ARegoli
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Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
I'm looking to purchase an MR2 some time in the next year, and I'm just wondering what should I try to look for when I go to inspect a car. Generally looking at the 94+ Bathursts N/a as the P plate laws mean that I can't get a turbo.
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Reddtarga
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Re: Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
2015/07/30 12:25:27
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For a 20 year old car, one that has been garaged would be obviously be better than one that's lived in the open for paint cond, rust, leaking targa tops etc. Also considering the type of car it is don't put too much faith in kms on the clock, since that won't tell you hard it may have been driven or how badly it may have been maintained. To find out about that, an RACV or NRMA type full test would be good if you can arrange it.
post edited by Reddtarga - 2015/07/30 12:31:54
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ARegoli
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Re: Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
2015/07/30 19:14:49
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Is there an absolute maximum amount of kilometres that I should probably stay away from? It was my understanding that any car over 200,000km was something I should stay away from.
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5SGTE
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Re: Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
2015/07/30 21:02:20
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Dunno, I bought a Toyota with 250 on the clock and it's just clicked 350 and is still a good car, although clutch is crap. while I'm not suggesting a high milage car it certainly shows what good regular maintenance does. So be looking for a history there.
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Eric
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Re: Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
2015/07/30 21:51:53
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Go as standard and as late a model as possible, unless you want a hard top.
My two cents
1990 SW20 Hardtop - Supercharged 2GR-FZE
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Hoonsy
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Re: Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
2015/07/31 16:03:51
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Coming from a P plater who also bought a 94 Bathurst, I'd recommend you go for a 94+ G-Limited. The Bathurst is the more racecar-spec model, but in a good way - no power steering, lame hard seats (regular are plush and fluffy_ and having no centre console box is more of a disadvantage than anything.
Bathurst is still good, but I'd have picked a G-Limited if I had a choice; only went Bathurst since it was a steal! ($4700 with rego/rwc compared to $6000+ for a G-L)
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mister2
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Re: Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
2015/07/31 16:14:27
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You'll find everyone has their own opinions (which is fine), but... I'd always recommend a Bathurst over a Japanese import G-Limited for many good reasons. First off, being Australian-delivered, it's highly unlikely to have had the odometer wound back. You can almost be guaranteed that any Japanese import will have. Second, 2nd-hand import cars from Japan are more likely to have more rust than Australian-delivered cars. Third, the standard Bathurst N/A engine has more power than the G-Limited N/A engine. Fourth, no power steering not only feels better, but also means the car is lighter. Fifth, the centre console box sucks!  The earlier Australian-delivered G-Limited also doesn't have the Gen 3 front lip and tail light upgrades, which to my eye look far sexier. But… like I said, each to their own.
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xez
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Re: Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
2015/07/31 18:26:41
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Chiming in for the Bathurst edition. The manual rack has more feedback than the Electro-hydraulic power steering. And they're lighter than JDM models!
post edited by xez - 2015/07/31 19:26:22
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Hoonsy
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Re: Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
2015/07/31 19:40:00
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mister2
You'll find everyone has their own opinions (which is fine), but...
I'd always recommend a Bathurst over a Japanese import G-Limited for many good reasons. First off, being Australian-delivered, it's highly unlikely to have had the odometer wound back. You can almost be guaranteed that any Japanese import will have. Second, 2nd-hand import cars from Japan are more likely to have more rust than Australian-delivered cars. Third, the standard Bathurst N/A engine has more power than the G-Limited N/A engine. Fourth, no power steering not only feels better, but also means the car is lighter. Fifth, the centre console box sucks!
The earlier Australian-delivered G-Limited also doesn't have the Gen 3 front lip and tail light upgrades, which to my eye look far sexier.
But… like I said, each to their own.
I can definitely agree with you about the rust, and odo meter statements. Aussie-deliveried is best known for that. I thought the G-Limited and Bathurst both came with the 3rd Gen 3sge however? What engine does the 94+ G-Limited come with then? Power steering is a debatable topic - it feels good on a daily drive but tight paring spots (my Tafe) make you wish it wasn't non-P/S. As for the console box, I wouldn't know - I don't have one haha
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ARegoli
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Re: Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
2015/07/31 20:33:13
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Well I'm not too fussy about the power steering, I'd love to drive a car without it because I think that it would feel like more of a journey every time I drive. What's everyone's opinions on the power/ torque of the Bathurst? I've heard they are a bit gutless.
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Hoonsy
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Re: Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
2015/07/31 22:40:39
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ARegoli
Well I'm not too fussy about the power steering, I'd love to drive a car without it because I think that it would feel like more of a journey every time I drive. What's everyone's opinions on the power/ torque of the Bathurst? I've heard they are a bit gutless.
I know we were having a PM discussion but just wanted to share just in case someone else wants to lend their opinion. A 3rd Gen 3sge (so 94+ Bathurst) makes 173hp, and has a 0-100 of 7.4 seconds. A Silvia S13 SR20DET has a 0-100 of 6.5 seconds. So imagine a non-turbo S13.. The MR2 is just trailing behind it, and that's without a turbo. Fair enough some people can call it gutless in comparison to some of the more sought-after 'JDM' cars, but it holds it's own considering it's aspirated. If we compare naturally aspirated 90s Japanese cars, there's not much else faster than this.
