Anyone around in Birmingham to look at a 2ZZ with me?

[HFB]

Have seen this advertised on the MR2 FB page and was considering it as my new track toy.

However, not being mechanically savvy, I was wondering if there are any members on here from that area with more experience of 2ZZ conversion than me that might be happy to come and take a look/test ride with me at the weekend.

Slap up lunch in it too!   s:D s:D  

Looks a lot of car for the money, but not overly assured by the company SJ Motorsports that appear to have done the conversion!!

The guy seems OK over the phone (sells and breaks roadsters as a weekend thing) and happy for me to prod and poke around.

Here are the pics and I have found the MOT reports too which all seem reasonable.

Car has 105K miles and engine about 60K

Any advice/suggestions?

HFB









Registration number: X988WCA
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•   Vehicle makeTOYOTA
•   Vehicle modelMR2
•   Date first used1 September 2000
•   Fuel typePetrol
•   ColourSilver
 
MOT history of this vehicle
•   Test date29 April 2017
•   Expiry date28 April 2018
•   Test ResultPass
•   Odometer reading104,739 miles
•   MOT test number8515 4523 7192
•   Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)
Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)
•   Test date29 April 2017
•   Test ResultFail
•   Odometer reading104,739 miles
•   MOT test number4570 4328 4250
•   Reason(s) for failure
Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)
•   Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)
Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)
•   Test date28 April 2014
•   Expiry date27 April 2015
•   Test ResultPass
•   Odometer reading98,792 miles
•   MOT test number2269 0881 4181
•   Test date25 April 2014
•   Test ResultFail
•   Odometer reading98,792 miles
•   MOT test number5966 3501 4124
•   Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)
Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)
Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)
•   Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
•   Test date10 April 2013
•   Expiry date9 April 2014
•   Test ResultPass
•   Odometer reading87,238 miles
•   MOT test number4286 5070 3153
•   Test date10 April 2013
•   Test ResultFail
•   Odometer reading87,238 miles
•   MOT test number6168 7020 3144
•   Reason(s) for failure
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)
•   Test date7 September 2012
•   Expiry date6 September 2013
•   Test ResultPass
•   Odometer reading84,284 miles
•   MOT test number4265 0155 2202
•   Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Inner Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
•   Test date3 August 2012
•   Test ResultFail
•   Odometer reading84,045 miles
•   MOT test number8394 1631 2285
•   Reason(s) for failure
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)
Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
•   Advisory notice item(s)
Inner Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)
•   Test date13 August 2011
•   Expiry date18 August 2012
•   Test ResultPass
•   Odometer reading77,337 miles
•   MOT test number7559 7572 1211
•   Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)
front brake discs hevily corroded
nearside front tyre perrished
•   Test date6 August 2011
•   Test ResultFail
•   Odometer reading77,140 miles
•   MOT test number3089 7891 1202
•   Reason(s) for failure
Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)
•   Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
front brake discs hevily corroded
nearside front tyre perrished
•   Test date19 August 2010
•   Expiry date18 August 2011
•   Test ResultPass
•   Odometer reading69,401 miles
•   MOT test number7335 3163 0227
•   Test date17 August 2010
•   Test ResultFail
•   Odometer reading69,390 miles
•   MOT test number4229 9932 0206
•   Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)
Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)
Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
•   Test date12 November 2009
•   Expiry date13 November 2010
•   Test ResultPass
•   Odometer reading67,074 miles
•   MOT test number8218 8641 9371
•   Test date6 November 2009
•   Test ResultFail
•   Odometer reading67,003 miles
•   MOT test number2426 7021 9379
•   Reason(s) for failure
Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)
Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)
Offside Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone 'A' (8.3.1b)
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
•   Advisory notice item(s)
Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)
•   Test date13 November 2008
•   Expiry date13 November 2009
•   Test ResultPass
•   Odometer reading62,304 miles
•   MOT test number7715 0811 8358
•   Test date13 November 2008
•   Test ResultFail
•   Odometer reading62,304 miles
•   MOT test number3328 0861 8300
•   Reason(s) for failure
Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)
Rear registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)
Exhaust emits clearly visible black smoke during acceleration (7.3.A.2c)
•   Test date12 November 2008
•   Test ResultFail
•   Odometer reading62,270 miles
•   MOT test number4921 4791 8311
•   Reason(s) for failure
Front registration plate character(s) laid out in an incorrect format (6.3.4f)
Rear registration plate character(s) laid out in an incorrect format (6.3.4f)
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)
•   Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)
Offside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)
Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)
•   Test date14 November 2007
•   Test ResultFail
•   Odometer reading54,834 miles
•   MOT test number5239 2861 7333
•   Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)
•   Test date14 November 2007
•   Expiry date13 November 2008
•   Test ResultPass
•   Odometer reading54,834 miles
•   MOT test number8239 5811 7325
•   Test date6 November 2006
•   Expiry date5 November 2007
•   Test ResultPass
•   Odometer reading48,126 miles
•   MOT test number4529 3061 6464

