89 MR2

I was really interested in the Track Rat CRX article and I would like to do similar. I am partial to RWD and would prefer that. I have found reasonably priced MK1 MR2s.

Are there any opinions or experiences folks might have to share?

I think most of us would say that we love MR2s and particularly the early ones. I say go for it and keep us posted.

4AGE is a wonderful engine, think of it as the reliable version of a Cosworth motor, which it essentially is.

Beware of lift throttle overstear and you'll be fine.

I truely miss my '88 MR2 more and more each year. It was a great car. I used it for Autox, not track but I am sure you will like it that way too.

The epicenter of all things MR2 is www.mr2oc.com You will have to register but it is safe from spam and well worth it.

I think you will be happiest if you can find a true hardtop (with no sunroof or t-tops) if you plan to use it on a track. Keep in mind, true hardtops are some what rare.

The only thing you really need to know about AW11's is: 20 Valve.

Or, 4AGZE.

When I owned my MR2, which i sold 4 years ago, I dabbled in selling MR2 parts. At that time, most all parts were readily available. Some new but most everything could be had used by way of www.mr2oc.com and the For Sale section or through ebay. What was not available was the front spoiler or front apron.

I point this out because it is highly likely that if the one you find needs front spoiler repair, you wont find it. For 20-25 years now, people have been running these cars too far into parking spaces and mangling the lower front end on the concrete "bump-stop."

Helmet room can also be very tight so be sure to test fit it before you buy. Here is a picture of my head sticking out at an autocross.

click here http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1141925171035467440tcRyNc

Sure, mine still had the factory seat but at 6'1" and a 33" inseam the helmet stuck out. I also found that a aftermarket 13.5" steering wheel made for a more confortable cockpit over the factory wheel. IIRC, the factory wheel for '85 & '86 was 14.5" and '87-'89 was 14

I'm a little shorter and had a race seat, but my old ITA car had a ton or room inside compared to other similar sized cars (think Miata here). I loved it, and have owned maybe two dozen MR2s of all flavors over the years. I will also second the above post in that some items are getting very hard to find. I have three parts cars and they have all been depleted of their spoilers and plastic rear window trim. These are almost non-existant these days in any kind of shape.

The motors last forever when maintained, but I've seen a lot in the past few years with zero maintenance, blown head gaskets, and knocking rods. It's worth buying a good example. On a side note, we recently did the head on my brother's '85 95k mile example, and it's a rocket with its fresh head.

A few set up preferences from my experience. On a street driven car over rough roads, resist the urge to go too stiff. High spring rates and shocks with tons of compression make the car nervous at high speeds. I've found them very sensitive to shock valving. And unless it has fresh bushings, that's the first mod I'd make. They make a world of difference, and don't forget the plastic "bucket" shaped bushing in the steering rack. That's where the clunk over bumps originates.

The worst part of these cars is that they've been cheap for too long, and as such, have been driven into the ground with little or no maintenance, and modded in questionable forms. Unless you happen on a good example, plan to budget for correcting issues from previous owners.

While a lot of other cars will outrun them, they do hav a new lease of life with a reclass to ITB in SCCA. And there are few other cars that will be more fun and reliable in so cheap a package. Compared to my '99 Miata, it's a lot more comfortable to drive and has a ton more room, drives more like a go-kart, gets better mpg by at least 6 or 7mpg, and sounds awesome. There's not much not to like!

I bought an '87 MR2 back in April and it has honestly been the best car I ever bought. Mine had a little damage to the bottom of the rad support (a curb or something caused it) but other than that, it was in great shape.

Since then, I've autoxed it every time I had the chance, and it hasn't had any complaints. Being that this was my first rwd (coming from GTIs/GLIs), I learned to drive it pretty quickly and I might actually be competitive in ES this upcoming year.

I second the opinion on stiff springs on these cars. My car came with the TRD race springs on it when I got it, and it was just too damned low and stiff. I could run over a dime and know if it was heads or tails. I put on some cheapo Tokico HP shocks with the stock springs and the car still rides stiffer than my GLI with Neuspeed sport springs on it.

I liked the Konis (GRM advertiser) I put on my 87, with ST springs. I'd go with the coilover kits today. They weren't available then. I have a pictorial guide to strut cartridge replacement specifically for that car on my web page. I also put the TRD bushings on it when I got it. It was a good car until I wrapped it around that F150. Damn F150s. However, it lives on in my Locost.

I still have the rear clear plastic piece that says "Toyota" on it. Unfortunately, the mounting points broke in the wreck. Lessee, I also still have a dash in good shape, no cracks and the rear trunk lid less spoiler and that around-the-world air intake duct. Pickup only in NW AR.