What to do - Ditch the CRX and Pickup MK1 MR2?

phoenix_iii · 03-29-2006, 03:02 PM

I've found a 1985 Toyota MR2 that I am going to go look at on Saturday (pending). I can pick it up for $1000 cash

*82,000 original miles
* 3 owners - first owners didn't drive it much (older couple), second owner had it till 62k miles, probably didn't do the 60k maintenance (timing belt/water pump?), and he has it now. Always did oil changes brake pads/rotors basic inflation
* No problems, body looks perfect, no rust, interrior is very good as well
* New tires, battery ,alternator. Muffler will need to be replaced (original muffler). Has new CD player w/aux for MP3 players

I just picked up (first of March 2006) a Honda CRX (1990 DX). It's been a blast compared to my primary/original car, a Monte Carlo SS (2000), which I still have. I do not want to keep both the CRX and the MR2, so I would replace the CRX, which I could probably get $1200-1400 with the work I've put into it (gaskets/plugs/cap/rotor/seals/lights/upgraded stereo/gabriel hatch struts)+ upgrades (SI drivers seat, Si wheels), and transfer the insurance, so I would have a few hundred off the bat to put into what the MR2 needed.

Anything to look for on an 85? Seems like a deal if it drives right, which I have been invited to do. I have a Toyota Mechanic going with me, who used to own an MK1, so that will help.

Thoughts? The CRX is a lot more practical as it has storage space, Honda fantastic parts availability, and I haven't seen too much of that on the MR2.

I do not drive like a nut, and when I drive 'spirited' it is alone, in good weather, at low speeds/high cornering... MR2 seems like a good car with a good learning curve to master >=)

But I really like my CRX... argh... what to do? I do not plan on racing either, and I think the reliability nod goes to the CRX, or am I mistaken? Let's keep this factual.

Mister2.2 · 03-29-2006, 04:35 PM

Sounds like a great deal on the MR2, especially here in PA. Not really sure what to tell you, I guess you will have to take the MR2 for a test drive to see if it is really the right car for you.

GaToy · 03-29-2006, 07:21 PM

I had a 2000 LS Monte Carlo. I installed 1" drop springs on mine. Man I miss that car. I traded it for my truck.

~C.C.~

phoenix_iii · 03-29-2006, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaToy

I had a 2000 LS Monte Carlo. I installed 1" drop springs on mine. Man I miss that car. I traded it for my truck.

~C.C.~

Heh, mine is an SS, with every option available (except the engine block heater for $25, which I WANTED!! was on the lot this way in the color I wanted)... heh, it's a good car, but too long! Good for social occassions. MR2 (CRX currently) is the toy/fun car.

WoRR Pyro · 03-29-2006, 08:59 PM

It depends on what you want to do. For the space factor and track events, the crx will kick the 2's ***. You've already got the crx more or less reliable, and likely are going to take a loss on selling it, and getting the MR2. That said, either one of them is a good car, but honda parts are just dirt cheap.. I just wanted to point out the obvious =/.

phoenix_iii · 03-29-2006, 09:05 PM

Thanks WoRR. True on the H parts... Where do MK1 MR2 guys get their parts? I assume dealer parts are $$ and may even be slipping in stock/availability.

Is the pick n' pull the only answer? Do some MK2 parts work with a little fabbing? Still reading away/learning.

GaToy · 03-30-2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoenix_iii

Heh, mine is an SS, with every option available (except the engine block heater for $25, which I WANTED!! was on the lot this way in the color I wanted)... heh, it's a good car, but too long! Good for social occassions. MR2 (CRX currently) is the toy/fun car.

Naw the place where mine was most comforatble was on the highway with the cruise set on 80mph. That car just floated. I drove it to Florida twice and Tennessee once and never did I arrive all wore out. But anyway, sorry to jump subject.

~C.C.~

GaToy · 03-30-2006, 07:54 PM

With the way i'm feeling right now with my two's i'd say since you already have money in the CRX stick with that. Its a lot easier to work on and you have more options as engine swaps go. I love my two's but i'm getting rid of all of them except my auto '86. Thats why I recently bought an '80 Datsun 280ZX 2+2 hardtop. This is fixing to be my new baby. Don't get me wrong, I love my twos to death. Its one of the funnest cars i've ever driven. I'm just tired of standing on my head working on it all the time.

~C.C.~

Gairloch · 03-30-2006, 08:18 PM

There's something else to remember.

There is really no practical reason to own an MR2 over any other vehicle. Which option will you be happiest with in the long run? Is that enjoyment enough to pay the price of owning the vehicle?

phoenix_iii · 04-05-2006, 09:45 PM

CRX is gone... MR2 getting a major engine overhaul... Will take pics. =)

Mister2.2 · 04-06-2006, 02:18 AM

Be sure to post pictures for us. Congrats on the purchase.

