***SOLD***B..B...BEAMS!! 1990 SW20 Hardtop G-Limited. VIC Price drop $9250***SOLD***

The end of an Era, marks a new beginning…
 
Car model: Toyota SW20 MR2 Hardtop G-Limited w/1997 Beams Caldina engine
Year: 1990
Colour: Dark Turquoise Mica (Pearlescent)
Odometer: 210625 (as of this writing)
Engine: Supposedly 74,000km. Swapped when chassis was 1982xx
Transmission: S54 gearbox from 98 BEAMS MR2 with helical LSD ala TorSen from
Condition:

• Body/panels: Okay-good (for it's age I think)
• Chassis: maybe getting a bit tired slightly squeakly at the front over medium bumps. Might be a dead cat somewhere
• Engine: very good to excellent, many years of trouble free motoring to be had. Feels unrestricted unlike the original engine.
• Interior: good, not much to say here

Pricing: $9250.98 negotiable. Includes RWC and rego (til March 2015)
Location: Mulgrave, Victoria
Contact: PM or 043I six se7en 3 5 2 nine
 
PICTURES (periodically updated): http://imgur.com/a/mB7DM
 
Prologue
The time has come for me to let go of my dearest first love. Due to changing priorities and new commitments it is time for me to move on and let another MR2 enthusiast take ownership of this beautiful sample of automotive history. She will be missed. I cannot take back the good times and memories along this ride and the also the interesting characters and friends that I've made along the way. Opportunities and experiences would have been missed had I not purchased an MR2.
 
History/background
I first took papers to transfer ownership in March 2011, and to my best knowledge I am the fourth owner. The origin of this car was undoubtedly from Japan as it is a hard top model, the second owner was a middle aged women, the third a young man in his late twenties and finally me the best owner this car has ever had (self-proclaimed). It had done 189xxx kms on the odometer.
 
Initially, this car had a straight perfect body, there were little signs of cancer growing (rust) underneath the paint in small local areas. My 2nd inspection gave me a negative impression on the engine's condition as it was leaking oil from rocker cover (minor) and possibly burning some (bad!). Soon after I got the car I had a mild front end it. It was mea culpa. The front reo bar was replaced with a new front bar however the RHS headlight doesn't sit flush when it's down as you'll see in the photos and in person. It drives true however and has no alignment issues
 

 
After getting a major service done i.e timing belt, water pump, rear main seal etc  the engine shat itself under hard acceleration and I withdrew from life.
After careful deliberation between V6 or Beams I was possessed by the spirit of BEAMS which caused me to erratically yell out the acronym BEAMS at the top of my lungs. The temporary possession is analogous to orgasm. Some members on the forum who have seen first hand can vouch for this strange phenomenon…
 
I've driven this car on the track a few times, twice and a half at Winton and twice at Wakefield. Currently it handles great on the street with the Koni and RSR setup. One of the reasons I keep it stock with all the trims intact is because it makes a good daily and weekend warrior. I'd get a 2nd MR2 if I wanted to track day again.
 
I've done a few things to the car, tasteful mods and keeping things mostly standard as I much prefer to drive it rather than getting my hands greasy.
 
Car model: Toyota SW20 MR2 G-Limited w/1997 Beams Caldina engine
 
Features:

• Hardtop
• Power windows
• Power mirrors
• JDM fog lights - turn with steering!
• Rev 1 spoiler
• Windscreen wiper have built in antenna
• Centre console box
• Weight: 117x (recorded somewhere on the forum)
• Mongoose Alarm system, M20

 
What I've done over the course of my ownership:
Performance

• The ever famed BEAMS engine. Came from a 1997 Caldina (greytop) from SSS Automotive who claim it had done 74,000km and relatively fresh. 2 mechanics concluded that it had definitely under 100,000km. Took me ages chasing up stock SW20 Beams air box for it on yahoo japland. It came from an auto like all greytops so that's one advantage over the manual redtops
• S54 gearbox from a BEAMS MR2 with stock helical LSD - Gigidy gigidy!
• Two's R Us Poly bushings
• Camber bolts
• Koni yellows
• RSR Race springs (hardest aftermarket springs for SW20)
• Current brake Front pads QFM A1RM, Rear Intima SR. Best value street/light track pads. Penrite Brake fluid
• Brake master cylinder brace
• Speed flaps front wheel spoilers
• Rhino lip
• Border side scoop - +1rwkw @200km/h
• Wheels/rims are: R32 GTSt 16" 205/50/16 and R32 GTR 16" 225/50/16 wrapped with Bridgestone RE002. Front has heaps of tread left, rear is borderline RWC