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Dudeman
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Re: Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
2015/08/01 02:26:08
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Hoonsy
Coming from a P plater who also bought a 94 Bathurst, I'd recommend you go for a 94+ G-Limited. The Bathurst is the more racecar-spec model, but in a good way - no power steering, lame hard seats (regular are plush and fluffy_ and having no centre console box is more of a disadvantage than anything.
Bathurst is still good, but I'd have picked a G-Limited if I had a choice; only went Bathurst since it was a steal! ($4700 with rego/rwc compared to $6000+ for a G-L)
Hoonsy
ARegoli
Well I'm not too fussy about the power steering, I'd love to drive a car without it because I think that it would feel like more of a journey every time I drive. What's everyone's opinions on the power/ torque of the Bathurst? I've heard they are a bit gutless.
I know we were having a PM discussion but just wanted to share just in case someone else wants to lend their opinion.
A 3rd Gen 3sge (so 94+ Bathurst) makes 173hp, and has a 0-100 of 7.4 seconds.
A Silvia S13 SR20DET has a 0-100 of 6.5 seconds. So imagine a non-turbo S13..
The MR2 is just trailing behind it, and that's without a turbo. Fair enough some people can call it gutless in comparison to some of the more sought-after 'JDM' cars, but it holds it's own considering it's aspirated. If we compare naturally aspirated 90s Japanese cars, there's not much else faster than this.
I've never heard of any ADM cars being described as 'G-limited' That's a JDM only spec as far as I know. And the G-limited could have any options nominated by the buyer, so you can find fully optioned G's as well. Not 100% on these dates, but ADM 'GT' and 'Bathurst' spec started with the rev3 (1994?). All ADM cars from this date the same trim on the seats, except for the GT which had full leather. No cars ever, anywhere, had 'plush and fluffy' JDM GT's had leather/suede seats, but the lower spec JDM had cloth. The Bathurst was released as the 'tribute' for the race. It was the bare bones 'lightened' model, no p/s no a/c no fog lights, etc etc, but the buyer could add any of these to their Bathurst when ordering. So not many actually were bought totally bare bones. Not too many that I have seen anyway. Car feels good with or without power steering to me. As far as the Bathurst being gutless? Well it's the same engine for all ADM MR2's after 1994 (or mid 1993?) They may have certain HP on the day they rolled out of the showroom, don't think they will be at that figure now. They aren't underpowered though, I had an ADM GT for years and loved it. I bought that GT at 80k and sold it when it was close to 300k. The car never missed a beat in any respect and the guy that bought it off me (a forum member who posts irregularly) has enjoyed it as well and from what he tells me shows the tacho the higher numbers when he can. And (touch wood) the car is still strong.
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Hoonsy
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Re: Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
2015/08/01 11:57:52
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Dudeman
-snip-
I've never heard of any ADM cars being described as 'G-limited' That's a JDM only spec as far as I know. And the G-limited could have any options nominated by the buyer, so you can find fully optioned G's as well.
Not 100% on these dates, but ADM 'GT' and 'Bathurst' spec started with the rev3 (1994?). All ADM cars from this date the same trim on the seats, except for the GT which had full leather. No cars ever, anywhere, had 'plush and fluffy' JDM GT's had leather/suede seats, but the lower spec JDM had cloth.
The Bathurst was released as the 'tribute' for the race. It was the bare bones 'lightened' model, no p/s no a/c no fog lights, etc etc, but the buyer could add any of these to their Bathurst when ordering. So not many actually were bought totally bare bones. Not too many that I have seen anyway. Car feels good with or without power steering to me.
As far as the Bathurst being gutless? Well it's the same engine for all ADM MR2's after 1994 (or mid 1993?) They may have certain HP on the day they rolled out of the showroom, don't think they will be at that figure now. They aren't underpowered though, I had an ADM GT for years and loved it.
I bought that GT at 80k and sold it when it was close to 300k. The car never missed a beat in any respect and the guy that bought it off me (a forum member who posts irregularly) has enjoyed it as well and from what he tells me shows the tacho the higher numbers when he can. And (touch wood) the car is still strong.
I think I was referring to the cloth seats then. My mate has a 91 G-Limited (import), so that +1's to your statement about the G-Limited only being import - something I didn't know! I just said 'plush' because they are really soft seats compared to mine.
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ARegoli
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Re: Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
2015/08/01 13:41:27
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Thanks for all the help guys.
Does anyone have a good idea about the price range that I'll be looking at if I'm searching for a good condition bathurst?
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xez
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Re: Common Problems to look for when buying an MR2?
2015/08/01 15:10:21
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Current prices on CarSales range from $7800 to $11000. Only 5 listed at the moment. There was only a touch over 300 Bathursts ever made, so finding a clean one is getting harder. If you spot a good one... snap it up! 
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