[vx220]

Might wanna blank those bank details out from the receipt

[HFB]

Might wanna blank those bank details out from the receipt

Thanks mate, but that sheet has been posted up on FB by the seller.  s:) s:)

[mikek]

I did mine through Sam nadeem who is sj motorsport. Rogue actually did the conversion. It is an excessive amount of money to have spent to sell at a massive loss within less than 6 months?? I saw this advertised on ebay along with some others from the same seller. If it's genuine and had all that work done it's a bargain. I can give you sams number if you want to call him and check it out?

[1979scotte]

What's the asking price?
It's only on twin springs you'd want coilovers for track imho.
If I wanted a track toy I would be looking at the k20 swap with roll cage that is for sale on here.

[HFB]

I did mine through Sam nadeem who is sj motorsport. Rogue actually did the conversion. It is an excessive amount of money to have spent to sell at a massive loss within less than 6 months?? I saw this advertised on ebay along with some others from the same seller. If it's genuine and had all that work done it's a bargain. I can give you sams number if you want to call him and check it out?

Yes please Mike. That would be very helpful.
Could you pm me his number?
☺

[HFB]

What's the asking price?
It's only on twin springs you'd want coilovers for track imho.
If I wanted a track toy I would be looking at the k20 swap with roll cage that is for sale on here.

It's up for £4,200 which is why I'm very interested/nervous.
I saw the K20 car also but that's another £3k more!
I have Meister coilovers from a group buy on here along with chassis brace, strut brace, new larger front disks and braided hoses etc.

[1979scotte]

3k better imho.

[Topdownman]

So let me get this straight, someone paid £7844 to have all this work done to their car 4 months ago and they are now trying to sell it for £4200?

Just doesnt sound right does it?

[Treboeth]

So let me get this straight, someone paid £7844 to have all this work done to their car 4 months ago and they are now trying to sell it for £4200?

Just doesnt sound right does it?

What he said

[HFB]

Thanks all. It does sound a little TGTBT, hence me prefering someone in the know taking a look.

Have decided to step away from it.

As much fun as these lovely little cars are, I am thinking that for the same money I can get a newer, faster car without all the scary, un-checkable engine mods that I can play with on track.

Will have to see what options I have around for that sort of money and sell on my little toy as is or take off the handling mods and sell them separately.

[1979scotte]

Thanks all. It does sound a little TGTBT, hence me prefering someone in the know taking a look.

Have decided to step away from it.

As much fun as these lovely little cars are, I am thinking that for the same money I can get a newer, faster car without all the scary, un-checkable engine mods that I can play with on track.

Will have to see what options I have around for that sort of money and sell on my little toy as is or take off the handling mods and sell them separately.

Elise or Caterham?

[HFB]

Quick update.
A friend of mine knows people that run a customisation and tuning shop just up the road from the seller in Birmingham.

The seller has agreed to take it over on Wednesday (a good sign imo) for this chap to put it on their ramp and give it a good look over to check it's a decent conversion and worth the money.

If he gives green light then could be a nice little result!

 s:) s:)

[keljon]

Thanks all. It does sound a little TGTBT, hence me prefering someone in the know taking a look.

Have decided to step away from it.

As much fun as these lovely little cars are, I am thinking that for the same money I can get a newer, faster car without all the scary, un-checkable engine mods that I can play with on track.

