I first joined the club way back in 95-96. I was a kid at the time!
I got hooked on MR2s via my Dad who always liked them and he finally got a mint AW around 1994, that we still own today.
I’m now onto my 6th MR2.
Here is a brief history of cars past and present:
1988 AW11 NA
My First MR2. Had super-rare rear skirt that I wish I had kept..
Put some 17” Nippon Racing wheels on it. This car got stolen and was stripped of everything, eventually got recovered and I got it back up to scratch but it never felt the same to me so I ended up selling it to a fellow club member (Paul Green). Last I saw it was in Ngaruwahia years ago.
1999 ZZW DGF891
Moved to Melbourne for a couple of years and bought this when I returned.
Didn’t do much to his other than lowering it and adding the front lip.
Sold it after awhile because being our only car it was not very practical. – ended up getting another AW11 because having a boot = more practical.
1987 AW11 SC FQR942
AW number II. I purchased this sight unseen from Napier – went down and drove it back to Auckland with no problems.
Took it to my mechanic to give it a thorough service and got it up to scratch.
Installed new lowering springs, 15x8 Axis wheels, full prothane bush kit and an Aerotech lip.
Sold this one to help fund house renovations – money didn’t go very far..
1992 Gen II SW20 NA FTB950
After getting by with one car between my wife and I it was time for a second, so naturally I looked for an MR2.
No decent AWs were up sale – they never are when you’re looking.
Figured I would give an SW a try, I’d never been a big fan of the SW.
This was a Gen II, NA Auto so that didn’t help, it would be a different story if it was a Turbo or Gen V..
I didn’t own this for long, was the first and only time I spun out in an MR2 as well – I mostly put that down to average tyres.
1987 AW11 SC RP6919
This is my dads car but we share ownership and expenses. It didn’t get used for awhile so I proposed going halves in the maintenance costs to keep it up to standard.
The car was imported to NZ from Japan in 1992 and bought by an old fulla for $23,995 (I still have the ad from Auto Trader magazine).
Dad bought in 1994 for $10k. It had 23k on it when he bought it and today still only has around 59k.
It is in immaculate condition. The only modifications it has is an overboost pulley and Bridgestone Potenza RE01 tyres.
Because of the condition we will keep it factory standard. It still has all the original accessories and options like Cruise control, Boot liner, targa top bags and all that kind of stuff.
It is an Auto but due to the amazing condition the car is in that doesn’t bother me. As far as auto gearboxes go the AW one is not a bad one at all.
The plan is to simply keep enjoying it. Its very unlikely that it will ever be for sale.
