What is this MR2 worth?

[bior0003]

1991 MR2 NA
The GOOD:
100k miles
new headgasket inspected by Carquest machine shop
new water pump
new timing belt
new timing belt pullies
new hose from hell and heall on earth
new clutch
new clutch pressure plate
cleaned and rebuilt injectors by Witchhunter Performance
throttle body cleaned and bored by Maxbore to eliminate idle surge
replaced the suspension with used Tokico 5 way adjustable shocks and used Tein springs
Interior is original but in good or great condition
Upgraded sound system

The BAD:
Cracked sunroof (spider webbed) but doesnt leak
Chipped paint all over the front bumper (2" x 7" in two seperate spots)
About 20 hail spots
Road rash on one of the alloy rims
Some small rust spots (2 spots about the size of a pencil eraser in front of rear tire)
Rust all along the inside bottom portion of both doors
Expired tabs
No AC (says it needs to be recharged, but thats what everyone says...)

I will thank all who respond!


I currently have a 95 DX Corolla and a 2010 Scion xD (wifes car). I love toyotas but know very little about MR2's. KBB said ~3.1k in excellent, 2.9 in good and 2.7 in fair.

[MR2Jedi]

Pics would help, but I would say $2800.00-3K would be fair.
Have you test driven it? That would be the deciding factor.

[bior0003]

I did test drive the car, it drove/shifted smoothly. It didn't vibrate at idle (or surge for that matter).

I was planing on removing the rust/dents at some point and having it repainted (not sure how difficult or expensive this is to do?). I have done some mechanical work on cars before (timing belt, water pump, radiator, brakes, some electrical). Ive always wanted to try body work but have been a little apprehensive as to how it will turn out.
I was also planing on getting new tires and rims at some point.

Trying to keep the whole budget under 10k

[bior0003]

http://s1084.photobucket.com/albums/j418/bior0003/

[MR2Jedi]

Originally Posted by bior0003

I did test drive the car, it drove/shifted smoothly. It didn't vibrate at idle (or surge for that matter).

I was planing on removing the rust/dents at some point and having it repainted (not sure how difficult or expensive this is to do?). I have done some mechanical work on cars before (timing belt, water pump, radiator, brakes, some electrical). Ive always wanted to try body work but have been a little apprehensive as to how it will turn out.
I was also planing on getting new tires and rims at some point.

Trying to keep the whole budget under 10k

Very Do-able.
Looks good.
If you get it for 3k, you can get alot done with the other 7K.
100K miles is not too high for the 5sfe engine it has in it.
Mind you, there is not alot of performance parts out there for the engine.
But you can find everything for suspension and brake upgrades.
Also, the sunroof models are hard to find.

[Jason.MZW20]

So, what would be the hose from hell on an N/A or 5SFE?

I probably wouldn't pay more than 3k for it because more than likely you'll need:

All new suspension parts (struts, strut tops, bushings, ball joints)
Might need new outer tie-rods and sway bar endlinks (they bend pretty easy)

You have to remember that when you buy a car like this, you NEED to take into account the AGE of the car, not just the mileage. It may only have 100k miles, but unfortunately, rubber wears based on time - not mileage. So, the suspension bushings are more than likely sloppy.

In the 10 years I've had my MR2, I've replaced just about everything mechanical on it. So, be prepared. These cars are OLD, and they'll cost you a lot of money.

[bior0003]

Now that you mention is, the suspension did seem a little sloppy. It chattered a lot at 5k rpm+.

As far as the money is concerned, all cars are a terrible investment. If you buy a car for 3k, put 12k worth in mods to it, it is prob worth right around 5k. There is very little return on investment.

Idk, I am still thinking about it.

[Jason.MZW20]

Don't let me deter you though. I just want you to know what you're getting yourself into. The MR2 community is one of the best out there, IMO. We all try to help each other, so long as you're not like HELP ME NOW and never contribute.

They're fun cars. My MR2 was totaled out by another's insurance company after he rear-ended me at less than 5mph in a parking lot. Why would I junk a perfectly good car just because the title says it's salvaged now? They gave me $5100 for it (paid $4500 back in 2001) in 2003, and I kept it. I haven't looked back since and probably will never sell it.

It's even funner now with a torquey V6.