Potential New MR2 Owner...Questions

[xavior66]

To start off, I think it's proper for a "reintroduction."

I am not exactly a newbie when it comes to cars, or this forum for that matter.

I first started out with a Gen 2 Camry with a few mods, then one day I saw a nice 1993 Honda del Sol Si, and thus I went over to the Honda camp. It's a great car and I love it, but recently a 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo caught my eye soooooooooooooo...

Basically here's the quick rundown:

* 1991 Turbo T-Tops
* 5 speed
* About 150,000 miles
* Turbo runs good but appears to have a small oil leak around it
* Speedometer gauge doesn't work (dealer said it messed up on him recently) but I understand this to be a common problem with 91 MR2's and I'm sure I can fix it.
* Coolant Temp gauge also doesn't work, and I've also heard this to be a common problem, again, which I'm sure I can fix.
* The Check Engine light is on
* ABS light is on
* Cruise Control doesn't work (is this related to broke speedo?)
* AC doesn't work
* Radio nor CD player work (they're stock too)
* Turn signals work intermittenly (turn signal light comes on and stays solid for a moment, like 5-10 seconds, then starts blinking correctly. What do you think's the matter with it?)
* Dealer doesn't have keys for T-Tops so I'll have to get them from a dealership.
* Worst of all, according to dealer it supposedly has been involved with some flood damage (at least dealer is honest!)
* Dealer price is $4,885 (he said price is negotiable though)

I took a test drive earlier today and it drives good. No weird engine sounds and engine revs good and smoothly. No blue, black, or white smoke coming from tail pipes. Brakes squeak intermittenly. Shifts gears good. Lights all come on. Windshield wipers work. Has spare tire and tools.

Ok I know it sounds like a clunker but I've always had a soft spot for MR2's and I know this sounds gay but I do believe in the power of dreams and one of them has always been to own an MR2, no matter the obstacles. They're fairly uncommon cars and have great performance (being turbo-charged is certainly a plus!) I more than won't mind repairing what's wrong with the car (that's why I'm still considering buying it.)

So I guess basically what I'm asking is what do you guys think about this? I can use all of what's wrong with the car to negotiate a lower price (thinking around $3,000-4,000...should I ask for a lower price than that range?)

[430hpToy]

Personally, i wouldn't go above $3k. And actually i think the blue book price is around $3k. I'd check carfax about that "some" flood damage...

[430hpToy]

actually now that i think about it! how does he know the car has 150, 000 on it??? the speedo is broke!!! it could have 250,000...

[xavior66]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing on the speedo but he said it broke on him within the last 200 miles. I figure if he's honest enough to admit it has flood damage (most people would stop there) then I can believe that too.

[430hpToy]

Man, that title is gonna have a all kinds of notes on it! LOL

I'd see how far you can talk him down! They are hard cars to find!
I live near cleveland OH and got my mr2 in boston MA.

Good luck w/ it!!!

[deuce93t]

i would say go under 3k! I got my MR2 with 111k on it and the only thing that was off about it is that it need an airfreshner and i paid a little over 3k. I live in Fl and i got a heck of a deal on that. I agree check the car fax i didnt get two other because they lied about hte miles too so you never know. good luck man! hope you join the ranks soon

[xavior66]

Well isn't this a coincidence! After surfing the forums a little while I found this post...

http://toyotanation.com/forum/t135419.html

I'm positive it was the same MR2 I was looking at. Worst of all the price magically went from $4,500 to $4,885! What logic are these bone head salesmen using?!

Bottom line: I'm offering no more than around $3,000-3,400. If the guy won't part then oh well. Maybe he'll end up magically increasing the price to like $5,500. :P

[dwebb99]

That car has the "best walk away"feeling about it, flood damage car (you better be parpared to have ALL KINDS of electrical issues down the line (not at all fun trying to sort out especiallly when you can't drive it!), and mileage with the speedo broken, nuless you can get it for DIRT CHEAP, best you keep looking....

[430hpToy]

That guy is never going to get that kind of money from that car!

I'd offer him like $2500 and go from there...

[CompanyFlow]

Id offer him $2k. Turbo needs a rebuild, check engine light is on, and it sounds like the cluster is broken so who knows how many miles are really on it.

[blackwidow94t]

I would offer him nothing and go for a diffrent mr2. You do not want to deal with a flood damaged car. there are so many diffrent things that could be wrong with flood damaged cars. I highly suggest a getting an mr2, but not this one.

[vtsuckah]

I fully agree, pass this one up. You will most likely need to put a lot of money into this mkII, especially since the turbo needs a rebuild, that alone is $500+. You will want a two that drives, not one that will always be in the shop in pieces.

[xavior66]

Well guys after a little more thought and suggestions from you guys I've decided to pass this one up. Thanks for your input!