'90 Toyota MR2 GT

This is the third attempt at this post, the last two times I have had the browser window crash when posting, so fingers crossed :open_mouth:

This is my current car - 1990 Toyota MR2 GT (Japanese Import)

It’s a fun little car, but i’ve had to be pretty careful when driving as it’s my first turbo car, and first RWD car that I’ve driven in about 8 years.

It has a few mods (mostly done by previous owners): Full stainless-steel exhaust system, high-flow cat, high-flow stainless exhaust manifold, replacement intercooler and intake, new turbo (KKR440), and a GReddy eManage Ultimate ECU.

It goes pretty well, but I havent had it on a dyno or anything yet, so I’m not sure of power/torque figures. It does, however start making boost at about 2000RPM, and is on full boost at around 3750-4000RPM.

It has a different exhaust on it now, as the previous one (in this photo) was just too damn loud (106 dB!). I’m also not really keen on the wheels, but I can’t justify changing them at the moment, since the tyres are reasonably new and I’ve got a mortgage :S

i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn97/daffyflyer/th_100B2150.jpg

I’d just like to point out me being faster than my housemate’s MR2 (yes… I know I’m behind it but not for long :stuck_out_tongue:)

Mind you he does have a much more stock MR2.

Was good fun at the track though, when it finaly came on boost it was pretty quick - was possibly a bit too low and stiff though and I did nearly understeer straight off a hairpin a few times in it under brakes :mrgreen:

Also, I love the way sitting in an MR2 makes you feel like you’re driving the offspring of an old ferrari and a spaceship, really brings out the 8yr old boy “THIS IS AWESOME” feelings

hahaha nice! where was that?

My brother had two mx-5’s, one fairly stock and one which had a lot of mods. It was a pretty fun car… felt like driving a grown-up pedalcar (in a good way) :slight_smile:
This was his: mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=29570
(and his car beforehand: i119.photobucket.com/albums/o128 … ild_21.jpg)

I would really like to take the MR2 to the track one day, but when I did have time the car had a few issues, and now it’s fixed I really haven’t had time!

One of the reasons I love it is that it feels really purposeful, like it was designed to be a sports car first, and anything else second. Although, having said that, it’s actually really easy to punt around like an econo-box if you want to (which is good, as it’s my daily!)

My wife is getting a 2011 Mazda 2, so my MR2 is probably going to turn into a weekend car. Still trying to decide what to do with it :wink:

Marulan Driver Training Centre - absolutly awesome track, really twisty, and to be honest MX5s beat most stuff around there, even big power skylines etc.

And hey, i’ve seen that MX5 on the MX5 cartalk forums before! :slight_smile:

I know I’m a little late, but I couldn’t miss the chance to congratulate you on your choice of car. I love the MR2, and it was right up there on my options list when I bought my 300ZX. Shame you got the slicktop though, t-tops are fantastic!
You do need to be careful, I’ve heard the snap-oversteer can be brutal, particularly on the earlier models before they changed the suspension.

I found the UNDERSTEER was the issue with them to be honest [size=85](when I nearly understeered my friends one straight off the track… twice :blush: [/size])

I actually looked at the 300ZX as well when I was shopping around, but couldn’t find one in good enough condition. I actually specifically wanted to get the hardtop (i.e. non-targa) version, as my last car had t-tops and I was sick of leaking seals! It also is a bit lighter and stiffer than the t-top version :smiley:

Yeah, the snap-oversteer is something that I am aware of, but havent experienced yet (thank god). As this is my first turbo car, and first RWD car that i’ve driven in 10 years, I’m driving pretty carefully :stuck_out_tongue:

Actually, the understeer is actually an issue, just because the car gives you so much confidence that i’ve often found myself coming onto a corner a bit too fast. Also, because of it’s reputation for snap-oversteer, your mind ‘forgets’ a bit about understeer :blush:

Oh, and i’ve just found out it’s got a boost leak… no wonder it doesn’t seem as fast as before! :frowning: