Thinking On Buying A 91 MR2, Should I Or Shouldn't I ? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Melly · 06-07-2005, 01:22 PM

Looking to buy a 91 mr2

here is what the buddy said about the car

91 mr2 turbo

car is black with black leather,
17" graphite konig troubles with good tires
full border body kit
toms driver side scoop
KO racing 2.5" down pipe
KO racing TKO dual exhaust
manual boost control
fuel cut defender
A pillar gauge pods with boost and oil pressure gauges
tokico 5 way adjustable shocks (not installed yet)
blitz blow off valve

Probably more I can't think of right now, car could use a nice paint job the paint now is flaking at the front bumper and has some orange peel in it. It has 17x xxx miles on it and runs very strong, I put all new engine seals in it last year. The car dynoed 198whp and 196wtrq but definitly has the potential to go far beyond that.
Car is from Texas, so no rust, never seen winter.

Price is 7900 no tire kickers please the price is way below what the car is worth, but I bought a bike and need to sell.

NO TRADES PLEASE. Not interested in another vehicle.

You can see the car and info at this website ( http://lowmotion.org/viewtopic.php?t=49913 )

also, I seen the car and was talking to the buddy about the car, he said he has put new clutch, new engine seals. He said that it is burning very very rich and is the reason it smokes alittle from the exhaust. He said I could buy a SAFC to make it more lean, etc and would stop it from smoking, also....he took me for a drive, seemed to work very well....but when we came back from the drive....the engine back was steamy and I smelt something, I asked him what it was....he said it was the " HFH " hose frome hell..said it is leaking alittle and would need to be replaced. Does this problem sound like the "HFH" or is there something he isn't telling me ?

what should I do ? Is it worth $7900 Canadian ? let me know what you think ?

Piddy · 06-07-2005, 01:46 PM

Mileage?? Seems kinda pricey for a '91. HP #'s aren't really that impressive. Wonder what boost he was running at?? Do you really want a car all the way from Texas??.... are you considering shipping costs, importing it to canada... etc.

Pineapple · 06-07-2005, 02:12 PM

^7900 is cheap up here. Some go for $15000+.
If you gonna have time and money to maintain the car, yes. If you want a reliable car that don't break down, no. Its a non-stop project car so keep a G or 2 in your bank.
There is no good reason for it to run really rich. Either he did something to the engine or something is broken. He must have a good reason to sell a car at half market price.

Piddy · 06-07-2005, 02:39 PM

That's not half market price for Texas... maybe for Canada... but down here that isn't a GREAT price. He is running rich because of his BOV venting to the atmosphere.

I wouldn't say MR2's are non-stop project cars as long as you maintain them. Mine has never been broken down..... it only sits when I'm tearing something out of it for my personal pleasure.

Also.... hose from hell is a big job.... hence the name. You basically have to pull the turbo to get to it. Tell him to fix the hose before he sells it.... because you don't wanna get stuck with the job. If you get it done at a shop expect to pay ~$300. Doing it yourself should be about $60.

Pineapple · 06-07-2005, 02:43 PM

We got salt in winter, so a good condition car worth a lot. Either its kept in garage or ship in from some where else. Cheapest MR2 Turbo in AutoTrader.ca is $11500. $7900 is for non-turbo.

Melly · 06-07-2005, 09:43 PM

so do any of you think that the headgasket would be gone in the car ? or when he was telling me the hose from hell was gone that was the smoke and smell coming from the car ? is there anything else I should be looking for before I decide to buy it ?

***MR2Jedi*** · 06-07-2005, 09:59 PM

just know, that on top of whatever you end up paying for the car, you will most certainly be pumping more money into it till it's all running right and you're satisfied that it can take you where you want to go and back safely..thats a certainty... how much are u willing to pay and how much more are you willing(able) to put into it?

Melly · 06-08-2005, 12:48 PM

I dont really understand what you mean. I know and am willing to keep it up and take care of it but u make it sound like it will need a new everything asap.. the car itself i will pay 7 for and it need a paint job and a hose from hell

***MR2Jedi*** · 06-08-2005, 01:13 PM

whenever you buy a used vehicle, you can bet you'll have to do some work to it. thats all.. cars are basically money pits anyway. especially one thats 14 yrs old. plus being an MR2 Turbo, guys like to drive the shit out of them. I know I do..for all we know, maybe you'll be lucky and you won't have to do anything to it. You just gotta know it's a possibility and be prepared for it..I know alot of guys who caughed up all their money to buy a certain car and then a few weeks later -problems and they don't have the money to fix- so it just sits there till they get the money together..thats how I was able to get my 91 mr2turbo. the previous owner had to get a new block and internals and couldn't pay the bill, so Toyota dealer sued him for the car and I picked it up from there... but from what I've been reading, thats a good price for Canada..

Pineapple · 06-08-2005, 02:00 PM

Basically you'll need money to buy the car, extra to rebuild the engine, turbo, tranny, new tire, radiator etc. Also start thinking about brake and suspension. $7900 is good price but the seller may not tell you the whole story. He sealed the engine and its still leaks? For sure he didn't do a good job.

Melly · 06-08-2005, 08:23 PM

I think it's a good price for what I'm getting, it comes with new brake pads and new adjustable struts, I would just have to put them on, As far as driving it hard, I'm sure it has been driven hard but since I'm a lady driver I more or less want it for cruising and taking it to shows, Not gonna be tearing the shit out of it.

Pineapple said

"He sealed the engine and its still leaks? For sure he didn't do a good job."

Yeah, He put new engine seals in it, it's not the engine seal that is leaking, the only think that leaks on it is the ( Hose from Hell ) which leaks alittle when the engine is started....which I plan on having fixed as soon as possible if I buy the car.

I know I need money for the car, thats not the problem, I know I can't expect to buy it and not have to replace anything for 5 years or anything like that, I just don't really know much about the car at all, thats why I'm asking owners for their opinion.

Basically from everything I have told you guys....if you were in my situation do you think it's worth purchasing?

***MR2Jedi*** · 06-08-2005, 09:05 PM

well, you know your market up there better tha I. the MR2 gets rarer by the day. they are well engineered and can take the punishment. I personally place a high value on mine-regardless of any Bluebook price..looks like your doin' your homework on it.if you feel comfortable with it, go for it..they're a kick to drive and they look very cool. and I bet you'll make it look even cooler...

onehotcamry · 06-08-2005, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR2BAD

whenever you buy a used vehicle, you can bet you'll have to do some work to it. thats all.. cars are basically money pits anyway. especially one thats 14 yrs old. plus being an MR2 Turbo, guys like to drive the shit out of them. I know I do..for all we know, maybe you'll be lucky and you won't have to do anything to it. You just gotta know it's a possibility and be prepared for it..I know alot of guys who caughed up all their money to buy a certain car and then a few weeks later -problems and they don't have the money to fix- so it just sits there till they get the money together....

yeah, take me for example. Bought a 2 and about a month and a half later, boom, transmission bye bye(not my fault either....partially)