Should i get an 85 MR2?

[Guff]

Check out my buddy's 85.

[einzlr]

Wow I can see why you're tempted. One thing to consider is that he says it's not registered. I would want to try to make sure registering it won't be a problem to avoid surprises later.

[chulooz]

Thats probably as pricey as they come... stock. 27 years will add up regardless of milage.

Id rather a clean swap candidate.

[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!)

[Natheria]

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!)

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...

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Natheria

I believe from what I've seen sadly the only ones that came with the fin were the SC versions.

My "first 100" '85 MR2 (the original Olivia) had the fin. No SCs in '85. In '85 all the fins were black, in 86 they were body colored.

Originally Posted by Natheria

...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.

From the description that sure sounds like it could be the bearings in the alternator. You should be able to isolate it under the hood I would think, but it's been a while since I looked at one.

Originally Posted by Natheria

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...

When I bought my red one, my boss's boss about two weeks later bought the blue one. He was based 3 states away and showed up all proud of it at our branch office, and parked it right next to mine. He was a little distraught to find out a punk kid he'd just hired a few months before had the same car! I think he had planned to claim it was much more than the $12K car it was.

Sounds like as long as you are willing to live with the minor problems you found you got a keeper, but I'm a huge MR2 romantic so probably not the best person to judge, particularly when it isn't my money!

[Natheria]

I talked with a co worker today about the car and he told me he knew a guy who owns MR2's and works as a salesman at the local Toyota dealership. I stopped by after work and talked with him about it and he said to go for it. I'm not sure why i did since I've pretty much convinced myself I'm buying it no matter what but at least i know someone local now to talk to if i need anything.

I'm not sure how I'm going to sleep tonight. I have that antsy feeling like I'm 12 again and it's Christmas eve. Hopefully everything goes well and I'll find a way to get it home tomorrow (my accursed roommate is out of town and my two friends i've asked are busy >.<) and i can start working on cleaning it and preparing it for winter.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Natheria

I talked with a co worker today about the car and he told me he knew a guy who owns MR2's and works as a salesman at the local Toyota dealership. I stopped by after work and talked with him about it and he said to go for it. I'm not sure why i did since I've pretty much convinced myself I'm buying it no matter what but at least i know someone local now to talk to if i need anything.

I'm not sure how I'm going to sleep tonight. I have that antsy feeling like I'm 12 again and it's Christmas eve. Hopefully everything goes well and I'll find a way to get it home tomorrow (my accursed roommate is out of town and my two friends i've asked are busy >.<) and i can start working on cleaning it and preparing it for winter.

Best of luck with it!

I get the urge every once in a while to search the ads for one, I'm always surprised how many decent looking ones are still around. I guess I'll have to pull the trigger one of these days, but not sure MomHawk would be too happy with me coming home with another 2 seater this year.

Hmm, my youngest son gets his license after the first of the year. I'm sure he's been good enough to deserve a solid used car. Might as well be something I'd like to drive....

Well, looky here, here's one that's even the right color not too far from me...

http://nwga.craigslist.org/cto/3336674031.html

I'm stepping away from the computer now...

[Natheria]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Hmm, my youngest son gets his license after the first of the year. I'm sure he's been good enough to deserve a sold used car. Might as well be something I'd like to drive....

Well, looky here, here's one that's even the right color not too far from me...

http://nwga.craigslist.org/cto/3336674031.html

I'm stepping away from the computer now...

hahaha!! CL, it's one helluva drug. It can get really addicting, and get you into so much trouble.

[Natheria]

Well it has been an interesting last couple of days. I went to see the MR2 on Saturday with the intent of buying it in full that day but it was already "bought" by someone else. Apparently some lady had already been looking at it before me. They gave her the title that morning and are waiting on her to get a loan together (why they did it in that order is beyond me...). So i went home with my buddy who i had dragged with me to drive both cars back and had a good faux cry on his shoulder.

All is not lost however because i said screw it after i had recovered and decided to take a look at two local miatas i was also eyeing and i ended up putting a deposit down on a 94 NA instead.

I paid $6700 which sounds like a lot for a 94 with 76k (7000 asking sounded like a lot to me too) but she is absolutely showroom mint. I've never seen a car this old as clean as this one outside of a car show. It's that good. The only noticeable blemish is a mark on the nose where it looks like the paint chipped and someone touched it up but really dosen't detract from the rest of the car. It's almost hard to look at because the paint is so vibrant. I got it from an older guy who used to be a bently/jag dealer and now finds and sells high quality miatas in his retirement. He was a really nice guy and is taking care of all the paperwork just like a real dealer. I plan on getting my funds collected in about a week or so and drive off with it.

Soooo i went into this thinking I'd buy an MR2 and actually ended up buying a miata which was my dream car anyway before the GT-86, aaand now I'm broke. At least I'll be enjoying myself come spring time, because i personally think she is worth every penny and everything i won't be able to buy for a while.

http://rochester.craigslist.org/ctd/3384024881.html

[Guff]

Ooohh, this looks like it has the popular package, so it must have a Torsen LSD as well!

Looks awesome! I'm glad you found such a clean NA.

[choi0706]

lucky to get 5-6k from that.. lol

even 20v swapped cars dont fetch that much..

I have a 87mr2.. only issue is finding decent aftermarket parts for it..

[morgan]

Originally Posted by Wes B.

I wouldn't worry too much about the age. The powerplant in that little sucker will still beat strong.

so true, the 4ag is very reliable. i had one in my '85 corolla gts and it took whatever i handed at it. the rebuilt 20v 4ag in there now is even better.

[fatoni]

thats a pretty cool little ride. as far as i know, there are only two cars worth postponing the frs for. one is the miata and the other is the mr2 (aw11 or spyder). the aw11 is kinda heavy for what it is but there is always a 20v and that is imo the only way to have itbs ata cost effective price