question about a car (Toyota MR2. 1990-ish)

ganonbanned · Post by **ganonbanned** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:29 pm

Alright: the backround story is last school year, every day when we were walking home we'd see this really nice car called a toyota MR2 near the park that I really liked. Eventually, the person that lived at the house was evicted and arrested for something else a few days later, and the car got towed... we thought it did, but it turns out not. Somebody bought it and little did I know it was a friend of a friend.

I saw the car today, and I knew it was the same car immediately because the tinted purple back window with "toyota" written on it. I asked him how much he got it for and he said $400, and he'd sell it to me for $1000 but it almost needs new tires. I get my temps in november, so I am looking for a car and figured I'd just take my grandparents old car (which is a piece of crap). It seems to be in really good condition, and is pretty new.

now my question is: is this a good deal? we can assume its in a pretty good condition (dont worry, i'll find out before I buy it

) and it seems like $1000 is a really good deal but I dont know, lol and I know some people from around here are into cars.

EDIT: heres some pics:

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:48 pm

Looks pretty cool (at least the pics on Wikipedia). Get someone you know thats good with cars to look at it and drive it to make sure it isn't about to die or anything, and check reviews to see if its a good car overall (make sure they really know, like they went to college to be a mechanic). $1000 seems pretty good to me if its in good shape, pretty much anything that runs (and isn't about to die) and looks taken care of for $1000 is a good deal. Just be careful, don't wrap it around a power pole, it looks like it could be (or made to be) powerful enough to do that.

I wish I could find a deal like that, I get to drive our Civic or minivan to school until we find a cheap car (I've yet to drive to school yet cause I ride with a friend, but I got my license last week

).

EDIT: Looks in pretty good shape, but you'll want to check that rust in the back and make sure it isn't too bad. It might be a Toyota thing to have rear rust, our Celica had some (rear hatch had almost zero, though, a rare thing), and I read about it being common with them. Doesn't look too terrible from the pics, but you should still do something to fix/stop it.

Post by **bicostp** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:02 pm

Brap-braaap-braaaaaaaaaaaapppp-*sputter*BRAAAAAAAAAAAAA....

It looks kinda ricey for my tastes (I'm more of a sleeper-car kinda guy), but if it's in decent shape and doesn't have a million miles on it, then $1000 isn't a bad deal. However, you may want to take a second look at the rear quarter panels... I see either mud or rust. Also, if it's been repainted, feel around for bondo work, and look up underneath it to see if it's rusty. (I've seen bondo-d rust look like that before.) Surface rust is acceptable, but if it looks deep or if there are improperly-patched holes, you may want to look elsewhere.

What's your grandparents' old car?

Post by **Triton** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:06 pm

mr2s are sporty little cars and i dont think they would make a good first car at ALL, i would suggest buying it(offer 800$), fixing it up and selling it on ebay for ~2k$ then buying a more sensable car

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:26 pm

Triton wrote:mr2s are sporty little cars and i dont think they would make a good first car at ALL, i would suggest buying it(offer 800$), fixing it up and selling it on ebay for ~2k$ then buying a more sensable car

Yes, in addition to wrapping it around a pole or tree, you could also get carried away by the power/sportiness and do something to lose your license. I was trying to convince my parents to get me a late 80s/early 90s Camaro, since they didn't cost much more than the Ford Escorts we were looking at and would be many times more awesome. I was sure I had them convinced, but then they decided against it, since they were sure I'd do something with it to lose my license within a few months. I'm sure they're right, I'd be driving up every rice rocket's fart cannon if they were thinking they were all that, and leaving them a nice smokescreen for them if I was in from of them at an intersection. So think about that first, would you be responsible with it (if you answered yes, you're a liar)?

daguuy · Post by **daguuy** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:35 pm

Check for rust. My first car (84 diesel vw rabbit, 50mpg) drove perfectly and almost all of the problems could easily be fixed, but thanks to the rust, nobody wanted to buy it off me as a car for more than $350. I finally sold it to a guy who just wanted the engine for $400. Moral of the story: rust=bad. If it's not all rusty though, drive it around and see if it has any problems that would turn you off. If all is well, get it. If you don't get a good car, you'll get a good lesson to help you get a good car next time.

