Looking at getting one

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Chris69
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Looking at getting one

Post by Chris69 »

Seen as both my cars are still off the road was looking at getting a Mk1 as a runabout for a bit. Was looking into getting one a couple of years ago before I bought my mk2, always liked the look of em and compared to the usual boring rubbish on the roads today thought it may be a bit different.
Found this the other day http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1084301.htm

Anyone have any thoughts on the mk1, better yet anyone who owns one, what are they like to live with, what to watch out for ect.

(was trying to find stuff on know your 2 but know your 2 seems to be missing, any thoughts?????)
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Sparkie

Looking at getting one

Post by Sparkie »

Aim for a mk1b, has the bigger brakes and a few more extras, the interior is a touch tastier too.

watch out for rust, especially the rear arches and the sills (under the skirt so not obvious to the eye)

that's their only real problem.

I had one for a year before the bottom end went, but then I was 18 and didn't treat it very well plus it had v.high mileage.

I would happily swap my tubby for a SC one. I loved mine, would do most cars on the twisty's.
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badgerbob
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Looking at getting one

Post by badgerbob »

im not allowed another mr2, had plans on going to see one but all i got was abuse from the girlfriend, apparently 3 mr's isnt practical.....what does she know :D

thumbs up with going with the mark 1 anyhow mate
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Looking at getting one

Post by Chris69 »

thanks for the feedback guys.
when were the mk1 b specs released?
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badgerbob
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Looking at getting one

Post by badgerbob »

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Cattwooduk

Looking at getting one

Post by Cattwooduk »

Got mine just over 18 months ago 79k on the clock, think I ended up paying a bit over it's value, within 6 months needed rear arches, the corners behind, and the rear section behind the sills replaced, cost couple hundred for the bits from ebay. Think being unable to keep it undercover most of the time and using it day to day for work whatever the weather sped up the rust a bit though. Also being exposed to rain also killed the alternator after a while as they are prone to being dripped on in the wet so I'm told.
Throttle cable was frayed and calipers needed a good cleaning when i got it.
Have had one or two other lil probs which I put down to age rather than common issues I've read about, like a dodgy distributor problem. But anything I've been stumped by I've had quick responses from the people in here as I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to engine mechanics.
Apart from that I love the car and after the amount of extra cash I've put into it in the time I've had it, I definately wont be parting with it unless something major happens to it, and then I'll be getting another one! Still got a nice big list of things I want to do to it, and a few things I still need to get done before the end of the year, but again all age related things.

Bit of a post but feel the car definately deserves it, I'm trying to convince a mate at work to get one as well!
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Cattwooduk

Looking at getting one

Post by Cattwooduk »

Found this on the mr2 driver's club, really good guide for things to look out for.
,Buyers guide
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AndrewMcAlonan

Re: Looking at getting one

Post by AndrewMcAlonan »

Sparkie wrote:Aim for a mk1b, has the bigger brakes and a few more extras, the interior is a touch tastier too.
I have a mk1b myself and would disagree with sparkies comments on interiors. The mk1a has some cool bits like 2 tone seats in some cases, very early ones have retro style knobs for heaters etc and silver open/close switches instead of black plastic centres.

Brakes are a big thing yeh, but sure you can always upgrade. Only thing is a Mk1a is probbaly harder to get in good nick and they had the 5th gear pop out problems quite frequently.

Either way they are amazing cars that are incredibly reliable, do about 35 mpg, you can fit golf clubs into, and feel like a go kart to drive. My fathers insurance on his is 250 quid (in nothern ireland which is more expensive than the mainland) and thats a normal policy not even classic, and tax is 180 a year(just slightly in this bracket:-( ).I think that you would need a very good reason not to get one!!!!!! :th:
Last edited by AndrewMcAlonan on 17/06/09 21:47, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Looking at getting one

Post by TonyleFrog »

badgerbob wrote:im not allowed another mr2, had plans on going to see one but all i got was abuse from the girlfriend, apparently 3 mr's isnt practical.....what does she know :D

thumbs up with going with the mark 1 anyhow mate
Nothing and who cares anyway? The hardest part is choosing which one to drive. :D
I know what you mean though. I'm getting earache from 'er indoors 'cos she has trouble finding room for the family barge........
However it will be MY decision whether to downsize, not hers! NEVER let a woman dictate what car you drive!!
If she's that bothered she can go and buy her own.
If you're not living life on the edge, you're taking up too much room!

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badgerbob
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Re: Looking at getting one

Post by badgerbob »

TonyleFrog wrote:
badgerbob wrote:im not allowed another mr2, had plans on going to see one but all i got was abuse from the girlfriend, apparently 3 mr's isnt practical.....what does she know :D

thumbs up with going with the mark 1 anyhow mate
Nothing and who cares anyway? The hardest part is choosing which one to drive. :D
I know what you mean though. I'm getting earache from 'er indoors 'cos she has trouble finding room for the family barge........
However it will be MY decision whether to downsize, not hers! NEVER let a woman dictate what car you drive!!
If she's that bothered she can go and buy her own.
haha, brilliant reply to that :th:

right.....whos selling a mk1 :D
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benedwards64

Re: Looking at getting one

Post by benedwards64 »

There's a nice looking one here CLICKY :th:
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robd

Re: Looking at getting one

Post by robd »

Go on, do it, Mk1's are ace. I paid £600 for mine & all it really needed was the rust sorting & brakes given some life! I've spent a bit on it since then but mainly on upgrades. I've had it for almost a year now & the only thing that took it off the road was the clutch slave cylinder going, but thanks to people on here I was able to find out what it was & fix it straight away.

They are great little cars & really reliable too, plus as AndrewMcAlonan said good mpg too, I get about 200 miles to a tank which costs about £28 now, and that's with giving it some welly on the way to work!!

Why don't you come along to the next Wales meet at Bridgend on 28th July as should be my Mk1 & Paff's Mk1 v6 there. :th: Your welcome to come for a spin in mine. :D

Good luck getting one & that one on the Pistonheads link looked ok, just take off that sunstrip!! :rofl:
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Re: Looking at getting one

Post by jimi »

Chris69 wrote: (was trying to find stuff on know your 2 but know your 2 seems to be missing, any thoughts?????)
:-? works fine for me CLICKY
Black is not a colour ! .... Its the absence of colour
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Chris69
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Looking at getting one

Post by Chris69 »

oooh, useful. cheers fior that and now bookmarked.
dont quite know were my know your 2 link has gone, used to be on the left but now theres no link :(
Gonna try and look at that 2 this weekend, see whats what.
aye rob il be there in some shape provided i got a car, my mk2 is still on axle stands but toyota are getting my new frontpipe tomrow and then have to chase some electrics over the weekend, hopefully will sort it out and have it back fro next week. may not need the mk1 then but still want to get 1 :D

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