1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Discussion and technical advice the SW20 MR2. 3S-GTE, 3S-GE, 3S-FE etc
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jimmybonsaville
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:28 pm

1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by jimmybonsaville »

Hi guys thought id finally say hello instead of lurking about lol. On a pure impulse buy ive finally bought my 1st MR2 :o Ive wanted one ever since i was a kid and had a lil bit of money to spend ...so i bagged one for £650 lol couldnt really say no.

Its a 91 G limted t-bar Auto in black with only 74,000 miles

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

It seems to run fine and the auto box is quite nice to use and has enough poke then drop into overdrive and the 2nd gear haha. Admittedly its not immaculate at this age and price but there is zero rust anywhere!! even underneath is rust free. Theres a few stone chips and its in major need of a t-cut and polish!!! And the cd player is bust...hopefully not hard to change??

So next step is to try and get the thing insured lol which so far isnt as easy as i thought. All the only quotes are giving me 1400 + with no claims...for a car valued at 650!! scandal!! im 30 and have another car with 5 years ncb and 2 motorbikes with 2 ncb on each!!

So anyways thats me...ill get the beers in because ill no doubt be hacking ur brains at some point because im a total car noob :pale:
Peter C
Posts: 1635
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:17 am
Location: Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by Peter C »

Welcome friend!

<---- I've had a '94 Rev3 G-Limited Auto, my fifth MR2 in 8 years, for about a year now.

They are much cheaper than equivalent manual cars but are by no means inferior. The automatic 'box is excellent, it doesn't detract from the driving experience and on a run the fuel economy is superb. I've seen over 40MPG during a recent motorway trip.

I like your steering wheel (very retro!) but I'm not sure about the rear spoiler and centre panel.

Try Chris Knott Insurance, they are very reasonable - http://www.ckinsurance.co.uk/home_insurance.html
jimmybonsaville
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:28 pm

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by jimmybonsaville »

not sure about fuel economy yet haha been thrashing it a little just to make sure theres no overheating issues...which there isnt at the moment :D The auto box is pretty amazing like cant fault it at all and theres enough poke there if u want it specialy overdrive and dropping it into 2nd gear for overtakes etc. I dont mind the steering wheel either...and im not sure if the spoiler is aftermarket or what lol does seem a lil large in the pics...doesnt seem as large in person tho and the center console will be going as the cd player doesnt work.... and weird but the radio wont tune above 8 on fm.... so im restricted to radio 4 or something haha
whitetrash
Posts: 816
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:53 am

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by whitetrash »

Spoiler is an Autopista (probably a replica)

Not a bad looking care mate
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jimmybonsaville
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:28 pm

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by jimmybonsaville »

it may well be autopista because it also says that on the fron bumper aswell lol...cab u tell im a mr2 noob haha
whitetrash
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Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by whitetrash »

Well you're in luck then as Genuine Autopista stuff can fetch good money to the right people. I was looking for a genuine 'Pista spoiler a while ago
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JimmyTheKosh
Posts: 233
Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:30 pm
Location: Swindon

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by JimmyTheKosh »

Bargain at that price going by the pics mate.
You wont get many radio stations as its still got the jap stereo, youll need to fit an expander or like you say, get a new stereo.
I may be wrong but i think peter was refering to the center panel between the rear lights, not the center console.
Image
jimmybonsaville
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:28 pm

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by jimmybonsaville »

Well i gave it a light t-cutting today and the bodywork turned up amazing...theres a few scratches and imperfections but theres zero rust anywhere. However the alloys have seen better days lol

As for the center console at rear i did notice it was a bit different lol ahh i didnt think about the jap radio part haha im stuck with terry wogan untill i can get it replaced haha Is it a hard job replacing the radio/cd player?? My other car Seat ibiza its a nightmare job and ive had to admit defeat and live with the tape player lol
jimmybonsaville
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:28 pm

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by jimmybonsaville »

Oh and is there anyway of seeing if the spoiler and front bumper is a genuine Autopista? Im unsure if i like the height of the rear spoiler lol it did polish up amazing tho and has also autopista on the underside
whitetrash
Posts: 816
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:53 am

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by whitetrash »

if it has Autopista on it then its genuine...

