Dear previous owner:

[Redstar]

Now that my car is finally running and driving the way I think it should, there are a few things I would like to discuss with you. I have listed them below in no particular order.

1. I found the 120a main fuse was re-engineered and got so hot it fell apart when I was testing it. I had to vacuum it out of the fuse panel… I don’t think you realized it unbolts from the fuse panel when you installed that stupid amp… Thank your buddy Mr. professional stereo installer guy for me…

2. Your vacuum line routing was quite creative, however it was still very, very wrong. Did you know that Toyota was kind enough to put the vacuum diagram on the underside of the engine cover? Anyway, for future reference, the thermostatic valve is not a reliable vacuum source. Neither is ambient air or routing it back into itself. Wait, are you the guy that invented the “O” pipe?

3. Thank you for putting in the wrong fuel injectors, they are much prettier than the yellow ones that should be there. At least now I know why it was running so stupid rich. After fixing the problem, fuel economy and power went up!

4. There was a cold start injector for a reason. Taping the empty plug next to a fuel injector doesn’t count. Guess that answers the long cold start question. It took a little tuning, but I've managed to mostly solve this issue.

5. Unless there’s something I’m missing, behind the evap canister is not an efficient place to put an intake air temp sensor. I’ve put it back into the airbox for now, we’ll see how that works out.

6. Toyota designed the RH engine mount to have 3 bolts, not 2. I took care of that one, but unfortunately for you I heard they will be canceling sesame street. Better luck next time with that counting thing.

7. It was really nice of you to not tell me you got the engine from a newer Camry when I asked if the engine was the original one. I could have ordered the correct thermostat the first time. That probably also answers the question of why I had to cut out a little section of the timing cover gasket. Oh well, at least the engine is healthy.

8. Haha, one for me – you forgot to break the knock sensor. That’s ok though, we can call it even since you didn’t leave me with the wiring for it.

9. How did you manage to melt the top of the evap canister? And why would you route the evap vent line into the EGR system? Is there some fuel economy/hp secret you’re not telling?

10. How did you manage to strip the threads on the shift lever when the shift knob you installed uses set screws? Seriously, did you get trapped in the car and try to chew your way out through the shift lever? That’s what it looks like, try the door next time.

11. Your JB Weld and hot glue sculpting skills are outstanding. I had no idea those two mediums mixed until I took the front end apart. However, on the off chance your repair was not adequate (I over think and worry about things like this) I went ahead and welded in a brand new radiator support.

12. Ok, so the fan motors worked fine, but you missed one little detail. They were not actually attached to the fan blades. Yes I know they are difficult to get to and would have taken a lot of JB Weld/hot glue to fix, but it might have fixed that annoying overheating problem you could never figure out. Oh wait, that’s right, it wasn’t actually overheating, the gauge was just off from your attempt at changing the gauge faces…

13. Gold marker on the A/C button? Really? You had a gold marker handy but not a black sharpie? I guess I just don’t understand this “Bling” thing. Fortunately it turns out it was really easy to paint the switch black to match the rest of the climate control. My apologies for “un-pimping ze auto.”

14. Did the stock door speakers really need monster wire? And why disable the tweeters, they work fine? My ear must not be up to par with your musical prowess. I humbly won’t attempt to match you, I’ve returned most of the speaker wiring back to stock.

15. How did you get a cigarette underneath the airbag computer? Was it when you were cutting the airbag wiring to install the stereo? By the way, fantastic job installing the stereo. Personally, I would have reused the stock brackets and storage tray, but I guess nothing says “gangsta” quite like a cheap deck shoved into a gaping double din hole. However, I guess a thank you is in order for not permanently modifying the seat for a “gangster lean.”

16. There are these things located on the front and rear called “Tow Hooks.” Nearly all vehicles have them. You hook the tow rope to the tow hook when you need to tow the vehicle. The strut tower brace was not a good choice for a tow point, but you found that out when it broke I guess. What possessed you to look for a tow point under the hood in the first place? Anyway, the chassis is still straight and I’ve replaced the front strut tower bar.

17. That not going into gear issues you didn’t not, not, notice, it was just all the bolts that hold the shifter plate to the chassis. They were loose, I’ve tightened them, it works great now.

