potential MR2 Owner, need help

EvoNiner · 03-30-2009, 07:34 PM

Hello all. I am wondering some good information about a 86 MR2 5-speed that i am hopeing to purchase. hopefully with your help it can be a good purchase.

First off, i was wondering how much of a maintenance problem these little cars are? I've heard they rust out easy and if you have a "c50" tranny in one (the 86 will have) that when they get older they like to pop out of 5th gear. other then that i dont know what some of the potential problems are with the car.

Also, are the parts really expensive? i just assume that they would be...

Last but not least... this is the car that i'm looking at. I live in Cedar Rapids Iowa and the drive to this car would be around 5 and a half hours to go see the car. I'm asking you guys if A: This car would even be worth it... and B: if there is anyone in the St louis area that would look at the car and tell me if its not worth the drive.

I know this is asking alot for people that dont know me at all... but i'm really hopeing to make this a daily driver until i get my festiva fixed, then its to the autox track with her.

86 Toyota MR2

Any info or help on my search to find one of these go-karts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, EvoNiner

muffinman · 03-31-2009, 09:42 AM

It looks like a really nice car and the mileage is fairly low. try to find out what they are selling for in your area but i personally would try to get them down to $1500. the 5th gear pop-out can be a problem but also it may never be an issue. assuming it hasn't been abused and it's been taken care of then you shouldn't have any problems for a long time. GL hope you get it.

Teado · 03-31-2009, 11:20 AM

The car looks pretty straight, miles are pretty low, price seems a little high at least from where I'm from. I bought an 86 with 124k on it for 1400. Bought it last year during the major gas rape, so small cars were selling like hot cakes.

I would pay around 1800 for a 2 in that condition, depending on interior and if the HG wasn't blown.

Edit: Hah I saw the price in the window at 2350, not the CL price of 1995. I would still push for a bit lower...

EvoNiner · 03-31-2009, 05:41 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys!!

i'm going to try and push it lower. i was going to push to around 1600-1800, even though he said hes really firm on the price.

See around my area A: Iowa isnt a good place to try and find some what hard to find cars because they arnt around.

B: and if you do find one of those cars they will be usually rusted out, or so abused that its not even worth the trouble...

Thats why i'm hope'n on seeing how this car is... i dont want to drive the 5 hours and be stuck looking at a POS.

Do you think i'd have alot to worry about? also, are these cars maintenance head aches?

Teado · 03-31-2009, 06:58 PM

It's 23 years old... maintenance head aches are possible but once you get the wrinkles all ironed out the toyota will keep a smile on your face.

8589 · 04-01-2009, 05:17 AM

... i dont want to drive the 5 hours and be stuck looking at a POS

only one way to know!..I do travel long distances for the right car, sometimes is a waste but when you find the right shoe you soon forget the tribulations..a cheap car can be a joy or a money pit, never buy by price, test the 5 gear pop out n the things that sooth your mood n go for it!

(or not)

EvoNiner · 04-02-2009, 06:04 PM

ok... to test this 5th gear pop out (its the c50 trannys that are problematic, right?) just put it into 5th and let off throttle... then engage the throttle... it should pop out when i engage the throttle right>? or does it just simply let go randomly?

He's really set on the 1900 (he lowered it 95 bucks so far) but after i look at it i'll make my own judgments upon how much its worth. He is supose to be getting me interior pictures soon. As i understand the only part of rust is right behind the drivers wheel. common place?

Well, thanks alot again. i REALLY want to become part of this forum damn it!

8589 · 04-03-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvoNiner

ok... to test this 5th gear pop out (its the c50 trannys that are problematic, right?) just put it into 5th and let off throttle... then engage the throttle... it should pop out when i engage the throttle right>? or does it just simply let go randomly?

He's really set on the 1900 (he lowered it 95 bucks so far) but after i look at it i'll make my own judgments upon how much its worth. He is supose to be getting me interior pictures soon. As i understand the only part of rust is right behind the drivers wheel. common place?