Will have to see what options I have around for that sort of money and sell on my little toy as is or take off the handling mods and sell them separately.

you will struggle to get anything quicker on track than a 2zz MR2 for £4k IMHO

[mikek]

As I said before, if it's genuine it's a bargin.  Add your coilovers, bracing and tyres to it and you will have a fantastic track toy.

[jvanzyl]

Don't forget that some of the costs from Rogue are a teensy bit high... If someone had a trade relationship with them and could get the work done for less but quote the RRP then it would make it look more expensive than what it really was?
Eg. Engine swap at Bonsai is £400.. Rogue is £1200..

[HFB]

Don't forget that some of the costs from Rogue are a teensy bit high... If someone had a trade relationship with them and could get the work done for less but quote the RRP then it would make it look more expensive than what it really was?
Eg. Engine swap at Bonsai is £400.. Rogue is £1200..

Oh I don't doubt that for a minute.

But if the work is to a standard and the guy looking at it for me says it's a decent conversion, then I'm happy with that.

I don't think I could get my 2000 69K MRS converted for under £3K, so if the risk of buying a lemon is minimised drastically then I'm good for that!

Will hopefully have a respectable MRS to sell on and give me back £1K ish from my costs.

Or of course, it could go completely to rat poo and I get taken for a complete mug! :/

HFB

[HFB]

As I said before, if it's genuine it's a bargin.  Add your coilovers, bracing and tyres to it and you will have a fantastic track toy.

Fingers and toes crossed for that Mike  s:) s:)

HFB

[secla]

Wasn't the guy who was selling it not the one who had the work done to it ? So 2 owners in 4 months or the seller is a dealer if done kind

[wotugonado]

Wasn't the guy who was selling it not the one who had the work done to it ? So 2 owners in 4 months or the seller is a dealer if done kind

Probably seller/dealer one and the same, if you go to their website "Oli" has a celica build posted on the site  s:? :? s:?

[HFB]

More updates........

A friend of mine has pals all over the country in the sports tuning trade and asked a chap he knows in Birmingham to pop it on his ramp and give it a look over, (which in all fairness to Tariq, he was happy to let me do and took it over there himself today).

Opinion was that the car was pretty solid. Conversion was done well with no rattles or noises to worry about. Brakes and chassis all in decent condition and re-furbed subframe looked rust free and tidy and would be happy to pay going rate for a car in this condition.

He did mention that the back box was fitted a bit ropey and blowing very slightly, but nothing to be concerned about.

I then heard, via Facebook MR2 forum from the guy who sold the car to Tariq (Oli, as mentioned above) who said he'd taken the engine out of his Celica (which he'd had fitted 4 years ago by SJ Motors who did the stage 2 cams and gave the engine a full refurb at 55K before installing) which he broke to get more return from his investment and couldn't sell the engine as was, so mounted into the MR2 chassis a couple of months ago (apparently for the Japfest show) again by SJ with the mileage now for the engine on 100K total.

I then managed to speak with Sam at SJ who verified all of this and said, when he worked on it and fitted it to the roadster, it was a sound engine and thinks I should have no troubles with it at all. Spent a lot of time telling me what he'd done, knew all about the car and was very helpful.

I then spoke with Tariq again and talked through the check over and exhaust issue and he has agreed to either let me take a spare Cobra back box when I collect the car tomorrow to replace the ones on there, or he will knock £300 off the buy price, which I thought was a fair deal and have agreed to.

I have checked this car out way more than any other car I've bought and feel fairly comfy in knowing what I'm going to be buying tomorrow, which is a 105K Roadster which is fairly tidy, a 100K re-worked 2ZZ engine with stage 2 cams from SJ Motorsports and no real work needing to be urgently done on it.

My plan is to then swap over the handling improvements I've had fitted to my current roadster and hopefully get about £1K back on mine, giving me a reasonably decent 2ZZ track roadster for around £3K more at the end of the day.

I hope!  s:) s:)

HFB

[s12vea]

Nice that you can trace the history to gain the bigger picture.

Love it when a plan comes together.

[Topdownman]

You have done your homework and have your eyes open so glad you are happy with it.

[1979scotte]

Best of luck.

[The Other Stu]

Did you see that Oli, who paid for the work has offered to give you the inside gen?