Decisions, Decisions

[rypt]

Should I wait some more while trying to sell my current Celica (which is not shifting at all at the moment) and then buy an MR2 with gutted pre-cats

Or should I use my Celica as part-ex and get an MR2 knowing full well that the pre-cats may be going and that it will need a new engine. Should the engine fail, provided I got a good deal on the car I can go and fit a 2zz in it my self (so no labour charges to consider anyway) and not actually loose much (any) money

Eventually whatever car I get will get a 2zz in it anyway

[custardavenger]

Welcome.

I guess that depends on what you get offered trade on the Celica. Personally I don't buy from garages, Never found one I trust.

[stargazer30]

If your going for a facelift pre cats are less of a worry, maybe get one with low miles to reduce the risk?

[markiii]

precats are a worry no matter how old teh car

[rypt]

See I want a different car now, so bored of my Celica.
But at the same time, I don't want to get an MR2 and still have the Celica sitting about until it sells (yes I'm exercising some self restraint here as I have enough spare funds to get an MR2 first provided I can sell Celica by mid-May)

 s:( s:(

precats are a worry no matter how old the car

If you look around there seem to be several MR2s that have had replacement engines or are being sold with engine damage - so it's certainly a bigger problem than Toyota admit

[cclarke99]

Eventually whatever car I get will get a 2zz in it anyway

If you're going to change the engine, would it be best to use insurance (e.g. Warranty Direct) to cover against any problems until you make the swap, or alternatively buy a car with a dead engine and do the swap immediately

[rypt]

Eventually whatever car I get will get a 2zz in it anyway

If you're going to change the engine, would it be best to use insurance (e.g. Warranty Direct) to cover against any problems until you make the swap, or alternatively buy a car with a dead engine and do the swap immediately

That would require having to have the car services at trade though (for most warranties afaik), which is just pointless as I can do 99.9% of the things myself

The other issue of course is that pre-cats are mostly only gutted by people on here, so finding a car with gutted pre-cats and in a colour I want is a pain.
Getting a facelift (which is less likely to have an issue) would just mean spending more money (especially since I want a hardtop one) without the benefit of definite reliability and with the fact that facelifts look uglier  s:D s:D


Cmon, someone convince me that that I should just go ahead and get the car that I like that I found pre-cats or not :/

[muffdan]

Buy the car that you like, pre-cats or not. It'll be good for you.  s:) s:)

[cclarke99]

Buy the car, enjoy it and the good weather and sort the pre-cats when it starts raining

[davidarden]

precats are a worry no matter how old the car

That's why he said 'less of a worry'   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  

If your going for a facelift pre cats are less of a worry, maybe get one with low miles to reduce the risk?

[rypt]

Buy the car that you like, pre-cats or not. It'll be good for you.  s:) s:)

Well, just wasted 80 mile round-trip to look at one, at a trader.
Everything looks good, has a decent Toyota car history etc. Body in decentish condition, engine bay looks clean.

Do my usual checks, brakes, fluids ... oh hang on, there is NO engine oil, as in it is off the E mark on the dipstick.

I pity the next person to go look at the car as they will have undoubtedly topped it up by then.


Freaking buying private tbh :/ IF this Celica sells finally, so far 2 tyre kickers and 2 scam emails

[cclarke99]

There are 11 MR2s within 30 miles of Oxford between £4 and 6K - must be a good one amongst that lot?

[rypt]

There are 11 MR2s within 30 miles of Oxford between £4 and 6K - must be a good one amongst that lot?

It's not about the distance (I'm happy to travel almost anywhere), it's about the fact that I want a hardtop one ... and unless my Celica finally sells I also want to get rid of the Celica at the same time, meaning that I need part-ex via trade.
If I wanted an MR2 that I know is good I could go buy chazzyw's SORN one up in Teeside, but that doesn't solve the fact that I will still have the Celica sitting around doing nothing

[leon_in_uk]

im planning on buying an MR2 regardless of Pre cats.  then as soon as i buy one im gutting it myself!! as for the hardtop, just buy second hand one for about £500 as most dealers would put that onto the car your buying!

[rypt]

comes out to more than £500 with a fitting kit, plus then you need to find the correct colour

[leon_in_uk]

well your not gonna need one until the winter so you have time to save and plan ahead??

[rypt]

well your not gonna need one until the winter so you have time to save and plan ahead??

Who says I'm gonna run topless in summer :/

I'm a coupe (t-bar at most) person rather than a convertible person

[rypt]

Celica might finally be going on Sunday  s:D s:D

[uktotty]

Good news!!

[muffdan]

woohoo!

[rypt]

Now to find a car I'm happy with (assuming the Celica really does sell)

[loadswine]

If you aren't keen on the convertible aspect, its possible the Roadster may not be your cup of tea. Make sure you take a nice long drive of one before committing to buying it.

[rypt]

If you aren't keen on the convertible aspect, its possible the Roadster may not be your cup of tea. Make sure you take a nice long drive of one before committing to buying it.

I've owned the MK2 (a T-bar) and have driven the roadster (or rather "spyder" as the official name should be technically) before.
I'm not buying it for the convertible aspect, I'm buying it as a good, fun car.

I don't really like having lots of wind in my face, hence the general dislike for convertibles. But with a hardtop, it's perfect - as it turns it into a mid-engined coupe (and there aren't many of those around)

[markiii]

the roadster (or rather "spyder" as the official name should be technically) before.

how so?

[uktotty]

It was named Roadster by Toyota, how can it be wrong?