Not to everyones taste but with a few other body bits i think they look great
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fearless
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Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:27 pm
Location: dagenham essex

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by fearless »

if its an autopist spoiler (pukka one) it will have it in large letters underneath top fin cant miss it,
rogue sell copys but as said thay can sell for a few quid, nice car i love it even if it is auto and it looks the part mate looks like a good buy. :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:

doh just read post properly. ](*,) ](*,)
she's all comming together nicely now after a fair bit of cash spent, not bad for just an n/a now for some body kit i think.
jimmybonsaville
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:28 pm

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by jimmybonsaville »

haha yea both the front bumper and rear spoiler have it printed on quite large aswell. Seems there are bargains to be had on ebay after all haha And after reading up a bit it seems the rear centre panel could possible be a rare as rocking horse shxt Toms panel lol.

I was going to put the car in for a cam belt change...but garage seem to think if the water pump has been replaced that would generally mean the cam belt was done at same time? is this generally the case?

Im falling in love with the bloody thing haha i bought it on a pure whim...and for 650 if it was a bad'en i wouldnt have lost too much...but the more i look at it i quite like the retro look and it drives amazing.
whitetrash
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Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:53 am

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by whitetrash »

Shame its an Auto #-o
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Peter C
Posts: 1635
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:17 am
Location: Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by Peter C »

whitetrash wrote:Shame its an Auto #-o


Have you driven one?
jimmybonsaville
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:28 pm

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by jimmybonsaville »

whitetrash wrote:Shame its an Auto #-o


I was thinking the same when i went to see it...but honestly i cant stress how smooth the box is and its got a few tricks like over drive and 2nd overtake gear which make it shift upto the redline like any other car... but all the ease of having no clutch n gear changes at low speed.... its luxury indeed haha
Peter C
Posts: 1635
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:17 am
Location: Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by Peter C »

With the overdrive switched off the gearing is massively reduced, thus enabling quite impressive acceleration. With the overdrive switched on, the gearing is much higher, thus reducing engine speed, which allows more serene and economical cruising.

With the Power mode enabled, the engine will rev to the red line and, when provoked, the gearbox will kickdown quicker and engage a lower gear. Also, the 'box will not engage top gear as quickly as it would if left in the economy mode.

Overall, the automatic gearbox is very responsive, suits all driving conditions, provides a fair turn of speed and economy and the car costs £££ less than equivalent manual cars. :thumleft:
jimmybonsaville
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:28 pm

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by jimmybonsaville »

Well finally got insured :D and must say top marks to Chris Knott insurance. Was refused from Sky because only had driving licence 18 months (had full bike one for 7 years tho ) and Chris Knott required a years experience on a performance car :-/ however when i told them i own 2 sports bikes..they waived the years requirement :D so got insured for £515 mirrored my 5 years ncb on other car :D oh and im 30 lol
Peter C
Posts: 1635
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:17 am
Location: Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by Peter C »

jimmybonsaville wrote:Well finally got insured :D and must say top marks to Chris Knott insurance. Was refused from Sky because only had driving licence 18 months (had full bike one for 7 years tho ) and Chris Knott required a years experience on a performance car :-/ however when i told them i own 2 sports bikes..they waived the years requirement :D so got insured for £515 mirrored my 5 years ncb on other car :D oh and im 30 lol


I'll have a pint please mate!
whitetrash
Posts: 816
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:53 am

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by whitetrash »

Peter C wrote:
whitetrash wrote:Shame its an Auto #-o


Have you driven one?



No, but i just cant get on with auto's at all
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Peter C
Posts: 1635
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:17 am
Location: Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

Re: 1st time MR2 owner :D Its a auto but hey lol only my 2nd car haha

Post by Peter C »

whitetrash wrote:No, but i just cant get on with auto's at all


Ever heard of don't knock it till you tried it?

You might be pleasantly surprised.
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