Look on the menu on your left, you should see this iconChris69 wrote: dont quite know were my know your 2 link has gone, used to be on the left but now theres no link :(
with Info beside it, click on the icon and your missing link will appear 
Looking at getting one
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jimi
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Re: Looking at getting one
with Info beside it, click on the icon and your missing link will appear Black is not a colour ! .... Its the absence of colour
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Chris69
Topic author - Posts: 542
- Joined: 05/02/09 20:06
- Years of MR2 Ownership: 13
- MR2's Owned: 5
- Real Name: Chris
- Gender: Male
- Location: Hampton
- Been thanked: 2 times
Looking at getting one
Ok went to look at the Mk1 today and from the start I wasnt impressed tho I didnt let that deter me, I know a car that age could look like a complete dog from the outside but be mechanically and structuraly sound.
So, had a quick look around to see whats what. Had the Mk1 Buyers guide courtesy of Nick Challoners website wich was very handy, recommend it to anyone interested in getting one.
So, the good points:
The engine, for a car with 137k on the clock, sounded nice, no tinniness, rattles or knocks on start up. No excess oil dribbling about the place or any sign of leaks. just the usual grub. Good start.
Let the car tick over to warm up, idled at 2k for about 5 mins and dropped off to the 1k as expected. Idle was smooth and steady for a further 10, didnt wander about so also a good sign. revved nice, throttle response was good.
New throttle cable also present.
Radiator looked pretty much brand new, no holes or even dents, I was shocked to say the least. someone took care of the cooling very well on this car. Also coolant was fine, bout an inch below the rubber tube on the cap, and red... looks like my carplan premium red in my 2.
All heaters worked fine and blew hot, not good on a humid day like today but they work so one moe tick in the box.
All electrics worked fine apart from the electric aerial but tbh i havent come across a 2 yet with that, besides I hate the radio and always have a well stacked CD collection to hand.
Interior was in fairly good nick, gear knob a bit tatty but that was all, and couldve used a clean also.
Clutch was biting mid way on the peddle and gear changes were smooth (as a 2 gets anyway) no notchiness or crunches and 5th seemed fine also. (did forget reverse tho and im very annoyed by that)
Ok so to the bad bits
Bodywork isnt the best ive seen by a long way, tho not the worst either.
Was resprayed this year after the rear arches were done and its really not the best job ever, maybe that will come up better with a wash and a polish.
Ok mentioned was rear arches, not the best restoration job on them either, done to get it through the least mot and the filler is starting to crack on one side already, not an MOT failure but will need doing within the year i think.
Theres a hole at the back of the drivers side rear wheel arch by the exhaust, some of a bottle was seen there and needs welding.
Corrosion on the sills, not as bad as ive seen and tbh and better than the sills on my mkII. Gonna need doing soon tho I reckon.
Squeals when pulling off when the revs drop, I think this is just a belt, sounds like it anyway, we all know the noise. Anyone know how difficult it is to do the timing and alternator belts on these? doesnt seem to bad down there, lots more space than i thought.
9 owners from new, this guy owned it for just over a year now and its done less than 100 miles since mot in january.
No history apart from a receipt for a ball joint and a brake disk. - this is the big one. Theres some really obvious changes that the guys has done himself, throttle cable looked brand new, brake disks and pads look new on the front and tho you cant really see them the ball joints seem good. the ride was tight and there were no knocks or sqeuaks going over bumps.
Ok so I could have it for £700 with a new MOT but no tax.
Im a little sceptical about the amount of cosmetic work it needs, im no sprayer or panel beater so its gonna have to be out of pocket. Mechanically im not worried, these lil 1.6's seem bulletproof if looked after and im very handy with a couple of spanners.
Realistically it needs to run me around till my mk2 is running again (wich could be this week depending on electrics) and after that I was thinking to tidy up the bodywork and either sell it on or keep it as a runabout and get really stuck into my mk2.
What do we think?
So, had a quick look around to see whats what. Had the Mk1 Buyers guide courtesy of Nick Challoners website wich was very handy, recommend it to anyone interested in getting one.
So, the good points:
The engine, for a car with 137k on the clock, sounded nice, no tinniness, rattles or knocks on start up. No excess oil dribbling about the place or any sign of leaks. just the usual grub. Good start.
Let the car tick over to warm up, idled at 2k for about 5 mins and dropped off to the 1k as expected. Idle was smooth and steady for a further 10, didnt wander about so also a good sign. revved nice, throttle response was good.
New throttle cable also present.
Radiator looked pretty much brand new, no holes or even dents, I was shocked to say the least. someone took care of the cooling very well on this car. Also coolant was fine, bout an inch below the rubber tube on the cap, and red... looks like my carplan premium red in my 2.
All heaters worked fine and blew hot, not good on a humid day like today but they work so one moe tick in the box.
