Number of rev5s tubbys in the UK?

[Racer7]

Good news the Yen took a beating yesterday (135 to £1 - okay not a beating but it's been going up since July!). That makes my pipe dream of importing a bit more on the up.

Got me thinking though, how many rev 5 GT/S turbos are in the UK. Is there anyway to check and does, assuming not a lot are over here, that by virtue they are that bit more valuable?

Looking in the IMOC garages I can only see a handful that are factory made turbos as opposed to conversions.

I just wondered if there was a source to confirm numbers?

[cosmos]

Hi,
There is a production sheet here somewhere (google) that highlights the years and MR2s assembled as a whole in Japan, went something like best year 1995 3,000+, 1996 2,000+, 1997 350+, 1998 300+, 1999 300. These included G Limited's, Beams, Turbo's, and a base model. So its hard to say how many got to UK unless DVL at Swansea could help. I was told last week there is only 65 Rover 800 Vitesse's left on the road after a call to DVL. Good Luck let me know if you make headway.

[Racer7]

Thanks cosmos. I have indeed seen/read those stats on sales on a few of the forums and just in my own searching. Funnily enough your car is one of the very few that I meant!

Didn't realise the DVLA could give out info like that. I thought it might be more a ball park from someone on here whos been around for eons!

We'll see what happens but I am now more interested because of curiosity to see just what it was. You rev5 turbo owners can thank me if I find it's a tiny number afterall it'll add kudos to your car!

Hi,
There is a production sheet here somewhere (google) that highlights the years and MR2s assembled as a whole in Japan, went something like best year 1995 3,000+, 1996 2,000+, 1997 350+, 1998 300+, 1999 300. These included G Limited's, Beams, Turbo's, and a base model. So its hard to say how many got to UK unless DVL at Swansea could help. I was told last week there is only 65 Rover 800 Vitesse's left on the road after a call to DVL. Good Luck let me know if you make headway.

[danthevanman]

I've got a 1998 Rev 5 Turbo GTS, and as you say there's not alot of them about.

When I was looking to buy a MR2 3 years ago I only saw 4 factory rev 5 Tubbys for sale between the UK & Ireland.

[hmltnangel]

This might help answer it ......

http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/to ... anufacture
Assuming most turbos will be under MR2 GT

• 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
  Licensed 664 776 833 595 511 282 36 15 9 1
  SORN 479 471 415 243 166 80 7 1 2 0

[Charged]

There is no way of knowing, the DVLA will not be able to help

[hmltnangel]

Well the howmanysleft website sources its info direct from the DVLA

It shows that 98/99 MR2 GT (Rev 5) manufactured cars only number 24 that are taxed and a further 3 as SORN.

[Charged]

Ignore any DVLA import data, it will be inaccurate

[Racer7]

Ignore any DVLA import data, it will be inaccurate

Could you elaborate how they would/could be wrong?

Every car brought over needs to be registered with them, right? I know there are the mistakes where an older car will get registed as the year of import and not the year of manufacture/first registration. But allowing for a small percentage of error, surely their information would be correct?

If they're wrong then that means no-one knows how many cars are actually over here/on the road/SORN!

[Nick]

Ignore any DVLA import data, it will be inaccurate

its totally inaccurate . One of my cars which is a jap import and has been registered about 5 years over here says there are none in the UK ???

[hmltnangel]

I suppose it depends what was registered when the car arrived here. I know my V5 shows MR2 GT

Again I would allow for a small margin of error but the data will be for the most part accurate.

[Nick]

My car is registered as a Mitsubishi J53 and that defiantly says none

[Charged]

Ignore any DVLA import data, it will be inaccurate

Could you elaborate how they would/could be wrong?

Yes, my colleagues use a DVLA look up system when we run quotes through, a huge amount of imported vehicles are registered incorrectly. Almost 50% I'd say.

[synXero]

I wonder who the arsebandit responsible for the massive DVLA inaccuracy was...

[Charged]

I wonder who the arsebandit responsible for the massive DVLA inaccuracy was...

data input staff

[Odin_S]

Also UK owners like to call their cars GT when it should be a
GTI-16 also it's amazing how many 98 cars are anniversary edition

Hence dvla records are flawed as people register them as what they think they are which is not always correct

[King M535i]

I own an old 5 series and have had fun trying to get info on that out of the DVLA's records as well.

Going on what comes up in howmanyleft.co.uk, the DVLA records system is completely inadequate for the task and has been for some considerable time. The records don't take into account replacement models with the same name (e.g. BMW's "E" numbers or MR2 "SW20" means nothing to them), only the manufacturer, model name, year registered and engine size (which obviously can be changed, further muddying the waters). For example, every BMW 525 going back to the first 2.5l E12 in 1973 is simply listed as some variation of "BMW 525", with only more recent records taking into account variations like "injection", "auto" or "touring" if they were listed in the model name. Actually searching for BMW 525 in howmanyleft produces 100 entries! There are only six generations of 5 Series. Howmanyleft has recently added pages which do allow you to work out numbers for some cars, but it's still far from comprehensive and, even if the numbers are accurate, the inability to identify exact production model renders the information largely useless in my mind.

[Racer7]

I guess one way would be to ask the importer specialists like Newera, JM-imports, JDI et al.

We'd at least get a feel for just how many came through in the exchange rate glory days and before the 10year law came into place.

I always was under the impression that it was a 'handful' by that in my mind I think sub 100 cars.

Interesting to know that we'll never know!

[Nick]

One has just been listed on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-R-reg-MR ... 35c2b2ef83

[synXero]

What did they do to that previously beautiful car. Needs saved.