Quote:
Originally Posted by Dadhawk
I have to agree with the folks above that said the price is right. If I could find one locally for about that amount, with that many miles, and as clean as this one appears, I'd be at the bank right now. A little early holiday gift, even if it is the wrong color.
Read the concerns above, all legit and good advice, particularly the fact it isn't registered. Also, if it has the original alternator and its been stored outside it could need a new one. The hood vents let water run down in them causing corrosion and quite a racket when it runs. A lot of folks mistake it for a problem with the engine itself.
If you love the way the '86 drives, you will love this MR2 more.
(Oh, and bummer it doesn't have the whale tail, I'd have to find one for it!)
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I believe from what I've seen sadly the only ones that came with the fin were the SC versions.
I just got back a little while ago from looking at it again today. As far as the registration is concerned, it IS registered (till 3/14) and was inspected last month (it's got a tag expiring Oct 13). I talked with the wife and she said the reason why it didn't have plates on it right now is because they had a problem with their insurance company. Something about them trying to find cheaper insurance with someone else and the company dropping them without telling them their policy was up and they had this big issue with the DMV because of it.
I haven't seen any of the records yet but i asked for documentation and she assured me her husband kept everything which bodes well.
Everything looks pretty good. The only things that looked bad on the body were two rust spots they had previously mentioned (one on the very top corner next to the antenna up against the rubber bit next to the windshield and the other on the front drivers side of the bottom front fascia). There was also a little bit of what looked like browning on that same lower front fascia bit across it as well. I didn't see anything major with the underside. The roof cloth is worn and has a few holes in it and the shifter boot is again completely cut out. I'm sure the shifter boot wouldn't be too bad but has anyone redone roof apolstery? It's only cosmetic but that still might be a good thing to replace as a project if it's not too intensive.
I didn't get it up to fifth gear (i did a short 5 minute test drive because it dosen't have plates). I made a bit of a fool of myself stalling at the stop sign right next to their driveway. I haven't driven a manual since i first started learning like 4-5 years ago and even then only driven 3 or 4 times. I only stalled every time i stopped... (i blame the inclines!) It was a bit tricky getting into first for some reason but i seem to remember that it was also tricky the time i "learned manual" as well... The steering is also something to get used to since it felt a lot heavier once i got out of that mushy "center" bit. Much of my fears about not being able to drive it home though are assuaged, just as long as i go back roads and avoid lots of stop lights. I think i will definitely love driving it once i have attuned myself to the pedal feel and the shifter.
The only real
red flag i saw was the metal rim lining of the sunroof looking rather rusted. Does anyone know if this is a major concern regarding a potential sign of leakage or just normal weather wear? I've never had a sunroof so i don't know anything about them or whether that tends to happen. I'm going to bring it up with the husband when he gets back from his work trip on Saturday.
The engine purred wonderfully to my ears as far as engines go. I noticed some other noise that didn't sound like the engine. I'm not even sure what it might be. I think it was kind of clicky. I'm not too sure. I only noticed it because i was tentatively listening for any bad engine sounds. Could that be the alternator (they've got leaves just everywhere on it)? It might just be nothing. Again, something i will further inspect and inquire about on Saturday.
I do wish it was red or that wonderful blue they come in but it's still perfectly fine with me. The fact that most of it looks near mint
especially in white just blows me away. The color just seems to emphasize that fact more than some other dark color. It really feels like i took a time machine back to when i was a kid when my dad drove a Mazda 626 growing up (i used to get the greatest kick over the fact that it had electric seatbelts). It's still worn but you can't really fault it for that and i just about died when i turned on the headlights...