03-29-2006, 03:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
phoenix_iii n00b! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Phila, north NJ Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	What to do - Ditch the CRX and Pickup MK1 MR2? I've found a 1985 Toyota MR2 that I am going to go look at on Saturday (pending). I can pick it up for $1000 cash 82,000 original miles 3 owners - first owners didn't drive it much (older couple), second owner had it till 62k miles, probably didn't do the 60k maintenance (timing belt/water pump?), and he has it now. Always did oil changes brake pads/rotors basic inflation * No problems, body looks perfect, no rust, interrior is very good as well * New tires, battery ,alternator. Muffler will need to be replaced (original muffler). Has new CD player w/aux for MP3 players I just picked up (first of March 2006) a Honda CRX (1990 DX). It's been a blast compared to my primary/original car, a Monte Carlo SS (2000), which I still have. I do not want to keep both the CRX and the MR2, so I would replace the CRX, which I could probably get $1200-1400 with the work I've put into it (gaskets/plugs/cap/rotor/seals/lights/upgraded stereo/gabriel hatch struts)+ upgrades (SI drivers seat, Si wheels), and transfer the insurance, so I would have a few hundred off the bat to put into what the MR2 needed. Anything to look for on an 85? Seems like a deal if it drives right, which I have been invited to do. I have a Toyota Mechanic going with me, who used to own an MK1, so that will help. Thoughts? The CRX is a lot more practical as it has storage space, Honda fantastic parts availability, and I haven't seen too much of that on the MR2. I do not drive like a nut, and when I drive 'spirited' it is alone, in good weather, at low speeds/high cornering... MR2 seems like a good car with a good learning curve to master >=) But I really like my CRX... argh... what to do? I do not plan on racing either, and I think the reliability nod goes to the CRX, or am I mistaken? Let's keep this factual. Last edited by phoenix_iii; 03-29-2006 at 03:07 PM..

03-29-2006, 04:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mister2.2 Cheese it! Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,561 Thanks: 121 Thanked 115 Times in 99 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Sounds like a great deal on the MR2, especially here in PA. Not really sure what to tell you, I guess you will have to take the MR2 for a test drive to see if it is really the right car for you. __________________ --Josh MR2Trader.com Free to Buy and Sell your MR2 Parts!

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03-29-2006, 07:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
GaToy '86 Sunroof Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fort Valley, Ga Posts: 55 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I had a 2000 LS Monte Carlo. I installed 1" drop springs on mine. Man I miss that car. I traded it for my truck. ~C.C.~

03-29-2006, 08:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
WoRR Pyro Slo Skills Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NoCal (Bay Area) Posts: 549 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	It depends on what you want to do. For the space factor and track events, the crx will kick the 2's ***. You've already got the crx more or less reliable, and likely are going to take a loss on selling it, and getting the MR2. That said, either one of them is a good car, but honda parts are just dirt cheap.. I just wanted to point out the obvious =/.

03-29-2006, 09:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
phoenix_iii n00b! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Phila, north NJ Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Thanks WoRR. True on the H parts... Where do MK1 MR2 guys get their parts? I assume dealer parts are $$ and may even be slipping in stock/availability. Is the pick n' pull the only answer? Do some MK2 parts work with a little fabbing? Still reading away/learning.

03-30-2006, 07:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
GaToy '86 Sunroof Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fort Valley, Ga Posts: 55 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	With the way i'm feeling right now with my two's i'd say since you already have money in the CRX stick with that. Its a lot easier to work on and you have more options as engine swaps go. I love my two's but i'm getting rid of all of them except my auto '86. Thats why I recently bought an '80 Datsun 280ZX 2+2 hardtop. This is fixing to be my new baby. Don't get me wrong, I love my twos to death. Its one of the funnest cars i've ever driven. I'm just tired of standing on my head working on it all the time. ~C.C.~

03-30-2006, 08:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
Gairloch Dreaming of apexes Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,313 Thanks: 139 Thanked 296 Times in 264 Posts Blog Entries: 4 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	There's something else to remember. There is really no practical reason to own an MR2 over any other vehicle. Which option will you be happiest with in the long run? Is that enjoyment enough to pay the price of owning the vehicle?

04-05-2006, 09:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
phoenix_iii n00b! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Phila, north NJ Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	CRX is gone... MR2 getting a major engine overhaul... Will take pics. =)

04-06-2006, 02:18 AM	#11 (permalink)
Mister2.2 Cheese it! Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,561 Thanks: 121 Thanked 115 Times in 99 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Be sure to post pictures for us. Congrats on the purchase.