All electrics worked fine apart from the electric aerial but tbh i havent come across a 2 yet with that, besides I hate the radio and always have a well stacked CD collection to hand.
Interior was in fairly good nick, gear knob a bit tatty but that was all, and couldve used a clean also.
Clutch was biting mid way on the peddle and gear changes were smooth (as a 2 gets anyway) no notchiness or crunches and 5th seemed fine also. (did forget reverse tho and im very annoyed by that)
Ok so to the bad bits
Bodywork isnt the best ive seen by a long way, tho not the worst either.
Was resprayed this year after the rear arches were done and its really not the best job ever, maybe that will come up better with a wash and a polish.
Ok mentioned was rear arches, not the best restoration job on them either, done to get it through the least mot and the filler is starting to crack on one side already, not an MOT failure but will need doing within the year i think.
Theres a hole at the back of the drivers side rear wheel arch by the exhaust, some of a bottle was seen there and needs welding.
Corrosion on the sills, not as bad as ive seen and tbh and better than the sills on my mkII. Gonna need doing soon tho I reckon.
Squeals when pulling off when the revs drop, I think this is just a belt, sounds like it anyway, we all know the noise. Anyone know how difficult it is to do the timing and alternator belts on these? doesnt seem to bad down there, lots more space than i thought.
9 owners from new, this guy owned it for just over a year now and its done less than 100 miles since mot in january.
No history apart from a receipt for a ball joint and a brake disk. - this is the big one. Theres some really obvious changes that the guys has done himself, throttle cable looked brand new, brake disks and pads look new on the front and tho you cant really see them the ball joints seem good. the ride was tight and there were no knocks or sqeuaks going over bumps.
Ok so I could have it for £700 with a new MOT but no tax.
Im a little sceptical about the amount of cosmetic work it needs, im no sprayer or panel beater so its gonna have to be out of pocket. Mechanically im not worried, these lil 1.6's seem bulletproof if looked after and im very handy with a couple of spanners.
Realistically it needs to run me around till my mk2 is running again (wich could be this week depending on electrics) and after that I was thinking to tidy up the bodywork and either sell it on or keep it as a runabout and get really stuck into my mk2.
What do we think?
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benedwards64
Re: Looking at getting one
It actually sounds quite similar to mine when I got it!
Ie fairly high miles, tatty bodywork and no history to speak of. The engine and cooling system sound fine - the temp guage shouldn't have gone anything over the halfway mark. New rad is a bonus too - mine rusted through not long ago and I had to replace it.
Gearbox sounds good for the mileage as well - mine is at 126k and syncro is going on second. Reverse can be a little difficult sometimes but it has never really worried me.
Bodywork wise, you want to get the sills sorted asap - that is structural. Mine has already been welded and sealed along there about 4 years ago and it's still holding strong. Make sure you have a decent look underneath at all the suspension mountings etc as well.
The bodywork itself isn't so urgetn - mine is going round the arches and the rear quartes have rusted through, but in the year I've had it it hasn't really got any worse - and the car is my daily drive and parked out in the rain. It can be a bit pricey to get done properly though, ideally you would want to cut out the rust and weld new metal in (you can get replacement arch sections). There's a fella called Paff who runs a workshop somewhere in Wales (Caerleon??), I don't know if he's on here though. He's probably the best bet for where you are.
Price sounds ok - ideally knock £100 - £150 off for ther bodywork needing doing though. For this sort of price every car will need some body attention though.
HTH
Ie fairly high miles, tatty bodywork and no history to speak of. The engine and cooling system sound fine - the temp guage shouldn't have gone anything over the halfway mark. New rad is a bonus too - mine rusted through not long ago and I had to replace it.
Gearbox sounds good for the mileage as well - mine is at 126k and syncro is going on second. Reverse can be a little difficult sometimes but it has never really worried me.
Bodywork wise, you want to get the sills sorted asap - that is structural. Mine has already been welded and sealed along there about 4 years ago and it's still holding strong. Make sure you have a decent look underneath at all the suspension mountings etc as well.
The bodywork itself isn't so urgetn - mine is going round the arches and the rear quartes have rusted through, but in the year I've had it it hasn't really got any worse - and the car is my daily drive and parked out in the rain. It can be a bit pricey to get done properly though, ideally you would want to cut out the rust and weld new metal in (you can get replacement arch sections). There's a fella called Paff who runs a workshop somewhere in Wales (Caerleon??), I don't know if he's on here though. He's probably the best bet for where you are.
Price sounds ok - ideally knock £100 - £150 off for ther bodywork needing doing though. For this sort of price every car will need some body attention though.
HTH
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jimi
- Administrator
- Posts: 5723
- Joined: 17/05/04 1:00
- Years of MR2 Ownership: 18
- MR2's Owned: 1
- Gender: Male
- Location: Glenrothes: The Kingdom of Fife
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- Been thanked: 171 times
- Contact:
Looking at getting one
Sounds OK for the money, you should get a year out of it easy.
