Shall I get an MR2???

[spaghettihoop5]

I've seen an MR2 2002 that I'm really keen on buying, but after doing my research the precat failures are really putting me off.

Are there any vehicle inspection companies out there that will check if the precat is corroding in the North West area before I buy the car? e.g. like RAC's vehicle inspections (they don't do it though, I've asked).

I rang up a place in Burnley that would gut the manifold which is good. But I don't want to buy something that has already knackered (or about to knacker) the engine.

Cheers!

My other options are an Audi A3 or a Golf... but I don't have kids so there's no point! ha

[Shadeh]

If you are after a mk3 there are lots of tidy ones available, you just need to view them and maybe find someone local to you on this site who could go down too. The precats can be gutted either by yourself or a garage and after that all should be good, I'm sure some mk3 owners will offer good advice too

[topgun]

Well if you buy from a garage at least you will have some form of warranty unlike buying privately,get them to check this before you buy it.

[spaghettihoop5]

It does look tidy. Full Toyota service history, body work looks ok. There is bubbling on the alloys though and there's moisture under the headlights... I really like it, but I dont want to spend £5.5k then have to get a new engine and cat afterwards!

[Rbuckingham]

if you take out the oxygen sensors on the manifold you can see the top of the pre cats. also make sure its not using oil as this is a sign the pre cats are going. there is a lot of info on pre cats on the roc site.

[vanilla.coffee]

Similar info here...

http://www.mr2oc.co.uk/forums/200/122595.html

[mrpete]

It does look tidy. Full Toyota service history, body work looks ok. There is bubbling on the alloys though and there's moisture under the headlights... I really like it, but I dont want to spend £5.5k then have to get a new engine and cat afterwards!

Overpriced for a 2002 pre facelift, you will get a 2003 post facelift for that money with the pre cat problems supposedly resolved

[spaghettihoop5]

It does look tidy. Full Toyota service history, body work looks ok. There is bubbling on the alloys though and there's moisture under the headlights... I really like it, but I dont want to spend £5.5k then have to get a new engine and cat afterwards!

Overpriced for a 2002 pre facelift, you will get a 2003 post facelift for that money with the pre cat problems supposedly resolved

Err no you wont....

I don't think so either... it's got a hard top too

I've got it booked for RAC inspection thursday and I got their garage to check out the pre-cat and it was ok (I'll take that with a pinch of salt mind).

If I got a new header or removed the pre-cat would I have to notify the insurance company? Will it add a lot to my premium? Should I even get it removed? If it has fully service history from the dealer I would have thought it'd be ok. Plus, I rang the toyota garage and they said they've only had about 4 come in with this problem (again, I'll take it with a pinch of salt).

[spaghettihoop5]

I'm buying it from a dealer, so I doubt he will know how much oil the car consumes.

So I don't have to declare it with my insurance when the pre-cat is removed?

Would my tax also go up since the emissions will be higher?

[spaghettihoop5]

The results are in!

I had the car checked by RAC. There are a few minor dints that I didnt spot, a bit of rust above the windscreen (i can sort that) and stone chips on the windscreen (perhaps I can get this sorted through insurance).

The worrying thing is, there is an oil leak near the timing belt around the O-Ring. So that would need to be fixed. The dealer said he would get it fixed in the price. Is this major? And will this give me problems in the future?

[Protok]

I personally would not buy it simply because it has rust, it is a relatively young car for it to have rust already. It shows that the car was not taken care of that well.
I am sure that there are other cars out there that are better for the same price, I would just keep looking really.

[iLogik]

So you are all advising this guy to buy a car that is 2002 for 5.5k from a dealer lol.

Ok well what do you want from the car? colour? age? milage? Does it matter if its 1999 or 2002?, id get whichever year car has the best milage, toys and general care. Pre cats are a few hours labour or you can just buy a replacement manifold, be warned the bolts holding it tend to sheer off in worst case and give you a head ache

Rust would indicate a repair at some point either be it a scratch or worse case some more serious. My car has two holes in the boot and not showing any signs of rust in the wounds.

Low milage, id offer 3750 or something, thing that worrys me is his had a new cat, ask why.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1276117.htm

This guy is a member here, car is a cat d, milage is 71k so a little high but price is very cheap, could drop him a message and ask about the repair and if pre cats are gone, im pretty sure it has a che manifold
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1246508.htm

Or you could get a 2003 facelift car which looks clean, pre cats removed for what ou were going to pay the dealer for 5.5k
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Toyota-MR2-Roadst ... 866wt_1167

[spaghettihoop5]

It's around the Manchester area.

The leak was noted on the last service apparently and the dealer thought that since it was noted that they would have fixed, it so it's minor and not leaking all over.

I've put a deposit on it and agreed £5325 price, with a service, the rust spot fixed and the engine fixed. Also the pre-cat was checked earlier as well. So I guess that isnt too bad. Would have like to knock him lower but with an inspection I lost my haggling power.

You think if I get the pre-cat removed I'd need the oil and filter changing again?

[iLogik]

So your going to pay 5.5k for a car with problems and rusting, pre cats should come out anyways. The fact your passing up a facelift car with good milage for a pre facelift for the same price i think your insane and need your head checking.

So whats the milage? does it have extra's? leather hard top? bodykit nice wheels?