My new-to-me 85 MR2

[Bluefire98]

Just picked this cutie up for a sweet price of 1200 bucks. I drove it back from Gold Beach (3 and a half hour drive!!!) with no issues. The car definitely needs some work but the fact that it made the drive without breaking down or even a hiccup is pretty impressive to me. Here are some deets:

1985 N/A Toyota MR2
5spd manual
Clean title
220k miles
Almost rust free
Straight body
Fairly clean interior for the age

Now here's what's wrong it; the coolant gauge doesn't really work. The needle will slam into the red even though the car isn't overheating. Occasionally it will settle back to the middle and read accurately. The engine leaks oil, the exhuast has some leaks too, the suspension creaks when you hit a bump, the car doesn't track straight, the brakes shudder, the steering wheel vibrates around 65-70mph, the rear tires are pretty much bald, oh and you can't lock the car from the inside.

I bought this car as a project, cause there really isn't anything to be fixed on a 4 year old toyobaru that has it's maintenance up to date. I'm not 100% certain on what I'm going to do to the mr2 outside of fixing it, but since this isn't my daily, a 4age turbo build might be in order hehehehehe. I'll try to update this thread for fun when I can.

[Bluefire98]

Huh so my photo isn't showing, here's a link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mCG...w?usp=drivesdk

[Mr.ac]

Nice. Welcome to constant headaches, followed by the biggest grin on your face every time you drive it.

Every thing is easily fixable, just takes money and time. But..... it only lasts for a while.

I had my '88 Supercharged, that's was a great little go-kart. Problem was it was a money pit. It always needs something, by the time I added all the parts it made more sense to sell it and by a new car. Monthly payments where a tad less than what I was paying.

Any way good luck and have fun.

[Bluefire98]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Nice. Welcome to constant headaches, followed by the biggest grin on your face every time you drive it.

Every thing is easily fixable, just takes money and time. But..... it only lasts for a while.

I had my '88 Supercharged, that's was a great little go-kart. Problem was it was a money pit. It always needs something, by the time I added all the parts it made more sense to sell it and by a new car. Monthly payments where a tad less than what I was paying.

Any way good luck and have fun.

Thanks for the heads up. This isn't a car I have to rely on thankfully so hopefully I'll be able to enjoy it more that way instead kicking it everytime it breaks down on my way to work

[Will BRZ]

Not a bad pickup for $1,200! They seem like fun little cars to work on and drive. Don't think it would take much to make it look good either.

Believe it or not, I saw a right hand drive MR2 on my way to work today. Not sure what year, but looked a bit newer than yours. Couldn't help but admire it lol certainly a good project car. Are you turning it into a track car or just looking to build it for fun?

[Bluefire98]

Originally Posted by Will BRZ

Not a bad pickup for $1,200! They seem like fun little cars to work on and drive. Don't think it would take much to make it look good either.

Believe it or not, I saw a right hand drive MR2 on my way to work today. Not sure what year, but looked a bit newer than yours. Couldn't help but admire it lol certainly a good project car. Are you turning it into a track car or just looking to build it for fun?

Not quite sure. Part of me really wants to strip it out and go full track build but I think I see an s2000 in my future so I may just do some light restoration as well as a few modifications that benefit performance then try to sell it to help pay for an ap1. We'll see though. I'm really open to anything at this point.

[Will BRZ]

Originally Posted by Bluefire98

Not quite sure. Part of me really wants to strip it out and go full track build but I think I see an s2000 in my future so I may just do some light restoration as well as a few modifications that benefit performance then try to sell it to help pay for an ap1. We'll see though. I'm really open to anything at this point.

Good plan. I love S2000s! One day ill be one of those guys ripping it down a track with the top down haha. Seems like you'll be experiencing a good variety of cars then lol good luck with it

[serialk11r]

Oregon...can you do a swap?

A 1NZ-FE is a direct fit for the transmission in the AW. Obviously needs some work before it will outperform a 4A-GE, but building engines is fun, and a lot of people have good results turboing it if you're into turbos. You could probably even run it off the 4A-GE ECU with a locked intake cam haha.

[Atmo]

Congrats! Brought back some pleasant memories of my first MR2.

First up might be a new windshield wiper although I kinda like your aftermarket solution.

Good luck with the resto/build.

[bfrank1972]

Excellent buy and a very worth project car, especially for $1200 (as long as there's budget for the project). Really fun little cars.

[Dadhawk]

Congrats @Bluefire98 on a great purchase. I loved my '85 as I've attested to on here many times. One day I will own another!

[Takumi788]

1200!!?? no rust!? A 1200 dollar AW11 in New York is more rust than car! Good find!

[JD001]

Originally Posted by Will BRZ

Not a bad pickup for $1,200! They seem like fun little cars to work on and drive. Don't think it would take much to make it look good either.

Believe it or not, I saw a right hand drive MR2 on my way to work today. Not sure what year, but looked a bit newer than yours. Couldn't help but admire it lol certainly a good project car. Are you turning it into a track car or just looking to build it for fun?

RHD MR2 mK1, wow!!! JDM import I presume.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Bluefire98

Not quite sure. Part of me really wants to strip it out and go full track build but I think I see an s2000 in my future so I may just do some light restoration as well as a few modifications that benefit performance then try to sell it to help pay for an ap1. We'll see though. I'm really open to anything at this point.

Please please don't strip it out! If the interior and body are as good as you say just clean it up and leave it stock as much as possible. Stock samples get rarer every day. Leave the stripping and chopping up for the ones that are beyond saving. God knows here are enough of those ones around