Pre/post facelift dilemma

[elzorillo]

I have the option of buying one of two Mr2's tomorrow.

Both same mileage in the 80k's, same colour, same leather seats, almost identical condition (mint).

First is a 2001 for £3900.
Second is a 2003 for £5900.

It's for the missus who does less than 1000 miles per year and will have her private plate on. I'm going to immediately get it de-catted at the local garage. Now... do the facelift changes justify the extra £2k? I looked at a few pics and personally cant see much of a difference apart from the fog lights.

Anyone with an opinion or who could point me in the direction of a direct comparison please??

[m0jo]

when you say de-catted you mean pre-cats in the manifold?

Alessio or others prob be better to tell you exactly the faults and difference.

but i've got a 2000 had the pre-cats out and never had any problems with it yet. Other than it getting broken into which i cant really blame on the car.

that said the "First is a 2001 for £3900" i would say this is over priced carben-ben was selling his for sub 3k which would be the better buy imo.

[The_Don]

Do they both have full service history?
How long are tax/mot on them?
From a garage or private sale?

I have a 2001 car and I paid near enough £5k for it at the start of the summer from a garage with years everything, full service history, 6 months warranty and sub 50k miles. Whipped the pre-cats out straight away and all it has cost me so far is a new set of tyres.

I understand that the newer (facelift) cars have better bracing, larger rear wheels, bodywork and lights are different, different stereo and some other bits and bobs.

[vanilla.coffee]

The pre face lift can be made to look quite nice in my opinion...

Here is mine.

[m0jo]

The pre face lift can be made to look quite nice in my opinion...

Here is mine.

now thats a work of art

[elzorillo]

Update/clarification

Both have a years test but no tax.

Both have full service history from Toyota with the 2001 having it's last service less that 1k miles ago.

Both from dealers (the ones without a forecourt).

I'm swayed to opt for the cheaper one as the missus wont notice the difference anyway.

[mrpete]

I'm swayed to opt for the cheaper one as the missus wont notice the difference anyway.

She will if she loses it on a bend which is very easy to do
The post has had extra bracing and different wheel sizes to try and cure this problem
But either way make sure she is very carefull in the wet

[elzorillo]

Thanks for the comments..

Just 3 hours till the missus twists my arm into parting with the cash.

So there really is no consensus on which I should buy? hehe

[vanilla.coffee]

Thanks for the comments..

Just 3 hours till the missus twists my arm into parting with the cash.

So there really is no consensus on which I should buy? hehe

Both are used cars. You pays your money, you take your chances.
Like we all did.
Personally although mine is an 01, I prefer the face lift. I think it looks nicer front and rear.

[elzorillo]

The £2k in my pocket was the clincher.

2001 is now parked on the drive with the missus staring at it out of the window.