MR2 Market

[Error]

Around May/June I'm getting a 2nd car. Probably an MR2. I really like the Spyders, but I was thinking maybe a MK3 turbo. It's just going to by my daily driver while I work on the truck, so I don't need a pimped out race car (yet).

Is there a strong market for them around here? Could one of you MR2 guys help me shop when I go to buy, to make sure I don't get someone else's crap :nerd:

Thanks dudes.

[j30a1t]

mkiii turbo with the 7m-gte not the best pick for a daily driver......i love the car, just not for daily use... just my .02

[toyota4life]

My boy has a 91 MR2 T with thousand's of $$$ in upgrade his thinking of selling it for $8,000.00 let me know

[Slash]

hes talking about a Mk3 MR2 spyder turbo... I remembmer seeing these in all shapes and fashions at the SE2002 mr2 meet... 2 cars with turboed 1z's and a swapped 3s (2nd gen) into another

[Error]

I'll take any MR2 really. I really liked the cockpit feeling of the 04's, but the older ones are badass looking.

And I don't care if my daily driver is sick. I prefer it actually.

[MR2driver]

Basically any turbocharged car is not going to be that reliable. If you were to get a 91-95 mr2 turbo, it won't be very reliable. If you plan on turbocharging a '00-'04, that isnt exactly going to be very reliable either. If you want reliable, get the spyder, and don't turbocharge it. Just my advice.

[toyota4life]

Just let me know if you want to check it out one day.

[Error]

My friend Jerry put 200,000 miles on his Tacoma after he turboed it, running 16-18lbs of boost at all times. Never had a problem.

Well... cept when he pushed it to like 24lbs and popped the head gasket, hahaha. The motor was internally stock.

[riddlemr2]

Compared to my mkIII supra turbo, my turbo charged mr2's have been amazingly more reliable. I've seen turbo and n/a mkII mr2's with over 200,000 miles that still run strong. Just stay away from a 1991 mr2 turbo...they tend to be the most beat up. If you need help looking at mkII mr2's, I'd be glad to help. Shoot me an email when you start looking.

[joeyk]

Originally posted by Error
My friend Jerry put 200,000 miles on his Tacoma after he turboed it, running 16-18lbs of boost at all times. Never had a problem.

Well... cept when he pushed it to like 24lbs and popped the head gasket, hahaha. The motor was internally stock.

22R?

[Error]

2RZ FE

[elballoonrat]

if its just a daily driver why do you want a turbo, get a mk3 witht he 6 spd setup, full Ti exhaust, a sds, and rev the shizam out of it.

[Slash]

Originally posted by MR2driver
Basically any turbocharged car is not going to be that reliable. If you were to get a 91-95 mr2 turbo, it won't be very reliable. If you plan on turbocharging a '00-'04, that isnt exactly going to be very reliable either. If you want reliable, get the spyder, and don't turbocharge it. Just my advice.

See I really dont believe this at all. It also seems that a large ammount of the MR2 community follows this trend as well.

YOU NEED PEM YOU NEED PEM YOU NEED PEM!!
YOU NEED AN EXPERIENCED DYNO TUNER
YOU NEED AN EXPERIENCED DYNO TUNER
YOU NEED AN EXPERIENCED DYNO TUNER

There.. off o my chest. Lots of cars can be made to be daily driver reliable, you just need the two things above. With proper dynotuning and support equipment, i dont see why 300 or so whp in any mr2 would be a big deal (as long as u dont launch on slicks and break the tranny). Plus you wouldnt have funky dynocharts like riddlemr2( I love the car man, but you know i'm right here. Smoothing things out would give u a better more solid tq curve, and bring out 10-15HP at the top ).

I dunno, maybe i'm just frustrrated that nobody in the mr2 community has really put all the peices together for a proper road racing (300-350whp) setup. They always seem to skimp somewhere, be it fuel support, engine management, or turbine selection to save money, and the projects always seem to fall short of 100%.

