So I'm in the market for a new car and ive found a mr-2 5-speed n/a for $2,800. It's virtually rust free, seems to be well taken care of, but my question is are the n/a cars worth it? Or should I just keep looking for a turbo. I know I'm not buying a Lamborghini or anything but id like it to still have decent performance stock as it might be awhile before I get around to modding it.
This is the car in question. http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/3070849989.html
Turbo is faster but the NA makes for a great DD with a reliability and economy combined with much fun.
I have little else other than www.mr2oc.com is the epicenter of all things MR2.
You will have to register to get in but it is very much worth it!
Fun, remarkably solid little cars. I helped a fellow swap to a different N/A 4 banger over the winter ("BEAMS" 200hp 2.0). I really like the t-top, which seems to provide the best of both worlds as far as top-off driving and chassis rigidity. It certainly is roomier and less prone to cowl shake than an extended family member's '97 Miata. I'd definitely recommend one as a fun DD.
Damn... Personally, I'd buy that car in a heartbeat if it were closer, but mainly because a N/A MR2 w/o t-tops makes for a fun E-Stock car that's different than a Miata.
I guess it depends on what you want it for.
The car in question is a sunroof car which looses a lot of headroom. The real desirable are the hardtop cars but do not wait for one, they are rare.
Something looks wrong with the passenger side headlight door.
MR2 have become cars that it is hard to loose money on. As long as you keep the condition similar (like keep rust down) you can always sell this car for same (maybe more) money.
This car went up at 7:05am today, Monday. Do not expect it to be there Wednesday.
I'd buy the hell out of that for that price.
jrw1621 wrote: The car in question is a sunroof car which looses a lot of headroom. The real desirable are the hardtop cars but do not wait for one, they are rare.
Is that a factory sunroof? It almost looks like an aftermarket one cut in.
I have heard the hard-tops are rare.
Sweeeeet. I'd be all over that. I had a '91 myself. Yes, the turbo is faster, much faster. But the NA isn't "slow", and it's multiple times more reliable. Taken care of, they'll run forever. IIRC, it's basically the Camry's engine.
Think of it more as a GT cruiser than a Miata-like sports car and you won't be disappointed. It still handles quite well, but is bigger and has slower reflexes than the MK I or an NA Miata. I'd love to have another one. Every day comfort, great looks, reliable, and great on gas.
So as far as performance gains are parts plentiful? Can these n/a motors be built up to make this thing go?
D_Howard wrote: So as far as performance gains are parts plentiful? Can these n/a motors be built up to make this thing go?
You can get a little bit out of the factory 2.2, but it'll never be "quick." Breathing mods, lightweight flywheel, shave the head, maybe a set of Colt regrinds will wake it up a bit, but it's simply not a performance motor. It's a Camry motor.
If you want a kick in the seat but don't want to deal with a turbo motor, you're looking at a 3sge swap of some variation for an 'easy button."
If you want to go a little crazier, you're looking at swapping a V6. (1mzfe or 3mzfe is fairly well documented.)
I'd start with making the thing handle even better and do motor last.
Handling parts are plentiful. Power parts are not until you swap motors.
For that kind of money, I wouldn't bother with a ton of engine mods. By time you get it all done, you could have probably just found a nice factory turbo car or something else. It's got decent power as is. Unless you're drag racing from every light, I don't think you'll have any trouble with it's power.
Agreed. Drive this one till better arrives. As I mentioned, you can quickly redeem this one for same money if ever needed or wanted for another should a turbo car come around.
I decided I wanted an Mk2 MR2 NA last year, and looked for 4-5 months to find the hardtop I wanted. When that happened, I had to fly from TN to KS to get the car because it had the combination of options I wanted (hardtop, NA, 5-speed, non-PS). My car was more expensive than that one, but was in better shape, and given the scarcity I was willing to pay.
I've had it for 6 months now and I really like it. I get 30-35 mpg and it's fun to drive. So far the only service it's required (that was not connected to the previous owner's botched stereo installation) has been oil, plugs, and plug wires.
