What is it like to own my MR2 TRD 2000gt project?
Once you’ve read “project”, you can think about a track car, a restored car or a show car. This is a little bit of the three…
Once you’ve read “project”, you can think about a track car, a restored car or a show car. This is a little bit of the three…
Let’s begin with form and add some function. The TRD 2000GT widebody kit is merely the “form” part of the car. It was a tough decision buying the kit and installing it. Why? The photos all over the web don’t look that good to me and I have the only 1998 MR2 in Perú. It widens the car by 2 inches. After 4 months of hard work, the looks are amazing. Worth it.
The restoration was done in the interior; it’s not quite finished but it looks good. It has a couple of details that came from Japan: “MR2” badge in the shifter surround and “Twin Cam” badge at the bottom of the rear window. Classy. Engine is a standard 3rd-gen 3sgte and running 10psi (factory psi is 11). Blitz BOV and manual boost controller. Nothing else is needed.
The only things that are performance oriented are the Yellowsport coilovers. It handles like heaven compared to the 95 g-limited MR2 I have. Federal RS-Rs give a decent amount of grip for daily and track use. This car doesn’t help for autocross use but it gives tons of fun. I’ve owned ‘98 WRX, ‘05 STI, AE86, MR2 AW11, ‘11 Boxster Spyder and this MR2 gives me the most smiles for the buck.
As a daily it’s amazing, breaks necks in every corner and even the police just see me fly by or give thumbs up to the car. I don’t care about mpg (or kpg as is used here). Sunny day = t-tops out and the joy of driving listening to the 4pot turbo music.
Trackdays are fun as hell as I already said. I can’t keep up my times with GT86s, Elises and STIs with Hoosiers, ok. I don’t care. I like to drive, period. I drive my car hard. I know what it’s capable of and what it’s not. It’s not the best performance car, the weight transfer is awful, the turbo is laggy, but I won’t sell this beauty. I’ve been offered US$25k. I said no. If I sell this, I can buy a ‘91, but never again a ‘98 being this the only one here.
I think cars are meant for driving. If you want something to look at, go buy a poster, a painting or a scale model.
Comments
Hermoso MR2, me imagino como habra sido el colocar el kit y luego pintarlo. D:
Pintarlo fue rápido, una semana en la cabina y se hizo con mucho detalle. Instalar el kit si fue un dolor de cabeza pero valió la pena :D
Great article!, I’m considering saving up for an MR2. Anything I should know/look out for when getting an MR2?
Thanks!
Ok, I spent 4 years looking for the correct MR2 (yes, four), so here are my two cents:
1) Exterior: Look for rust on the lower part of both doors. If it’s a t-top, pour some water on it to test some leaking (really common issue). For God’s sake, check the undercarriage for rust and damage.
2) Interior: Rattling is expected. Check for missing parts and availability in your area (in Perú is almost impossible to find something and you can’t import used parts).
3) Mechanical: Clutch pedal is squeaky, every MR2 owner knows it and learns to live with it (lol). Check for the usual things in the engine. Check the correct functioning of the radiator fan and the SMI in the turbo version (overheating could be a major issue). I wouldn’t buy a tuned MR2 or a swapped one, I’m just not a fan of it.
I hope this helps you a little.
Great article! I was consdering a sw20 mr2 but I got an AE86 instead, I got scared if the snap-oversteer tendency, now I know I was an idiot :(
The “snap oversteer” is the way the MR2 tells you that you can’t have mistakes. Just get a 93+ model, buy some tw140 wheels and it’s ok to have fun (disclaimer: not that fun in rain, very dangerous). AE86 are fun as hell but YOU MUST track an MR2. The looks and the driving experience are a powerful combination in this car. I’ve even tracked my 95 (G Limited, NA, automatic) and it was amazing.
That’s super clean. I love it!
Not as clean as I would like to, but I’ll get there. Thanks!
wow, that’s one brutal sw20! great work man, absolutely love it! I planned on getting the TRD kit but my “neighbour” beat me to it so I decided not to make another TRD replica.. .. We’ll see what the future brings :) Here’s a pic of my neighbours TRD replica
Nice one. Not a fan of the two tone but it looks clean :D
What a first car. Congrats!
and i missed this post??
one hell of a Two man, massive rrspect from Croatia!