88 Toyota MR2 - Major Problems - is it worth it?

[mbeaman2]

I'm hoping some fellow MR2 folks can help me out here. A couple years ago I convinced my wife we needed to buy this little black 88 MR2 T-Top. It had some problems, but I figured, I've had one of these before, and know alot about how to work on them, so I can handle it. This was the beginning of the end. I wanted the car because it was a cool car that would get better gas mileage than my truck, and would be great for all the running around I have to do.

First, I replaced the cap (only 1 of four points was left), rotor, plugs, and wires. I put on an aftermarket air filter. I went to take it on my first trip, and the fuel pump went out. I coasted to the side of the highway.

The car sat there for months, before I had the time to drop the tank out and replace the pump. I got it running again, and now it sounds like crap and is gutless. The local shop thinks it's the timing, so they adjust the timing . . . good to go, right? WRONG . . . now the car is getting a wonderful 6MPG, that's right SIX . . . I can buy an F250 that will get better mileage than that.

Oh yeah, I had to replace the front struts somewhere in there too. So now I'm completely frustrated with this car, that also seems to have an electrical problem (the horn won't work and won't pass inspection, upon trying to replace it I bumped the old horn against the radiator block and the horn went off!).

I don't know what to do with this thing . . . any ideas on the gas mileage. It's either fix it or donate it to the Lung association as a write off, that or drive it off a cliff, I've about had it. I'm willing to give it one more chance.

[ToyotaTechGeek]

well, it's an older car...maybe it didn't get the love it should have gotten from previous owners. i know, my PO sucked! sounds to me like you expected a turn-key car. well, as with any used car, you need to and should do a major tune-up/maintenance. i mean, flush/drain/fill all fluids, service ignition, braking, and other major systems.

sorry, i know in a nutshell i told you just to spend a bunch of money and time and effort into what should be a fun car. well, just imagine the smile you'll have when it's right again...so now go to the garage...

[MR-355-5sfTe]

why did the shop adjust the timing?? it was running good until the fuel pump went out right??

you said " it sounds like crap".... is there a severe exhaust leak?

"you bumped the horn against the radiator block and it went off" ... simply sounds like a bad ground situation.

and "it won't pass inspection" ... I can only assume that the 6mpg has something to do with that. I'll look for some answers to that last one and get back to you.

[MR-355-5sfTe]

the excessive fuel consumption could be caused fom a number of things.. where applicable:

-faulty injectors
-faulty deceleration fuel cut system
-egr system stuck on
-low compression

are there any odors that you've noticed once you got the car out of the shop?

keep feeding us info, and we'll do what we can.