Around town, the NA is faster, and honestly...more fun to drive 90% of the time. The point-and-grunt of the 2.2L Camry (tractor) motor is great in traffic. It runs out of steam about 4700rpm, and any engine upgrades are a waste of time.
The turbo can be very fast, but it is a complicated powerplant that commands a premium price and has probably had at least 3 neglectful POs by now.
I'm in the process of putting a 1MZFE V6 in my 14th! MR2 right now.
Great cars.
I'll angrily point at he who will blaspheme against the mighty 3sgte. 
It's not bad to deal with. If i can handle it anyone can.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I'll angrily point at he who will blaspheme against the mighty 3sgte.
I agree, they're good engines. I have one in my shed that has 500mi on a reman longblock, waiting for a project. Put one in an 86 MR2 once. I also imported a Gen3, which made 292whp stock. For the uninitiated, the 3S is just harder to find in good shape and more difficult to put right. Definitely nothing wrong with them.
Tyler is right, the 2.2 is a great street motor. Tons of torque and great mileage. I think it is a better motor for a first time buyer to learn mid engine handling without having to deal with the turbo boost on top. besides swaps are easy, you can get a turbo motor put in later. And don't waste a penny on performance upgrades on a 2.2 put your money into suspension and brakes.
Tons of turbo swappers means there are a lot of cheap 5S engines on the market.
I bought a 93 NA drivetrain -- the whole shebang -- for $250 once. ~100k miles, tip top condition. Got a really clean 91MR2 that I picked up from CL with a blown engine for $800. Had a really nice car for under $1500 all-in. This was about a 3-week CL project from start to finish.
MR2s are at the bottom of the depreciation curve and starting to go up.
If you get really bored... you can turbo the 5s as well. It's not a real weak motor in itself.
This is a stock motor with some sort of turbo setup. I don't remember if it was a "CT27" or a T3/T4 at this point. "Presure2" was the owner.
I started down that path once and quickly realized it was too damn much work and $$$ for my taste, compared to a 3S out of the box.
Haven't done the research lately, but the 3S manifold and turbo system will bolt up to the 5S head. The 'lime top' 7M-GE injectors dropped in, and a Walbro 255 would get you some fuel overhead. The rest is plumbing.
Seem to recall this was only good for 50hp or so over stock.
That dyno graph must have a lot of supporting mods and tuning to be near 300whp on a 5S.
Tyler H wrote: I started down that path once and quickly realized it was too damn much work and $$$ for my taste, compared to a 3S out of the box. Haven't done the research lately, but the 3S manifold and turbo system will bolt up to the 5S head. The 'lime top' 7M-GE injectors dropped in, and a Walbro 255 would get you some fuel overhead. The rest is plumbing. Seem to recall this was only good for 50hp or so over stock. That dyno graph must have a lot of supporting mods and tuning to be near 300whp on a 5S.
I think it was just tuned with an E-Manage.
With Megasquirt these days, you could probably do it for $2000 or less total and it'd be simple.
Buuuuuut as you say, $2000 is a large chunk of 3sgte swap.
So... To the OP: Did you buy the car yet? 
Just a heads-up, the 3/5S-FE motors are known to have oiling issues. I blew one up rallycrossing being WOT through a (relatively) long sweeper. The 3S-GTEs don't have that issue (I believe due to the oil squirters in the block which aren't present in the -FE engines), not sure about the 3S-GEs.
Tyler H wrote:92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I'll angrily point at he who will blaspheme against the mighty 3sgte.I agree, they're good engines. I have one in my shed that has 500mi on a reman longblock, waiting for a project. Put one in an 86 MR2 once. I also imported a Gen3, which made 292whp stock. For the uninitiated, the 3S is just harder to find in good shape and more difficult to put right. Definitely nothing wrong with them.
This. For a 20yr old turbo motor, they're relatively reliable - IF LEFT ALONE. Which very very few of them are. Too many kids trying to get 500hp out of 2.0 liters.
In reply to Matt B:
Eh i'd even argue against that. As long as done right, theyre solid as hell.
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