Looking for advice from MR2 Owners

[RayFast]

I'm thinking about buying this car: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/448960722.html

I have a '91 Corolla that's in pretty good shape. I do all my own maintenance and repairs, so I buy old and simple. I'm looking for something fun to drive on weekends and dates that'll still get decent gas mileage. My Corolla will still be my everyday commuter (I rack up about 500 miles a week).

I'd like some input from people who know MR2's. I've never owned one; never driven one; know nothing about them. How much different is an MR2 mechanically from, say, my Corolla for instance? What model-specific concerns should I have? What questions should I ask? (And what answers should I hope to get?) Coach me here guys, I'm looking for advice.

[mr2willwin]

Sounds like a good deal, hopefully the seller in honest, and a water pump is all that is wrong. I don't know much about the MK1s, but at that price I would be very interested too.

[JspecGTS]

depends what generation your looking at, first gen is fun light weight car with good handling, second gen little more slick i think better looking of all the gens, if you can find a turbo i recomend it

[toyotaspeed90]

doing a waterpump on that mr2 will be exactly the same process (on the engine) as doing a waterpump in your corolla -- except there's actually less stuff to move/remove (ie power steering pump).

your corolla has an A series block (4afe if 4 door or SR5 and a 4age if gt-s... if it's a gt-s then the blocks are almost identical).

working on the mr2, IMO is actually easier (even though the engine is in the rear). I only say this because i've pulled and reinstalled engines/transmissions in both ae92's and aw11's (1988-1992 corollas and 1984-1989 mr2's) and the mr2's are actually easier. There is no crossmember on the bottom like the ae92 and the wiring ie much easier to access.

doing some routine stuff is a bit tougher than the ae92 (like changing cap/rotor, oil changes) only because you can't stand in front of the engine. But, it's a small price to pay for such a much better car.

before you buy that car in the post, hear it start. the car should run no problems for a couple minutes without a water pump (or water in it, for that matter). If the car won't start, then it's more than a waterpump problem. You might want to take a compression tester as well.


in aw11's, watch for wheel well rust (fixed or not).

if you wait and know where to look, you can find better deals.

[MR2Jedi]

The price is right !!! it would make a good project...