Possible future MR2 owner.

[m4rkz0r]

I've been given the wonderful opportunity to buy a white 1992 hard top turbo MR2.

The paint on the car is crap, it needs a new fender and door skin (these are the only rusted body parts), 3rd cylinders has blown rings, turbo seals are leaking, and a few other smaller things. How much would you guys say the car is worth? I'll try and get some pics.

[b.18tuner5875]

i would say 2 grand, i got mine for 3200 with a dead third cylinder, and people say that was cheap

[328FTW]

Its a good deal if your willing to make the car into what you want by working hard on it but if your going to take it to a shop and say "here fix this" then probably not. The good thing about cars like this is you can do just about anything you want within reason ie Your paint sucks so repaint it whatever you want and a blown ring means you can do a full teardown and redo all the gaskets so you have not one leak and it has no ongoing issues. And you will have a sense of pride when your finished, something ricers and the such lack.

Welcome BTW

[m4rkz0r]

I appreciate the replies guys. I'll be doing all the work myself with some friends. I'm actually buying the MR2 from a friend; he got an STI and decided to ditch the MR2. :-( Good for me though.

I've never worked on a mid rear car, so this should be interesting. I've been a Honda nerd ever since I learned how to drive at 16, I'm 22 now. I've only done one engine swap and that was a B16 into a CRX, I didn't use an engine lift BTW I put the engine onto a furniture moving cart, jacked the front end up, and slid the engine under.

My current car is a 1997 Honda Accord. I pieced together turbo parts about 3 years ago and slapped a snail on it for 35,000 miles. Then I decided I didn't want the turbo; for various reasons, and just took it off about 2 months ago.

So yes, I do have experience working on cars and I'm confident I can do the swap myself.

I'm going to swap a 3rd gen 3sgte into the 2. Does anyone know any reputable companies who sell engines? Or how about some useful resources? I tried searching to no avail

[b.18tuner5875]

japan engines depot in texas i believe is the name, or even hmotors, im sure u are familiar with that site

[Gairloch]

You've also got access to one of the best MR2 tuners in the country down there. ATS out of Dallas has built some of the most powerful and reliable MR2s in the country.

[MR2 Drifter]

I say go for it if you got TIME and MONEY

I wouldn't buy it if it was in a crash, had huge dents, or was heavily rusted, but paint comes after the engine swap so there's nothing wrong with that

And MR2 being a rear engine car it's harder to work on then those civics
(and tastefully mod it, dont rice it up)

[m4rkz0r]

I've paid for the car already :-D 1800! I'll be picking it up, and dragging it to my parents house tonight. I'm excited! I just have to order my 3rd gen 3sgte, preventive maintenance parts, and various other after market parts. What do you guys recommend replacing? obviously clutch, timing belt, water pump... Anything that would be easier to do now that I'll probably want?

[m4rkz0r]

I finally got her today! It was tough, but 105.95 dollars later and it's in my parent's garage.

I found out that it would be impossible to drive the car because the rear right caliper was seized and the wheel would not move. I ended up calling the tow truck to come pick it up and tow it home. After he got there as he was pulling the car up the flat bed he told me he used to have an MR2. He wrecked it racing a Fiero because he was "stupid and 18."

My parents driveway is curved, and it looked like it would be a pain to get it in the garage. So I just told him put it all the way back in the driveway. He insisted that; he could, and would get it in that garage for me anyways.

This guy was freakin awesome. He was really careful, and took his time getting it off the flat bed as safely as possible. We ended up using a floor jack to lift the car from the rear cross member so we could move the seized wheel.

While he was getting my credit card info he told me he has an SRT-4 with a bunch of ridiculous mods. All and all I had fun getting that thing home. My mom even made fun of me for being so excited... She just doesn't understand I guess. :-p

I'll probably be making a thread in SW20 section on the progression of the swap. Anyways, here's some terrible pictures from my phone:

[Maruki-kun]

nice find