I'v got 2 of these. I absolutely love them. One is stock which I daily and the other is k20 turbo swapped. On the hunt for a 3rd one so I can do a k24 NA setup. I don't want to drive anything else.
They are very cheap still in the usa. Bought mine for 3k. Did need some work but it was drivable. Still very underrated car here. I don't see it catching much popularity at all. But it's nice to see it as a hidden gem kind of.
I bought a 02 Toyota mr2 mk3 with 13k miles she is mint.silver i paid £2800 for it then sold the hard top and fitting kit for£1400 as the soft top is like brand new. And i only use it in sunny days. Uprated discs and a full cobra stainless steel 4 into 4 exhaust on it. Toyo proxy tyre's all round. Great wee motor 👍
As we mentioned I find it shocking to see the state cars get in in the UK as well as th US and Canada. We're astounded to see the shots of the undercarriages of cars just a few years old over there. Salted roads don't cause just corrosion. It's abrasive and causes wear to rubbers and even metal joints. I really feel sorry for you. My parents removed me to Australia. man years ago. My 2000 MR2 has not a spec of rust anywhere. I have Jags as old as 40 years and more the same.
Salt is a big factor, but there are some other factors: - The UK is surrounded in salty water. You can't really get more than 100 miles from an ocean. - Many people in the UK simply don't know anything about car care. I've known people who don't even know what a service is. Canada is cold as hell. Can't comment on the US. I live in the south west and I think I can count the amount of times I've encountered road salt on my hands. If you can avoid busy routes you can avoid salt.
@LeEdFollow I'm assuming it's the rotors. I had an inspection done when I bought the car, and the pads and fluid were fine. They kept telling me the brakes were fine, but the issue is still there.
Cool stuff, congrats! Pre-Facelifts are still very cool. I’m sure it’ll be perfectly fine, but even if the worst happens and the engine does fail then there are plenty of good cheap used facelift engines to replace it with… and you’ll probably then also get the 6speed box too!
Wow the rust was really bad on you're example, much worse than any mk3 I've seen (even uk spec ones).AC is must if you use the car on long roadtrips in the summer though, when it's like 30 degrees outside with full sun you won't be driving a lot with the roof down (way too hot) but it can get extremely hot inside very quickly, much worser than other cars i've driven. AC with a 2zz is no problem btw, the compressor just bolts up to it and is plug and play with the celica 2zz ecu.
Anybody looking to buy one, look under the frunk. Suspension tower corrosion happens.....but this car is really bad. Also the front subframe...... it's a weld-in a used one job. Pre-facelift were 975kg. Addition of safety features meant they get heavier.
Owned mine new since 2001, only 9,000 miles. Only take it out on sunny days. Best sports car I've ever owned.
They are awesome!
I'v got 2 of these. I absolutely love them. One is stock which I daily and the other is k20 turbo swapped. On the hunt for a 3rd one so I can do a k24 NA setup. I don't want to drive anything else.
Cool stuff. I’ve seen K swaps are becoming very popular now and people are having great results. Happy hunting for your 3rd car!
You're a legend 👏
They are very cheap still in the usa. Bought mine for 3k. Did need some work but it was drivable. Still very underrated car here. I don't see it catching much popularity at all. But it's nice to see it as a hidden gem kind of.
Totally agree. I hope one day the MK3 gets the praise/recognition it deserves.
Cheap bro where? Lowest I’ve seen is 5K and most are 10K
I'm new to your posts and pretty impressed so far. Best of luck
Kieran Kelly
Thanks so much!
Just bought a 2001 with 79000 miles. $10k out the door. Not much rust on mine.
Love the car!
Cool stuff. I was just unlucky with mine I guess. Lived its whole life near the sea.
I own a black MRS with black soft top, I always know having a red soft top would make it look even more like a Boxter...👍
Totally :) Pretty sure Toyota positioned the MR2 as a cheaper Boxster alternative.
I'm picking up a 70k mile 53 plate FL tomorrow - good info here!
Cool stuff! Happy new car day!
Love my MR2 Spyder. Almost done with doing a built Honda K24/20 swap into it.
Cool swap! Kudos
Can't imagine living in the UK and having my cars rust away under me.
