Opinions on MR2

[cdrazic93]

[hmong337]

Originally Posted by Atropine

The BEAMS V6 is a great engine for this if you have the time, patience and skill and money to do so.

what the fuck is a beams v6?

[Atropine]

Originally Posted by hmong337

what the fuck is a beams v6?

Huh, all these years I thought the Beams was a V6.

I have had 3 AW-11's so I use to visit the MR2 forums a ton. The Beams and V6 section are on top of each other for the SW20. http://www.mr2.com/forums/forum.php


I am wrong about Beams being a V6. I just always read that particular engine was good for 200 HP and almost 200 ft/lbs torque. I just always assumed it was a V6 (like out of a JDM Camry or some other Sedan). I read a lot of write ups (never that closely because I had AW-11s) and most people with the Beams seemed really happy with them.

I was always a 4AGE or 4AGZE guy myself, so SW20 were never my expertise.

I found an old post on the other forum with pics of my old car...I lost all my old pics when my computer died and I sadly sold that car (big regret in life there...loved that car)
http://www.mr2.com/forums/threads/85...ht=#post926569

I have just read a lot of threads where someone gets the Turbo and then would complain about all kinds of things related to that swap. A lot of people seemed happy with their Beams engine.

But yeah, you are correct, it does not appear there is a Beams V6.

EDIT: read what you wrote, how hard was your engine swap? I use to live in Tacoma, WA and a lotta people had failed swaps up there in Seattle. I won't name names, but you probably remember all those popping up for sale on the MR2 Forums "runs strong, needs new loom and a tune...almost complete...just don't have time atm because (insert life reason here)"

I guess seeing all those made me shy away from considering buying a swapped Turbo MR2 that didn't start life as a Turbo MR2. But I have looked at your MR2 write ups/pics on the other site a long time and have admired it.

[NyC Zn6]

my first car was a sw21 2nd gen 3s swap. i loved it so much until i hooned too much and blew the valve seals. Sold the car to a friend because i had no time to work on it and i purchased an 86 for hooning duties. My friend now has a 3rd gen 3s in it running 12.87 on shitty tires lol. Went for a ride in it last summer and regretted ever selling the deuce

[fumanchu1]

Originally Posted by Atropine

Huh, all these years I thought the Beams was a V6.

I have had 3 AW-11's so I use to visit the MR2 forums a ton. The Beams and V6 section are on top of each other for the SW20. http://www.mr2.com/forums/forum.php


I am wrong about Beams being a V6. I just always read that particular engine was good for 200 HP and almost 200 ft/lbs torque. I just always assumed it was a V6 (like out of a JDM Camry or some other Sedan). I read a lot of write ups (never that closely because I had AW-11s) and most people with the Beams seemed really happy with them.

I was always a 4AGE or 4AGZE guy myself, so SW20 were never my expertise.

I found an old post on the other forum with pics of my old car...I lost all my old pics when my computer died and I sadly sold that car (big regret in life there...loved that car)
http://www.mr2.com/forums/threads/85...ht=#post926569

I have just read a lot of threads where someone gets the Turbo and then would complain about all kinds of things related to that swap. A lot of people seemed happy with their Beams engine.

But yeah, you are correct, it does not appear there is a Beams V6.

EDIT: read what you wrote, how hard was your engine swap? I use to live in Tacoma, WA and a lotta people had failed swaps up there in Seattle. I won't name names, but you probably remember all those popping up for sale on the MR2 Forums "runs strong, needs new loom and a tune...almost complete...just don't have time atm because (insert life reason here)"

I guess seeing all those made me shy away from considering buying a swapped Turbo MR2 that didn't start life as a Turbo MR2. But I have looked at your MR2 write ups/pics on the other site a long time and have admired it.

yeah the beams is a 3sge with Yamaha designed head, fucking great engines, came stock in the rs200 (Europe racing is300) just a bit anemic for a 3000lbs lexus lol

[Veloist]

Originally Posted by PMok

Also tagging @Veloist who owns one of the cleanest MR2 NA's I've seen around, to get his input on the ownership experience.

Thanks @PMok. I got my 1991 N/A MR2 from an older man who was in his 60's. It was a 3-owner car and it was bone stock and had low miles (85k) . I picked it up in April 2014 and currently it has 90k miles, so I have about 5,000 miles of experience with the N/A MR2.

