Rizo

Might sound a bit pessimistic but does 3sgte reliability exist? Only reason I ask is that I never see mr2s on the road and the general feeling on here is that everyone has had their fair share of trouble with the 3sgte

I've owned mine since late 2009 (gen 2 3sgte) and its my only CAR, and not once has it ever left me on the side of the road. The only major thing that has gone wrong was the alternator went and needed to be replaced but that can happen to any older car. I however do all my own maintenance and make sure it gets only fully synthetic oil and K&N filters just to keep the turbo and everything running smooth. Ive also done a full coolant flush and replaced it with Nulon RED OAT coolant and runs always just below halfway on the gauge even sitting in traffic 40+ deg days. Sorry to be blunt but you've bought a lemon that wasn't serviced regularly. Mine however didn't have a boost controller or anything when I bought it so that probably helped running stock boost all those years.

+1 to his sentiment. yes toyota's are reliable, they more got their reputation from the vast "whitegoods" vehicles they sell. any performance car if constantly abused and not well maintained is not going to be reliable 20yr's on.
 
but it goes to say something that it lasted for 20yrs under said abuse yeh?

Go to someone who actually does build motors not a mechanic. A racing back ground is also a positive movement in the right direction. But expect to pay at least $100 plus / hr just for the labour and then all the things you will be buying

Rebuild the thing, that's what I'd do to mine if the thing blows. Metal head gasket forged pistons and arp studs and new bearings and it should be bulletproof for years to come. :)

Hmmm sounds like my gfs Celica when she bought it. What I suspect is that the dealer did a 'coolant flush' but didn't clean out all the old green **** that was in there and mixed with the Toyota stuff and clogged the radiator. Same symptoms. New radiator and its been great since.