Bought a MK2 MR2

[JamesCH]

I just picked up a 1991 NA MR2 for my fiance's engagement present/another sports car I really like.

Main points:

The bad
-Needs paint
-Needs the rocker fixed
-Needs ignition coil and wires
-A few niggly little issues

The good
103k miles!
Brand new drilled/slotted brake rotors with EBC pads, can lock 'em up no problem
Basically no rust underneath (I think it must have come from the south)
17in wheels/tires and the 14in stockers
Came with some aftermarket parts I am going to sell
Suspension is stock and in good shape
The interior is in amazing shape except a few tears on the driver's right bolster (very common)
My fiance loves it (most important aspect of buying a 3rd car!)

A friend of mine (owns/runs a body shop) thinks he can make the paint way moar awesome in the interim while I/we work out a good paint scheme. I am leaning towards a red body with black roof/pillars.

Gratuitously bad cell phone pictures:

After racing MK2s in Lemons for two years I am very happy to have one in the stable.

 

[Secondtyme]

Oh the possibilties are endless! My mom came within a hairs breadth of buying a red turbo new in 91, to my dismay she bought a V6 Camaro instead(yupnope)

 

[JamesCH]

Lol. That is a very disappointing change.

This guy will stay NA and get suspension/wheel/tire upgrades for the most part.

Changed the coolant out last night, what a PITA, but it's all working well now.

Going to be ordering a lot of tune-up parts in the near future.

 

[JamesCH]

Lol. That is a very disappointing change.

This guy will stay NA and get suspension/wheel/tire upgrades for the most part.

Changed the coolant out last night, what a PITA, but it's all working well now.

Going to be ordering a lot of tune-up parts in the near future.

 

[genericuser]

sweet.. I love MR2's.. I have a severe soft spot for the MK1's though.. I love the weird blocky old ones!

 

[JamesCH]

The Miata got kicked out because the Speed3 and MR2 needed work today.

Speed3 got oil/filter, AMSoil transmission oil, and a rebuilt from passenger strut bearing. All went well!

The MR2 got a new valve cover gasket, the old one was very hard and not sealing well. I took the opportunity to clean and paint the valve cover too.

After several washing with simple green, purple power, and a pressure washer.

Painted satin black.

Installed.

I am really liking the red/black thing starting to develop in the engine bay, I'm definitely going to continue it.

Also, found some leftover wires in the trunk.

The PO had installed subwoofer in the trunk... which is behind the engine compartment... not attached to where people are...

 

[Secondtyme]

Do like. What is it about red Toyotas shedding their clear coat though? I have lost count of the number of local Corollas and Previas that have that washed out look to them. Did they have a run of bad paint or something? There is an MR.Two near me that has had the full house JDM treatment, right down to the killer whale lookin intake on the mid-deck. His is a turbo, though. He runs it every so often at Summit Point, when I see that car I fall for that body style all over again, so much Ferrari F355 there to love....

 

[JamesCH]

Thanks!

A lot of early-90s cars had paint issues. I recall something about switching to more eco-friendly paints... but don't quote me on that.

Are you talking about this sort of intake?

 

[Secondtyme]

Sort of, the one this guy runs is single sided, behind the passenger, and the top is much less contoured to the roof. It reminds me of a Formula 1 car intake. His is painted white with matte black hood, deck and wheels.

 

[JamesCH]

Yeah, there are several flavors. They all try to force air through the engine bay counter to the aerodynamics of the MR2. The shape of the car draws air up through the engine bay and out, so any ram air scoop like those aren't super effective. I got one with this MR2 and plan on selling it.

I am thinking red, with a black roof/pillars and maybe also painting the hood and engine lid black as well. That color scheme shows off the nice parts of the car for sure.

 

[Secondtyme]

I had sort of thought that they were "bottom breathers" and the slots in the deck were for cooling, not really so much for intake. That big ol scoop does look wicked when he comes flying up behind you on the interstate though LOL. I like the idea of a blacked out top portion a lot, like the 599 GTO! Hard to go wrong there....