Quote:
Originally Posted by Southwell
Im gonna go check out my mates MR2 tomorrow. I know it's pretty clean, but needs bodywork, exhaust and wheels doing.
Anyone know any good company which would provide insurance for like 1000 miles a year? Otherwise ill be looking at something like a MGB or Spitfire to check everything cheap(ish).
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Is it a Mk1 or Mk2 MR2 you are looking at ? And what year ?
Mk1s tend to rust badly rear 3/4s, behind the door and rear wheelarches. Other than that they are good. Front crossmember can go though, watch out for that one as that holds the front end together ! Also look out for stone chipping front 2-part valance, might have rust there if not looked after. Datsun Cherry Mk2 rear wheelarches can be tweaked to use as replacement rear arches here, and repair panels are avaialble for the rest - see the MK1 MR2 club for details.
Mk2's. especially late ones, dont rust much at all, so worry if it is a Mk2 and it is rusty !
Early Mk1's have a higher revving engine than the post-86's and boy is the extra 1000 revs fun to listen to
Myself & the missus ran a early Mk1 with a late Mk2 together for a year. The Mk2 had in theory 170 bhp, 40 more BHP than the Mk1 but up to a ton there wasnt much in it on the road. And when it came to the twisties the Mk1 was waaaay faster, much more nimble, and much more fun ! If you can find one cheap, the supercharged Mk1 is a beast, very tuneable and very, very quick...
In 80k miles in the Mk1, only 2 problems - once the light switch failed, and the central locking fried itself once hot day. Both fixed quickly though. Apart from that, only regular servicing items were ever needed, and alternators every couple of years. The Mk2 was also very good mechanically wise, although we only kept that a year as it was a little too overweight & boring for us compaired to the Mk1, which we still have 16 years later !
If you can afford one, go for the Magnex Stainless Exhaust, still available new, or s/h for around a 100 quid.
If you do get one, join the owners clubs for advice & benefits. You get much cheaper insurance deals that way as well