18. Black and chunky is not a DOT approved grade of brake fluid.

19. Metal is not a good windshield wiper material. I’m disappointed, I would have expected at least a hot glue wiper blade from you.

20. Next time you sell a vehicle you might consider checking the glove box. I shredded your old paystubs and other personal effects, the next guy you sell a car to might not be so nice. I also now know way more about your girlfriend than I wanted to.

I think that’s it for now. It was tough, but I believe I managed to kill that cancerous crap magnet you infected the car with. I also believe the vehicle now realizes its owner is actually fixing it, not destroying it. Still, just to be safe, I think I’ll take my other car if I ever have to make a trip to Autozone.

In closing, I feel sorry for your current and future vehicles.


(EDIT: This was just me venting, it's not directed toward anyone on here.)

[Cjung]

I feel ya, but I didnt have that many problems.

the preivous owner didnt show me how big of a damage there was in the rear end, and when he fixed it it was all bondo...

also he called the 93 camry engine: JDM swap...


Good to hear the car is now on good hand thou

[Trak Turtle]

Holy **** RedStar... thats a very sorry situation... BUT you fixed it.
Sad past for the car but happy in good hands now surely
Well written too

[kbrew8991]

good read

[jholder]

Originally Posted by Redstar

Now that my car is finally running and driving the way I think it should, there are a few things I would like to discuss with you. I have listed them below in no particular order.


6. Toyota designed the RH engine mount to have 3 bolts, not 2. I took care of that one, but unfortunately for you I heard they will be canceling sesame street. Better luck next time with that counting thing.

11. Your JB Weld and hot glue sculpting skills are outstanding. I had no idea those two mediums mixed until I took the front end apart. However, on the off chance your repair was not adequate (I over think and worry about things like this) I went ahead and welded in a brand new radiator support.



20. Next time you sell a vehicle you might consider checking the glove box. I shredded your old paystubs and other personal effects, the next guy you sell a car to might not be so nice. I also now know way more about your girlfriend than I wanted to.

6: +1 exact same thing here

11: +1 he didn't even try to fix it, so I welded in a new support.

20: +1 I appreciate keeping good records, but I'm not sure I would put insurance/pay stube/ flight info etc when passing the car along.

Let me add this.

22: A "professional" shop does not "repair rocker panel rust" by laying cardboard and newspaper (i **** you not, cardboard and newspaper) inside the rocker panel and bondo'ing over it.

*sigh* They're called the DPO for a reason.

[randomxzero]

oh man this had me laughing because a couple of the ones you wrote actually happened in mine lol... but good thing the car is now in good hands!...

[David]

This was definately worth reading.

[Indysw20]

Great laugh on a crappy monday I thank you and you may be assured we are laughing with you and not at you. Im glad the car has gone to a great new owner

[Redstar]

Glad you guys enjoyed it.

Since I bought the car from him, I know he's wrecked an Audi A4 and a Ford Probe. I saw him in another A4 for awhile, I think he wrecked that one too since he's now working on destroying a 1990 something RX-7.

Originally Posted by jholder

Let me add this.

22: A "professional" shop does not "repair rocker panel rust" by laying cardboard and newspaper (i **** you not, cardboard and newspaper) inside the rocker panel and bondo'ing over it.

*sigh* They're called the DPO for a reason.

Structural cardboard?! That's awesome... Some people's kids...

DPO? Something previous owner? What's the "D" stand for?

[mr.asian.m2]

wow... that was enjoyable.

[countyboy3188]

Hahaha thanks for that man. I needed the good laugh its been a pretty sh*tty day. But im glad you are fixing everything and that mine wasn't abused like that.

[mr3]

Thanks for the good read. Glad to see you saved a 2.

[GrandpaGofast]

You made some of that **** up, right ?
.....RIGHT ?
GP

[David]

I only hope he did.

[RePete]

Whoa, that's a harrowing read. If Redstar didn't liven it up with some nice sarcasm I'd be pissed at his situation. Every dumbass owner who's flippant about their MR2's car care should read that diary of PO incompetence and laziness. This is exactly why some people complain about their car's reliability.

Nice job in getting your '2 back on the road, well done!

[jholder]

Originally Posted by Redstar

Glad you guys enjoyed it.

