Considering buying an SW20 MR2

[Nauraushaun]

I'm thinking of buying one, but I have a few questions first.
One - how do they hold up with age? Any known problems? Is the roof likely to leak if I get a targa, like it does on some cars?
Two - I'm not allowed a turbo (according to Australian law), so I need an NA car. Wikipedia's model list specifies a 180hp model, as well as a 165hp and 130hp model, but the article doesn't actually mention the 180hp model. Does it actually exist? How can you determine which cars have which engine? Like, if I buy one, how will I know which engine it's got?
Three - are they a reliable car? I'm not one for home repairs, and I don't want to pay a fortune fixing it up every day. I really just need a car that I can drive most of the time.

Thanks :P

[magnesmurf]

They hold up good with age, but like evertyhing else, it depends on how much care it has been given by it's previos owners. The targa has been known to start leaking after a while, but just replace the gaskets.

The engines are a couple of different engines:
a 2,2 Na with about 130 hp.
The 2,0 litre on the cars before 1994, with about 156 hp.
The 2,0 litre engine on the cars delivered after 1994, which has about 180 hp.
To know what engine you get, just check engine codes. If it has an orginal engine, get the 2,0 liter after 1994 for 180 hp.

Are they reliable? Well it is a toyota
But It is not the most reliable toyota. Many of the cars has been abused a lot, by drivers who can't drive. So find a car that has been taken good care of.
If you just want reliabilty, buy a corolla.

[Nauraushaun]

So anything from 1994 or after should have the 180hp? Do the engines themselves have different codes? It's possible to check rego online, which will give you the engine number. Could this help me make sure I'm getting the engine I think I am?

[deucethemoose]

The 180HP is the 3S-GE "BEAMS" Redtop.

The 165HP is the standard 3S-GE


The 130HP is the 5S-FE

[Medusa]

I'm not saying this to be an ass or anything, I'm just letting you know - No MR2 came with a targa top, they only had three roof options.

1)Hardtop
2)Sunroof
3)T-Bar (T-Tops)

Just trying to help out.

And I'm curious, what law says you can't have a turbo MR2?

[Sh0ty]

He's driving on a P plate, this means he's not allowed to have a car with over 6 cylinders or forced induction. The law was designed to keep new drivers from owning cars that have more power than they can handle.

To OP: The T tops can leak, mine do not, and if yours do, you can get eccentric guides to fix them.
The engines have been well covered
The car will be reliable if it has been and will be taken care of properly. If you or a PO neglects the car, things can go downhill fast.

[djskorch]

Originally Posted by deucethemoose

The 180HP is the 3S-GE "BEAMS" Redtop.
http://severracing.com/MR2/Engine%20...-i%20200hp.jpg
The 165HP is the standard 3S-GE
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...2/100_2177.jpg

The 130HP is the 5S-FE
http://memimage.cardomain.com/member...389_6_full.jpg

you are almost correct however. the beams in the first pic is actually a 200hp

the 3rd gen 3sge (which you dont have a pic of, i can put mine up if you want) is the 174-180 depending on year and egr system but it was made from 94-97

the 2nd gen (your second pic) is the 165 hp version of the 3sge

the first gen 3sge was never offered in our mr2's

and the 5s was actually offered in 2 versions 91-93 was 130hp and the 94-95 was 135 however i dont believe they were ever in any mr2 other than in the states so being in aussi, you shouldnt see this.

i also believe that there were a few mr2's outside the states with a 3sfe (the 5sfe's little brother 2.0 insted of 2.2 but completly different from the 3sge and gte series engines. if i remember correctly the 3sfe has 118hp

hope this helps

[mattdouken]

Originally Posted by Sh0ty

He's driving on a P plate, this means he's not allowed to have a car with over 6 cylinders or forced induction. The law was designed to keep new drivers from owning cars that have more power than they can handle.

I think the united states should adopt this law

[deucethemoose]

Originally Posted by djskorch

you are almost correct however. the beams in the first pic is actually a 200hp

the 3rd gen 3sge (which you dont have a pic of, i can put mine up if you want) is the 174-180 depending on year and egr system but it was made from 94-97

the 2nd gen (your second pic) is the 165 hp version of the 3sge

the first gen 3sge was never offered in our mr2's

and the 5s was actually offered in 2 versions 91-93 was 130hp and the 94-95 was 135 however i dont believe they were ever in any mr2 other than in the states so being in aussi, you shouldnt see this.

i also believe that there were a few mr2's outside the states with a 3sfe (the 5sfe's little brother 2.0 insted of 2.2 but completly different from the 3sge and gte series engines. if i remember correctly the 3sfe has 118hp

hope this helps

I didn't think this 3SGE was offered in the MR2. I thought it was strictly a Celica motor.

[Medusa]

Originally Posted by mattdouken

I think the united states should adopt this law

+1,000

[djskorch]

the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gen (beams) of the 3sge were offered in the mr2. i have a 3rd gen swap just like the one in the celica pic in my mr2 and it was from an mr2 in japan. the only 3sge that was in the celica an not the mr2 was the first gen. it also was the only 3sge to ever make it to the states.

[Nauraushaun]

Originally Posted by Medusa

I'm not saying this to be an ass or anything, I'm just letting you know - No MR2 came with a targa top, they only had three roof options.

1)Hardtop
2)Sunroof
3)T-Bar (T-Tops)

Just trying to help out.

Yeah I know, but targa tops and t-tops are practically the same thing. So much so that you'd be hard pressed to find a person (outside of an MR2 forum) that knows the difference.
For the record I much prefer t-tops.