In those 5,000 miles I had the front passenger wheel bearing replaced and spent about $1k in parts and labor to get it to pass smog. Some of the future jobs I'm anticipating are the 90k-mile tune-up to change the timing belt, coolant hoses, and replacement of valve stem seals. That would probably be about another $1.5k in parts and labor. A not so needed job but much appreciated one would be to change the shocks for a better ride because it's not the best.

Even a clean, bone stock example will need some work & attention done to it. The nice thing is that the engine is supposedly very reliable as it is shared with the Camry.

Driving the car was fantastic when I alternated between the MR2, a Corolla, and a Prius. The lack of power was very evident going up a steep hill or if you were below 3500 RPM in any gear. The transmission is really smooth too but mileage could play a role in that.

When I got my BRZ in September '15 I kept comparing the it to the MR2 and naturally I preferred the BRZ in almost every aspect, most likely because of the new car feel but I noticed a difference in the handling almost instantly. This was probably due to the fact that I had really cheap tires on my MR2 because they were the only ones I could find that would fit an outdated 14-inch wheel.

If I had to describe each car in one word it would be as simple as "old" for the MR2 and "new" for the BRZ. I can't even take the MR2 for a spirited drive because I can't feel any thrill with the tires, and the old stock suspension creates more than enough body roll that it spoils the experience and road communication in the turns.

The MR2 has a lot of potential which is why you will hardly see a bone stock one. The great thing is there will always be someone who will appreciate the car not just for what it is but also how well maintained it is.

My MR2 is slightly on the market, and I have low offers at $5,000 and high offers at $7000. Most of my local offers are $6000-$6500. So why haven't I sold it yet? Part of me doesn't want to deal with the out of area buyers. I also don't have a lot of time to show and sell the car.

But I think the number one reason why I haven't sold the car yet is because I don't want to. Like I said, I know the car has a lot of potential despite it's flaws, and that's something I'm willing to address, but I'm not totally committed. It's also a car I waited a long time for. I searched 2 years for a car like this and I didn't find it on Craigslist or the internet, my dad met him at a gas station and asked him if it was for sale.

So that's my ownership experience with my MR2. If you want to see my craigslist ad it's right here: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/5423219599.html

[Dadhawk]

I had a Gen1 1985 low number (on first shipment) MR2 and loved it...and still miss it do this day. I drove it from 3 miles on the odometer to a little shy of 200,000 miles and was the only person to ever drive it until I sold it. Haven't driven one in almost 25 years but if I close my eyes, I can still picture it.

Never drove a Gen2 although I admire them for their more timeless form and the improvements made.

Interesting that a lot of the items listed on here for "things to watch out for" are primarily maintenance items (timing belts, worn parts, etc) that I just consider part of owning any car. That said, I have rarely gotten rid of a car before it hits the 200,000 mile mark so I'm used to doing long term maintenance items. Stuff wears out over time.

I have started half-heartedly looking for a MK1 MR2. If I found one that was relatively unmolested I might just buy it.

[PMok]

Originally Posted by hmong337

I've owned my current car for 11 years now and will still admit that the car still scares me till this day. Only a well seasoned professional will be able to push this car close to 10/10ths if they are brave enough. This car not only test how much skill you have, but mostly, how big of balls you have. I firmly believe it is still one of best bang for handling cars our there, but how big are your balls to fully take advantage of its capabilities will only tell. The turbo version is certainly not something anybody can drive fast like the frs.

this is actually a great point. I owned both SW20 and ZZW30 MR2s and the handling on an MR2 is great but can be unforgiving at the limit. For that reason, I've always felt more comfortable driving the BRZ/86 aggressively compared to the MR2. The MR2 may actually have the higher cornering limit, but it's scary at the limit and so you hold back a little bit. The 86 you can push to the limit and beyond, and still feel in control.

[hmong337]

Originally Posted by fumanchu1

yeah the beams is a 3sge with Yamaha designed head, fucking great engines, came stock in the rs200 (Europe racing is300) just a bit anemic for a 3000lbs lexus lol

BEAMS also lived in the sw20 engine bay for 97-98.

