FuzzyDunlops Toyota MR2 MK1.5 build thread.

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ValK1911

Junior Member
Mar 22, 2013
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I'd do a compression test..but really at $1k, if the body is fairly solid and it runs/drives it may not be that bad of a deal. How many Mk1s are around there? Fuzzy may know how the selection is up there too...hard to find a running Mk1 under $2k here.

Yah I was hoping to get his opinion as I don't think we are too far away. I think I might just take the plunge. I will try and knock him down a hundred or two. As long as its body is not completely rusted out. My insurance company wants an inspection before I can insure it. So I will have to grab a trailer to bring her home 1.5 hrs away. :hmm:
 

FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
Is it this one?
http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAdLargeImage?AdId=467147580&Keyword=toyota mr2

Everything Jlee has said.

Hard to tell from photos but doesnt look too bad around the wheel well. Look in the trunk down where the side lights are... if its wet and rusty in there, then it will rust out quick.

Burning oil is def a problem, but if you plan to swap then this might be decent car to start with. The selection of MR2's around these parts is fairly slim, I'd say for $1000 for that one would be doing ok if the body is not rotted out on the other side. You could try talking him down to $800, but Id try and find a good reason for it first. I bought my red 86 in similar condition for $600, but it had a spun rod bearing. And white is a good hiding color - it hides imperfections more easily than most other colors.
That engine bay looks like its clean and in good condition as well. ya, Id jump on if I had room and the body is good.

Is it out of province? If so it will most likely fail OPP inspection. If its an alberta registered car, its super easy to pass - pretty much only need lights, seatbelts, and brakes and it will pass lol. Find a mechanic friend and theyll pass it no prob.

If possible lift up the car and look at the bottom side. You will most likely need new floor pans. If you can weld, that is easy.

Ive never experienced the 5th gear pop out issue, so dont know what to say about it. I do have a spare C50 sitting in my garage in unknown condition though, if you want it.


...


hey... is that a hard top???
If it is, its worth $1000.

EDIT: ask him if its been in an accident, it looks like the front bumper was painted all white, while the rear bumper has black on it.
 

ValK1911

Junior Member
Mar 22, 2013
12
0
0
Is it this one?
http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAdLargeImage?AdId=467147580&Keyword=toyota mr2

Everything Jlee has said.

Hard to tell from photos but doesnt look too bad around the wheel well. Look in the trunk down where the side lights are... if its wet and rusty in there, then it will rust out quick.

Burning oil is def a problem, but if you plan to swap then this might be decent car to start with. The selection of MR2's around these parts is fairly slim, I'd say for $1000 for that one would be doing ok if the body is not rotted out on the other side. You could try talking him down to $800, but Id try and find a good reason for it first. I bought my red 86 in similar condition for $600, but it had a spun rod bearing. And white is a good hiding color - it hides imperfections more easily than most other colors.
That engine bay looks like its clean and in good condition as well. ya, Id jump on if I had room and the body is good.

Is it out of province? If so it will most likely fail OPP inspection. If its an alberta registered car, its super easy to pass - pretty much only need lights, seatbelts, and brakes and it will pass lol. Find a mechanic friend and theyll pass it no prob.

If possible lift up the car and look at the bottom side. You will most likely need new floor pans. If you can weld, that is easy.

Ive never experienced the 5th gear pop out issue, so dont know what to say about it. I do have a spare C50 sitting in my garage in unknown condition though, if you want it.


...


hey... is that a hard top???
If it is, its worth $1000.

EDIT: ask him if its been in an accident, it looks like the front bumper was painted all white, while the rear bumper has black on it.

I think it is a hardtop. Thanks for all the advice. That is the car. I don't think it's an out of province. I have never welded... :| I have fairly green wrenching skills. But I am handy enough and like to learn. I also have mechanic friend in town which will probably help. My neighbour has a welding truck as well. So I might have to hire his services.

EDIT who did your machining on your 4AGE rebuild?
 
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JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
66
91
Anything mechanical is easy to replace in the grand scheme of things. Body rot and rust is more difficult, but not impossible. MIG welding, what you'd use for rust and body repair, is not magic. With a somewhat inexpensive machine you could do fine with some practice.

If you can find one with a rust-free chassis for 2-3k it would probably be worth it IMO. Unless you want to learn how to do that sort of repair, of course.

In either case an MR2 will be a fun car to play mechanic with!
 

FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
Anything mechanical is easy to replace in the grand scheme of things. Body rot and rust is more difficult, but not impossible. MIG welding, what you'd use for rust and body repair, is not magic. With a somewhat inexpensive machine you could do fine with some practice.

If you can find one with a rust-free chassis for 2-3k it would probably be worth it IMO. Unless you want to learn how to do that sort of repair, of course.

