Tips for (possible) New Owner

[mitoand9]

Hi everyone,

I went to a dealer to see my first MR2 SW20 today (once there I discovered it was a JPN import).

I took some pics and I am looking for advice from experienced owners, mainly if I should be concerned with any of the pics attached.

The car seems in overall great conditions, relatively low mileage and moderate price. The only things that bothered me are the following:

1. Rust on rear tie rods
2. Front bumper colour difference (couldn't really notice it when I was there in person tbh)
3. Rust on strut tower?

Please check out the attached pics.

Thanks in advance!

[benckj]

The underside looks rather rough and most likely came from Northern Japan where they salt roads. From the limited pics it looks to be a 95+ model with nice colour paint. Don’t worry about bumper fade as it’s a common problem especially with the older models.

[mitoand9]

Yes, it's a '96.

Thanks for pointing that out (bumper colour)!

[nick]

Surface rust is OK, just clean and paint.It is structural you need to worry about, sills, wheel arches top of of wings etc. also bottom of doors.

[chrisE]

Surface rust is OK, just clean and paint.It is structural you need to worry about, sills, wheel arches top of of wings etc. also bottom of doors.

+1

The sills get serious rust if the foam is still sat on them, you can find them if you pull off the plastic trim just behind the seats below the rear quarter windows.

[jimi]

Yes, it's a '96.

If your going by the registration number, that may not be accurate on a JDM import, the only way to be sure is to check using the VIN.

[peteV6R5]

all that rust underneath looks like surface rust. these are 20 plus year old cars.
my 99 rev 5 was copper wire brushed every 2 years and re painted with hammerite smooth (inc rear subframe).
did the floorpan every 2 years and uses hammerite underseal on those surfaces.
need to take foam out of side pockets if not done so.
i also checked 8 years or so agoo when taking mine out for rust in the sills. mine were still good so did a full dynatrol box cavity spray.
used left overs for boot spaces and top of wheel arches . when sold the car in Dec said it needed doing as it was 2 years but it still looked ok when MOT ed in Nov.

need to keep ontop of these or they will fall away quickly..

[mitoand9]

All, thanks for the useful info