Just picked up a well maintained moderate mileage 2001 MR2. Impart me some wisdom on what I've done to myself.
I hear there are scary things brewing in my exhaust header. What's this all about?
It's got 88k when will it need a timing belt. (probably now ehh)
Anything I need to watch out for? It's massive fun and in near perfect condition. No rust at all no accidents and good maitenance history.
Cat is really the only thing i've heard of, besides a couple people reporting oiling problems on long high-g sweepers.
I'd be looking into an aftermarket header/cat (or no cat, whatever) soon.
Probably needs timing belt now... i think the interval is 60k.
Nothing else that i know of, really... they're solid cars, and i'm jealous of you. I wanted one of these over a Miata. Ended up with a Miata.
I WILL have one of these in the somewhat near future, though. I'll take mine 6spd 2zzge flavored, please and thank you.
If you want to get scary, the 3.5 Camry V6 seems to becoming somewhat common in these. And it's STUPID fast. 
Yeah I'd get a baffled / "trap door" pan for it right away.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Cat is really the only thing i've heard of, besides a couple people reporting oiling problems on long high-g sweepers. I'd be looking into an aftermarket header/cat (or no cat, whatever) soon. Probably needs timing belt now... i think the interval is 60k. Nothing else that i know of, really... they're solid cars, and i'm jealous of you. I wanted one of these over a Miata. Ended up with a Miata. I WILL have one of these in the somewhat near future, though. I'll take mine 6spd 2zzge flavored, please and thank you. If you want to get scary, the 3.5 Camry V6 seems to becoming somewhat common in these. And it's STUPID fast.
mr2s+2gr-fze=evora on the cheap
corytate wrote:92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Cat is really the only thing i've heard of, besides a couple people reporting oiling problems on long high-g sweepers. I'd be looking into an aftermarket header/cat (or no cat, whatever) soon. Probably needs timing belt now... i think the interval is 60k. Nothing else that i know of, really... they're solid cars, and i'm jealous of you. I wanted one of these over a Miata. Ended up with a Miata. I WILL have one of these in the somewhat near future, though. I'll take mine 6spd 2zzge flavored, please and thank you. If you want to get scary, the 3.5 Camry V6 seems to becoming somewhat common in these. And it's STUPID fast.mr2s+2gr-fze=evora on the cheap
Except... way faster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-1f4SLilSs
1zzfe? I predict it will need a timing belt in about 2 million miles. Maybe 3, and that's only if you own it that long.
Dr. Hess wrote: 1zzfe? I predict it will need a timing belt in about 2 million miles. Maybe 3, and that's only if you own it that long.
I'm facepalming myself for brain-farting on that one. 
The "stuff" brewing in the headers is the pre-cats breaking up. I'd check for that ASAP because if they do the particles get recycled through the engine and the engine pretty much ends up as scrap metal.
You might find that a previous owner who knows about this issue already did something about it.
I've always wanted one of those but they seem to be keeping their value obnoxiously well. In my reading on them the oiling issue was common but easily cured as mentioned above with a baffled pan.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:corytate wrote:Except... way faster.92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Cat is really the only thing i've heard of, besides a couple people reporting oiling problems on long high-g sweepers. I'd be looking into an aftermarket header/cat (or no cat, whatever) soon. Probably needs timing belt now... i think the interval is 60k. Nothing else that i know of, really... they're solid cars, and i'm jealous of you. I wanted one of these over a Miata. Ended up with a Miata. I WILL have one of these in the somewhat near future, though. I'll take mine 6spd 2zzge flavored, please and thank you. If you want to get scary, the 3.5 Camry V6 seems to becoming somewhat common in these. And it's STUPID fast.mr2s+2gr-fze=evora on the cheap
Dear god that was a lot of rev limiter.
ultraclyde wrote: I've always wanted one of those but they seem to be keeping their value obnoxiously well. In my reading on them the oiling issue was common but easily cured as mentioned above with a baffled pan.
How much are they around you? Somewhat easy to get them for $8k, sometimes down to $6k for a higher miles one around here.
Seem to run cheaper than a same year Miata, locally.
How do I know if A) the Pre-cats are breaking up? B) previous ownder did something about it?
Mine was a little more than 8K but it's in way better shape than the rest of them I looked at. A similar age Miata in central Illinois may be cheaper or may be MUCH more depending on seller/phase of the moon. Assuming my motor doesn't Grenade soon I'll be very happy with my purchase.
I want one, so bad.
nocones wrote: How do I know if A) the Pre-cats are breaking up? B) previous ownder did something about it? Mine was a little more than 8K but it's in way better shape than the rest of them I looked at. A similar age Miata in central Illinois may be cheaper or may be MUCH more depending on seller/phase of the moon. Assuming my motor doesn't Grenade soon I'll be very happy with my purchase.