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:04 am

It's a cool car and all, sure, but not very practical. I'm assuming it's a 2 seater... if it isn't, it might as well be since the seats are so small. If you're still in school, you'll want to be able to hold people, and lots of them. I could never get by with a 2-seater.

Post by **marshallh** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:10 pm

While it's not a bad first car - the first $1k you put down is only about a THIRD of the total money you invest into that car.

A while ago I was going through the same thing - I was so close to buying a 1991 Eagle Talon TSi - quite similar in nature - both real sleepers (no problem smoking mustangs and camaros)

I took a look at parts costs. Damn! The bottom line is: that car will be a MONEY PIT. It's also very tempting to screw around and end up killing yourself, but that's beside the point. And that rust will slam your resale value.

You're much better off buying a solid first car - something like a early 90s Honda, Nissan, or the like. Mainstream cars will be much easier to repair and buy parts for.

Don't waste money on your first car - you will end up sinking about $3000 into your first car. Period. Either you can buy a $800 car and spend lots to get it running, or just buy the $2500 car and have far less of a headache.

Another thing to keep in mind is insurance - for example, insurance for me driving that sporty Eagle is about TWICE what I am paying for my 92 Honda Accord right now.

Not a bad project car -- make sure you have yourself a DEPENDABLE daily driver first.

adam_d · Post by **adam_d** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:04 am

The rust around the rear is very common on these, but as long as it's been fairly well looked after, the engines are pretty bulletproof.
I agree with what the others said, but if you still want it, take a look here:

http://www.mr2dc.com/buyGuideMK1.aspx?n ... buyerguide

Gives you a good idea of what to look for

nightwheel · Post by **nightwheel** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:36 am

I would expect more rust on car of that age in Wisconsin. Look like it was not drove on the road much during the winters. And thats a good thing. The salt they put on the road to make sure they don't freeze over. Can make cars rust out very bad. If i was you i would check the cars frame to se how rusted it is. But frome what i see it look like a prity solid car.

On a side note,
My dad's cousin who live in Ohio. Had a 94 Jeep which one day he got in it and it broke in half. It was that rusted. And this happend this year. All because the salt that they put on the roads over the years.
My family went up to Michigan in either 1998 or 1999 on vaction. We had a 87 Dodge Carvan SE with our camper behind it. My dad went to a store up there. And some guy was bent on trying to get that van no matter what. At one point my dad said: How are we to get our camper home? The guy said I'll buy the camper too but I want that van. The guy finely gave up and left. The guy wanted our van because it was basicly rust free. See cars down here don't rust as much or as fast as they do up north.

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:02 pm

nightwheel wrote:On a side note,
My dad's cousin who live in Ohio. Had a 94 Jeep which one day he got in it and it broke in half. It was that rusted. And this happend this year. All because the salt that they put on the roads over the years.

Did he never wash it? Regular washing eliminates most of the bad from salted roads, just spray the bottom of the car. Our 94 F-350 has almost 250,000 miles on it, and I can't imagine it having less rust, and we live in Utah (so salted roads in winter). It doesn't even have any body panel rust, just the normal stuff on the frame.

gamemasterAS · Post by **gamemasterAS** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:11 pm

Well I live in Ohio and none of our cars have ever rusted, and we have been trough plenty of really heavy snow winters.

G-force · Post by **G-force** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:30 pm

I wouldn't go for it. Very low functionality, and you would lose in a crash.

I actually found what I consider a perfect car for starting out on. A Buick Regal Gran Sport. Supercharged V6, 240 HP stock, 0-60 in 6.4 seconds. Yep, a buick

Insurance rates are normal, and by all other means it is just a typical buick... only it's hella fast! I love it, comfort and speed all in a nice looking sleeper package. It's not such a car that you will go insane with speed, but if you're in a hurry, it gets you there on time.

I got mine in great condition with a few minor things needed, for $3600. I've seen them go for $2000 in decent shape though. Easily affordable with a summer job.