Hi, I am coming back to Australia (ACT) after living in the US for a bit and I am looking at buying a MR2 MKII turbo (most likely rev3+). From what I have seen so far, they are 'fairly' cheap to maintain except for the timing belt replacement which seems like a very complex task. I haven't been able to find any cost estimate on that one so far though? What kind of cost am I am looking at here?
Also is there any important difference between ADM and JDM import MR2 (eg: insurance being more expensive??)?
 
This looks like a very fun car to drive :)
Thanks!
-Alex
 

Not so many turbo SW rev3+ around ('Gen' refers to 'Gen1 AW', 'Gen2 SW', 'Gen3 ZZ' (Generation)) SW had rev1,2,3,4,5 (Revisions). Please correct if i'm wrong again...
 
I have a rev1 turbo import and a rev3 ADM non turbo. Insurance cost is the same for me (oldish fart) but some insurers refuse the import, I went with Shannons for it.
 
I get the timing belts done by Toyota at Camden NSW, can't remember the exact figure but it wasn't too bad, less than $400 with full service I think. 

Cool, that seems a lot cheaper than expected, everyone seems to say that it's super complicated to fix/ replace so I was expecting at least $1000+ (parts + labor)
 
And yeah, I meant gen2 rev3+, my bad :)

$400 is a bargain Dudeman. I might have to take my car down your way the next time I need that done! I'd say you're more likely to find places want $1000 for the job than $400.

dylmrt
$400 is a bargain Dudeman. I might have to take my car down your way the next time I need that done! I'd say you're more likely to find places want $1000 for the job than $400.

I was prepared to take that sort of sting there but it didn't happen. 
 
Best to always call ahead with the job for an estimate though. It's a really good workshop, make sure you take it to the Camden workshop not the Narellen one. The latter insisted that my funked out rear bearing was 'only tyre noise'

Actually Dudeman, a question for you since you have driven both the turbo and non-turbo: do you feel the lack of turbo while driving the non-turbo MR2, or not really?
I have seen some sweet non-turbo MR2 around, but I feel like I may end up regretting not getting the turbo'd one.
But then again, I am currently driving a 96 Mustang Cobra and I can never really step on it as it gets up to the legal speed very quickly making me feel like I don't really need the extra power (but the exhaust sounds wonderful)...

Timing belt replacement.
Dudeman, what exactly did you get for $400?
 
To do the job properly many people also recommend changing other stuff at the same time, including:
Quality HSN belt 
New tensioner 
New genuine Toyota full water pump
New belt rollers 
Cam seals etc.
That's perhaps a total of $400+ for parts alone.
 
 

alexv
Actually Dudeman, a question for you since you have driven both the turbo and non-turbo: do you feel the lack of turbo while driving the non-turbo MR2, or not really?
I have seen some sweet non-turbo MR2 around, but I feel like I may end up regretting not getting the turbo'd one.
But then again, I am currently driving a 96 Mustang Cobra and I can never really step on it as it gets up to the legal speed very quickly making me feel like I don't really need the extra power (but the exhaust sounds wonderful)...

 
The n/a is a very nice car and is cool to drive, i've had a lot of enjoyment out of it, but the basic answer is that they are totally different cars power wise.
From a standing start the turbo is good thumping acceleration fun, tight bends on uphills you can give the n/a just about 100% (not through the corner...) and it gets up there - the turbo needs more care.
 
I used the n/a as a commuter for nearly eight years, the turbo is now the preferred car for fun.

Reddtarga
Timing belt replacement.
Dudeman, what exactly did you get for $400?
 
To do the job properly many people also recommend changing other stuff at the same time, including:
Quality HSN belt 
New tensioner 
New genuine Toyota full water pump
New belt rollers 
Cam seals etc.
That's perhaps a total of $400+ for parts alone.
 

 
Toyota timing belt, major service, none of the other parts you mentioned.
Done at 100,000 and 200,000. 
Touch wood - 275,000 k's no dramas.
 
That's for the n/a. Haven't had timing belt done on the turbo, but Camden Toyota were happy to service it as well.

alexv
Actually Dudeman, a question for you since you have driven both the turbo and non-turbo: do you feel the lack of turbo while driving the non-turbo MR2, or not really?
I have seen some sweet non-turbo MR2 around, but I feel like I may end up regretting not getting the turbo'd one.
But then again, I am currently driving a 96 Mustang Cobra and I can never really step on it as it gets up to the legal speed very quickly making me feel like I don't really need the extra power (but the exhaust sounds wonderful)...

^^Alexv, Hi I too have drive a few NA's & a lot like Dudeman, once you have been in a turbo mr2 it ant long before the need is there to purchase & own one.  If you haven't yet picked it up - the turbo is also my preferred car all round.
 
Many people go down the path of thinking a NA will be suffice, but I would say at least 90% of them end up (may be years later) but never the less converting to a turbo engine or buying a genuine turbo mr2.
The good out of any of this - is you by the sounds of things will be in an Mr2 shortly & that's all that matters.
 
Good luck with your hopefully upcoming purchase & hope to see you in an mr2 in the near future.

I have to say its different fun with an NA vs a Turbo.
 
The AW11 NA i can drive really hard and you get the enjoyment from really taking the car to its limits (thrashing it all the way to 3rd gear and its still under 80km/h lol)
 
The tubby is an entirely different feeling. On the street, you just can't use its full potential without falling a fair way foul of the law. On a track however, there's no comparison.