and stable on the road than my previous roadster.

It feels less tail happy also, probably helped by the larger rear wheels.

I also think they look sleeker with the facelifted front and rear bumpers.

I would certainly get an 03 onwards car and the prices are so low at the moment that there are some great bargains out there.

Victor Kiam · February 20, 2006, 14:18

Thank you everyone, I shall have fun shopping around and let you know what I end up with.

Hello Roger, hopefully bump into you some time. (not literally!)

heathstimpson · February 22, 2006, 07:43

I was shocked to see a local garage with a 2004 for under 11k s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

Victor Kiam · February 25, 2006, 10:12

I GOT ONE!!!! (well, almost)

As there didn't seem to be much difference in the models that couldn't be changed with a few bits of bracing, I decided to go for a pre- 03 model, just because I prefer it's angry face, rather than the cuter smile of the newer ones and possibly leave me loads to spend on stuff for it.

Looked at some very clean 51 and 02's, but they wanted more than I thought they were worth, then I found this one, smiley face and all!!

05 with 3800 miles on it, Astral (must mean really thin) Black, Hard Top, Black leather originally advertised in Luton for, but I eventually tracked it down in Cardiff asking £15850. They didn't budge much on the price and tried to load me with extras I don't need/can get cheaper & better elsewhere. (Which ruined the experience for me Came away feeling quite dirty.)

Pick it up Tuesday. (Nice of me to help with month end figures.)

No money for mods now though. I think I'll just enjoy it in it's pure form.

(Maybe I can get enough money for a Power Resistor Of Justice! m http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 8032712476 m )

Also my local dealer's sorted me out with a Hardtop stand for £40 and delivering it for free. Goes to show, there's some good people in Dealer Land. Just got to figure out how the lid goes on it now.

Trouble is I can't sleep now waiting for it to come!

darrenjuggins · February 25, 2006, 19:50

HI Victor - did you budget for the Hard Top Cover ?

The stand is fine, but I wouldn't be happy storing my hard top in my garage without any protection from the elements and me bashing about ? just a consideration, although the Genuine one isn't cheap !

Cheers

Darren J

Anonymous · February 25, 2006, 19:54

buy a motorbike cover, thats what i use

Victor Kiam · February 26, 2006, 07:40

I agree I do need some sort of protection for the hard top; I'm renowned for my clumsiness.

Mr T said the cheapest he could do a cover for was £224, which is madness, (even) for a (really big!) bag.

I have seen them going on Ebay & there are other companies that do them, like Impacta, so I think I'll see if a genuine one comes up cheap or I'll take a leaf out of your book, Nelix, and get a bike cover.

A local company, Oxford Products, does bike covers. They also do "soft" bike luggage, which I might check out for the rear lockers.

Anonymous · February 26, 2006, 19:23

its the oxford cover ive got, came free with a bike mag! feel guilty as my triumph sprint rs sits in the garage coverless now when the hardtop isnt on. s:oops: :oops: s:oops: