...or at least one with a roof!

Thinking about buying a Mk1 MR2. Anyone got any thoughts on them? Several of my mates have had them over the years, and they have all been good cars.

Any other suggestions. The car needs to be sporty, cheap (to buy and for parts), low insurance and preferably old enough so I can fix it myself.

David

Golf TDI last model. Goes like stink, mucho luggage capacity, reasonably cool to be seen in, and cheap on diesel

Caber

Pug 309 GTI?


MK1 MR2s are nice but a lot seem to be badly rotten - I wonder if there are still any being imported from Japan where they don't salt the roads?

The MK1 is the best of the MR2s in my oppinion, if you can find one thats fairly rot free you will have a lot of fun in it as long as you don't need to carry much luggage!

I quite fancy one too (I need a normal-ish car for work now)

One advantage is that when it finally dissolves in a pile of oxide at least you have a great donor for a middy project.

No No No....... I bought a Mk1 MR2 to replace my Astra GTE car which I used for sprinting. It was crap, the door sills looked OK until removed the sill trim and you could see dalight through them which is common as the cars are rust trap's. The early discs at the front warp and the car/engine is so full of sensors that if one goes wrong, which it often does, the engines runs rough or won't start. The engine gave up, big ends failed, on mine only after two events where as the Astra lasted two whole seasons and is still running strong for the guy who bought it. Forget the MR2 buy a GTE or VW GTi, much more fun, more reliable and better all round

pug 205 1.6gti or the 1.9.gti very cheap and go round corners good i had the 1.9 it was a beast.
adam

[Edited on 27/12/07 by oadamo]

[Edited on 27/12/07 by oadamo]

I use the MR2 MK1 as the donor for my car for production. Unfortunately they are now getting collectable so may need to move on to the Mk2, but that's another story.
They are a super little car, but do rot badly, particularly the front & rear of the sill/floor area & the front wings/rear arches. There are only a couple of other bits that seem to give regular probs - 5th gear, they jump out, & alternators seize apparently randomly, of 4 cars I've stripped I've got one good alternator!

If you don't mind spending a while underneath it with a welder & can cope with a bit of bodywork refurbing then I think you'd struggle to find another car that's more fun for the money, plus it's going to go up in value rather than down - also I have lots of second hand bits available if you want any as I only use the running gear & sometimes engine/gearbox.

Daihatsu charade GTti

MX5

Pat...

Anything french is out of the question. Owned one french car and it was a pig to work on, routine maintenance is just not considered. I cant deny the GTi's are good fun to drive, but I would never buy one. Plus nearly every car you see broken down is french.

Last model golf TDi is well out of my price range. I am looking for something under £2k.

I have seen some very nice examples of Mk1b MR2s for under £2k that have been fully stripped and rebuilt. You can get a nice 'original' condition one for just over £1k. Like all cars that age, some are in a bad way but there are some good ones out there. Most of the ones under £1k are a bit tatty.

I have heard about the rust problems. But I do know the problem areas on them. Plus I am not in a hurry to buy one, so can wait for one in the right condition to come along. I am happy to do any minor bodywork repairs if needed. You can get new front wings from Toyota for £100 a side.

As Russ says they always make a good middy donor, or stick the engine in a Locost .

David

Mk2 Scirocco like mine.


Scirroco07

Fun and cheap to run. Weighs less than 1t and strip all the insides out will make it even lighter.

Loads of cheap parts around both from factors and scappys but they are generally sound and last well (quite a few around still)

Mk1's are more fun but hard to find in good nick and are more of a classic. Mk2 should be easy to pick up for £500 or less. Mine cost £950 in 2000 but is in pretty good nick and that was 7 years ago. Has now done 145k and still starts first time and is real fun to drive. Has cost me a new clutch (£60) and a few bits over the years but nothing major, probably less than £500 over 7 years including tyres and a replacement Jetex 50mm exhaust at £300. You can't get cheaper motoring than this.

