[Mk2] [Generic] T-Bar or Not T-Bar?

[Barrie]

Hi All,

It looks like the MR2 Turbo ticks all the boxes on my wish list... so I've started looking at the usual sources to get an idea of prices and availability of certain features.

Though one thing on my wish-list was for a convertible. T_Bar is close enough for my liking, but I've read that they leak a bit

Can anyone tell me how much is "a bit"?
Is it enough to be a problem for an everyday car parked outside in London?

Any suggestions on good places to source the car would be much appreciated, especially somewhere that might have a few reasonably un-modded models to test-drive and compare...

[2barGee]

Hi All,

It looks like the MR2 Turbo ticks all the boxes on my wish list... so I've started looking at the usual sources to get an idea of prices and availability of certain features.

Though one thing on my wish-list was for a convertible. T_Bar is close enough for my liking, but I've read that they leak a bit

Can anyone tell me how much is "a bit"?
Is it enough to be a problem for an everyday car parked outside in London?

Any suggestions on good places to source the car would be much appreciated, especially somewhere that might have a few reasonably un-modded models to test-drive and compare...

Hi mate you wont go wrong with a mr2 turbo trust me!!! I have had both, t-bar great in summer but yeh some do leak so you might get a wet ar$e in winter. Tin top better handling and lighter and know wet cheeks. You cannot beat the t-bar down and a screamer pipe!!!!!

The for sale section is a good place to start, i just got mine off here, low milage and clean thats what i wanted bud. Good luck.

[Martin F]

I've had 2....one leaked one never....the one that leaked was the one that was in perfect condition and the one that i spent much off my money on....

you have to remember that it is a 15 year old car...if it leaks and you don't repair it then it will become a major problem...wet seats, water evaporating and in turn condensing on all and every internal part/wire..., will cause rusting over time, will cause bad, smelly dampness over time etc...

then again if your willing to spend 4 or 5 k on a 15 year old car then another 5k to 10k on mods but get the urge to complain about the above then shame on you...it's a £100 - £200 fix that when done will sort the problem out for the next 15 years...the problem then is going to be the £4.99 a litre we are having to pay for petrol....

im emigrating soon....


anyone want to start an imoc village in australia/america/spain....in fact anywhere that isn't threatening you with prison if you don't accept there feckin rules....

im in...

[billstein]

well i have a mk1 t-bar and it did leak when i first got it but after a bit of padded sticky tape on the targa roof plates, (at the seam where they are supposed to touch the seal on the roof), all was and still is well.

also when you have the roof off or on you can't see the tape unless you look at the roof plate. it was a quick and easy fix and has lasted 4 years almost.

[Martin F]

I've had 2....one leaked one never....the one that leaked was the one that was in perfect condition and the one that i spent much off my money on....

you have to remember that it is a 15 year old car...if it leaks and you don't repair it then it will become a major problem...wet seats, water evaporating and in turn condensing on all and every internal part/wire..., will cause rusting over time, will cause bad, smelly dampness over time etc...

then again if your willing to spend 4 or 5 k on a 15 year old car then another 5k to 10k on mods but get the urge to complain about the above then shame on you...it's a £100 - £200 fix that when done will sort the problem out for the next 15 years...the problem then is going to be the £4.99 a litre we are having to pay for petrol....

im emigrating soon....


anyone want to start an imoc village in australia/america/spain....in fact anywhere that isn't threatening you with prison if you don't accept there feckin rules....

im in...

ooopsss....had a few beers+ tonight and strayed in never-never land...sorry...


forget the leaks mate, t-bar all the way....the feeling at speed is amazing and very surreal, just amazing and the only way to go with a two....include 330- 700 bhp and in either pretence is nothing apart from dangerous/amazing/deadly/surreal/fantasy/weird as feck/dangerous.......


(note how i used the same word twice there... )


do you like rollercoasters...?

[jonboy2199]

I love my T-Bar to bits even if it is an NA. I have had some drips in the wet and just found out that the amps in my car were fried from water damage ... Grrrrr . Tbar all the way but just make sure you do everything you can to stop those pesky leaks

[Brian]

Just so you're aware Barrie, there was *very* limited batch of fully convertable Mk.2 MR2s (under 100 made) .

A member has one for sale at the moment:
http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=90718

[raptor95GTS]

some clingfilm and silicon sealant fixes the leaks unless the seals are totally gubbed. Cost is about 8quid

[mattcambs]

Hi Barrie

I'm looking for another tubby at the moment (try Pistonheads by the way - shed loads on there). I'm after a tin-top, but this is really limiting my choice. There are loads more t-bars out there, so no excuse for not finding a nice one. What's your budget?

Matt

[mattcambs]

try Pistonheads by the way - shed loads on there

Also, loads of sheds on there too!

[Antstarr]

Umm I live in London and mines a Tbar which leaked last year but hasnt leaked this year...for some reason...

[Tiny]

Im a T-Top tubby owner just south of London Guildford way.

Mine leaked I rubbed some silicon spray lubricant into the seals to rejuvinate them and mine doesnt leak now despite lots of rain and a wash. Tins about £4 from halfrauds or £2 from screwfix this will do for me at the mo till i can get my bum in gear and do the black silicon sealant fix or find someone that is local and pay them beer to do it.

So far the wheels and the suspension and a K&N are all thats been done to mine if your south london way and want a gander/play pm me.

[jmachling]

If you're a trackday demon then go for a tintop as the t-bars do flex inevitably, although not as much as some may make out.

If it's just for the road, then get a t-bar if you like open top motoring. They aren't like a proper convertible in that they do buffet you quite a lot, but I wouldn't go tintop for the world.

If you can notice much of a difference in handling between the two on the road, then you're going to lose your licence soon anyway!

[Barrie]

Brilliant, thanks, so putting that all together... they can leak a little bit, but its pretty ease to seal

I saw the convertible one, would make a superb 2nd car for sure, but probably a bit to rare and vulnerable to leave parked exposed to the elements

Tin top better handling and lighter

Is the difference in either significant or minimal?
I did wonder about the rigidity/handling, but I've seen no other comments...

Rightio... off to pistonheads I go...

[Antstarr]

But just to mention a Tintop is hardly lighter and isnt gonna make an Uber difference in handling unless your stripping your car and dedicating it to track use. You can always reinforce with TRD strust rear and front and add underbraces.

[Barrie]

Thanks, this is just for normal/personal/everyday type use...
Sounds like the T-Bar is the best option... get rid of the 'lude and my kit-car

I did love my non-sun-roofed Manta though... really felt like you were sat inside something... hard to explain!

[Lewis Jay]

I have had my T-bar 2 for about 8 years now and if I could do it all again I`d have to honest and say I`d go for a Tintop and not a T-bar.

[SW20Paul]

Id go for a Tintop I've had 3 t-bars and they all leaked,

Tintop is Lighter, Stiffer and looks better

[Barrie]

I have had my T-bar 2 for about 8 years now and if I could do it all again I`d have to honest and say I`d go for a Tintop and not a T-bar.

Because of leaks or other differences?

I'm not in any great rush (other than bouncing around with enthusiasm!), so I can hang around for the right car, I just need to work out what that car is!

It's amazing really, it's been so hard to find a replacement for my prelude without it feeling like a downgrade in one way or another - and the best match I find to date is another ageing Japanese import... wtf is that about!?

[mattcambs]

Barrie, it sounds to me like you're in the perfect position of not actually minding whether it's T-bar or tin-top. This gives you the ideal opportunity to judge all the cars you look at on condition.