SOLD- 2004 Sable with Red Roof and a Hardtop - 66500 miles

[steve807]

MR04 TWO – 2004 MR2 Roadster

As with all sellers, this is a reluctant sale but forced due to impending lack of space.  Before advertising on Autotrader sometime next week, I want to offer it here first.  Over the last few years I have not only enjoyed this wonderful roadster but also cared for and improved it.  Complete with the desirable detachable hardtop and on a personalised plate of MR04 TWO (previously GY04 GCK) with partial service history. Currently on 66,547 but in regular use so will rise a bit. A full-car stormproof cover and hardtop cover and stand will be included. 

Overall, I would assess the condition as fair to good, with some stone chips to the front but no signs of rust anywhere I can see.  I am the 5th owner and MOT is due again 1 Nov 2026.

Aside from routine services, recent work includes:

• Fan belt and tensioner replaced (Jan 2022/46373 Miles)
• New burgundy mohair roof fitted (Jun 2023) (Swansea)
• Wheels refurbished and powder coated (Oct 2023)
• New headlights fitted (Oct 2024)
• New handbrake cables (Feb 2025) and rear calipers (Oct 2025)
• New Falken tyres fitted and alignment done (Rear Sep 2025, Front Oct 2025/circa 66,000 miles)
• Hardtop (Sable Grey 1E3) has professionally fitted 3M wrap 1080 - Satin Flip Volcanic Flare (Jul 2025)

Happy to take any questions and/or provide additional images (once the rain stops!).

Location is mid Wales near Llanidloes - happy to meet elsewhere for viewings as I enjoy the drive!

Thanks,

Steve

[Chilli Girl]

Hi @steve807 - has your car got the latest underneath bracing? Condition of the rear crossmember? Any corrosion underneath to be concerned about? Is that the TTE exhaust it has?  When was it last serviced please?

[steve807]

Hi @Chilli Girl,
It was last serviced on 13 Oct 25, same time as the MOT.  I'm afraid I don't know about the bracing, assume it has the standard for the year - I haven't added any and there is no indication that modified bracing was put on from the records I have. 

To the best of my knowledge and the verbal reporting from my garage there are no issues with crossmember or corrosion.  As for the exhaust, I don't see TTE stamped anywhere so assume this is a generic aftermarket twin exhaust of some kind - but I could be wrong!

I'm afraid I do no mechanical work myself hence the knowledge gaps.

P.S. The power steering pipes were replaced last year as well.

[Chilli Girl]

So it's a pretty standard model then, no mods, etc. other than the exhaust of course.

[steve807]

I believe so.  It has smoked side repeaters in place of the clear, has a bluetooth radio, metal heater dials in place of the plastic and I added a metal gear knob (original retained if preffered) - apart from that standard.  Note that while it has a hardtop, I bought this seperately so it does not have a/c.

[Joesson]

@Chilli Girl :

MR2 mk3 Changes by Year :

Courtesy of @Ardent  01 August 2020 who got it from  GSB of MR2 Roadster Owners Club | August 2, 2004 

2000 – Mk3 is launched in Europe, having previously been launched in Japanese and US markets. A small modification is made after the car has been rolling off the lines for a while, when Toyota add very small aerodynamic "spoilers" under the car ahead of each wheel. These were fitted to aid high speed stability.

2001 – As 2000.

2002 – Addition of improved Oil Control Rings fitted to the Pistons.

2003 – (Production actually from late 2002) Mid term revision. Essentially a cosmetic overhaul of the car, however some mechanical changes have been made:

    New front bumper with integrated front fog lamps.

    New headlights with seperate high/low beam units and chrome housings.

    New redesigned taillight lenses.

    Addition of new colour coded rear bumper inserts adjacent to number plate.

    New colour coded side vents.

    Interior gets new chrome detailing on vents, tweeter surrounds, heater controls, and door handles.

    Redesigned seats fitted.

    Instrument and ventilation control fascia's redesigned with new typeface.

    New Toyota Branded CD/tuner replaces Double DIN Sony CD/Tape/tuner fitted to previous years.

    16″ rear wheels replace 15″ wheels previously fitted. Rear tyre goes up to 215/45/16 to fit the new larger wheels, up from the previous 205/50/15 sizes fitted in previous years. Front tyres remain the same.

    Updated suspension spring and damper setings.

    Improved suspension member brace set up installed on front and rear suspension.

    6 Speed gearbox fitted to both manual and SMT cars, replacing the 5 speed unit fitted to previous models.

    SMT gets Electronic Traction and Stability Control.

    Options list is expanded to include TTE accesories, which were previously unavailable in the UK.

2004 – Visually the same as the 2003 car but some major upgrades have been made under the skin. Essentially these have been made to improve safety although they do have the advantage of increasing chassis stifness as well:

    New front under-members and momentum cancellers on the strut towers to help prevent the side members from rising in the event of a frontal impact, reducing dash panel intrusion into the cabin space.

    improved in-cabin passive safety package adopting an anti-intrusion mechanism on the brake pedal and cushioning material below the accelerator pedal – where the driver's heel rests.

    Reinforcements to the upper front members and the door beltlines help disperse collision energy forces applied to the front side members, minimising any cabin deformation.