The hole at the rear arch is common, those rear mudflaps trap leaves and crap and it rots through, if you get it repaired, lose the mudflaps.
There's guy does proper replacement sills that are good but slightly expensive (ebay) you can also adapt Escort sills to fit, there's a good article CLICKY with pictures in Know Your 2
Mechanically, change the oil/filter plugs yearly, look after the cooling system and it will be fine, should run just below halfway on the temp gauge summer or winter.
The hole at the rear arch is common, those rear mudflaps trap leaves and crap and it rots through, if you get it repaired, lose the mudflaps.
There's guy does proper replacement sills that are good but slightly expensive (ebay) you can also adapt Escort sills to fit, there's a good article CLICKY with pictures in Know Your 2
Mechanically, change the oil/filter plugs yearly, look after the cooling system and it will be fine, should run just below halfway on the temp gauge summer or winter.
Black is not a colour ! .... Its the absence of colour
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Chris69
Topic author - Posts: 542
- Joined: 05/02/09 20:06
- Years of MR2 Ownership: 13
- MR2's Owned: 5
- Real Name: Chris
- Gender: Male
- Location: Hampton
- Been thanked: 2 times
Looking at getting one
Well I went for a second look at it the other day, checked the things I missed and had a really good look at the bodywork, not as bad as I first thought.
Managed to haggle a brand new MOT (for my own peice of mind) and for £700 we shook hands. Waiting now for him to get the car MOT'd and il have another toy to work on, cant wait
Managed to haggle a brand new MOT (for my own peice of mind) and for £700 we shook hands. Waiting now for him to get the car MOT'd and il have another toy to work on, cant wait
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paff
Looking at getting one
nice one on deciding to go for it mate.
Try and make it along to the meet if you can. Even if you don't have the mk1 at the time its always good fun.
Try and make it along to the meet if you can. Even if you don't have the mk1 at the time its always good fun.
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japaneseskoda
Looking at getting one
You are going to have so much fun in that MK1. I took mine out last night and wow, it's just amazing. Everything is sorted now apart from the wheels, I'd love some of them Monzas but I watched that wheeler dealer show and they sanded of the tear drops and sprayed with clear laquer. Will give it a go later, but seriously everyone with an interest in cars should at least have a drive in a MK1.
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Chris69
Topic author - Posts: 542
- Joined: 05/02/09 20:06
- Years of MR2 Ownership: 13
- MR2's Owned: 5
- Real Name: Chris
- Gender: Male
- Location: Hampton
- Been thanked: 2 times
Looking at getting one
Picked it up just now and gotta say the drive back felt great.
It does remind me of a grown up 2-stroke kart! Nippy and grippy.
Was parked outside less than 5 mins when the neighbours were all out having a look, now thats a good feeling to have again!
First thing to do is give it a quick once over to make sure everything is as it should be and then give it a bath, the ol girl is filthy!!
It does remind me of a grown up 2-stroke kart! Nippy and grippy.
Was parked outside less than 5 mins when the neighbours were all out having a look, now thats a good feeling to have again!
First thing to do is give it a quick once over to make sure everything is as it should be and then give it a bath, the ol girl is filthy!!
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Chris69
Topic author - Posts: 542
- Joined: 05/02/09 20:06
- Years of MR2 Ownership: 13
- MR2's Owned: 5
- Real Name: Chris
- Gender: Male
- Location: Hampton
- Been thanked: 2 times
Re: Looking at getting one
Well ive had her for about 3 weeks now and I guess my love affair with the mr2 is set to continue.
So far Ive changed all the filters and the engine and gearbox oil. The Redline MT-90 really made a huge difference to the feel of shifting, its so smooth now. The engine seems to pull a bit harder now aswell wich is no real surprise, air filter was filthy, fuel filter was old and probably needed changing very badly.
Set to get new plugs and leads and a new exhaust, this one is blowing a bit and even tho the note is sweet its not ideal.
Anyway, is it worth getting a set of maggys or splitfires for it or are standard leads cheap enough?
Im trying really hard not to fall in love with a car I know I have to get rid of in a few months when i move again but its so much fun and now purrs like a kitten down the m4.
So far Ive changed all the filters and the engine and gearbox oil. The Redline MT-90 really made a huge difference to the feel of shifting, its so smooth now. The engine seems to pull a bit harder now aswell wich is no real surprise, air filter was filthy, fuel filter was old and probably needed changing very badly.
Set to get new plugs and leads and a new exhaust, this one is blowing a bit and even tho the note is sweet its not ideal.
Anyway, is it worth getting a set of maggys or splitfires for it or are standard leads cheap enough?
Im trying really hard not to fall in love with a car I know I have to get rid of in a few months when i move again but its so much fun and now purrs like a kitten down the m4.