[PMok]

Originally Posted by hmong337

BEAMS also lived in the sw20 engine bay for 97-98.

I'm not sure anyone else would agree with me on this, but I kind of view the FA20 motor as the modern day BEAMS... at least in terms of displacement, cylinder count, and hp rating they are same... 4 cyl 2.0L making ~200hp. Now the BEAMS made more torque I believe, but it didn't have to meet the same emissions restrictions back then, that the FA20 has to today. Add the fact that the SW20 MR2 weighs about the same as a modern day BRZ... the similarities, and the reasons why someone would want to drive/own both, are kind of remarkable.

[hmong337]

Originally Posted by Atropine

Huh, all these years I thought the Beams was a V6.

I have had 3 AW-11's so I use to visit the MR2 forums a ton. The Beams and V6 section are on top of each other for the SW20. http://www.mr2.com/forums/forum.php


I am wrong about Beams being a V6. I just always read that particular engine was good for 200 HP and almost 200 ft/lbs torque. I just always assumed it was a V6 (like out of a JDM Camry or some other Sedan). I read a lot of write ups (never that closely because I had AW-11s) and most people with the Beams seemed really happy with them.

I was always a 4AGE or 4AGZE guy myself, so SW20 were never my expertise.

I found an old post on the other forum with pics of my old car...I lost all my old pics when my computer died and I sadly sold that car (big regret in life there...loved that car)
http://www.mr2.com/forums/threads/85...ht=#post926569

I have just read a lot of threads where someone gets the Turbo and then would complain about all kinds of things related to that swap. A lot of people seemed happy with their Beams engine.

But yeah, you are correct, it does not appear there is a Beams V6.

EDIT: read what you wrote, how hard was your engine swap? I use to live in Tacoma, WA and a lotta people had failed swaps up there in Seattle. I won't name names, but you probably remember all those popping up for sale on the MR2 Forums "runs strong, needs new loom and a tune...almost complete...just don't have time atm because (insert life reason here)"

I guess seeing all those made me shy away from considering buying a swapped Turbo MR2 that didn't start life as a Turbo MR2. But I have looked at your MR2 write ups/pics on the other site a long time and have admired it.

Going from NA to turbo is very straight forward. There's a few wires you will have to move around but nothing serious at all. Be sure to grab a set of turbo shifter cables, rear turbo hubs, and figure which route you want to go with doing the speedometer to work (mech or elec). It's been coverd many times over on the MR2 forums.

Like with any modded car, stay away from the hackjob cars. Sadly, most NA to turbo conversions are hackjobs.

[cdrazic93]

sooooo toyota, you axed the TC, what about bringing back a homeage to the MR2, without the styling of the MR-S.

[hmong337]

Originally Posted by PMok

I'm not sure anyone else would agree with me on this, but I kind of view the FA20 motor as the modern day BEAMS... at least in terms of displacement, cylinder count, and hp rating they are same... 4 cyl 2.0L making ~200hp. Now the BEAMS made more torque I believe, but it didn't have to meet the same emissions restrictions back then, that the FA20 has to today. Add the fact that the SW20 MR2 weighs about the same as a modern day BRZ... the similarities, and the reasons why someone would want to drive/own both, are kind of remarkable.

Well, that's just it. The FRS in many ways reminds me of the NA version of the sw20. It's surprisingly similar how both drive as both are ~2700lbs, low hp, and agile. Albeit the FRS is the better handler (also being 25 years newer in design) much of the same qualities exists in both cars.

If anything, I wish Toyota would've continued to develope the BEAMS or 2zz further and stuffed it under the hood of our ft86. Sure the CoG will be higher but they could also shove it way back against the firewall too and go after 50/50. I still am not too much a fan of our fa20 as after decades of technological improvememts in the auto industry, it still only puts out what a BEAMS puts out over 10 years ago. I suppose it gets the job done but it's still very lack luster and average at best. I would've been much more happy if the FA20 would have gotten some sort of varible lift over the shotty D4S system. Something like a boxer with all the 2zz fixings would've totally ticked all the boxes. Can't have it all I guess...

[super-86]

Had a sw20 and it was the funnest car I've ever owned! Realiable, quick, and good looking. I sold my FRS and am in the process of scouting for a 94-95 T.