flak monkey
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 09:30 AM |
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I need a sensible car...
...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
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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caber
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 09:36 AM |
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Golf TDI last model. Goes like stink, mucho luggage capacity, reasonably cool to be seen in, and cheap on diesel 
Caber
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TimC
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 09:43 AM |
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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?
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scotty g
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 10:15 AM |
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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!
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RazMan
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 11:08 AM |
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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. 
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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LBMEFM
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 11:11 AM |
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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
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oadamo
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 11:19 AM |
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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]
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russbost
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 11:33 AM |
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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.
I no longer run Furore Products or Furore Cars Ltd, but would still highly recommend them for Acewell dashes, projector headlights, dominator
headlights, indicators, mirrors etc, best prices in the UK! Take a look at http://www.furoreproducts.co.uk/ or find more parts on Ebay, user names
furoreltd & furoreproducts, discounts available for LCB users.
Don't forget Stainless Steel Braided brake hoses, made to your exact requirements in any of around 16 colours.
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/furoreproducts/m.html?_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1
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NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
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Benzine
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 12:20 PM |
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Daihatsu charade GTti 
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Avoneer
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 01:43 PM |
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MX5
Pat...
No trees were killed in the sending of this message.
However a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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flak monkey
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 01:43 PM |
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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
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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pajsh
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 05:02 PM |
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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]
I used to be apathetic but now I just don't care.
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 05:06 PM |
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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...
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Macbeast
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 06:23 PM |
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Nissan 200SX - cheap. lots of fun, reliable.
Lots of H reg still around at 1K
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gazza285
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 06:39 PM |
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Berlingo van, 1.9D non turbo. Cheap and reliable. Will also make every other vehicle you drive seem stupid fast. Mine is green.
DO NOT PUT ON KNOB OR BOLLOCKS!
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 06:49 PM |
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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.
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martyn_16v
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 07:17 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by rusty nuts
MX 5 , you really NEED a British racing green one.
We've got one thanks
Note the 'we', it really helps your manly image if you can claim it's her car and you're just borrowing it They are great
fun though, very responsive and chuckable. You can get a surprising amount of crap in one as well, we've just been to the in-laws and back with
10 nieces/nephews worth of pressies stuffed in any available space because her other car (Alfa) is broken. Again.
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Simon
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 07:50 PM |
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1275GT
ATB
Simon
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matt.c
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 07:54 PM |
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you have got to get one of these!!
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jimmyjoebob
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 08:05 PM |
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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.
If at first you don't succeed, hide all evidence you ever tried!
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donut
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 08:44 PM |
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Because of the high costs of old fords the Capri is now getting expensive so if you get one get one soon!
Andy
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andywest1/
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flak monkey
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 09:47 PM |
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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
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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iank
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 10:07 PM |
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What about a Porsche 924?
Very cheap as the 'real' porsche crowd consider them an audi. Descent weight distribution and correct wheel drive.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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flak monkey
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 10:16 PM |
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quote:
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.
Cheap enough to buy but parts are a bit steep though 
Strangely enough thats the first car my sister suggested to me yesterday
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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RazMan
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| posted on 27/12/07 at 11:18 PM |
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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
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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