G'day all
 
I just brought myself this:
 

 
Got it for what I call 'dirt cheap' from a mate. 1988....
 
1) I have no idea what it is worth
2) It needs a bit or work. I can do this myself i.e. respray and panel beat.
3) 180,000 on the clock but no leaks, no oil burnt and still goes very hard. 
4) I want to make it **** hot.
5) I've only ever had V8's before this is my first 4. Scary ****.
 
So basically when all completed with a little work to the engine, body schmick as with a fresh coat what can I expect for it? Or now......
 
Might keep it for some fun or might move it on. Not sure as yet.
 
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
 
Cheers

looks good mate, have seen this car around, i like it.
dont know much about aw11s but keen to lend a hand if you ever need help!
have fun
 
Jason

Mate that would be brilliant.
 
Changing the clutch out down in Hobart in a few weeks. Will let you know more details later. 
 
Cheers

" . . .  1) I have no idea what it is worth . . ."
 
Sorry to tell you this, but being a 1988 it's very common, worth about $100 (including free shipping to Queensland)  I could go to $150 just because it's you.
 
Seriously, if you've only had 8's you're in for a treat. Sprightly, nimble and full of grunt - and that's just you has you run to it to take it for another drive for no real reason at all.  Welcome to the Doorstop Club.  Give it the panel and paint it deserves.  Worry not about the 180K's on the motor, if it's not burning or leaking and the underneath of the oil cap is still clean then it will still be good.  I would suggest you find out when it last had a timing belt, though.
 
These motors are non-interference, meaning that even if the belt lets go it's not going to bend anything. Belt life is reliably upto 100,000km but it's not a big job to do them in place.
 
Hopefully we'll see you and your beastie in Hobart at the end of September . . .

Yes as Dennis said, enter the MR2 Nationals 2013 this year in Hobart last weekend in September and first week of October and show us your MR2 in person.
 
Send an email to nationals@mr2club.com.au for an entry form.
 
Cheers, Kevin

Thanks guys.....will do

welcome to owning an MR2, now you will have to relearn to drive again. if you only drove V8 before, specially around the corners..
cheers

Not sure if you might call it "grunt" being from V8's, the superchargers in these make the 4AG feel very lazy compared to their naturally aspirated counterparts, but they are still very easy to drive around on partial throttle and feel adequate.
 
If it's had a larger crank pulley added you will find it very fun to drive, if not you might want to think about one in the future once you've gotten a good feel for the engines overall wellbeing.
 
Agreed you are going to find corners are a lot more fun though!
 
Price on these is such a moot point at times. A very good condition SC can go for 7k on a good day, 5k on another. I would find it hard to swallow to sell for under 4k, but seriously it happens. Mine was very cheap compared to the figures mentioned above, and I know of someone who paid barely over a grand for theirs, with issues needing to be sorted but nothing major for someone who knows their way around the AW11.
 
Best advice would be to check everywhere you can for rust and get it sorted ASAP. The AW11's usually only start with very minor surface rust that can be treated, otherwise it becomes a hassle further down the line. That said though these little wedges fair quite well for their age.

What if I say I picked it up for $1500....?
Even though the engine has 180k on her it doesn't burn, blow or rattle. 
No rust but a dent here and there and the inside needs new carpet and dash. Apart from that....all good.
 
I want to take the dents out and respray asap (I can do that) also redo the interior asap (me too), with the goal of getting it to the MR2 nationals looking pretty sweet....
 
Just have to decide what colour to paint her. Original? Or go custom? Maybe fit a front spoiler too........

$1,500!  That wasn't bought, that was donated!