Actually, I could use your opinions, guys and gals, as I do feel I'm in a bit of a pickle - and it involves to sell or not to sell.
 
My A-Dub is running quite nicely, with a newly refurbished cylinder head, head gasket, etc; it's pulling nicely, always starts, and doesn't blow smoke. BUT.... there may be something going wrong with the cooling system - I'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what's what (their may have just been a bit of an airlock), but it appears to be slowly losing coolant. I drove around for an hour and half yesterday, giving it a spirited bit of welly, and it was fine and didn't overheat, but the level was back down when I checked it this morning, having used about.... 750 ml of coolant maybe? Fingers crossed that it's something very simple, like a little hose somewhere, but if it isn't, I've already spent quite a bit of money on this car and the more money I spend the more it's starting to somewhat lose its 'friend status'.
 
The other thing is that I'm a disability pensioner, so trying to recover from my savings when things do go wrong takes forever, and I just don't feel that I have the money and energy to do this classic car justice. I bought it hail damaged, and was going to replace the panels for instance, but getting the blokes with possible replacement panels to sell is almost impossible sometimes - either that or I can't afford their prices. And the other thing is that I'm rubbish at working on cars, and feel guilty whenever I do a bodge job on something like weather leaks, which are things I've tried to find people who'll do the job for money, but just can't find anyone. So when bodge job stacks on top of other bodge job, and I'm looking at this gorgeous classic car that's not getting the care it really deserves, I'm starting to feel quite bad.
 
So what do think, folks? I love it to bits, and hopefully it's something small and easy, but if it isn't, should I hold onto it - particularly as they may go up in value - or should I sell it relatively cheaply to someone else who wants a go? (Only to someone who'll genuinely care for it though!!!)

That's a tough one. With a car of that age, something will always happen. It all really depends if you're "into" the AW11/car & want to hold onto it. Continueing to own an MR2 is always a brain VS heart kind of scenario.
 
There are those of us who have been through similar & far far worse & kept soldiering on.

If you are holding on to your SW20 or AW11 hoping it may become a valuable classic down the track you may be disappointed.
 
A 1987 n/a AW11 sold for around $31,400 new here in Oz but you would probably only pay about $5,000 to $7,000 for a good standard one these days. The same applies to SW20's as far as depreciation goes. Neither has turned the corner yet and started to increase in value.
 
Usually a car becomes a valuable classic because it is rare and not many were made or not many are left but there are still a lot of AW11's, SW20's and Spiders around because most owners respect them and normally care for them.
 
In my view you buy these cars and retain them because you love them and don't worry about monetary gain as they are always a classic in your eyes

Hmmm. Cheers guys, I appreciate it. I do love it, but we've already been through some amazing adventures together, and I'm starting to move away from sporty to luxury as I get greyer hair around the temples, wonkier eyebrows and I suddenly have to trim my nose hair, haha. I think I might sell it on to someone who can treat it better than me.
 
And I have to come out of the closet here, and I'm sure I'll cop abuse but.... I've recently become... a Saabist. *alarm bells* ;)

To sell it, or to hang on to it?
The solution:
MR2's are a very individual car, so what what other car could you get to replace it?
If you can't answer that question honestly, then maybe don't sell.
 
Yes, it might be a very long time before MR2's become a valuable classic, so not much use keeping them for that. Much better to drive it and enjoy it.
But another factor is that as time passes it will also be harder and harder to find a good one, so well maintained cars in original condition should be worth more anyway.
 

anarchisttomato
Hmmm. Cheers guys, I appreciate it. I do love it, but we've already been through some amazing adventures together, and I'm starting to move away from sporty to luxury as I get greyer hair around the temples, wonkier eyebrows and I suddenly have to trim my nose hair, haha. I think I might sell it on to someone who can treat it better than me.
 
And I have to come out of the closet here, and I'm sure I'll cop abuse but.... I've recently become... a Saabist. *alarm bells* ;)

I thought I was the only one on here that likes Saab's. I literally just bought a week ago a 2008 9-3 Aero Sportcombi with 2.8L V6 turbo from WA. Just waiting for it to be shipped over on the train. My Wife is super excited haha She loves them.
 
What Saab do you own or thinking of buying?
 

There are three cars I'm looking at: original, non-GM Saab 900, manual turbo 9-3 (late 90s), auto Saab 9-5 (around 2000 with cream interior). And another motivation... I've met a super hot French girl who can only drive auto! (hence why I'm looking at the 9-5)
 
There is definitely one big draw with the MR2... the community is nice. :) When I had my 200sx, the community was a series of genetically engineered cocks! You guys are newbie friendly and welcoming.

We have owned a 1996 900NG Coupe and a 1999 9-3 TS Coupe. Both Auto.
The second revision of the original 9-3 Aero from 2000-2002 would be a nice one to get. Updated engine and ecu plus some slight exterior improvements. Like this one http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Saab-9-3-2002/SSE-AD-2899336/?Cr=3&sdmvc=1
 
 
 

anarchisttomato
There are three cars I'm looking at: original, non-GM Saab 900, manual turbo 9-3 (late 90s), auto Saab 9-5 (around 2000 with cream interior). And another motivation... I've met a super hot French girl who can only drive auto! (hence why I'm looking at the 9-5)
 
There is definitely one big draw with the MR2... the community is nice. :) When I had my 200sx, the community was a series of genetically engineered cocks! You guys are newbie friendly and welcoming.

anarchisttomato
I've met a super hot French girl who can only drive auto! (hence why I'm looking at the 9-5)

Sounds like you need a Citroen, Peugeot or Renault :)

Haha, French cars? I love their women, but I'm not that much of a sadist! Part of the appeal with the Saab is that I own a 1994 NG900, which I bought because of the lovely interior (cream and black, not grey - I HATE grey interiors) and the stunning seats which make an enormous difference on a long drive. And the sound insulation. And the enormous boot! (See, I'm only 30, but I'm already marching quickly towards, middle age, eh?) Umm, where was I? \
 
Oh yes, I bought the Saab because I was sick of only buying reliable Japanese cars and wanted something cheap and European - I got it for $900 off an old Scotsman with a gammy leg and paid a few hundred fixing a few bits and bobs - as a disposable car. But the thing is, the Saab never goes wrong. It always starts, it never overheats. It's actually more reliable than the Japanese sportscars I've had so far. But the clutch is heavy, which is fine with most driving, but bad for peak hour bumper-to-bumper traffic. A light clutch or an auto would make it a gorgeous place to be in peak hour. And the cream interior'd 9-5 looks like the friendliest car to sit in I've ever seen!
 
The Aeros are tempting, but I ain't got the money, and the interiors are almost always grey. Black or cream is fine, but why do people have grey interiors? They're depressing. The depreciation on Saabs is fantastic for grabbing a bargain, so I can get a decent nick 9-5 for around $3K over here in Perth, and a 9-3 for even less.
 
One super large appeal of the AW11 in particular is that people like you in it. Just yesterday I had a five year old boy tug on his dad's shirt and go, "Dad, Dad, look - race car!!!!!". Girls like it because it's cute, and it perfectly walks the line between prettiness/cuteness and not looking... well, like you're cruising for a man, hehe.