Hey guys, I'm just wondering if there's someone around Melbourne who has/ knows about the MR2's handling characteristics? I have a bit of a knocking sound from the front of the car when I go over rough patches which I suspect to be a loose swaybar. I also feel that my suspension is a bit rough for stock but haven't anything to compare it to...
 
So yeah, if anyone is in Victoria that's willing to let me take them for a drive in my car I'd be super appreciative (and can bring beer in payment :D).

It may be worth having a look at the nuts on the front of the tie rods running forward from the suspension arms where they mount onto the body.
 
I had a similar knocking sound and it turned out that one tie rod was floating backwards and forwards by about 1 cm because the nut on the front had backed off.

Suspension knocking from the front could be one of several things.
The best way to find it would be to jack the car to get the front wheels free  That would allow you to physically check stuff like ball joints, outer and inner tie rod ends, sway bar links, and wheel bearings.
And check the caster rods as already mentioned. 
While you're at it also remove the sway bar mounting brackets and check for cracks underneath.
Can't think of anything else at the moment lol.

Yeah I did a brief inspection the other day (I didn't take the underbody lining off) but i couldn't see or feel anything that should be causing it... Where is the best place to put jackstands on the MR2, there's no obvious spots...

http://www.mr2oc.co.uk/know-your-2-knowledge-base.html?kbartid=103
 

Yeah I've seen this... I guess I dont have the right kind of stands to support there (axel stands??) and obviously one stand in the middle would NOT be safe by any means...

A visit to somewhere with a car hoist would be best. 
 

Mmmmm why did toyota make it so hard to get these cars off the ground!? I have a decent amount of experience under a car. My 260Z is 100% stripped by my hands, but was a ton easier to get under and had multiple safe spots to put an axel stand. I guess The best thing would be a plank of wood from each of the mounting points with the axle stands under each one so the car wont be damaged, and the slight curve of the surface of the axle stand can bite into the wood. I'm always overly cautious in these situations so I thought it best to see what you guys do.

Also... I feel as though When  go over harsh bumps it really jarrs the chassis and makes the ride feel quite harsh. Now i dont know if this is due to;
Generally old suspension
dead shock top mounts
upgraded springs
etc.
 
It's hard to diagnose because I have never been in a car thats as sports orientd as the MR2 (or any MR2 besides my own for that matter).
 
I can live with the ride how it is, but I would like to lower the car about an inch all around mainly for cosmetic reasons, but I don't want to compromise the ride quality. The car feels skittish over bumps as is...

Ok, the knocking/ rattling over bumps has been self diagnosed!
 
I completely removed the front sway bar, and now there is no noise whatsoever. It also feels a tonne softer to drive in a straight line (which seems odd to me...).
Going around corners is definitely a bit more "Bargey" and I do miss that amazing instant steer in feeling. So now the question, are the culprits the sway bar bushes, or the tie rod ends (is that the right name for them?)?
 
I now have a feeling that the sensation of "harsh suspension" could be very tired suspension that actually isn't doing its job and is dumping over the harsher/ bigger bumps. So yeah, very confused right now, and I wish I had someone else's car to compare it to...