That, i don't know... Honestly, if it's got a stock manifold on it, i'd just swap it out now for an aftermarket unit and enjoy the extra ponies to go with your peace of mind. 
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:corytate wrote:Except... way faster.92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Cat is really the only thing i've heard of, besides a couple people reporting oiling problems on long high-g sweepers. I'd be looking into an aftermarket header/cat (or no cat, whatever) soon. Probably needs timing belt now... i think the interval is 60k. Nothing else that i know of, really... they're solid cars, and i'm jealous of you. I wanted one of these over a Miata. Ended up with a Miata. I WILL have one of these in the somewhat near future, though. I'll take mine 6spd 2zzge flavored, please and thank you. If you want to get scary, the 3.5 Camry V6 seems to becoming somewhat common in these. And it's STUPID fast.mr2s+2gr-fze=evora on the cheap
oh good god. that is amazing. want aw111 or the 2nd gen with 2grfze!
Okay, so now I'm lusting after something powered by a Camry engine..... I really need to see my therapist.
I really like the way that thing sounds. Toyota has all kinds of stuff to build awesome cars. But instead they try to pass of scion as cool.
/rant
Ps. Why do Toyota engine codes never correlate to anything?
So I checked the Pre-cats. I don't have to worry about that. Yay!
Now to look into oil pans..
In reply to BoostedBrandon:
They do. Take 2gr-fe as an example. 2 is the engine type built on the GR block, fe is the kind of head design it has (economy design)
MR2's: 4ag(z)e = 4 is the type built on the A engine block, ge denotes performance head. Z is supercharger
3sgte = 3 of the S series block, performance head, with a turbo.
1zz-fe = 1 of the zz block, economy head
2zz-ge= 2 of the zz block, performance head.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:ultraclyde wrote: I've always wanted one of those but they seem to be keeping their value obnoxiously well. In my reading on them the oiling issue was common but easily cured as mentioned above with a baffled pan.How much are they around you? Somewhat easy to get them for $8k, sometimes down to $6k for a higher miles one around here. Seem to run cheaper than a same year Miata, locally.
They seem to run around 8k for the least expensive ones here, whilst miatas of the same vintage / condition will bring 4-5k. Remember, I'm not far from Atlanta!
ultraclyde wrote:92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:They seem to run around 8k for the least expensive ones here, whilst miatas of the same vintage / condition will bring 4-5k. Remember, I'm not far from Atlanta!ultraclyde wrote: I've always wanted one of those but they seem to be keeping their value obnoxiously well. In my reading on them the oiling issue was common but easily cured as mentioned above with a baffled pan.How much are they around you? Somewhat easy to get them for $8k, sometimes down to $6k for a higher miles one around here. Seem to run cheaper than a same year Miata, locally.
Oh that explains it, then.
BoostedBrandon wrote: Okay, so now I'm lusting after something powered by a Camry engine..... I really need to see my therapist. I really like the way that thing sounds. Toyota has all kinds of stuff to build awesome cars. But instead they try to pass of scion as cool. /rant Ps. Why do Toyota engine codes never correlate to anything?
If you like the way THAT sounds.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj0QLGbuz0w
My pants always fit funny after watching this video. This is what i will likely do to an MR-S when i get one.
Don't know much about these cars except they are a blast to drive. My friend broke his factory swaybar mounts while at a track day so they might be a weak point to look out for.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:BoostedBrandon wrote: Okay, so now I'm lusting after something powered by a Camry engine..... I really need to see my therapist. I really like the way that thing sounds. Toyota has all kinds of stuff to build awesome cars. But instead they try to pass of scion as cool. /rant Ps. Why do Toyota engine codes never correlate to anything?If you like the way THAT sounds..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj0QLGbuz0w My pants always fit funny after watching this video. This is what i will likely do to an MR-S when i get one.
that's the way a sports car should sound
I was origionally going to build it for str. Now you all have me looking and lusting after an ssm build. Wonder if the Lexus v8 will fit?
Personally I found this more enjoyable than an (nb) miata and cheaper than an s2000 or nc miata. And the storage situation doesn't bother me.
Thanks for the tips.
The storage situation is what ended up veto'ing it for me this time around. I find them more enjoyable than miatas in general, and just barely edged out by the S2000. (But by the time the S2000 really gets fun, you're breaking laws.)
SSM MR-S could be funnnnnnnnn.
As for the Lexus V8.... it might fit. But then you have to worry about finding a FWD trans that will mate up to it. And it's heavier than the 2gr, and doesn't make THAT much more power. And how much power do you really NEED in an MR-S? I'm pretty sure the 2gr would make me poop myself in the first place.
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