The MR2

[KC Masterpiece]

Some of you may have seen my other post detailing the saga of the VW Beetle that Amber was supposed to get at her 16th birthday, then HS graduation, then undergrad, then grad school, which finally showed up in quasi road worthy shape a few years ago. She finally let me know that we did not need to move forward with a resto, and she would prefer a more modern "fun" summer vehicle anyways. We were browsing on craigslist and her eyes lit up when we saw an MR2. She has a thing for pop up headlights.

Once we get the bug sold we are going to start a search for a good candidate. I really like the Gen 1, but we want something slightly more modern with airbags. Merging across the divided highway as we exit our neighborhood is one of the reasons we are a bit sketched out with the bug. The Gen 2 looks like the ticket.

Anyone here have any MR2 experience and feedback on what to look for in a good candidate? Based on my research we can probably find a non turbo model with under 100k in red for around $10,000 if we wait for the right deal.

 

[ScaldedDog]

No help, but I'll be following this thread. I wanted one *so bad* when they came out in 85 (IIRC) and it (and the Pontiac Fiero) introduced me to the term "drop throttle oversteer" for the first time. Ever the practical one, I ended up with 626GT, instead. I'll be reliving an 80's car crush through you guys, if you don't mind.

Mark

 

[Corbet]

I’d love a MR2 of any generation. Nearly traded my Z28 for one in college. Have not drives one since so I too will be living vicariously through you. I suspect getting in and out might be harder for me 3 decades later.

 

[CardinalFJ60]

I’ll keep my eyes peeled. Nothing like a bright red “mister 2”!
On a side note, I too had a 626 (‘86). Loved it.

 

[SteveH]

I see a lot of MR2s with rebuilt engines (or needing one) by 100K miles. I'd be really sure the engine is tight/sound on any one I bought.

 

[Lastresort576]

from what I was told a lot of mr2's get K-swapped. theres a fair amount of parts out there to make it a bolt in swap too.

 

[4runner]

I had a 91 manual, non-turbo and dumped alot into restoring it as much as I could and wish I could've kept it.
91-93 have issues with dashboard warping and snap oversteer if pushed too hard (94-95 they fixed that if I recall)
The turbo models have the hose from hell that requires removing the engine to replace a hose at the back.
The ash trays cover crack
You can replace the antenna with one from a S2000
You can swap the new style tail lights (94-95) to the new ones but you need the center trim piece and key cylinder (need to repin it with the original one, not to hard to do).
Earlier ones had different size front and rear tires but again I believe they changed that around 93/94 timeframe.

These are the two sites I got parts for mine:

MR2Heaven

Premier MR2 Parts Vendor. Enthusiast Driven since 2003.

mr2heaven.com

PRIME MR2 - We are the Toyota MR2 Parts / Celica Parts Authority

PRIMEMR2.com - Your one stop shop for Toyota MR2 SW20 parts, Celica GT4 ST185 ST205 Parts and FRS / BRZ / 86 performance parts, maintenance parts, and 3SGTE swap DIY kits. Prime MR2 FTW!

primemr2.com

If you do some looking you still may be able to find new old stock parts but the pickings are a little slim.

 

[Corbet]

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[Corbet]

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[Corbet]

$4000 - no title

1989 toyota mr2 no title - barter - trade swap - craigslist

No title 1989 toyota mr2 for possible sale or trade kind of just seeing if anyone is interested in it could be a good parts car? Or a track car? It did not run when I got it the guy didn't give me a...

cosprings.craigslist.org

 

[KC Masterpiece]

Thanks for all the adds!

This will likely be a summer addition to the fleet, after we find a buyer for the beetle. No room for both!