by "way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
Published 02/09/2017 at 11:03
by "way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
Published 02/09/2017 at 11:03
Tags: Toyota MR2
; Bag of Problems
; Bought a thing
; Catlopnik
STARS: 15
In today’s episode of Questionable Decisions, I’ll describe briefly the “bag of problems” (as one friend called it) that I have come to own. Already has my cat’s approval so judge all you want :D
After months of watching my MR2 search on Craigslist, I finally found the courage (or the lack of foresight, more on that in a minute) to buy one. This is that one.
It’s a 1991, blue on blue MR2 non-turbo, with no modifications and 140k miles. The paint is mostly original too, though my photography skills don’t really bring out how bad it looks in person.
My goal is to autocross this car in its stock configuration for a while, and then begin to upgrade everything from the ground up, bumber to bumber until it’s perfect.
Now, about my lack of foresight. Buying a Toyota, I was not immune to the Toyota stereotypes that are thrown around in other parts of the internet. I’ll discuss two of these stereotypes and how this MR2 doesn’t fit them.
“ Toyota parts are cheap and easy to find. ”
Not. At. All. The windshield wiper switch wasn’t working when I bought the car, and Toyota doesn’t make it anymore. There is only one aftermarket company that makes replacements and they’re not cheap. According to one Toyota technician, “8 parts out of 10 on that car are no longer in production.” This actually is okay by me, because of the next stereotype that got blown out of the water:
“ Toyotas are boring-to-drive appliances. ”
Nope. This car is an absolute blast to drive. Clearly Toyota had their act together in 1990 (the car was one of the first sold in America, in February of that year) because despite all the problems, I cannot stop driving this car! It’s not even Fully Operational yet, but already very rewarding even at the slow speeds I’ve been driving it.
When I say it’s not “Fully Operational,” I mean there are a few things wrong with it. Here are those things:
-Small tear on the driver’s seat (picture above doesn’t show it)
-The clutch probably needs to be replaced; feel is vague.
-Throttle is sticky, it’s difficult to modulate revs.
-Sometimes hangs at 2,000 rpm at parking lot speeds, requires a rev to 3,000 or higher for it to drop back to idle.
-The release switches for the four hoods/trunklids are not firmly connected to the interior. All the cables still work but they just sit on the floor.
-The windshield wipers do not work.
-The plastic trim for the center console really isn’t attached at all, everything aft of the shift boot is simply resting on the console.
-Shift boot is coming off and needs to be replaced.
-The paint. It’s just awful, fading in multiple places and will need full replacement as soon as possible.
I’ve probably missed a few items (more problems will show up inevitably) but that’s most of the list. I’ll be doing my best to fix it when time permits.
I’ll take better pictures of the car sometime soon. I already am finding myself looking for excuses to run errands simply so I can drive it more...
Now what do you all think? And should I expect this “bag of problems” to have more in store?
"E90M3" (e90m3)
02/09/2017 at 11:07, STARS: 1
Was the cat included or did you have to buy that separately?
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
02/09/2017 at 11:10, STARS: 2
Unfortunately the car and the cat were separate purchases. Cat has been much more expensive over the time he’s been in the family...
"MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig" (MR2_FTW)
02/09/2017 at 11:14, STARS: 6
Keep in mind the motor is straight out of a Camry. If you can keep oil in it, and the cooling system properly flushed and air-bubble-free, it should last a good while. An ex of mine was getting well over 30mpg highway in her 1991 NA. Also, resist the turbo swap temptation, at least for now. The 5S has enough torque to be fun, a better sounding exhaust (stock), is MUCH easier to work on, and will give you a chance to learn how to not die when pushing this car to its limits.
First mods I recommend - wheels and tires. Get some 16's on it with quality rubber. Then get some kirkosaurus motor mount inserts to keep the engine from flopping around in there. Also a 93+ shifter and brass cable bushings will crisp that up nicely.
"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
02/09/2017 at 11:17, STARS: 1
Have you ended up backwards in a bush yet?
No need to expect more real problems (most of the ones you listed really aren’t on a cheap 27 year old car) though I’d be thinking about suspension bushings, wheel bearings, and such since you want to autoX it.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
02/09/2017 at 11:19, STARS: 0
Thank you for the advice! Yes, I do plan to keep 5S for a long time. It’s very fun to drive. If I do eventually go for a swap, it’ll probably be a V6 out of a more modern Camry. It actually lightens the car due to the new engine being aluminium-block versus the iron 5S. That’s pretty far down the road though, I hope the stock motor will last a long time.
"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
02/09/2017 at 11:23, STARS: 3
Also, meet your new favorite websites.
"MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig" (MR2_FTW)
02/09/2017 at 11:26, STARS: 0
I think the MZ engines and 2GR are heavier than a 5S, but maybe a bit lighter than the 3SGTE.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
02/09/2017 at 11:29, STARS: 3
"DarrenMR" (darrenmr)
02/09/2017 at 11:39, STARS: 4
Were you amazed by how big the trunk is? I mean the trunk trunk, not the hood trunk.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
02/09/2017 at 11:41, STARS: 1
It’s actually quite spacious. I didn’t expect there to be that much space behind the engine, but it can carry quite a lot.
"DarrenMR" (darrenmr)
02/09/2017 at 11:43, STARS: 0
I know a guy with one and I was really surprised how deep it is. I never would have guessed. My average groceries would fit in there easy.
"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
02/09/2017 at 11:59, STARS: 1
Welcome to the Toyota Club :)
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
02/09/2017 at 12:02, STARS: 1
Already feeling Grounded to the Ground :D
"aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe" (emaxxbl)
02/09/2017 at 12:08, STARS: 1
Don’t lift
"IDDaVo - Now has a Toy Yoda" (iddavo)
02/09/2017 at 12:26, STARS: 0
If you don’t mind me asking. What did you pay for it?
"Out, but with a W - has found the answer" (belg)
02/09/2017 at 12:57, STARS: 0
Welcome to the ass-backwards club!
"BlurpleToyotaDishwasher" (blurpletoyotadishwasher)
02/09/2017 at 14:30, STARS: 0
Nice (windy windows! :o ) - is it a hardtop I guess? There seems less space behind the seats and it doesn’t have the storage box that all the ones here had.
Any rust in the usual spots?
"carzcarzcarz" (carzcarzcarz)
02/09/2017 at 15:07, STARS: 0
Congrats on the fun car purchase. Sounds like it’s only got cosmetic problems, so I’d say those can be fixed down the line and you did a good job finding and saving a great car.
"Nauraushaun" (nauraushaun12)
02/09/2017 at 15:17, STARS: 0
BESTIES! We have the same car! Mine is a 1990 JDM with the 3S-GE, but same color and spec! I even have a small team on my drivers seat. I love mine to bits, it’s so great to drive and just practical enough to be useful.
I think you’re wrong about parts though. They may not all be in production (though I have purchased brand new pedal covers, ash tray and shift boot) but they were on so many cars they’re not hard to find at a wreckers. I’ve personally seen the same wiper stalk on my friend’s Hilux and my ex’s parents Corolla.
"V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!" (v8demon)
02/09/2017 at 16:50, STARS: 0
Sticky throttle and hanging poi t to a vacuum leak. I chased a very minor and intermittent one for quite some time on one of my vehicles. Turned out to be the shaft seals on the throttle body.