"Sn210" (sn210)
10/20/2014 at 16:11 • Filed to: Aw11, fleet update
9
15|
"Sn210" (sn210)
10/20/2014 at 16:11 • Filed to: Aw11, fleet update | 9
| 15 |
Brought this awesome AW11 home yesterday after a couple weeks of going back and forth. I'm so glad I decided to go for it. I just got back from the RMV with new plates and a new title in the mail!
The MR2 is all original. It's even got the factory cassette player still in it!
It's story started in Maine in 1986 when it was purchased new by an older gentleman. It was his weekend toy and it was always garaged in the winter. Apparently, the original owner passed away about four years ago.
His daughter had it in storage ever since, but decided not to keep it for sentimental reasons. She sold it to a gentleman in New Hampshire who intended to give it to his grand-daughter for her first car. Turns out she wasn't interested in it because it's a manual.
It does need a windshield and brakes, but other than that I plan on keeping it all stock. I'm going to detail it as close as I can to concours quality over the winter and then use it as my weekend ride next Spring. I'm very excited to be a part of this little MR2's history. I've taken it for a few spins around the neighborhood and the thing drives like a street legal go-kart. It's so low to the ground and it's quicker than its stat sheet implies. I need another Oppo sticker!
Thanks to fellow Opponaut Chase for easing my nerves about buying an out-of-state, title-exempt car! Good luck with the Miata
Ready for the best part?
ACESandEIGHTS
> Sn210
10/20/2014 at 16:27 |
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Please call it "Mister Two." It deserves a cool name and not just, you know, Lucy or Bruce or whatever.
philipilihp
> Sn210
10/20/2014 at 16:28 |
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DUDE! 57k miles?? Congrats!! Enjoy the hell out of it!
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Sn210
> ACESandEIGHTS
10/20/2014 at 16:33 |
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Haha I was thinking about getting vanity plates for it: MR2 2U
But I was more worried about getting it registered in general. MA is notoriously difficult in regards to titles and requires one for any car on the road built after 1980 sold after 1990. NH and RI exempt cars from getting titled if they're older than ten years
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Sn210
> philipilihp
10/20/2014 at 16:33 |
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Thanks! I'm expanding my 1:1 collection
rockingthe2
> Sn210
10/20/2014 at 17:11 |
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Whoo! Congrats on the go kart! Best advice? Autox or a track day after some maintenance.
E92M3
> Sn210
10/20/2014 at 17:12 |
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Nice find! I always wanted one of those in the 90's
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Sn210
> rockingthe2
10/20/2014 at 18:06 |
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I wish! I haven't been able to find an event near me at all
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rockingthe2
> Sn210
10/20/2014 at 18:50 |
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You are near Boston right? Try NASA or SCCA websites and schedules. There should be a few events yearly at least however the season is coming to a close (if not already done). For actual racetracks New Jersey Motor Speedway is probably the best option. I loved Summit Point, WV when I went there in my MR2. Also, if you want to do the resto-mod route, look at PR1ME performance in Stanhope, NJ. They specialize in swapping 3S-GTE's into MR2's. Especially the 4th gen ones (Which are awesome btw). Also, they are probably some of the most knowledgeable MR2 enthusiasts around. The sad part is you just missed Bear Mountain, the largest MR2 meet on the east coast. It was this past weekend. I would recommend going next year if you can. Any questions about MR2's in general, feel free to ask!
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Sn210
> rockingthe2
10/20/2014 at 19:19 |
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Awesome thanks! Yeah I'm south of Boston, closer to The Cape and Providence. I've seen an auto cross event north of Boston, but I think it's corvettes only. Louden NH and Lime Rock are probably about 2-3 hours for me. Honestly though, I haven't done too much homework on it.
I'll let you know if I run into any trouble with the mr2, I plan on doing the brakes over the winter. Probably both rotors and pads
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rockingthe2
> Sn210
10/20/2014 at 19:28 |
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Most AutoX courses are probably willing to let you join if you ask, but you will probably have to be a member or something.
as for the MR2
I am "rockingthe2" on both mr2 and mr2oc forums. twosrus will have almost any part you need that is hard to find (especially for mk1's. I've bought a few interior parts that only twosrus carries). And obviously, PR1ME performance for the engine (Sorry I keep bringing this up, but after they swapped my car, I'll sing their praises for quite some time.) mk1.5's (3S-GTE swapped mk1's) are rocketships, very fun go kart like rocketships.
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> Sn210
11/14/2014 at 09:19 |
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Wow, that one's in great shape! Good find! Any rust on the floorpan? Having been garaged and not driven much, you might have the only rust-free example in the world. Also, I highly recommend upgrading to the '87+ rear brakes. It's easy, the parts are direct fit, and you'll be less likely to lock the fronts up.
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Sn210
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
11/14/2014 at 09:55 |
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thanks! It's 98% rust free; there's two rock chips on the front that need to be touched up. I haven't looked at them yet, but I think I'm just going to do pads and rotors. I want to keep it as stock as possible, but I'm very jealous that you take yours rally-crossing!
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SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> Sn210
11/14/2014 at 10:07 |
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If mine wasn't as ratty visually, I probably wouldn't do what I do to it. It was probably headed for the scrapper and has been a cheap beater for most of its life, so if anything, I'm giving it what it always wanted. I rebuilt the suspension entirely, got it some new tires, ground out all of the rust and welded a new floor in, and now it's the happiest car in the world. It wants to play rough.
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Sn210
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
11/14/2014 at 10:24 |
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that's awesome! Most of the ones that came up for sale around here were pretty beat up, but the sellers still wanted $4k for them. I didn't mind getting one to fix up, but my wife did lol. This one had been on Craigslist for a while, but the seller dropped his price into my range so I jumped on it.
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SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> Sn210
11/14/2014 at 11:08 |
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In Florida, they're pretty cheap and kind of all over. I think it's because they rust slower down here, so there are more of them in a condition that's not ideal, but definitely still drivable. Up north, they just rust into the ground, so they're harder to find. I was able to pick mine up for a grand and drive it home. Granted, I've put hundreds of hours into getting it ready since then, but it was totally worth it. Here are some shots of it in progress:
