Seems like N/A 2nd-gen MR2s are selling around here for about the same price as N/A 1st-gens.
Any reason why I wouldn't want to go for a 2nd-gen for a rallycross car? I'm assuming there's some good reason, as I've seen pictures of 1st-gens in the dirt, but no 2G cars.
Only thing I can think of is that the non-turbo S-block is known for oiling problems, and the later cars are heavier. Maybe because they're newer, less people are willing to get them muddy? Well, that, and an N/A 2G is just a backwards 2-door Camry...
Thinking about picking something up over the off-season to play in the dirt next year, and I'd like to get this mid-engine thing out of my system.
Isn't it pretty hard to find a 2g that isn't a t-top? That could be the reason.
^That is indeed one reason.
For the record the oiling problems seem to be blown quite a bit out of proportion.
Sincerely,
Owner of two unopened 5sfes that have both surpassed 250k with not a single hiccup.
the weight issue is pretty huge.
I think a first gen supercharged car would be the ultimate rallycross car.
I've personally blown up a 3sfe due to starvation, so I don't find the oiling issue to be out off proportion, lol
ReverendDexter wrote:
I've personally blown up a 3sfe due to starvation, so I don't find the oiling issue to be out off proportion, lol
The 3sfe is junk. 
I don't know... when i was still active on the Celica forums, the only thing that would kill the 5sfes on a semi-regular basis was failed rod bolts after like... a bajillion miles.
Oh, and rebuilding them. 5sfes don't like to be rebuilt. IF you blow one up, just swap another junkyard motor in there. It'll last longer.
What's different between the 3S and 5S that makes the former so much worse?
ReverendDexter wrote:
What's different between the 3S and 5S that makes the former so much worse?
Good question, besides that hideous AFM system, i don't really know of any severe differences besides displacement. I've just seen them blow up more often, that's all.
smog7 wrote:
93celicaGT2 wrote:
ReverendDexter wrote:
I've personally blown up a 3sfe due to starvation, so I don't find the oiling issue to be out off proportion, lol
The 3sfe is junk.
I don't know... when i was still active on the Celica forums, the only thing that would kill the 5sfes on a semi-regular basis was failed rod bolts after like... a bajillion miles.
Oh, and rebuilding them. 5sfes don't like to be rebuilt. IF you blow one up, just swap another junkyard motor in there. It'll last longer.
no more celicas?
I've still got mine, and will probably get another down the road (would love a 7th gen GTS as a DD), but the one specific one that i was really active on left a bad taste in my mouth.
I still lurk AllTrac.net though, since my car is rapidly getting to the point where it shares more with an alltrac than it's original camry-powered brethren. 
Here's your picture. Ignore the painter's tape...
More of the same car (and lots of others) in this huge gallery.
Having had a couple of 2nd gen MR2's, in both NA and Turbo guise, I've never had an oiling issue ever. Now the 5sfe engine can spring a lot of leaks when they get to 200k plus miles without maintenance, but never have I had a starvation issue.
What the 2nd gen cars do well is put down power. I think they are better than the 1st gen cars in that regard, and of course without all the hp and weight that the turbo cars bring, are easier to drive. I've never rally crossed one, but I think they would do ok against other rwd cars. They also have a lot of suspension travel in stock form.