Well, thanks alot again. i REALLY want to become part of this forum damn it!

yes, but the faster the better to try..at low speed you may get fooled..do both anyway

the definition of rust vary from person to person..

muffinman · 04-03-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvoNiner

ok... to test this 5th gear pop out (its the c50 trannys that are problematic, right?) just put it into 5th and let off throttle... then engage the throttle... it should pop out when i engage the throttle right>? or does it just simply let go randomly?

He's really set on the 1900 (he lowered it 95 bucks so far) but after i look at it i'll make my own judgments upon how much its worth. He is supose to be getting me interior pictures soon. As i understand the only part of rust is right behind the drivers wheel. common place?

Well, thanks alot again. i REALLY want to become part of this forum damn it!

Get on and off the throttle while in 5th gear at speed. If you have $1500 cash in hand when you see the car i bet he will change his mind about the difference.

GL

Resurrected · 04-03-2009, 12:30 PM

I agree with muffinman, having the cash in front of him will make him think twice about lowering the price. there should be an easy posibility of 1500.
Let him know you love the car, but that you found more problems that need to be fixed; than expected.

GL and even if you dont get that 2, stick around the forums, people are always putting cars up for sale.

EvoNiner · 04-04-2009, 11:14 AM

Alright... thats how i thought you'd test the 5th gear pop-out. There isnt really an easy fix to that is there? i'd probably be upgrading to the c52 right? All you'd have to do is just cruise down the interstate with your hand on the shifter from then on.

Also, might be an odd question but just wanted to know do these engines sound smooth or if they have a rough idle or anything like that?

Thanks for the hints on buy'n this car. If the forum guys say its worth 1500 then i'll hand him 1500 (even though he's not gonna like it) and see what he does after that. I'll explain to him that things dont seem to be as nice as i thought.

Thanks guys!

mr3 · 04-04-2009, 11:26 AM

My car only has a rough idle when it's warming up. I can start it and keep the rpms at about 2k then after about 30 seconds it will drop to around 500 rpms and it's not rough but it isnt smooth. Once warmed up, it idles nice and smooth.

muffinman · 04-06-2009, 09:59 AM

if the idle is rough it could just be a tune up issue but if it's jumping then it could be something bigger.

03-30-2009, 07:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
EvoNiner No Skills Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cedar Rapids Iowa Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	potential MR2 Owner, need help Hello all. I am wondering some good information about a 86 MR2 5-speed that i am hopeing to purchase. hopefully with your help it can be a good purchase. First off, i was wondering how much of a maintenance problem these little cars are? I've heard they rust out easy and if you have a "c50" tranny in one (the 86 will have) that when they get older they like to pop out of 5th gear. other then that i dont know what some of the potential problems are with the car. Also, are the parts really expensive? i just assume that they would be... Last but not least... this is the car that i'm looking at. I live in Cedar Rapids Iowa and the drive to this car would be around 5 and a half hours to go see the car. I'm asking you guys if A: This car would even be worth it... and B: if there is anyone in the St louis area that would look at the car and tell me if its not worth the drive. I know this is asking alot for people that dont know me at all... but i'm really hopeing to make this a daily driver until i get my festiva fixed, then its to the autox track with her. 86 Toyota MR2 Any info or help on my search to find one of these go-karts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, EvoNiner

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03-31-2009, 09:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
muffinman U-P-G-R-A-Y-E-D-D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 5,878 Thanks: 53 Thanked 282 Times in 271 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	It looks like a really nice car and the mileage is fairly low. try to find out what they are selling for in your area but i personally would try to get them down to $1500. the 5th gear pop-out can be a problem but also it may never be an issue. assuming it hasn't been abused and it's been taken care of then you shouldn't have any problems for a long time. GL hope you get it.

