Hello!

Hey man, hope you get one... once you go First Gen MR2, you don't go back.

Being a guy of many small cars ... "MkI RX-7, a Fiero GT, MkI Miata"
Damn, I don't know what you would be afraid of ;p

Ok, first off, I'm on my third Frist Gen MR2 " http://sites.vwsport.com/sandsz/indexyoda.bmp " (not firefox friendly because I had to spoof a .bmp for the html cuz the main page is my friends VW :ugh3: )

As you can see, my red '88 MKI MR2 is a little different from stock Basicly you get one of these babies and you'r riding a go-cart.... even though the Fiero IS smaller by a little! Working on this car is NOT that bad (I'm 5'5" so humm...) I've done a MKI MR2 engine swap (blue '85 -> black '88) and it was /not/ fun, but not horribley difficult (hint, jack the car WAAAYY up and drop that engine out the bottom, no need to take the head off plus you dont CRUSH you'r TPS sensor). I've also done the standard oil changes, changed an alternator, had to trace a voltage drop once (was my fault) and it was all pretty easy with the STOCK car jack (sucks a$s though) and my car is pretty lowered!.... so as far as being able to get around, its really not that bad. ALOT better then a Fiero, or so I heard from several Fiero guys.

One thing you'll learn about Toyota (if you get an MR2) is that they don't screw around when designing a car... every bolt, every nut, every wire has a place and function. By driving the Fiero you've prolly already learned about mid-ship cars and how to handle them. Yes, its different, so be sure you know what your doing before you take that turn fast.

As far as for what to look for, go with a '87 or up, the design is a bit different. Later models have Red-Top TIVS engines... so look for that (if they havent painted it), those are a little better. Later models have a better transmission with the option of 2 mount points for your alternator... these are stronger transmissions (less 5th-gear slip out) plus are needed for any kind of future engine upgrade. Real Eairly models have a sway bar in the front and back, but that was done away with until '88 with the super-charged version. Suspension upgrades will make that point moot.

You get FOUR speaker points (woohoo), but you lose the flat space on your door cards to put 6" speakers (boooo), but you can buy '85/6 door cars that flop right on (yayyyyy). The active air cooling system (the opening on the passenger-side back quarter panel that goes into the engine bay) has a cooler design, sticks out a little, plus is made of plastic, not metal. There are a few interior changes (for the better) including putting the E-break on the drivers side of the center arm-rest.

Ok, now for the beef... N/A or super-charged. I say N/A Hard-top. I've had 2 T-Tops and yes, they are fun, but they LEAK. I don't think there is ONE First gen T-Top mr2 that DOESNT leak... seriously. As far as the engine goes, I say N/A simply because of price.... you can get a good solid (from the south, no north rust buckets) MR2 for around $1000-1500. Supercharged ones sell for like $2500 or more, its just crazy... for that extra $1200 I can buy a 20V Silver-Top /w trans/ecu/ignition system/Air Sensor!! Oh yah, you can't rally with a T-Top dang-nabit.

First Gen MR2s are really light, but can be made tough. I have a full suspension upgrade, 15" rims w/good low-pro treads. With the 2" lower it looks pretty sweet, but it handels VERY well.... a little heavier steering, but worth it for stability. I also have a bolt-in roll-cage with removable support beam that goes from center back to passenger-side floor (I just take out the seat). Of course 5-point harness bolted to car plus racing seat blah blah... That makes my car even heavier. I beat the crap out of that poor thing and all it asks is for gas, oil changes, breaks, clutchs, and tune-ups. All I really have to worry about day-per-day is tire pressure.

So "relativly" easy to work on, excellet durability (barring normal maintence), very agile, very rewarding driving expiernce, a fantastic upgradability due to the AE86 popularity and the 4AGE engine.... and MAN-O-MAN this thing is a CHICK magnet (so cuuute)... I say why havent you had one ALREADY!

(email me for anything specific, I love AW11 MR2s)

 

Wow ATL159reak....I was just reading the thread...you really do love the MKI. I purchased an 86 a couple of years ago for my daughter. She tore up the clutch and tranny and it sat for over a year. I finally decided I'd take it on as a project car. The body is rust free, except for the passenger side floor pan...window leak apparently.

I bought a second 86 for the parts....it had a mint interior, but the lower body is rusted ALL around and underneath...except for the Passenger side floor pan!

I've spent the last serveral weekends taking the parts car apart. Nothing in the interior right now but some cables for the fuel door, trunk, hood, and clutch. In a couple of weeks, I'll tow it up to where the project car is, to take out the engine & trans, and put the trans into the project car to get it running again. Then it's an engine rebuild for the engine out of the parts car. Any tips or info you can provide on the rebuild would be awesome. The engine in the parts car is supposed to be a recent JDM engine. The previous owner couldn't get it running and got fed up with it after a couple of weeks.

Check out this thread....some pics of the project car and the parts car.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56328

How can I tell the difference between a JDM engine and a UDM engine?

Thanks

Robert

 

Thanks, ATL159reak!

That's the kind of information I needed! I'm going to see if I can find a good example to see how the thing runs, see if I'm comfortable with the space. I never have enough room in the footwells!

 

I used to drive Toyota 4runner 86, someone gave me an MR2 MK1 86 N/A automatic Shell (no engine,seats,panels,etc), Spent $350 from car pull-outs now with recaro seats, japanese engine and used it fro 4 years, I was already thrilled w/ automatic Mr2 until I found somebody from Daly city selling MR2 MK1 S/C, its about as fast as MR2 MK2 turbo but much lighter, If you don't know how to fix electricals, you're in trouble but i'm lucky, I get bunch of relays from junk and they all work, Now I added an MSD multifire ignition and mutiple electrode plugs+K&Nair+water injection, You'll kick the behind of MR2 stock turbo, SC also have delay but much shorter than turbo, also need rev limiter, might break the engine over reving, its so much fun, just don't go behind a John Cooper SC (that killed me but for the cost, mine is better)