[WITHDRAWN] Chilli Red PFL 2002

[fawtytoo]

It's a sad day when you have to sell your MR2 but due to a decline in health, she has to go. I really don't think I'm going to get any enjoyment from it any more and I don't want it sat around doing nothing.

I've owned it since January 2019 with only 59,462 miles on the clock. It now has 74,131 miles.

This is an SMT (semi-automatic) and drives well.

The MOT is tomorrow, but I see no reason why it might fail.

It comes with a hard top, and a box of bits that I've accumulated including a pair of mirrors (red), a pair of door handles (red), 2 x Toyota radios, an electric aerial, some bags of new fastenings (wheel arch, frunk, side air intakes). Also a pair of new Pheonix Gold door speakers.

Soft top has signs of being replaced and is a standard vinyl roof and in great condition.

There is a little bit of rust on the rear sub-frame but the rest of the car is clean.

The paintwork is a bit sad and has pitting, but isn't an eye-sore. At least, it never bothered me.

Suspension (shocks and springs) was new 3 years ago, but the front springs were replaced a month ago, due to one spring snapping.

The 4 year old Falcon ZE310 tyres have signs of perishing and the wheels could do with a repaint. The wheels have no kerb damage.

Interior is clean and complete. Passenger seat looks new (I have no friends), and the drivers seat only has slight damage to the right bolster which is to be expected.

Floor mats are new and the carpet is in good condition.

Passenger headlight is new, and the drivers is original but fairly clear.

Brakes are all good with new discs a few years back and the handbrake cable is Toyota which holds on about 6-7 clicks.

The engine has been serviced regularly by local garages and does not appear to burn any oil.

EDIT 1:
I have no frame of reference as to whether the SMT works as intended. You will need to drive it for yourself really to decide. Not trying to be evasive but it seems fine to me. A bit "quirky" when it's cold but fine once warmed up. But I have a feeling the quirkiness when cold is normal. SMT fluid has been changed once with Toyota stuff some (4-5 ?) years ago.

I have a book with receipts and MOT certificates. Also included is the service manual, but it might be a bit out of date.

EDIT 2:
I have no idea how much it's worth but am looking for a fair price. All offers considered.

[Chilli Girl]

Noooooooooooooooo!  You can't sell it - you're encouraging me to buy another and you're selling - oh noooooo!

Jx

[fawtytoo]

Noooooooooooooooo!  You can't sell it - you're encouraging me to buy another and you're selling - oh noooooo!

Jx

It's only because of a decline in health. I really don't want to be looking after 2 cars any more. My intention this year was to attend to all the details and get the car looking good, but I really have lost the will. It's something I've been thinking about since last year. It's been a tough decision, but it is the right one.

[Joesson]

Noooooooooooooooo!  You can't sell it - you're encouraging me to buy another and you're selling - oh noooooo!

Jx

Maybe there's method in his madness!

[Double Zero]

Hi

My son is possibly looking for a 2

Does the SMT transmission work well

Has the SMT hydraulic fluid been changed regularly

[fawtytoo]

Does the SMT transmission work well

Has the SMT hydraulic fluid been changed regularly

I have no frame of reference as to whether the SMT works as intended. You will need to drive it for yourself really to decide. Not trying to be evasive of your question but it seems fine to me. A bit "quirky" when it's cold but fine once warmed up. But I have a feeling the quirkiness when cold is normal.

Fluid has been changed once with Toyota stuff some (4-5 ?) years ago.

EDIT: I have a feeling that the SMT puts buyers off.

[Double Zero]

Thanks

I think you maybe right regarding the SMT, it is a great system got to love the downshift from 3 to 2 

[fawtytoo]

got to love the downshift from 3 to 2

If you get it right, it does that through ALL the gears.

[Joesson]

IIRC @Beachbum957 a Member from one of our former colonies has two 2's, one being an SMT.
I understand that Members in that former colony have changed SMT cars to a manual gear box arrangement.
It is not unusual to read of UK Members changing engines and gear boxes but not just an SMT to a manual.

[Beachbum957]

Actually, both of our MR2's originally had 5 speed manuals.  One now has a 6 speed manual that came from the UK, and the other has a 2003 6 speed SMT transmission converted to manual.

Many people in the US have SMT cars and really like them as long as the system is properly maintained and has no problems. 

However, converting a car that was originally SMT to manual is a fairly common but expensive change in the US as sadly, there is almost no one who can fix any problems in an SMT.  In many cases, if the SMT system has a problem, it can't be fixed and the only options are to scrap the car if it is high mileage, or convert to manual.  I know of at least one owner who bought a wrecked MR2 with a manual just to poach all the parts needed to convert his SMT car to manual. 

A company in the US makes a conversion kit to convert a LHD or RHD car with 5 or 6 speed SMT to manual, but it is expensive at over $2,500 US.  The kit was simplified some time ago to reduce the cost, and leaves a couple problems in place as it doesn't change any of the internal shift shaft parts.  That creates a couple shifting issues, but at least the car stays in service.

[fawtytoo]

there is almost no one who can fix any problems in an SMT.

I reckon it's the same issue across the world. Even gearbox specialists don't understand them. And yet, in my own experience and learning from Paul Hibbs' videos, they're really not that complicated or difficult to fix.

[fawtytoo]

A company in the US makes a conversion kit to convert a LHD or RHD car with 5 or 6 speed SMT to manual, but it is expensive at over $2,500 US.

[fawtytoo]

Many people in the US have SMT cars and really like them as long as the system is properly maintained and has no problems.

[fawtytoo]

I put this up for sale on eBay to also gauge interest, and despite 14 watchers and well over 300 views, only one offer of £2,000 from a dealer after 4 days.

@Double Zero has also withdrawn his interest due to the car being red.

I'm going to keep it. I know that'll please Jane ( @Chilli Girl ).

[Joesson]

It's a sports car, Ferrari 's are red, your car was red when advertised and remains so!!!

[fawtytoo]

It's a sports car, Ferrari 's are red, your car was red when advertised and remains so!!!

To clarify, it was for his son, and he doesn't want a red car. I bought it because it was red.