    New rear bumper brace, a new strut bracket brace and new floor-to-rocker brace panels attached to the main rear-cabin cross member.

    Refinements to the kick panel reinforcements, floor-tunnel reinforcements and floor cross members help minimise intrusion of the dash panel in the event of a collision.

    The centre pillar has been reinforced with additional gussets and reinforcement of the centre floor cross-member.

    New pads in the doors and retuning the hardness of the trim padding to reduce the chance of crash impact injury to the torso area.

    New Steering braces.

    New suspension settings.

    New design of heatshield fitted to Main Cat to prevent the broken weld related rattle on the previous design.

    Manifold Support Brackets are now cast steel items, bolted to four points on the engine block, replacing the previous pressed steel items that bolted at only 2 points.

2005 – No technical revisions occur, small small additions to available options packs:

    Heated Seats offered as dealer fit option.

    "Chrome Pack" option introduced

    MR2 Withdrawn from US market

2006 – No technical revisions occur, MR2 Withdrawn from sale in UK and Europe.

    TTE (Toyota Team Europe) Turbo kit becomes available for retrofit to all mk3 MR2's.

    TF300 run-out model introduced, a "special edition" of 300 cars with various minor cosmetic mods, built to dispose of Toyota GB's remaining stock.

2007 – Toyota cease production of Mk3 MR2 in Japan.

[Chilli Girl]

Thank you @Joesson - as always so very helpful here.  So @steve807 are you able to confirm that your car has the latest safety (as per the info here). I see it was registered in March 2004 but it may've been manufactured in 2003 but just need confirmation that your car has these latest mods.  If so we have a deal

[steve807]

I honestly don't know how to tell as the changes from 03 to 04 look to be internal - if anyone here knows how to identify year of manufacture that would be appreciated.

[Chilli Girl]

I wonder if it's on your V5 doc? It's the manufacturer's date we're after.

[steve807]

That has date of first registration: 16-03-2004

The VIN is: JTDFR320500066834

Model: ZZW30R-AKFQHW(1F)

Engine No.: 1ZZ1756453

[Joesson]

@steve807. / @Chilli Girl
At least one item of the 04 mods may be visible and that is :
Manifold Support Brackets are now cast steel items, bolted to four points on the engine block, replacing the previous pressed steel items that bolted at only 2 points.
I can remember the pressed steel manifold support bracket on my 02. It was certainly visible iirc from under the car. Maybe that is visible from above.

[Chilli Girl]

Viewing arranged for Sunday 9th   My boiler blew up yesterday but life's too short not to have things you like and want!

[steve807]

Thanks @Joesson, I'll have a look (not right now  ) and see if I can make it out. 

[steve807]

Viewing arranged for Sunday 9th   My boiler blew up yesterday but life's too short not to have things you like and want!

Totally! Thanks @Chilli Girl - now reserved pending viewing.

[Chilli Girl]

I realise and after a sleepless night, I just won't have the room for this gorgeous little 2. I must realise and tell myself that so viewing has now been cancelled.  I shan't be viewing or enquiring again. It's not fair on the seller so I'm out.

[steve807]

Thanks @Chilli Girl  - these head and heart decisions can be so stressful!

[steve807]

@steve807. / @Chilli Girl
At least one item of the 04 mods may be visible and that is :
Manifold Support Brackets are now cast steel items, bolted to four points on the engine block, replacing the previous pressed steel items that bolted at only 2 points.
I can remember the pressed steel manifold support bracket on my 02. It was certainly visible iirc from under the car. Maybe that is visible from above.

In response to a really good question from @Chilli Girl re my 2004 for sale, I would like to clarify which year of manufacture my model is (first registered in Mar 04).  Having been informed about the differences from 03 to 04, it appears that one visible indicator is the manifold cover and number of bolts.  Can any of the more knowledgeable members identify from these images if this is an 03 or 04 manufacture?  Any and all help appreciated.

[Joesson]

@steve807
Sorry but you have misunderstood.
The reference is to the manifold support brackets, not the manifold cover.

The brackets are not clear from the photo and I am unsure that they can be seen from above.I have no car to check with now!

[steve807]

Thanks @Joesson, this just shows my lack of technical knowledge! If it is seen from underneath then I won't be able to tell unfortunately.

[MrAndyP]

Hi Steve, I'm interested and will PM you.

[steve807]

Thanks @MrAndyP , I have replied.  Please note that there are several ongoing expressions of strong interest and viewings booked.

[Gibla]

I thought I recognised something here :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5VH8chT1lk

glws Steve

[steve807]

Thanks Alan @Gibla, lots of interest and at least one had already seen this video! It was good fun to make; the reviewer, Max, has a driving and auto events club in Wrexham that we go for runs with.  The Roadster was perfect for this and hopefully the next car will be as well 

[steve807]

Car now sold, to someone not yet a forum member but may be in the near future. Thank you to those who expressed interest, especially @Chilli Girl and @MrAndyP - the latter I owe a public apology to. Andy may well have bought the car had I not handled my viewing scheduling so poorly and let him down at short notice. I can only recommend @MrAndyP as a potential buyer with serious intent for any future sellers out there.   

Best wishes to all MR2ROC members and happy motoring