Sad but true :(
Stock form , they are a seriously fun track car.
Totally agree!
I think so far 2ar engine better than 2zz . Love and peace from Australia
2AR is becoming very popular now thanks to frankensteinmotorworks!
picked one up in 2019 only 38000 miles 04 plate its a minter 6 speed box and no rust.
Congrats! Great to keep good examples on the road :)
I bought a 02 Toyota mr2 mk3 with 13k miles she is mint.silver i paid £2800 for it then sold the hard top and fitting kit for£1400 as the soft top is like brand new. And i only use it in sunny days. Uprated discs and a full cobra stainless steel 4 into 4 exhaust on it. Toyo proxy tyre's all round. Great wee motor 👍
Very nice! Thanks for Sharing!
Well you guys have done well. Prices are heading north in US too with no sign of slowing down right now.
Where and when did you buy a car like that for £2800
Just a heads up, the 6 speed was never sold in the US.
I didn’t even know you guys got this car in the US!
As we mentioned I find it shocking to see the state cars get in in the UK as well as th US and Canada. We're astounded to see the shots of the undercarriages of cars just a few years old over there. Salted roads don't cause just corrosion. It's abrasive and causes wear to rubbers and even metal joints. I really feel sorry for you. My parents removed me to Australia. man years ago. My 2000 MR2 has not a spec of rust anywhere. I have Jags as old as 40 years and more the same.
We’ll be out in Australia to film some things for LeEdFollow. Cant say exactly when, but it’s definitely going to happen! :)
Salt is a big factor, but there are some other factors:
- The UK is surrounded in salty water. You can't really get more than 100 miles from an ocean.
- Many people in the UK simply don't know anything about car care. I've known people who don't even know what a service is.
Canada is cold as hell. Can't comment on the US.
I live in the south west and I think I can count the amount of times I've encountered road salt on my hands. If you can avoid busy routes you can avoid salt.
My biggest problem with my mr2 spyder is a weird smell and the brakes pulse slightly.
Sounds like a bad pad/disc. Is the brake fluid clean? If so I’d replace the discs/pads.
@LeEdFollow I'm assuming it's the rotors. I had an inspection done when I bought the car, and the pads and fluid were fine. They kept telling me the brakes were fine, but the issue is still there.
weird smell can be caused by dirty softtop drains
Funny, I got two pre facelift cars with no rust, that hole looks terrible!
Luck of the draw I guess. Probably a lot of it has to do with this car being used all year round and lived near the sea. All that sea/road salt.
Just picked up an 02 1 owner 57k full Toyota history for £1800 not a face-lift but hey.....
Cool stuff, congrats! Pre-Facelifts are still very cool. I’m sure it’ll be perfectly fine, but even if the worst happens and the engine does fail then there are plenty of good cheap used facelift engines to replace it with… and you’ll probably then also get the 6speed box too!
Found a bargain 03 with an smt
How many miles and how much did it cost?
Cool stuff, hope you are enjoying it!
@@leedfollow it's still up just saving for it
Got one with 120k miles
Cool stuff. 120k is nothing on these cars. I'm sure the engines go on forever if taken care of!
Wow the rust was really bad on you're example, much worse than any mk3 I've seen (even uk spec ones).AC is must if you use the car on long roadtrips in the summer though, when it's like 30 degrees outside with full sun you won't be driving a lot with the roof down (way too hot) but it can get extremely hot inside very quickly, much worser than other cars i've driven. AC with a 2zz is no problem btw, the compressor just bolts up to it and is plug and play with the celica 2zz ecu.
If its 30 degrees out the roof will never be up :)
That car has basically hardly any space for luggage which I think is its biggest problem. What's it like for towing?
As far as I know, nobody makes towbars for MR2’s. Its too small/light to tow anything.
pity. Seems can't adapt it for my needs then@@leedfollow
Anybody looking to buy one, look under the frunk. Suspension tower corrosion happens.....but this car is really bad. Also the front subframe...... it's a weld-in a used one job. Pre-facelift were 975kg. Addition of safety features meant they get heavier.
Yes we’ve already done videos on everything you mentioned.