Mk2 Normally Aspirated Buyers Guide

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[url=https://imoc.co.uk/app.php/kb/viewarticle?a=119&sid=8e7c50fd9d874bdd0ba96bb914408c74]Knowledge Base - Mk2 Normally Aspirated Buyers Guide[/url]

\\Toyota MR2 Mk2 Normally Aspirated Buyer\'s Guide\
By Paul Walker\


Mk2 There have been several revisions of the Mk2 MR2 since it\'s launch in 1990. Initially, there were three models available in the UK. These were the Coupe, which has 119bhp and no rear spoiler, the GT Coupe (158bhp) and the GT T-Bar which was also 158bhp, but had two removable roof panels.

All three of these models had 14\" alloy wheels as standard, and power steering was an optional extra. In 1992 power steering became standard equipment, and the wheels were upgraded to flat-spoke 15\" alloys. The 119bhp coupe was also dropped from the range at this time.

In 1994, the most noticeable revision took place, with the square rear lights and honeycombed centre section were replaced with round tail lights and a solid centre section with reversing lights close together. The spoiler was also changed from a three piece one to a single piece one. With this revision, the engine was replaced with one with 175bhp, ABS was added as standard and the suspension was upgraded to improve the cars handling round corners.

There was a limited edition (only 250) 10th Anniversary model in 1996 which can be identified by the wooden steering wheel, chrome kick-plates, different alloy wheels and the limited edition badge.

The final revision was in 1998 and saw the 15\" wheels changed to round spokes, a big adjustable spoiler and clear front light cluster.

\\Comparison of the models available:\\

\Model\...........\BHP\...........\Years available\...............\How to tell them apart\
Coupe\.........\119bhp\..........\1990-1992\.......................\No rear spoiler, 14\" wheels
GT Coupe\....\158bhp\..........\1990-1994\.......................\Rear spoiler, sunroof, 14\" wheels, square rear light cluster
GT T-Bar\......\158bhp\..........\1990-1994\......................\Rear spoiler, removable roof panels, 14\"wheels, square rear light cluster
GT Coupe\.....\175bhp\..........\1994-1998\......................\Rear spoiler, sunroof, 15\" wheels, round rear light cluster
GT T-Bar\.......\175bhp\.........\1994-1998\......................\Rear spoiler, removable roof panels, 15\" wheels, round rear light cluster
10th Aniv\.......\175bhp\............\1995\...........................\Wooden steering wheel, chrome kick plates, different wheels, 10th aniv badge
GT Coupe\.......\175bhp\........\1998-2000\......................\Round spoke 15\" wheels, large adjustable rear spoiler, clear front light cluster

\General
\
1. A full Toyota service history is essential. The pre-1994 cars should be serviced every 6000 miles or 6 months (whichever is sooner), with the post-1994 models only requiring a service either every 9000 miles or 12 months.

2. Most MR2\'s are their owners pride and joy. Look for one that has receipts crammed into the log book. This is a sign that the car has been well looked after.

3. Make sure all electronic toys work properly. Specifically, check that the windows and mirrors operate electrically, make sure the wipers and screen washer work as well as the heater and window demisters. Also, make sure that the electric aerial works as there is a little nylon gear inside that is prone to wearing. Make sure the central locking works as well, and that the headlights pop up when you turn them on.

4. Make sure the tyres have a lot of tread on them, and that they are evenly worn. If the car has Bridgestone SO-2\'s all round, you can be pretty sure that car is well looked after as they are the best tyres a Mk2 can wear.

5. If you are buying from a dealer, make sure you get them to replace brake pads and shocks rather than knock the price down a couple of hundred quid.

\Bodywork
\

1. Check that all body panels are the same shade and look at the joins between panels. They shouldn\'t be too far apart, or too close, and should be even all over the car. Any panels that don\'t look right are signs of accident repairs. Also look for any aftermarket welding.

2. Open both doors and check for rust at the bottom by the hinges.

3. T-bar\'s do tend to leak, generally behind the driver or passenger. These can be fixed however with a little silicon lubricant.
Engine
1. The engine bay should look a bit scabby, but look for obvious oil leaks around the head gasket, and elsewhere on the engine block.

2. Open the oil filler cap. There shouldn\'t be any white coloured gundge it is a sign that water has got into the oil system, and could be a blown head gasket. Check the dipstick as well.

3. The cambelt should be changed every 60,000 miles. If this has been done by a Toyota dealer, there will be a sticker on the top of the cambelt cover with a date and mileage on it.

\Cooling System\

The problem with the Mk2 is that the radiator is totally unprotected from stones, and a holed radiator is not cheap to fix. Many owners protect their radiator with a plastic or metal mesh.

2. Toyota recommend that only a special \"ForLife\" coolant is used in MR2\'s. ForLife is a dark red colour. Check the coolant expansion tank in the front boot and make sure it is not pale red or clear, or any other colour other than dark red/orange.

3. The coolant system is complicated in an MR2 as the engine is in the middle and the radiator at the front. Because of this, it requires a specific filling method to prevent air-locks. Check for overheating on your test drive.

\Test Drive\

1. Take it easy to warm everything up. Check the heater and make sure it can blow out hot air.

2. Once warmed up, the temperature gauge should be on the half way point - no higher. If it is higher, this could indicate a problem with the cooling system.

3. Check that all body panels are the same shade and look at the joins between panels. They shouldn\'t be too far apart, or too close, and should be even all over the car.

4. Clunks and bumps from the front of the car over potholes probably mean worn bushes or tie-rods, which are very easy to replace.

5.Clunks and bumps from the rear of the car when changing direction or going round a roundabout could well indicate worn rear wheel bearings.

6. Check the brakes by again building up speed and then applying them sharply (consider other road users before doing this!). The car should not pull to either side. If there is judder as the brakes are applied then the front brake discs probably need replacing (this is a common problem on early Mk1s and was corrected in later models by the use of larger front discs). If there is judder even when the brakes are not being used then it is probably a simple matter of an out-of-balance wheel or two.