Looking for buying advice/tips on older MR2s

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I have owned a TT for the last year and have loved every minute of it. I am immensely happy to say I'll be a Dad next May and so I need something a little more practical.

Where does an MR2 come in, I hear you say? Well I am an obsessive car nut and whilst we plan on selling my TT and getting something a little more sensible (5 doors ...   s:shock: :shock: s:shock:   ... never thought THAT would happen!) I want something to have fun in myself. I have always liked the look of the MR2 and the peformance sounds reasonable too.

So, any advice on used MR2's - particularly the market I'm looking at, which is around £10k (so ~ 3 years old with ~20k miles).

Any serious issues I should know about?
What are Toyota dealerships like ?

I'll be doing less than 5k miles a year, but plan on spending time at track days - does anyone else race theirs

Finally, I'm in Enfield, North London - any local MR2sers ??


Cheers Guys, hope this forum is as helpful and entertaining at the TT one use ( w www.TT-forum.co.uk w )

Matt

[Anonymous]

Welcome  s:) s:)

Have a look here at the known issues FAQ.

If you can get hold of a copy of EVO magazine from a month or so ago, they did a buyers guide of the MR2 and MX-5 which should give you some more info.

[Anonymous]

Welcome  s:) s:)

Have a look here at the known issues FAQ.

If you can get hold of a copy of EVO magazine from a month or so ago, they did a buyers guide of the MR2 and MX-5 which should give you some more info.

Cheers - will digest these and no doubt get back to you with more questions!!

[Anonymous]

I've looked through the known issues and don't see anything about the battery. I had some hassle with my'01 model which had only done 9,500 miles when I got it at 2.5 years old. Eventually the battery was replaced under warranty and the service manager told me that they have been finding that quite a few cars which are only used occasionaly have problems with the battery draining. They reckon even on a good battery 10 days is the max to leave it without a run.
Gordy

[Humble Jim]

Gordy

The 2 is my 'other' car and so gets used far less than if we had just the one vehicle. The alarm/ecu does have a small but significant take on the battery while the car is at rest. After several weeks rest there can indeed be a problem firing the engine if the available juice has drifted down just below the threshold for proper ignition.

This is not an issue to do with older cars as such, mine was bought new, and is not confined to Toyota either. An RAC chappie told me that any modern car with any sort of monitoring electronics has this problem if regularly left to rest.

Perfect solution for me was this device:

http://www.unicornmotor.com/airflow__battery_conditioner.htm

Unlike a conventional charger this can be left attached all the time the car is resting. Keeps the battery in tip top condition. Somebody on this forum suggested it to me originally. Car can be left for many weeks/all winter this way (if you really wanted to   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  ).

[Anonymous]

Cheers HJ, I have something like this for  my motorbike which used to get left for 2 weeks or more while I was offshore. Unfortunately I can't get a power source at the flat I now live at to use the conditioner, so  just have to take the car out for a blast   s:D s:D  
The other night  I left the interior light on and it wouldn't start. I think the SMT model has a low voltage system that won't allow the starter to operate unless there is pressure in the gearbox/clutch operating unit. Anyway after a jump start and a few high speed motorway runs the car is fine.
The motorbike is remarkable. Can be left for weeks and still starts, hope I'm not tempting fate.
  s:? :? s:?