MR2, some problems

[celestial]

Hi everyone,

I'm an SVX owner currently, but have owned 5SFE Celicas and am currently in talks with someone to trade cars. He has a 91 MR2, 175k on the body, 70k on an engine rebuild. The transmission does the grind on the 3-2 downshift, and a broken windshield, and the seats are thrashed..

the car has SSAC header, nology wires, CAI, 5 degree timing advance, and he is including Eiback sportline springs. I value my SVX around $3k, but want a relatively problem free car, daily driver, not a racer.

What should I primarily be looking for?
Will the NA pass emissions with a cat-less header?
How much to replace the windshield?

any responses would help, as im travelling far tomorrow to look at it.
drive 4 hours, or walk?

[Piddy]

You can pickup a set of used seats for pretty cheap. Easily under $200 for cloth. Windshield will run you ~$100-200 depending on where you go. You will want to check your local emission laws to see if you will pass. In California you would not pass.... but we have very strict emission laws. The nice part about the NA's is that parts are very cheap to find because so many people are doing swaps (not to mention the 5s was offered in so many other cars). I recently picked up a full 5SFE clip..... engine, tranny, new clutch/flywheel, axles, hubs, ecu, full exhaust and intake for $400. Great condition with 120k miles on it. You should be able to find a nice condition tranny for very cheap if you wanted to get rid of that grind.

[celestial]

I really don't want any headaches. I had a celica with the S53 transmission and redline syncro fluid didn't do sh!t.

The interior bits I don't really care about, and $200 for a windshield sounds reasonable, compared to $1200 for an SVX.

NJ has fairly strict emissions but no visual, can i just add a cat to the flange after the SSAC header, or would it not get hot enough to function? I'm sure I could find the stock 5S manifold w/ cat for nothing at a junkyard if not.

I have very, very little cash to spend, is this a car i should be considering?

[Piddy]

Having an MR2 as an only car.... and not having much $ for repairs isn't a good idea. Especially if you are not mechanically inclined. The 5s parts are cheap.... but labor is usually higher than other cars.

[celestial]

well, im mechanically competent. i haven't spent a dime on labor in years, except for one thing that required a SST. The problem im running into with my current car is rarity - parts can sometimes take 8 weeks from Japan, not exactly good when you gotta get to work. I'm hoping this car will be easier to get parts for, less mechanically advanced, and more reliable (key thing). Will this car, with the issues listed, make a good daily?

[moogleX]

once taken care of, if you stay on top of things you can keep the n/a running fine. mine was torn to sh*! and with a little love lasted two more years till i hit 200k miles with no rebuild.

i would not count in this car till you had the transmission dealt with,
the seats are up to you its just comfort level,
the windshield is a safty issue but a cheap easy fix, couple hours at most and if you pass emissions, or have to do a little work to pass the car will still be running in the mean time. so if you buy it, take it to a shop and have it checked for anything else. then just give it some tlc and it will be good to you.

[tHa kNiGHt FaLL]

i'd pass on this MR2...

they are rare so do require some patience and research... it took me three months and i had to drive almost 100 miles to get mine.

but it needs to be mechnically perfect... little things wear w/ age... but you need to make sure the motor/trans atleast have no issues...

rebuilt engines.... depending on where they came from could turn out to be nightmares as well.