Checking in for father-son project

bfinger35 · 12-29-2008, 08:43 PM

Looking to buy a 3rd generation MR2 and mod it as a father-son project. Seems like a good car for this. Low cost, various body and tuning kits available, etc. Do you agree? Any comments would be appreciated.

surfer8 · 12-29-2008, 09:15 PM

I don't know much about gen3's, but gen2's are plentiful and easy to work on. It really helps having a bunch of people willing to help with advice. This forum has helped me tremendously.

Welcome aboard.

mr.ac · 12-30-2008, 04:30 AM

as for keeping cost low, go to mkII's ('91-'95) MR2. the cars go for $1k to 6k. Engines go for $1k to 5k. As for the mkIII'l (2000+) I haven't seem drop below $10K.

MR2 Drifter · 12-30-2008, 04:44 AM

MK1s and 2s are cheap, the MK3s are expensive (and don't look as cool IMO)

wagonis · 12-30-2008, 08:35 AM

Well depending on your financial status, that will determine if the MKIII or the MKII is the right car for you. Most people on this board will tell you that you should stick to the Gen2 cars because of biased opinions and personal preference.

Either way you can't go wrong, both cars are fun and will give you some serious bang for the buck. You've come to the right place though for advice and research for either one of these cars.

Welcome aboard.

bfinger35 · 12-30-2008, 06:01 PM

Thanks all. I hae been tracking some ebay auctions and I am seeing Mk3s for under $10K. Here is one for $8,450:

2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder Cabriolet Convertible SMT Manual, 100,411 miles

What do you think?

Here is the link:
eBay Motors: Toyota (item 270323395968 end time Dec-31-08 18:32:24 PST)

bfinger35 · 12-30-2008, 06:39 PM

So I have seen MK3s for under $10K on ebay. I wonder if they are dropping because of the economy? Here is one:

2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder Cabriolet Convertible SMT Manual, 100,413 miles

Is the SMT transmission solid? Are they expensive to repair when they do fail?

eBay Motors: Toyota (item 270323395968 end time Dec-31-08 18:32:24 PST)

Scherm · 12-30-2008, 09:05 PM

the gen 3 is an awesome car, my brother owns one. If you want to know alot about it, i'd go to spyderchat.com and talk to some experts there.

chrisfromnh · 12-30-2008, 09:14 PM

i agree... depending on your budget and experience i personally would go with an mkII for a project, though an mkIII would be a great car to have

wagonis · 12-31-2008, 01:31 AM

There's a gen 3 for sale that was just recently posted on this site for less then $9K

smartash · 01-01-2009, 12:18 PM

The SMT has the same transmission...the difference is the hydraulic clutch. I loved it on the track. I have had 2 spyders (one with a turbo and normal tranny...the other with the SMT.)and a mk1. The spyder is much better in the turns than the previous gen's however the other 2 are easier to get power out of. Are you looking for a road course car or a straight line car?

12-29-2008, 08:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
bfinger35 No Skills Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Checking in for father-son project Looking to buy a 3rd generation MR2 and mod it as a father-son project. Seems like a good car for this. Low cost, various body and tuning kits available, etc. Do you agree? Any comments would be appreciated.

12-30-2008, 06:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
bfinger35 No Skills Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Thanks for the feedback So I have seen MK3s for under $10K on ebay. I wonder if they are dropping because of the economy? Here is one: 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder Cabriolet Convertible SMT Manual, 100,413 miles Is the SMT transmission solid? Are they expensive to repair when they do fail? eBay Motors: Toyota (item 270323395968 end time Dec-31-08 18:32:24 PST)

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12-29-2008, 09:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
surfer8 tenacity Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE Indiana Posts: 155 Thanks: 9 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	I don't know much about gen3's, but gen2's are plentiful and easy to work on. It really helps having a bunch of people willing to help with advice. This forum has helped me tremendously. Welcome aboard.

12-30-2008, 04:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
mr.ac Just Say NO to Snorkes Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 329 Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 15 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	as for keeping cost low, go to mkII's ('91-'95) MR2. the cars go for $1k to 6k. Engines go for $1k to 5k. As for the mkIII'l (2000+) I haven't seem drop below $10K.

12-30-2008, 04:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
MR2 Drifter No Drifting Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 956 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	MK1s and 2s are cheap, the MK3s are expensive (and don't look as cool IMO)

12-30-2008, 08:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
wagonis Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, FL Posts: 1,082 Thanks: 50 Thanked 22 Times in 22 Posts iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	Well depending on your financial status, that will determine if the MKIII or the MKII is the right car for you. Most people on this board will tell you that you should stick to the Gen2 cars because of biased opinions and personal preference. Either way you can't go wrong, both cars are fun and will give you some serious bang for the buck. You've come to the right place though for advice and research for either one of these cars. Welcome aboard.

12-30-2008, 06:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
bfinger35 No Skills Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Thanks all. I hae been tracking some ebay auctions and I am seeing Mk3s for under $10K. Here is one for $8,450: 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder Cabriolet Convertible SMT Manual, 100,411 miles What do you think? Here is the link: eBay Motors: Toyota (item 270323395968 end time Dec-31-08 18:32:24 PST)

12-30-2008, 09:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Scherm mad skills Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Maine Posts: 67 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	the gen 3 is an awesome car, my brother owns one. If you want to know alot about it, i'd go to spyderchat.com and talk to some experts there.

12-30-2008, 09:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
chrisfromnh drift Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Weare, NH Posts: 135 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Blog Entries: 2 iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	i agree... depending on your budget and experience i personally would go with an mkII for a project, though an mkIII would be a great car to have

12-31-2008, 01:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
wagonis Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, FL Posts: 1,082 Thanks: 50 Thanked 22 Times in 22 Posts iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	There's a gen 3 for sale that was just recently posted on this site for less then $9K

01-01-2009, 12:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
smartash yes i is a smartash Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Smartashville Posts: 2,237 Thanks: 11 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	The SMT has the same transmission...the difference is the hydraulic clutch. I loved it on the track. I have had 2 spyders (one with a turbo and normal tranny...the other with the SMT.)and a mk1. The spyder is much better in the turns than the previous gen's however the other 2 are easier to get power out of. Are you looking for a road course car or a straight line car?