My MR2 is fun but I want more seats! What should I shop for?

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu) 07/07/2017 at 18:10 • Filed to: What car should I buy, Toyota MR2

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I’m looking for a slightly bigger car this fall. Still want to have fun at autocross though. I prefer Japanese coupes from the ‘90s but I’m open to all ideas. Oppo, find me a car with the following criteria:

At least 4 seats

$4,000 ask price or less

Well-maintained/Clean

Mostly stock, and autocross-able in stock condition

Fun

That’s literally all my criteria. FWD, RWD, AWD are all okay. Manual or automatic, I’m okay with either. Hit the craigslist/autotrader/ebay and go wild!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:12

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Maybe there is a first gen Pontiac Vibe GT/Matrix XRS in that price range. 8500rpm, lsd, 6 speed.

Tareim - V8 powered > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:13

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you say 4 seats, I take it you don’t need 4/5 doors? happy to have a coupe

PS9 > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:14

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Another MR2. Double the seats, none of the mid engine fun lost.

way2blu does a rev update > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 07/07/2017 at 18:15

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A 2ZZ does sound like a wonderful engine. I’ll keep an eye out for those for sure!

way2blu does a rev update > Tareim - V8 powered 07/07/2017 at 18:17

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2 doors is all I need :) doors/hatches/trunks/etc. will not be deal-breakers no matter how many there are though.

HammerheadFistpunch > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:19

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is300?

Tareim - V8 powered > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:19

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G35?

way2blu does a rev update > PS9 07/07/2017 at 18:20

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But how will I drive them both at the same time?

I do like my mid-engine car though. Just can’t carry much in it.

interstate366, now In The Industry > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:21

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4th or 5th gen Prelude.

Cherry_man1 > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:21

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Sn95 Cobra or Foxbody.

way2blu does a rev update > HammerheadFistpunch 07/07/2017 at 18:23

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Those are that cheap now? With a 2JZ as well. I’ll have to look into those then.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:26

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The answer is definitely Integra this time. Depending on how often you carry people in the back seats. They’re definitely usable, but they could be a pain in the ass with a 3 door if you always have passengers. It’s perfectly fine for carrying crap though. Good access from both the drivers seat and from the hatch.

Tareim - V8 powered > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:26

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/1986-Toyota-Celica-GT-/162579781973?hash=item25da829955:g:FJMAAOSwvflZRFAX&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1981-Toyota-Celica-gt-/152614543805?hash=item23888921bd:g:I5oAAOSw8HBZMJJR&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1993-Toyota-Celica-GT-/122583886353?hash=item1c8a91aa11:g:zr4AAOSw~XpZXY-A&vxp=mtr

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 07/07/2017 at 18:29

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Hmmm. Now that I think about it. I think I could get by with a two seater. Wanna trade? :p

CaptDale - is secretly British > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:29

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A second MR2

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:30

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My friend got one for $2800 with a stack of maintenance records, it had a little surface rust underneath, but other than that it’s mint.

way2blu does a rev update > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 07/07/2017 at 18:30

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Hmmm, tell me more about this Integra. Sounds like it meets my criteria...

Bytemite > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:32

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I’d like to buy it. Where in California are you?

way2blu does a rev update > Bytemite 07/07/2017 at 18:34

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SD county, the car has lived in CA all its life from what I can tell. Might put up a CL listing sometime soon. What would you like to know about the car?

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:39

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Just over 171,XXX miles. I bought it last fall in Washington state. It was basically a one owner car. The original owner sold it to the guy I bought it from after six months because his wife got pregnant.

The previous owner resprayed it. TBH it’s not a very good job, already some parts that are flaked off and there’s some overspray on the suspension and mudguards.

It’s a 5 spd manual of course. LS so 140hp, cloth seats, has ABS, but no traction control.

The only problems I’ve had was replacing two CV axles because of cracked boots, two alternators (I’m sure one was just defective) and a main relay.

way2blu does a rev update > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 07/07/2017 at 18:45

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That’s a pretty clean car! About the same hp as my MR2 too. How is it to drive?

Bytemite > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:49

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Ah all the way in SoCal. Damn I’m up in South Bay/San Jose. Have you thought about keepnig the MR2 and just having two cars? You can get a backseat fun beater easily but a stock running MR2 is rare.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 18:53

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Excellent. On the street, as long as you trail brake a little or lift of the throttle it won’t understeer and you’ll get some rotation. The steering is excellent. It’s a slower ratio than the Civic so it’s more precise, but it’s so light you can easily get enough lock fast enough. It also has great feedback, both the wheel and the chassis. I remember the first time I got sideways in it I felt it before it happened. Which is saying a lot, because I’m used to FWD cars that rarely oversteer.

The shifter is also the typical “Honda riflebolt” description. It has a Type-R shift knob on it now I got for Secret Senna, but I still have the stock one too.

The other great thing is you can do some cheap mods just from putting GS-R parts on it, if you want. The LS is missing the front strut bar, stiffer sway bars, and of course V-TEC. But all of those would be relatively cheap to do if you found a GS-R in a junkyard.

way2blu does a rev update > Bytemite 07/07/2017 at 19:07

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The main reason I’m looking to replace the MR2 is exactly what you mentioned: stock, running MR2s are rare at this point, and I’d like a car I can eventually learn to modify. Would rather sell mine to an enthusiast than try to modify it myself.

Does it rain a lot up in that area? The car probably needs a better paint job to avoid rust. (It’s rust free currently but the paint is aging)

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 19:36

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ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 19:36

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An answer could be a 2nd gen MX-6/probe V6 especially with a KLZE swap. Mazda V6 goodness and 2600lbs of well handling Japanese V6 coupe. They were the car to have in GS for a long time in the late 90's/early 00's.

AkursedX > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 19:58

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RX8 is my default answer.

But something more reliable and fun in that price range, I’d recommend some fwd stuff: MKIV GTI/GLI, Sentra SE-R, Volvo S60 with a manual, Focus svt, Ion redline.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 20:01

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‘88 Celica GT-S?

Funktheduck > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 20:07

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6th gen Celica? 90s curves. Toyota reliability. Friend had one in high school that we did a lot of stupid things while driving

Bytemite > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 20:18

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Eh not much rain at all. Just this winter had a lot of rain but no rust worries since we don’t salt.

As for modifying, the MR2 you have will be a better platform to start with than most other things. You drive the correct wheels and don’t have to worry about ruining weight distribution when you add a bunch of weight in engine bay, or weight shed in passenger compartment and body.

notsomethingstructural > way2blu does a rev update 07/07/2017 at 20:52

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RX-8 but be prepared to look for a little while. Don’t get an automatic. Find a dealer who does compression tests for your PPI once you’re sure you’ve found “the one.”

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > way2blu does a rev update 07/08/2017 at 01:26

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Acura TSX with good, grippy tires. I bought mine at 188k for $4k tax title and fees included. I saw manuals for a tad less. It’s practical and corners fantastically (even my mom was impressed and she isn’t are car person by any means).

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > way2blu does a rev update 07/08/2017 at 04:07

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Powerstroke Diesel

PS9 > way2blu does a rev update 07/08/2017 at 04:56

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MR2s can tow you know!