 
Other:

• Deleted the A/C compressor but that's completely reversible
• 93' shift lever
• TRD duracon shift knob
• Replaced original power steering relay
• Late model window wiper blade (hook style)
• LED dash lights
• Fed a consist diet of 98 Octane fossil fuel

 
Servicing

• Oil was changed in March. Penrite HPR 5W40 Full synthetic
• Spark plugs also done in March. Copper for best spark (replace 6 -12 months depending on condition)
• New air filter
• Fuel filter done Oct 2012 along with thermostat
• Rear brake pads Intima SR done Jan 2014
• Front pads QFM A1RM done mid year 2014
• Valve cover gasket and spark plug o rings done Jan 2014
• Tranny oil done when S54 LSD box was fit - mid year. Normally use Redline MT90 but it's just standard stuff in at the moment.
• Feb 12 (major chassis overhaul): Ball joints, tie rods, bushes, drive/rack boots, brake rotors and rear calipers rebuilt
• Front left caliper slide bolt bracket replaced few months ago

All my servicing is done by IDB Automotive in Richmond. Ian is godsend for us non-technical MR2 owners. Got HEAPS of receipts
 
What I'd do/improve if I had free time (project for next owner perhaps?)

• Frunk gas strut mod. Have kit. Possibly incorrect brackets supplied
• Boot gas strut mod and engine strut lid
• Flat front under tray to clean up air. I planned to make one out of signboard (dibond) material.
• Electrical wiring behind the dash not the cleanest…
• Water temperature gauge plays up. Checked the resistance readings on the dial itself, needs replacing.
• A/C needs a re-gas (if decide to re-mount A/C compressor)

 
Extras:

• Set of stock 15s with Advan AO48 semi slicks. Getting hard but still many a track day doable
• Bunch of spare parts: windshield washer, BEAMS greytop ECU, 2 A/C compressors FWD and MR config, stock exhaust middle damper, a heap of A/C parts inc condenser (spare), pod filter

 
Next owner
 
What I'm looking for: First of all not a P plater haha sorry guys/gals but this is NOT a first car, in my humble opinion. Won't go into too much detail since I wrote a 2000+ word article on it (ask me for the link) but driving dynamics, servicing/running costs and most importantly inexperience are one of the few reasons. It seems rather pompous and idiotic that the seller would purposely narrow his prospective buyers but this shows how much I really love my baby that I wouldn't just let it go to someone who simply won't appreciate or respect the car. It would bring me joy if the next owner were to be a past owner or someone willing to stick around the club or forum.
There's only so much words and photos can convey so I cordially invite you to come for an inspection as I'm happy to answers any questions that need answers!
 
Finally…PRICING!!
 
Here's where I tell you the forum discount you want to hear: too bad!!
Just kidding, I'm looking for $9700, negotiable of course but if it was on carsales I'd probably put it as $10,300. Comes with RWC and rego is good til March 2015.
 
Epilogue
 
As of late I've been getting into 2 wheels as some of you may know I took ownership of a cibby a few months ago. In term of thrillings per shillings, the bike wins in that department. Exceptionally frugal on fuel and whizzing past traffic is a breeze. (safely of course hehe).
I'll definitely hang around since my Victorian club doesn't expire til next year . Not sure what I'll take to 2015 MTC but will be there unquestionably!

Don't do it!

rikkir
Don't do it!

I agree.  Noooo, don't do it. 

Trees and cars are one thing. Trees and bikes don't sound like a good mix to me. (Sold my Honda 600 because I was beginning to believe motorists were visualising a target on my back). Might have just been old age though and I was too slow getting out of the way. And you are worried about the MR2's handling in the wet?

Trees and anything is never a good thing. 'cept maybe chicks. People say 125cc is dangerous. I've been riding since July and haven't had too many close calls. Both times I've been lane split by cars on the freeway but thats my fault for taking it beyond the bike's capability. Driving in the wet is fine, just apply some common sense :)
Not giving anymore clues Rick ;)