Since I bought the car from him, I know he's wrecked an Audi A4 and a Ford Probe. I saw him in another A4 for awhile, I think he wrecked that one too since he's now working on destroying a 1990 something RX-7.




Structural cardboard?! That's awesome... Some people's kids...

DPO? Something previous owner? What's the "D" stand for?

Damned/Dreaded Previous Owner (depending on level of politeness).

Structural cardboard for real. The thing is, I have the receipt for the work done. it was done by a real shop. In fact......

Receipt is from:

Herbie's Car Painting
Bowie, MD

I *suppose* its possible, the repair was done by a DPO, and then the shop was paid to fix it and they assumed it was just filler..... but I don't know.

[mr.ac]

pure awesomeness. was the p.o. a wanabe ganster ricer?
he my have attemped to trubo'ing the previouse engine.

[traintech86]

i wanna go at this too haha

1) thanks for letting this car sit for years. atleast then you didn't have much a chance to **** it up.

we'll start from the top:

2) thanks for telling me that the t-tops didn't leak. i guess you found rust colored paint and painted the whole bottom of the driver seat mounts and their bolts and on the hinge for both seats.

3)thanks for leaving wires randomly unplugged through the car. never know when i might need that short circut.

4)thanks for destroying the stock wiring for the stereo. who needs to use those anyways. its better off running walmart wires. atleast the speakers aren't blown.

5)i don't know how he did it, but the clutch worked just long enough to buy the car and break down on the way home. thats right, owned it for 20 mins before i was having it towed...

6) thanks for curb checking the front pass side of the car. based on the huge bend in the rim, the fact that the tire leaks and all the body parts in that area are bent, i am confident you found the curb.

7) thanks for having your buddy use his bird **** welds to hold my exaust in place. he even used random bits of scrap to hold it there.

8) thanks for the battery that was so covered in dirt that i got maybe 4 starts out of it before the battery just wouldn't work.

9)thanks for a steering wheel that was imposible to turn without hitting the turn signal(nearling causing the car to be totaled on more then 1 ocasion)

10)thanks for letting this car sit under a tree for so long that i am sure there was a tree growing out of it when i got the car.


part of me regrets buying this car, but at the same time i am glad i saved it. hopefully you stick with your honda civic and leave the cars that deserve some TLC to the people who will take care of them. you don't deserve a car as nice as an mr2

/end rant

not as colorful as the OP but i think this would make a great thread haha. at the least, people looking to buy 2's would know what to look for. things like if its a T-Top, then it leaks no matter what the owner says...

[Redstar]

Originally Posted by GrandpaGofast

You made some of that **** up, right ?
.....RIGHT ?
GP

I wish I was making it up. There's more too, these were just the most interesting ones.

Originally Posted by RePete

Whoa, that's a harrowing read. If Redstar didn't liven it up with some nice sarcasm I'd be pissed at his situation. Every dumbass owner who's flippant about their MR2's car care should read that diary of PO incompetence and laziness. This is exactly why some people complain about their car's reliability.

Nice job in getting your '2 back on the road, well done!

No $hit. I'm amazed at what some people do to their cars and then wonder why they break down... Thanks for the thumbs up.

Originally Posted by jholder

Damned/Dreaded Previous Owner (depending on level of politeness).

Structural cardboard for real. The thing is, I have the receipt for the work done. it was done by a real shop. In fact......

Receipt is from:

Herbie's Car Painting
Bowie, MD

I *suppose* its possible, the repair was done by a DPO, and then the shop was paid to fix it and they assumed it was just filler..... but I don't know.

Ah, definatly a damned previous owner in my case. Hope you got the rocker panel taken care of in the end.

Originally Posted by mr.ac

pure awesomeness. was the p.o. a wanabe ganster ricer?
he my have attemped to trubo'ing the previouse engine.

He's like a stoned vanilla ice wanna be...


traintech86, amazing what some owners do to their cars isn't it!? Glad to see you trying to save another 2.

[SW21T]

Dang redstar thats just sad but at least the car is in better hands, I'm lucky the P.O for my car took real good care of it. The only stupid things done were canceling the manual windows to do a power window with ghetto switches and putting chrome 15's on it.