Insurance is the only real bummer at G14 and it's only the 1.8 NA but I don't suppose an MR2 would be alot different. OK for me though at £175 fully comp as I'm 44.

Don't ask me to sell mine though as I love it too much and am converting it to a track car next year.

ATB

[Edited on 27/12/07 by pajsh]

My sister-in-law has an MX-5 - nice car to drive, mechanicals are 'normal saloon' so easy to maintain, insurance not too stupid, and older models are reasonably priced.

Forget the 'hairdresser' tag - it's too much fun to get worried by a label!

After experiencing my daughter's Mk4 VW Golf Gti, I'd never have a VW again...

Nissan 200SX - cheap. lots of fun, reliable.

Lots of H reg still around at 1K

Berlingo van, 1.9D non turbo. Cheap and reliable. Will also make every other vehicle you drive seem stupid fast. Mine is green.

MX 5 , you really NEED a British racing green one. Just happens SWMBO has a nice one for sale. 1600 so cheaper insurance, and would make an excellant donor although not yet.

quote:

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Originally posted by rusty nuts
MX 5 , you really NEED a British racing green one.

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1275GT

ATB

Simon

you have got to get one of these!!

Yeah, get a capri or an e30 bmw touring - preferably a 325i.

Touring has more weight at the back so doesn't spin as easily as the saloons. Great to drive, a little thirsty but they look good and are so well built. Parts are plentiful and not too expensive.

Because of the high costs of old fords the Capri is now getting expensive so if you get one get one soon!

I did consider the Crapi it has lots of bits in common with my GTS for a start, so I know what I am doing. They are getting pricey though, I had a look around at some a couple of weeks ago.

Are the sirrocos rwd? My sisters boyfriend is a VW nut, so I can get a load of info about them from him.

Insurance fully comp for me on an MR2 is about £500.

My mates got a nissan 200sx. What puts me off with those is the low fuel consumption (under 25mpg) and the turbo on such high mileage cars.

To be honest I had not considered the MX5. I think they might be a bit over budget, and I would really like a proper hard top car ratehr than a soft top. I will have a look and consider the option though. I do still have the 'hairdresser' image attached to them though.

David

What about a Porsche 924?
Very cheap as the 'real' porsche crowd consider them an audi. Descent weight distribution and correct wheel drive.

quote:

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Originally posted by iank
What about a Porsche 924?
Very cheap as the 'real' porsche crowd consider them an audi. Descent weight distribution and correct wheel drive.

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Flak, I would go for another 200SX in a flash. I really enjoyed mine - it had over 140K on the clock when I sold it and the last 40K of that was in 300bhp tune (which is easily achieved without too much expense) Fuel consumption wasn't too bad either at around 30 ish mpg when cruising.

I hear it went bang shortly after I sold it due to the guy constantly doing donuts in carparks

Here ya go.....Perfect car!!

quote:

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Originally posted by iank
What about a Porsche 924?
Very cheap as the 'real' porsche crowd consider them an audi. Descent weight distribution and correct wheel drive.

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I got my MX5 for £2k and a hardtop for £400.

It's got uprated suspension and extra chassis bracing - and air con.

It's a jap import.

Red line is 7k and it's not slow.

Very easy to drift as well.

There's a few track day instructors that use them for the training cars.

Pat...

And of course an engine from a 200SX would later make an ideal upgrade from a Pinto

Must be my age now I'm 30 but why do you need something sporty???

I hate slow cars but I find that I have the 7 for fun, and I race as well, the biggest priority is for something comfy, that can tow well and is powerful.

I currently have a £750 1993 BMW 740i

0-60 in 7 sec, tows 1600kgs legally and easily, very comfy. Downside it drinks a bit but hey ho!!

I'd take a close look at some of the bigger engined beemers, they cost peanuts to buy now, so you can spend the rest of your budget on fuel!

On the capri front, my bro sold the 1600 laser he had for £2700 two weeks ago.....................