03-31-2009, 11:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
Teado MK1 = My Daily Addiction Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 272 Thanks: 11 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	The car looks pretty straight, miles are pretty low, price seems a little high at least from where I'm from. I bought an 86 with 124k on it for 1400. Bought it last year during the major gas rape, so small cars were selling like hot cakes. I would pay around 1800 for a 2 in that condition, depending on interior and if the HG wasn't blown. Edit: Hah I saw the price in the window at 2350, not the CL price of 1995. I would still push for a bit lower...

03-31-2009, 05:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
EvoNiner No Skills Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cedar Rapids Iowa Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Thanks for the feedback guys!! i'm going to try and push it lower. i was going to push to around 1600-1800, even though he said hes really firm on the price. See around my area A: Iowa isnt a good place to try and find some what hard to find cars because they arnt around. B: and if you do find one of those cars they will be usually rusted out, or so abused that its not even worth the trouble... Thats why i'm hope'n on seeing how this car is... i dont want to drive the 5 hours and be stuck looking at a POS. Do you think i'd have alot to worry about? also, are these cars maintenance head aches?

03-31-2009, 06:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
Teado MK1 = My Daily Addiction Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 272 Thanks: 11 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	It's 23 years old... maintenance head aches are possible but once you get the wrinkles all ironed out the toyota will keep a smile on your face.

04-01-2009, 05:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
8589 Cage Fighter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 186 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	... i dont want to drive the 5 hours and be stuck looking at a POS only one way to know!..I do travel long distances for the right car, sometimes is a waste but when you find the right shoe you soon forget the tribulations..a cheap car can be a joy or a money pit, never buy by price, test the 5 gear pop out n the things that sooth your mood n go for it! (or not)

04-02-2009, 06:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
EvoNiner No Skills Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cedar Rapids Iowa Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	ok... to test this 5th gear pop out (its the c50 trannys that are problematic, right?) just put it into 5th and let off throttle... then engage the throttle... it should pop out when i engage the throttle right>? or does it just simply let go randomly? He's really set on the 1900 (he lowered it 95 bucks so far) but after i look at it i'll make my own judgments upon how much its worth. He is supose to be getting me interior pictures soon. As i understand the only part of rust is right behind the drivers wheel. common place? Well, thanks alot again. i REALLY want to become part of this forum damn it!

04-03-2009, 12:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
Resurrected I Drift Mine's Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 240 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	I agree with muffinman, having the cash in front of him will make him think twice about lowering the price. there should be an easy posibility of 1500. Let him know you love the car, but that you found more problems that need to be fixed; than expected. GL and even if you dont get that 2, stick around the forums, people are always putting cars up for sale.

04-04-2009, 11:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
EvoNiner No Skills Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cedar Rapids Iowa Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Alright... thats how i thought you'd test the 5th gear pop-out. There isnt really an easy fix to that is there? i'd probably be upgrading to the c52 right? All you'd have to do is just cruise down the interstate with your hand on the shifter from then on. Also, might be an odd question but just wanted to know do these engines sound smooth or if they have a rough idle or anything like that? Thanks for the hints on buy'n this car. If the forum guys say its worth 1500 then i'll hand him 1500 (even though he's not gonna like it) and see what he does after that. I'll explain to him that things dont seem to be as nice as i thought. Thanks guys!

04-04-2009, 11:26 AM	#12 (permalink)
mr3 unskilled Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Plymouth Mtg, Pa Posts: 2,406 Thanks: 24 Thanked 98 Times in 93 Posts iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	My car only has a rough idle when it's warming up. I can start it and keep the rpms at about 2k then after about 30 seconds it will drop to around 500 rpms and it's not rough but it isnt smooth. Once warmed up, it idles nice and smooth.

04-06-2009, 09:59 AM	#13 (permalink)
muffinman U-P-G-R-A-Y-E-D-D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 5,878 Thanks: 53 Thanked 282 Times in 271 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	if the idle is rough it could just be a tune up issue but if it's jumping then it could be something bigger.