In either case an MR2 will be a fun car to play mechanic with!

Although this is true, similar to New England (but even more extreme) nothing in alberta that is over 10 years old is rust-free. This car looks like its in fair condition, judging by the front lower facia and wheel arches. More photos would help, but really the only way to judge how bad it is, would be to see it in person.

I used Strebs Auto and Industrial Supply in Camrose for the machining. They are local and do work from all over Alberta. There are multiple places that are closer to you that would be able to do the same work - just ask your mechanic friend, he would know where best to go.
 

ValK1911

Junior Member
Mar 22, 2013
12
0
0
Although this is true, similar to New England (but even more extreme) nothing in alberta that is over 10 years old is rust-free. This car looks like its in fair condition, judging by the front lower facia and wheel arches. More photos would help, but really the only way to judge how bad it is, would be to see it in person.

I used Strebs Auto and Industrial Supply in Camrose for the machining. They are local and do work from all over Alberta. There are multiple places that are closer to you that would be able to do the same work - just ask your mechanic friend, he would know where best to go.

Here is the worst angle. The floor seemed solid for what I could see. She smoked quite a bit but still had power. I am torn. He gav me till 5pm to decide. I think if either the motor was solid or the body was in a bit better shape I would buy it. But with all the dollar signs adding up I am getting cold feet.

image-2.jpg



The front definitely looks like it had been replaced.
image.jpg


image-4.jpg
 
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jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Yah I told him I wasn't interested. I look at it as a good experience though. At least I know I like MR2's and I fit in it!

Heheh. It has begun. ;)

I was going to buy a running and driving 91 na hardtop for $700 yesterday. I called and left a voicemail 20 minutes after the ad was posted - never got a call back, and I check later and the ad was gone already. :(
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
No crap. A hardtop tub would sell for $700...

Yup.. oh well, I really should finish the two that I have already before I buy yet another one. :p

So hey Fuzzy..side note, I'm an Amsoil dealer now (and there's a warehouse in Edmonton). Just sayin'. ;)
 

FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
Resumed work on the car yesterday.

Still waiting for a part: its the rubber insert that sits behind the vent and acts like a funnel.

So i welded in the pieces. Sloppy welding as usual.
IMAG1386_zps79c1912b.jpg~original


Maxi-fibre body fill, here is a test fit with the screw-on pieces.
IMAG1389_zpscabee465.jpg~original


A layer of micro-fiber fill, followed by sanding up to 600grit.
The first layer of primer showed where all the pinholes were, so filling them with putty.
DSC00278_zpse99179b1.jpg~original


And thats where its sits as of 7:00 PST.
More soon. Have the furnace cranked full blast... its a breezy 25*C in there.... feels nice.
 
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FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
Sanded down the putty. Two coats of primer. Letting this flash for an hour (as per recommendation of paint instructions) then Ill go hit it with the first coat of color
DSC00282_zps89ee75d4.jpg~original
 
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FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
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Kinda hard to see but, meh. It came out ok
DSC00286_zps0ec099bf.jpg~original


Will be good after a wetsand and polishw
DSC00294_zps07b7cf67.jpg~original
 
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Black2na

Senior member
Nov 25, 2010
629
1
0
looks great the gas cap came out amazing! also next time you paint invest in something like this http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/3m-plastic-sheeting-p-17198.aspx?gclid=CO7giYvFo7YCFdGd4Aod6lIA-g outline with tape what you wanna paint razor blade seal tape to outlined bit bam masked! and i can tell you now you have overspray all over your car now which is a giant PITA. gonna have to clay and buff the whole car for it to be good again or look as good as the driver quarter panel does!
 

ValK1911

Junior Member
Mar 22, 2013
12
0
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That white mr2 I was looking at is now listed @ $800.... Iguess he is having trouble selling it.
 

FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
That white MR2 if acquired for $500 could possibly be parted out for a profit. (hard to make profit in Canada thought because the market is small here, and shipping to the states is $$$)

looks great the gas cap came out amazing! also next time you paint invest in something like this http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/3m-plastic-sheeting-p-17198.aspx?gclid=CO7giYvFo7YCFdGd4Aod6lIA-g outline with tape what you wanna paint razor blade seal tape to outlined bit bam masked! and i can tell you now you have overspray all over your car now which is a giant PITA. gonna have to clay and buff the whole car for it to be good again or look as good as the driver quarter panel does!

yeaa. Overspray was a afterthought, but after wiping the car down a little it looks like there was so much dust on the car that the overspray wouldnt have stuck! I wont know for sure until I can get it to a car wash, but that wont happen for another few days because my back alley has snow ruts too deep to drive thru.
For now I have the car parked outside behind my garage so the sun can bake the paint - yes! its actually sunny for once!
 
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