What has broken down in your MR2?

[Koldsauce]

Hi there, so in the near future I may have to sell my daily driver to pay for school and rely on my '88 MR2 to get me to school and to the grocery store or whatever, and I'm worried about this because it is an older car. My main fear is to have something break down on me and be without transportation for a few days or something, so I figured I'd just ask if anyone could tell me whats gone wrong with their MR2 so I could take a look at it and maybe replace it while I have time.

It's at 150k miles and I recently upgraded the struts, springs, and front sway bar. I have bushing that I'll replace when I have more time, and ball joints and tie rods. Anything else I should take a look at?

Also, with chains or studs on the stock rims (terrible tires though, even though they're new) can I drive around moderate snow?

[mr3]

The only thing that kinda let me down was the alternator/water pump belt snapped. I knee it was coming but it was 30 degrees out and I never fixed it till it snapped. My shocks are blown out supposably but that isn't stoping me from driving. It doesn't clunk or anything so it won't be fixed for a while. Just do good maintenance and the car should last a while for you.

[dirocyn]

Kind of a weird approach, asking this list what's broken. I bet among all the members of this list, just about every part of an MR2 has broken.

Stuff that's gone wrong from normal wear & tear (not accidents) on mine...i've got bad front bushings and bad motor mounts, power window switches busted so I replaced with crank windows. The speedo broke (odo still works, so I'm pretty sure it's not the cable, I just judge speed by the tach), I developed a hole in the air intake hose, and my throwout bearing has started making noise. Oh, my O2 sensor went bad, and I've had to clean the posts on the battery terminals a couple times and the plug to the starter motor as well. Also my car has started smoking when it's cold, I think that means I've developed a valve guide leak--not unusual at 225k miles, I'm not going to worry about it unless I flunk emissions. And the headlight switch isn't contacting very well.

If you're looking to do preventative maintenance, look at any rubber parts that you've never replaced. If your alternator belt and radiator hoses are old enough to buy beer, you know they could fail at any time. A leak in the radiator hose or a water pump that's not turning can turn into a big deal in these cars. Just remember when you refill the coolant, you have to get all the air out. And it's always a good idea to know how old your brake pads are. Other than that, if it ain't broke why fix it?

I've never had occasion to drive my Two in the snow, but I suspect they're a lot better than front engine rwd cars (and pickup trucks) because of the engine's weight over the drive wheels. I suspect they handle worse in snow than front engine fwd cars, because we don't have much weight over the wheels that steer.

[RePete]

When I owned my two MK1s, it was always and forever the same thing that liked to go - the alternator. And it wasn't fun trying to source one for an SC.

[mr2magic]

I think it may be wiser to ask what hasn't broke yet!

[Jackstand Queen]

With a MK I, you need a 2nd car to rely on.

[espguitarist33]

snow is amazing....it was my mk1 or my mercury mystique v6..and i was like no i'd like a manual...i had to drive my daily 15 miles to school and it had 3 inches of unplowed snow...everyone was getting stuck in the right lane so i jumped in the passing lane...and when it was a red light up ahead...i just walked it back down to first and let it idle in gear...just kept trudging on and on....especially if your good wiht the clutch and can get the car moving without hitting the gas pedal it makes for clean starts...and of course...when I was off the highway and onto the backroads every turn was a drift...nobody else was there....the one time I drove in bad snow in my mercury...i was just coasting 15 minles an hour aorund a curve and it let go and spun around and the trunk sunk under a tall mailbox and then it almost hit a tree..nothing i could do...mr2...hugged it

[mr2_jake]

MK1 is the ultimate winter car.. I threw some blizzaks on and put the batt. in the frunk and now my 2 does better in the snow than the GF's suby outback! And that means something when its winter in Montana

[MR-3sgte]

My 2 rear muffler bearings and the headlight aimer coolant over heated and popped didnt have lights for a week.

[espguitarist33]

jake i can attest to that...my boss has friends in hungry horse (near kalispell) and i was up there for new years...we woke up at like 8 or 9 and shoveld 3 feet of snow off the roof...onto the 7 feet on the ground...my plane couldnt land in kalispel because it snowed 3 feet since we took off in philadelphia pa! got relocated to great falls and had a nice 6hr busride over the divide into kalispel

[mr2v63vz]

Chris's Law "What can go wrong ,with a car i like, will go wrong." every car ive ever had (that i iliked and took pride has given me nothing but problems just go out to your car and kick it ,say pos ,then you wont be so dissapointed when it lets you down....again

[Koldsauce]

Thanks everyone for the responses! I feel like I should be ok if I end up having to rely on my MK1

[Jackstand Queen]

Koldsauce:

The pattern that I see with MK I's . . . is that most of their problems are electrical. Corroded terminals into devices, wires flexed unto the point of breaking, insulation breached by rubbing, old failed electronic devices. A lot of these problems are difficult to diagnose.

And then there's the problems of old, worn out engines, trannies, & clutches too.

Think of it this way. It is the Year 1975, and you are driving a 1955 Chevy fin tailed monstrosity. Beside being the laughing stock of the town, you'd have an unreliable car as compared to say a 1972 model.

[mr3]

I forgot a whole bunch of stuff that went wrong but was relatively easy.

The tail light running lights and dash lights wouldnt work. Fix, toggle switches. The wiper motor was installed 180 degrees out and the wipers stayed in the up position as it's resting place. Took the motor out and the teeth were stripped. Stupid mechanic I guess. New motor turned 180 degrees, installed and wipers work much better. Clutch was toast when I got it. Exhaust rusted off the hanger. Replaced muffler. Rusted behind the rear wheels. Have yet to fix and probably wont for a while. Leaky clutch master cylender. Replaced it and it's all good except for the fact that it ruined my carpet. Above the windshield was rusted and it leaked everytime it got wet. Duct tape worked but after driving down the highway a few days a week it kept pealing off. New fix was "super black" by permatex. Looks better and hopefully it holds longer. Over the year, it costed me $530 for parts from work because I had to repalace a lot of stuff done by the previous people.

[espguitarist33]

yea rusty wheel wells!! i'm looking to shops of friends for free welding since u cant remove the stupid quarterpanels

[mr3]

I replaced the ones on my 88. I just welded in new panels. I still have to finish it up with fiberglass, bondo, and paint. I just dont have the money right now to complete it so it will wait.

[Jackstand Queen]

Mr3, you got off light. I've spent three times the amount you mentioned since June of this year.

[iceNine]

Radiator went out and had to be replaced at about 70K
Windshield wipers intermittent control went out -- resoldered conections
Right rear wheel arch replaced (twice -- I'm getting better at it)
Parking brake lines froze up -- replaced the two rear sections of line
Blew out several speakers (front and rear) excuse to replace with better
Usual leaks from T-tops above doors - resulting in extremely wet butt on drive home

Drove for quite a few years (I'm original owner) in winter with snow. Car is fine in snow as far as traction as long as snow is not too deep --> clearance problems. Use good winter tires and don't drive stupid and you should be fine. (I did a couple of 360s on a bridge in a snowstorm but it was my own fault).

Edit: Forgot the alternator failed (twice) and the AC is currently not working (but I opperated on the original freon for 15 years without a recharge so I can't complain)

[Levi_]

rear brake caliper fell off on my freinds mk1, that was fun!

[Levi_]

fail dbl post