Newbee looking at an MR2

[Mike Hammer]

I'm looking at an 86 MR2 with the following description, I told a friend I was looking for a car and he has a friend selling this.

""I have a 1986 toyota mr2 It has power windows power locks, am/fm cassette. The car had 86,000 miles on it when I bought it. I had new crank and cam seals put in it. New Alternator, Timing chain, water punp, plugs wires, cap, rotor, catalytic converter, tires, rack and pinion. The car was bought for the gas mileage...which is awesome. It has a 5 speed transmission...this car runs excellant. I have over 3,000 invested, $2,900 and I will part with it. I have 3 other vehicles and a boat...which I am trying to sell the boat. I just want to sell the car so I can invest it into my 68 camaro, and finish that. I can send you a pic of the car if needed. The car had 96,000 on it now.""

This for my son, what should I be looking for and is this a good deal or not. I've got no experience with an MR2 so need advice.

Thanks

[bcrdukes]

Make sure you take the 2 for a test drive. Drive it hard, rev up the engine and when you shift check to see if there's any gear grinding. You may notice it with the 2nd, 3rd and 5th gears. This is due to the syncros wearing out.

Also, check the suspension. Take this to a mechanic (or if you know about cars yourself) and have them look at the bushings, tie rods and springs/shocks. The bushings are notorious to be worn out. If the car has a sunroof, check for leakage.

I can't really think of anything right now. It's midnight in Vancouver and I'm really tired. I'll post up more things to look out for tommorrow when I'm wide awake.

[DSR]

Check for radiator leaks, oil leaks, check if the engine bay is clean. Basic things.

Emergency brake is known to sometimes freeze to the rotor due to opening in line or something along those lines. Not sure if it is the same with the 1st gens

That is a lot of repairs that have been done on it... Could continue