We Finally Got One!!!

[aahridey]

Hi,

Having spent the last few weeks searching for an MR2 for my other half, we finally have one!!!

She'd specified that she really wanted a red of sable one.....well it's a 2004 model and its black!!

The advert went on gumtree yesterday and luckily I was the first to arrange a viewing. The car was parked in the street when we arrived and I nearly walked away at that point. The alloys have a lot of corrosion and being a London car it has some scuffs on each corner, a few minor dings in the panels, a bumper grille missing and a cracked tail light.

However....... The seller bought the car new from her local dealership and it has only covered 21,300 miles. It has full Toyota service history and has wanted for nothing mechanically. The interior is excellent and the leather seats are immaculate. It has aircon, and has a hardtop fitted. I asked what the condition of the hood was like and she said that she thought it must be good as she's never EVER taken the hard top off!!! It has every receipt for anything ever spent, all the books and manuals, even the original brochure and the sales receipt for just under £20,000 when she bought it.

It drives superbly, I had to have it, it's not perfect but after negotiation it cost me less than £2500

So, having given it a good coat of Autoglym this afternoon, I have a list of bits I need, and things I need to get done:

NS rear light
NS rear bumper grille
Centre rear lower bumper grille (that runs behind the number plate)
Alloys all need refurbishment
Various small dents, scuffs and scratches need attention.

Does anyone have any of these parts for sale? Also, can anyone recommend the services of anyone for the wheels and bodywork? I live in Suffolk so Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex are all close.

Many thanks, Mark

[Anonymous]

welcome local owner, cant help on the parts but will keep an eye out for you.

[Ardent]

Nice find.

2.5k to buy, you or the wife will have 10k+ worth of fun.
Cut the car some slack and take the lid off. Had a superb day in in sunny Leicestershire.
Days the car was made for. Clean clear and crisp. Fantastic.

[normanh]

For your alloys go to Maldon Shotblast and Powdercoat great outfit and Trevor knows his business like no other - highly recomended cant fault them, they have just done wheels fabulous job - I chose an american style powdercoat heavy silver the finish is stunning. Possibly not the cheapest but the best finish you could want for. They can do powdercoat or wet spray in a whole range of colours.

Norman

[cabbydave]

they don't have a grille under the number plate. The rear light you can buy just the lense from Toyota and a good dent man should get rid of any small dents.

[cabbydave]

N/s/r grille about £10 inc vat from Toyota

[aahridey]

Thanks, that's some good advice there, i never think of buying new - always assume the prices will be sky high!

[Joesson]

Well done, sounds like a good one (or should I say two?)
I do like black cars, if nothing else it will build up your arm muscles keeping it shiney!

[Leethesparky]

Well done, sounds like a good one (or should I say two?)
I do like black cars, if nothing else it will build up your arm muscles keeping it shiney!

Haha. Totally agree, I do like black cars but they are a bugger to keep clean.


I have a mint condition set of wheels which I will be selling when I upgrade but won't be for a few months yet(assuming I don't kerb them in the next few month).

[StuC]

Awesome, sounds like you have bagged yourself a good one there.  :-) :-) :-)

[moorx]

Congratulations - sounds like a great find.

Black is definitely the best colour   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

[aahridey]

Thanks everyone!

I've ordered the rear light lens and bumper grille from my Local Toyota dealer as the're surprisingly reasonably priced.

The wheels have got to be done, I've been looking on the net and the difficulty is having the wheels attached to the car with nothing to replace them with while they're being done!! There's a couple of mobile same day companies but I'm dubious of the quality of repair achievable in a few hours - has anyone used one of these?

Same with the little dents and scratches. There are mobile companies that provide this service, but I'm now leaning towards the idea of a body shop that will deal this and the wheels all in one hit.

Didn't get to drive it today as the missus had it (it is her car after all) but had a hoot on the 100 mile drive home yesterday. I can see why you all love them !!!

[Joesson]

I had my wheels refinished at a specialist in Birmingham,
They were done inside one day, just had to amuse myself for much of the day while waiting.

A full process would include tyre removal, shot/ bead blasting and chemical cleaning, powder coating and then baking, tyre fitting and balance.
A mobile service , I suggest would find it difficult to give a comparable service.

I know Norman had some done via his insurer and he was very pleased with the result.
I believe he is in your part of the country.
A body shop would wet spray or send your wheels to a specialist, either not so good or more costly for you.

[Iandh]

I used a mobile refurb company.
Pretty pleased with the results, all four wheels done + break callipers painted £250.00 plus a few cups of tea.

Check out reviews, most will have a Facebook page.
Hope it helps and enjoy your new car.

[aahridey]

Those wheels look fantastic Tony, pm sent.