My first small car (MR2 content)

A while back I posted one of those "learn me" threads about Mk2 MR2s. I have to thank everyone who responded, because after a few months of searching, I found a car optioned exactly the way I wanted.

It's an unmodified 91 hardtop 5-speed NA--no power steering, but it does have power windows and A/C. I flew to Topeka, KS, and drove it home to Chattanooga with no problems at all. It's got 147,000 miles and drives great. I threw it on the scales and it was 2547 with 1/4 tank of gas and minus the spare tire. The plan for now is to keep it stock and DD it, but I may add some simple stuff like new wheels and tires, especially since performance tires in the stock sizes seem to be extinct.

Ok that's just weird.

My buddy has a red SW20.

And just bought an MX6 that has those wheels on it, and was thinking about putting those wheels on the MR2.

Congrats!!! Looks to be in nice shape!

Nice looking car Will. I bought a 1st. gen. MR2 a while back to re-sell. It sold too soon because I sure was enjoying using it as a DD.

It's in great shape. There's some clearcoat peeling from the wing, but overall it's hard to believe it's a 20 year old car. The interior is flawless.

Cloth or leather on the inside? I can as buddy of mine if he has any extra wheels if yould like.

You should keep those wheels on there.

Black cloth interior. If you want to check on the wheel situation, sure, but I want to add as little rotating mass as possible while getting some better rubber on there. I've been thinking about 16x7 RPF1s.

James, my only objection to these wheels is the lack of good rubber in/near the stock size. Supposedly these wheels have been on the car for 15 years.

Will wrote: Black cloth interior. If you want to check on the wheel situation, sure, but I want to add as little rotating mass as possible while getting some better rubber on there. I've been thinking about 16x7 RPF1s. James, my only objection to these wheels is the lack of good rubber in/near the stock size. Supposedly these wheels have been on the car for 15 years.

16x8s!!!!!!! Lots of rubber!

I kinda like those wheels on the car.

Congrats on the purchase. I expect it will handle better than the t-birds and f-bodies..

did you record MPG on your return trip?

Will wrote: It's in great shape. There's some clearcoat peeling from the wing, but overall it's hard to believe it's a 20 year old car. The interior is flawless.

Excellent excuse to remove the wing.

These cars look so much better without them

ditchdigger wrote: Excellent excuse to remove the wing. These cars look so much better without them

Agree completely.

The car got 30 mpg on the trip home. Not great, but better than my other cars.

And the Camaro is a dedicated ESP car...you might be amazed at how it handles.

ditchdigger wrote:

Will wrote: It's in great shape. There's some clearcoat peeling from the wing, but overall it's hard to believe it's a 20 year old car. The interior is flawless.

Excellent excuse to remove the wing. These cars look so much better without them

Strongly disgree with that... the wing makes the lines on this car. Of course, these are both matters of opinion :) I can guarantee, however, that the holes left by taking the wing off will be uglier than having the wing in the first place -- and wingless trunk lids are impossible to find since 99.99999999% (<---exaggeration) of MK2's were shipped with wings.

There will be 12 holes in the decklid and 3 (I think) in each rear fender if I remove the wing. So until the rest of the car needs paint...it might just stay where it is.

Okay, debate time: with wing and without. What does everyone else think?

Without all the way for me.

No wing and some different wheels would look perfect.

I have dreamed of finding an unmolested hard top and removing the wing for years...

I'm so jealous of this car... great find!

EvanB wrote:

Ha...what is it about this color scheme? I had another SC that the previous owner painted the exact same way.

I may be in the minority here, but I like the wing.

It looks dull without the wing, like the designers forgot something ...

My Uncle-in-Law has a hard top NA, no sun roof.

When you do the timing belt, which should be soon, be sure to replace the O ring behind the oil pump. It's only an extra 10 minute job at that point and maybe an extra five bucks. Not replacing the O ring will result in 5SFE Blown Motor Syndrome.

Keep the wing!

keep the wing plz

lose the wing... and I like it with the black roof.

In all honesty, I have never seen a hardtop Mk2 MR2