I started the year with the resolution to have one car for a while. So why have I now got three?

Kinja'd!!! "Chinny Raccoon" (chinnyraccoon)
10/23/2020 at 14:50 • Filed to: None

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I posted a while back about my new MR2, a 2005 model that fixed a lot of issues I had with my older version. However one thing that only became apparent after doing some miles was that it was suffering from the same problem of excessive oil consumption. Not quite as bad as the old one, but still enough to be annoying. I do have another engine that could be swapped in after a rebuild but decided to go another way.

Enter the third car purchase of the year:

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But this one is just stopping by on it’s way to the scrapyard in the sky. It’s a £500 2003 Corolla and in much worse condition than it looks in photos. No rust though , and it’s the only car I’ve ever owned with working AC. Climate control even! The only mechanical faults are the clutch slips so badly it was a challenge to get up some of the hills on the way home and the brakes are terrible.

So why would I buy this heap?

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Solving 1ZZ oil consumption issues properly! This is a 2ZZ with 190HP as used in various sporty Toyotas, but for some reason was never fitted in the Mk3 MR2 from the factory. The conversion is reasonably common and mostly straightforward. These engines do have a few foibles of their own, but they can be sorted before it goes in the MR2. It has done 110,000 miles and runs great despite appearances. Buying the whole car was about half the price of buying the engine and box on their own, plus I had the opportunity to drive it. As it’s still got 4 months of MOT I may run it as a winter beater to give it a thorough shakedown, but still not decided on that. It would mean doing the clutch in the car and I’m not sure I can be arsed with that.

I’ll finish up with a review of the Corolla: Deeply uninteresting and I have no qualms about ripping it’s heart out and getting the rest made in to bean cans.

Also the second car I bought this year? Much more fun and I’ll post about that soon!


DISCUSSION (21)


Kinja'd!!! HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Chinny Raccoon
10/23/2020 at 14:57

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That’s an awesome upgrade for the MR2.

Also I’ve found the secret to not buying anymore cars is to buy motorcycles instead 


Kinja'd!!! Chinny Raccoon > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/23/2020 at 15:07

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I did buy two (pedal powered) bikes this year as well so even that plan didn’t work out. Not so keen on motorbikes. 


Kinja'd!!! 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Chinny Raccoon
10/23/2020 at 15:08

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I have four, it’s a lifestyle not a problem!


Kinja'd!!! Snuze: Needs another Swede > Chinny Raccoon
10/23/2020 at 15:19

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I’ve always wondered why the MR2 didn’t get the 2ZZ.  There are some cool body kits for the MR2 as well, and years ago when that sort of thing was in vogue I thought it would be a fun build.  


Kinja'd!!! just-a-scratch > Chinny Raccoon
10/23/2020 at 15:26

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So far, I have no evidence of oil consumption in my MR2 Spyder. Then again, I’m just getting to the end of my first tank of fuel in it, so I’ll still have to monitor and see.

H ave you done a compression test or put a borescope into the cylinders to see if the walls are still in good shape on the 2ZZ ?

I’ve been looking into those engines some as a future possbility. I have a lot more driving to do before launching into that kind of project though.

Next up for me is a Hard Dog roll bar. This morning they told me it was out for powder coating. Can’t wait for that to come in.


Kinja'd!!! Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Chinny Raccoon
10/23/2020 at 15:29

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Wait you guys got a two door Corolla hatch? And it looks suspiciously like a Mazda3 for some reason. I like the idea though. Keep us in the loop when you finally yank that engine out.


Kinja'd!!! someassemblyrequired > Chinny Raccoon
10/23/2020 at 15:31

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Too bad the OZ’s are all kerbed up, coulda remarketed those and recovered most of the £500


Kinja'd!!! SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Chinny Raccoon
10/23/2020 at 15:33

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2ZZ rocks


Kinja'd!!! perryair52 > Chinny Raccoon
10/23/2020 at 15:38

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keep us in the loop! sounds like a fun project.


Kinja'd!!! Chinny Raccoon > just-a-scratch
10/23/2020 at 15:43

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Just keep an eye on it, the dipstick is hopeless so it can be a bit of a guessing game.

I will do a compression check before installing it, I only got it home last night . It was cheap enough to take a gamble on it. 


Kinja'd!!! Chinny Raccoon > Snuze: Needs another Swede
10/23/2020 at 15:46

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According to the internet (so probably total lies) the Lotus tie up prevented it.

Have you seen the VM180 Zagato?

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Kinja'd!!! Snuze: Needs another Swede > Chinny Raccoon
10/23/2020 at 15:54

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Whaaaattt? That is wild looking!!!

I seem to recall someone made a kit that mimicked the Super-GT race cars that I thought looked awesome.


Kinja'd!!! Chinny Raccoon > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
10/23/2020 at 16:36

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Yes, as well as the estate

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and MPV

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I don’t think the sedan was sold here.


Kinja'd!!! Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Chinny Raccoon
10/23/2020 at 16:39

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Hahaha, what does that plate say “Co 4 olla? Pronounced Co-four-olla? Hehe.

I’m not convinced that’s all that similar to the Corolla we got in the states. And we had a separate wagony hatch body style called the Matrix/Pontiac Vibe that was different from your wagons .


Kinja'd!!! Chinny Raccoon > someassemblyrequired
10/23/2020 at 16:44

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Anything I can get from selling parts would be a bonus. Might get something for the wheels, but they are bad. The only other thing that’s worth trying t0 sell is the front strut brace.


Kinja'd!!! Mark Tucker > Chinny Raccoon
10/23/2020 at 16:59

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The only reason I have three cars is that my wife won’t let me have four.


Kinja'd!!! Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > just-a-scratch
10/23/2020 at 17:34

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The cylinders are lined with MMC, that’s little miles for a 2ZZ and should be fine as long as the oil changes have been good and there hasn’t been a money shift to kiss the valves . I think 2003 MY factory engines finally got the lift bolt issues sorted .


Kinja'd!!! Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > just-a-scratch
10/23/2020 at 21:36

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Use conventional 5W-30 and change every 3k miles


Kinja'd!!! someassemblyrequired > Chinny Raccoon
10/23/2020 at 23:21

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Yeah unfortunately it’s not like the US  where there is always $1000 in parts in a 20 yr old Toyota.


Kinja'd!!! pip bip - choose Corrour > Chinny Raccoon
10/24/2020 at 06:16

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why do you now have 3?

easy answer is coz 2020.

blame 2020 on everything in future. 


Kinja'd!!! Nauraushaun > Chinny Raccoon
10/30/2020 at 18:21

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Is that an upgrade for the humble 2? Or just a side grade to get around the oil issue