Buying an MRS

[MIKEP]

I have come across a 99 MRS for !ess than a grand but with a few electrical issues.these don't scare me but is there anything
Else particularly to look out for that is a "weak" area or known issue with these.
Seems to drive ok but very floaty on the road

Grateful for any input before I Take the plunge

[mickeyduck]

Never owned one Mike but from what I have seen the tiptronic boxes aren't the strongest, I'd get a manual one if I ever bought an MRS.

Other than that there's the oil starvation issue which I've seen destroy a few of their engines and the lack of roll-over protection (which would slow me down even on a twisty back road) but you're not likely to ever track the thing I'm guessing...

Of course there's also the whole Boxster both-ends-look-alike problem but that's easily fixed by adding the right kind of wind, Joel's one being a perfect example of how well that can transform the car's appearance.

They seem to handle well. Not a lot of boot space though. And the headlights tend to end up translucent but that'd be easy to fix with a bit of brasso.

Don't know if the soft tops leak or not... a hard top would be a good thing to have for an MRS. Not seen many of those around though.

[MIKEP]

Thanks Charlie it's a barn find so I don't have a choice of transmission but it is a manual anyway. The Porsche look alike thing gets me a bit but I can live with it.

Soft top probably leaks as its old now but I agree re the wing .definately needs something..I don't intend to track it at all
but the boys have other ideas.

Still for less than 1k I will try it. I can always wreck it out if I have to

[KWAFA]

Good cars... remove the pre-cats. Easy to do. If they go wrong, i.e. break down, you will need a new engine.

Roll bars can be had for about $500. 2zzge (141kw Celica Motor) will fit straight in with no issues. You can buy one from Toyota Spares for about $1500.

Loved mine... miss mine. For $1000, I would jump at it.

[MIKEP]

Mike and AW11 and Big Red are pleased to welcome a new arrival to the family

Dorothy
1999 Spyder 220 kms
Green

Car and Mikes wallet all well

[mickeyduck]

Ha ha brilliant name there Mike.

You think she may have an affinity for twisters?

Careful mate, you might find yourself in Oz...

[MIKEP]

Well spotted . Dorothy did have an experience with twisters
If you remember the story Dorothy was blown away with her barn. so as she was a barn find in a weird place...
And she loves twisters......

So I look forward to travelling the yellow brick road with her.

[EssDub]

The fact that its just missing the front lip annoys me, lol.

Whats wrong with it, anyway?

[MIKEP]

Well Bearing in mind I paid 900 bucks for it not too much.

The Soft top is absolutely naffed and the back window has fallen out . Im looking for a soft top or hard top as we speak

2 Previous owners -163km Manual 5 speed. Had been sitting for 2 years but got a warrant 6 months ago Done 3.4 km since it got one. Had an electrical fault so he couldn't start it and when he did and left it battery went flat. I have fixed this . needs a engine cover cable . Headlights need a clean and has a little scrape on the front bumper.
Is tidy inside with nothing missing but needs a clean. Its running on 3 and 1/2 but think its stale gas. I drove it home from where I bought it though.

The only other thing wrong is its green

Apart from that nothing else that a good service and clean wont fix. Im on the look out for a soft top though or a hardtop[

[MIKEP]

Is it meant to have a front lip.There seems to be heaps without them of the 1999 model

The previous owner reckons it never had one

[Malcolm]

Sweet deal Mike! If I'd heard about it I would've snapped it up for the next project probably lucky I didn't as that likely would've lead to a divorce...

[Joel]

Im looking for a soft top or hard top as we speak

If you can find one it will likely cost 2 or 3 times what you paid for the car! Still a good deal though.

The fact that its just missing the front lip annoys me, lol.

My previous MR-S was like that too - and it was annoying. First thing I bought was a front lip to match the rest of the kit.

[MIKEP]

Thanks Malcolm

I had said No more cars but it was a bargain so yep sweet deal. I actually found it by accident when I was out looking at something else. Just shows you .

Hey Joel where did you buy the front lip and where did you get your spoiler

KInd Regards
Mike Playle

[Benckj]

Good find. That colour makes me feel a bit sick but might come up with a little black magic. Are you going to wrap any portion of it or live with 'Kermit' look?

[Joel]

Thanks Malcolm

I had said No more cars but it was a bargain so yep sweet deal. I actually found it by accident when I was out looking at something else. Just shows you .

Hey Joel where did you buy the front lip and where did you get your spoiler

KInd Regards
Mike Playle

Spoiler was already on the car from factory.
I got the front lip from a place on TradeMe and they were out in Glen Eden - they manufactured them there.
This was 6-7 years ago though so not sure if they're still around, and I can't remember the name of the place now sorry.