I've got a local dealership selling a 93' w/ 96k mi for 8.9k, now I've already informed them that they bluebook for 6.9k in perfecty condition so that's out of the way. Now comes the problem, I took it for a test drive and besides the flat suspension and the stiff unresponsive steering, belt squeal, etc...the engine sounded smooth enough but the throttle was pretty much unresponsive, I put foot to floor and got pretty much nothing, I was more impressed with my buddy's stock 96' Mustang GT and it's a dog! The saleman said the previous owner had left it sitting for several years before getting rid of it, what I want to know is how much money am I looking at dumping into it to wake it back up and get it ready for modding.
The '93's are very sought after. But 8.9k is too much...as for how much it's gonna cost to get ready to mod is a very generic question given that there is not enough specific info. What are the mechanical issues and such? Brakes, ignition,cooling,suspension,tires,turbocharger,exh aust systems and compression all need to be in good shape before any modifications should be started.
But finding a '93 turbo at all is a stroke of luck...
The '93's are very sought after. But 8.9k is too much...as for how much it's gonna cost to get ready to mod is a very generic question given that there is not enough specific info. What are the mechanical issues and such? Brakes, ignition,cooling,suspension,tires,turbocharger,exh aust systems and compression all need to be in good shape before any modifications should be started.
But finding a '93 turbo at all is a stroke of luck...
Well basically what I want to know is what it will take to get it back to it's old spunky self. I don't know exactly what's wrong with it yet seeing as it's on a dealership lot but the turbo sounds good and solid when it spools up, the engine seems to idle smooth enough, it's just unresponsive. It shifts a little rough and besides the slack in the throttle cable it seems to be a dog when you get on it. I mean when I started it up and twisted the throttle open (on the tb) it took a second or so before it started to rev up...on the road when I put the pedal down it took quite a while before it started to noticably pick up speed and then it died out again rapidly. I mean I currently have a n/a 04' Grand Prix with an automatic that feels like a jet next to this thing...I just want a few ideas as to what I may be looking at parts and price wise to turn this dog into something worth driving. I love the MR2's, I always have and I finally found one available. I just don't want to be spending $600-700 to get it running right, not even discussing modding.
Not knowing what the problems are is an issue... it might be very expensive to make it new again... give it the life She deserves. But never the less... if u can pick it up for a decent price... it will be well worth the time spent.... might be expensive to get Her up to par... but then again it shouldn't be all that bad to get at least the throttle responce back with a new throttle cable, and maybe a cleaning of the throttle body, and a couple of other moving airflow peices... putting on a new high flow air filter, and things like this......but the 1st thing u would want to do is replace all the fluids, plugs/wires/cap/rotor. Air filter, welll to put it at best.. the basic tune up should be a big improvement. Most of these things u can do yourself fairly inexpensive... and clean some internal stuff. Thats my advise... I have a 1993, and couldn't be happier... good luck!!!
Turbo's should always be warmed up before " dogging " it. Not just the engine at running temp, but the turbo needs to get hot. The Turbine needs to be hot to spool up quickly . (and they can get real hot ). Until it does, it will feel sluggish. This is what you may have experienced. You also said it's been sitting for awhile, that too has an effect.
They have shift cables which make for " notchy" shifting.
Do you know someone who can do a compression test for you? That would tell alot . PSI should be between 145 and 165.
As for how much you may spend to get it up to par, who know? As you go thru the engine bay, you may find other issues. Or after a tune up and oil change, she may run great.
But in general, when you by a used car, you will inevitably have to work on/repair them. So if money is going to be a serious issue just to get it in a dependable running state, you may want to consider that.
It is not unusual for MR2s to sell considerably higher than blue book - especially the 93s ... the 94/95s will sell well beyond blue book.
As for the condition of this car, look at the date painted on the spark plug wires.
I suspect you will see something from the late 90s on them.
Turbo MR2s eat ignitions and we've seen them lose as much as 35 rwhp from old wires. I suspect that brand new TOYOTA cap, rotor, wires and plugs would breathe a lot of new life into this car.
Obviously I can't "see" the car from here, but I would suspect that is a good starting point.
I also do not buy the "previous owner had it sitting in storage ... blah blah blah"
Every dealership from California to New Jersey uses that line.
they are free for me, im using a dealership's account. they just dont know that :p i happen to know the GM
i have yet to figure out how to link this, somehow carad.com links them to my ebay auctions. /shrug
::EDIT:: i took out the info and sent it in a PM, not sure if he wanted it as public knowledge, nothing bad and clean report, but just incase someone wants it private or public just let me know. ::EDIT::
they are free for me, im using a dealership's account. they just dont know that :p i happen to know the GM
i have yet to figure out how to link this, somehow carad.com links them to my ebay auctions. /shrug
::EDIT:: i took out the info and sent it in a PM, not sure if he wanted it as public knowledge, nothing bad and clean report, but just incase someone wants it private or public just let me know. ::EDIT::
thanks moogle... man that really nice of u to do!!! I love this forum...
Thanks all of you, I'll post the VIN asap I'll swing by the dealership after I get back into town. I figured the fluids and filters would need a change immediately but I didn't know the ignition systems we so fragile, I'll price some parts and then check it out, I think my office has an account with toyota so that shouldn't be any big problem...any way thank you all and I'll keep you updated.
....the things you put down on this car as problems means one thing you can cut that price to peices on how it performs...used car dealerships usually will sell the car for way less then asking.
ex. my ex got a 2003 jetta that was listed at 13k for 10.5 i would undercut this car by likes 1500 and see what they say.there is a ton of room to bring up points on this car.
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Anemic 93' Turbo
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