Help!! To Buy or Not: 91 MR2 Turbo?

[eckoman_pdx]

Hello,

I am new to the forums.

An aquantiance of mine is selling a 91 MR2 Turbo, clean title. I looked at it the other day when I was there. It is Red with a Black Interior w/ factory leather. It is a MT (like all turbos) and has 170K on the motor. It is bone stock, 100% un-modified.

The red paint is a little faded, like most red ones are. I used to detail, so I can use a rotary buffer and compound if needed. No idea if there's clear on it or not though. The leather is worn. No tears or anything, but it has the worn look leather gets after awhile. The glove box is jammed, so I'll need a new one from a junkyard, dealership, or some place. The shift boot is in need of replacement. Again, junkyard, dealership, aftermarket or I could stitch one up (I used to do upholstery work). The ashtray is missing to, so again, dealership or junkyard, etc...or just forget about it (not like I need one, LOL).

As for the motor, he said the turbo is in good shape, he said no shaft play, etc...and the manifold looks good and bolts up good. The engine bay looked pretty clean, as did the interior. He said it has a small oil leak, probably the oil pan gasket or something. Just a small drip every day or so.

Also, it has a small leak from the T-Top in the passenger rear corner. He said that it's really small, a few drops or two every half hour. He said almost all t-tops leak a little bit, and it's almost impossible to get it to seal 100%, even with new seals. Is that true?

He'a a machanic, and he said it had some electrical issues, but he fixed all of them, so it's fine now. Also, it has an OEM radio, but he didn't hook it back up. I looked, and all it needs is to be plugged in. Not that it matters, I have a radio and speakers hear I'll put in if I get it.

Also, is there anything I should look for, any known issues MR2's have I should check out, or anything else I should do? I figured run a compression test to be safe, but I'm not too sure what else.

Anyways, he was asking $5200-5500 for the car. We've known each other awhile, and he said he'd sell it to me for $4000.

Does the car seem decent, is it a good deal?? I know MR2 turbos typically sell for a lot more, so it seems like a good deal to me, but I am not an MR2 expert. A few buddies I have in Seattle thought it was a good deal, but I figured I run it buy ppl in the know. Please tell me what you think, he wants to know by the end of the week.

[akn112]

thats pretty good for mr2 turbo, im going on prices ive seen around ontario which usually start around 6-7k for what you've described. TTops have a known leak problem and is very common though im not so sure about not being able to 100% seal it up. Maybe vasciline will work?

[MRQtwinturbo]

do not use vaseline..it will harden the silicone over time....i use a silicone grease from Honda called Shin etsu..so far it stop my leaks...if that doesn't work...you'll have to replace the seals with new ones....

[eckoman_pdx]

Thanks for the input. It seemed like a good deal my buddy is cutting me, I never see turbo's go for that low, but I thought I'd get the opinions of people who've owned them.

I think I remember hearing someone selling an NA awhile ago tell me that vasaline kept it from leaking, but after hearing it will harder the silicone over time, it doesn't sound like the right product.

I'll have to try this Honda Shin Etsu stuff MRQturbo spoke of, since it won't harm it. Hopefully it will do the trick. I'd hate to replace the seals over a tiny leak.

Do I just put it on my figure and run it over the t-top seals until it's good slick (or however it gets!!) and noticables on 100% of it? Then just re-install the t-tops?

[thangxixon]

forget the T-top . worry about the engine , turbo and trans. since the car is 170000. ask him if the turbo been rebuilt/replace?. ill surprised if it last that long.
4k is a decent-good price. go for it