I only got this car a few days ago but I cant understand why the previous owner would treat the car like **** and not look after it? Its not a common car and even though I have only had it for a few days I think its quite a special little car. I have had skylines, supras and rx7s in the past and they were all not as special as the Mr2. The thing goes around corners like nothing I have experienced before and for a 23 year old design looks better than anything being mass produced since. I'll get this car fixed and running like it should regardless of the cost. I think its important to keep as many of these cars on the road as we can because I hardly see any on the road anymore in Sydney. Also as a final ***k you to the previous owners who didnt have the sense to appreciate the car like it should be, I'll keep the car on the road and running as long as I can.
Thanks for your help Lads, much appreciated

Located in Western Sydney EssDub

Rizo
Its not a common car and even though I have only had it for a few days I think its quite a special little car. I have had skylines, supras and rx7s in the past and they were all not as special as the Mr2. The thing goes around corners like nothing I have experienced before and for a 23 year old design looks better than anything being mass produced since.

I love hearing people say things like this about the MR2

I agree with the sentiment.
 
The car is an absolute cracker, stunning styling and wonderful performance.
 
If your ambition is to attract sympathetic owners and the occasional geek (inevitably male) this is the car for you.
 
If you want to attract the sympathetic eye of sixty something women and everyone else with a beard, you should try my loud blue '62 mini..
 
Both are considered road biscuits by the majority of 4wd and Volvo fanatics (if that is the best way to describe them..)
 
 
 

I feel your pain Rizo,
My overheating issues started after I had Mr T (Toyota) service my sdub.  Needless to say they failed to change the coolant correctly.  1.5 years later (and a lot of cash spent) i just swapped out the engine with a Gen 3.
Would have preferred spending that cash on a project like Robk's :) but I wasn't going to give up on my MR2.

Thanks for the kind words. Ill keep you all posted through this thread as to what happens with the car on Tuesday. The guys at Al Palmers know their stuff. Out of curiosity DVSTurbo, what is a Gen 3 engine worth these days?
 

I bought a half cut from SSS motors for just under 3k.
Then you have to get someone to install it which would be the most costly part.

I've determined to come back with a caldina motor (one of the last 3stge's). The up front cost was small, the refinements impressive, but still off the road, while we work it out at my brother-in-law's workshop. Problems include a different ECU & wiring, replacing the top mounted intercooler and probably a world of pain we haven't thought much about yet. Terry at Road and Track (QLD) is very helpful and both knows these cars and does import bits on occasion. 

3K, thats painful, couldnt you just rebuild your original engine with some good bits for that much or was it too far gone?

I think the short answer is no. Working on the engine in situ is difficult and getting it out is painful, so you want to do what you can while you are there. That probably involves the turbo, the oil and water pumps and most of the rubber consumables (hoses & belts). Redo the intercooler and then there is the clutch, gearbox and engine mounts to consider.