Mark I know that all of your cars have done exceptionally well in the 1/4th and you pull out of them what some people cant, but I'm just KILLING myself waiting to see you finally go with the Hydra EMS or some other PEM to get the car to..
A: pick up that last 10-20hp
B: run like this EVERY DAY
C: Have better spool up and tq curve (leaning out befoer boost using the PEM)
D: Being able to diagnose problems easier

If u dont want secret services to tune it, i'm sure Sam at Coastal could also get the car to its limits as well. I just always fear that there is 5% that u missed by using the geforce ecu and other things.

/ hijack


What does this mean to the turbo mr2 spyder person? Dont be afraid of turboing in sense to having reliablility problems. Just make sure that you have PROPER fuel support, a proper tuning system (aka NOT an SAFC, not some "ecu" from japan, we are talking about a system FOR YOUR CAR, tuned on a DYNOand a proper turbine for a reasonalbe goal (250whp with a broad tq curve would be disgusting in a spyder) so like a S15 T28 or maybe the small GT25R. Just dont skimp, buy quality parts and use a quality dynotuner and the car should be fine.

If your really worried, then run low boost most of the time and jack it up to have fun... I think it'll be fine.

[RARA]

well put slash....i dont have any major upgrades, but as for a turbocharged car not being reliable, that is such a false statement.....i'm just running intake, exhaust, and mbc @16lbs, and that is how i drive my cars daily.....both my 91turbo and now my 93 turbo......the car can handle it no problem....and it is very reliable.....

now for a turbo car not being reliable, that would only be one that is upgraded majorly.....and that is where slash's comments come into play.....he is very correct...its all about how you set up your car.....to be reliable or half assed!

[MR2driver]

Slash, thanks for your suggestions. I think the ECU I have now is going to give me the proper air/fuel and timing maps that I am looking for. When you get some free time, I would like to take you for a spin so you can see for yourself. Riddle tried the ECU out in his car and noticed quicker spool. I would like a little more power for the road courses then the car has now, though, maybe another 20hp. I will be installing a better intercooler soon, which should give me those extra ponies.

A turbo car requires a lot more attention then a non-turbo car. You have to worry about all the extra vacuum hoses, the oil changes every 2500 miles with $5 quarts of oil, all the gaskets then tend to wear out and leak, I could go on and on. Your expenses between a 91 turbo and a 2004 non turbo on maintenance would be no comparison.

My fiances Honda is so cheap to operate. We installed adjustable shocks, springs, sway bars, upgraded breaks, bigger rims and tires, intake and exhaust, and it has performed flawlessly over the years. It's a little slow, but it is fun as hell to drive. It used to handle better then the MR2 in corners.

In my mind, when I think reliable, I think low maintenance, good on gas, and fun to drive. To me the MKIII meets that criteria to the teeth. MKII turbo is a money pit.

[Slash]

I can see your point mark, it holds water :) All depends on point of view. To me the extra upkeep of the turbo is just part of owning one, its not a sign of relibility to me :)

[Error]

Thanks guys. This is helping a lot.

And yes I want a turbo daily driver. I don't speed or race, I just like the feeling of a turbo.

Keep talkin. You guys rule.

[MR2driver]

If you want a turbo daily driver get a lan evo or wrx. Plenty of get up, and high quality automobiles.

If you still want an MR2, I suggest get a 91 non-turbo and swap for a low mileage japanese turbo engine. The car will be a project to start off, but after 6 months it will be all set for daily driver use. Not to mention, a non-turbo doesnt make a bad daily driver, good torque and great on gas, very low maintenance.

[riddlemr2]

Just a quick comment on the reliability of a turbo car. I've been running 12's for two years, drove the car to Texas, Alabama, and Georgia and back again, and after 30,000 miles on a rebuilt motor running low 12's, my biggest maintenence problem has been the airconditioning-something that could break on any car. I also baby the motor when I'm not racing, I change the oil when I'm supposed to, I give her nice new plugs every 5K miles, and buy her flowers and talk to her when she's in a bad mood.

[RARA]

Originally posted by riddlemr2
and buy her flowers and talk to her when she's in a bad mood.

i almost wish i was your car....lol...j/k

but your right dave, your car is as dependable as you make it.....