3 Years with a MK3 MR2 - Not as cheap as you'd think!!

[@SteveAshdown]

It rarely pays to renovate a car compared to buying a mint one but it is a really rewarding experience. I’ve spent more than I needed to on my MR2 and it’s been worth every penny. You do need to add a front strut and mid under brace to your list, it transforms the car.

[@midlifemotors5050]

Can’t argue with any of that 👍 Oh, and that for the tip.

[@wards36]

I absolutely adore my MR2, only done 35k miles and its my absolute pride and joy. Can't put a price on the happiness I get out of mine. Love the video again mate!

[@midlifemotors5050]

35k, wow, that’s a keeper. Thanks for tuning in 👍

[@BlackLines]

The way I look at it is you've got a perfectly running, reliable, fun to drive, cool looking rear-wheel drive, mid-engined, manual roadster with usable power for only ~6 grand. No monthlies, reasonable on fuel.... that's a long list of nice things for the money.

[@midlifemotors5050]

Yup, you’re right. Just think the total was a bit more than expected 😳 Still a great little car and 6 grand really does get you very little these days, madness!!

[@fatkev1983]

JSPEC are great! Recently bought a front strut brace, went over to pick it up and the guys fitted it for me. They have always been so good to talk to, especially for getting advice. Still have a TTE style bar from them to fit (with trimmed plastics included). As for the stereo, I found a unit from China that you can plug into the stock head unit CD changer socket. Gives you Bluetooth music and handsfree phone and controlled from the head unit. Was only £40. But, the head unit is the weak point if you are going for sound quality and volume, so I don't blame you for moving to a mode modern single DIN item that gives Bluetooth. I drove mine back last night from a friend's house on a rather twisty notorious section of the A71 between South Lanarkshire and East Ayrshire... great fun.

[@midlifemotors5050]

They are brilliant, and only 10 mins away 😀 The roads around Ayrshire are almost made for MR2s/MX5s, it’s great 😎

[@AndyfromSurrey]

I have just started on this journey. Bought a low miles virtually rust free example for 4k. Didn’t need as much doing as yours. Refurbished wheels myself, fitted new tyres, serviced it, new rear pads & NSR calliper & used headlight from J-spec & it’s now driving great. Not really needed but always thought they were to quiet so sports exhaust & also manifold to eliminate the potential pre cat issues. Next to do is rust prevention, renovate leather seats, paint correction, and also rear bumper lower needs attention, will have a go myself over winter. Front lower brace from J-spec due today. My suspension is all good, but will no doubt get done at some point. But want to enjoy it this summer now. What you can’t put a price on is the enjoyment & satisfaction that I have had from working on my MR2. Loved every minute of this, even dealing with the odd seized bolt 😂

[@midlifemotors5050]

Good stuff, enjoy 👍 Great cars for the diy mechanic and j-spec are brilliant. It’s the crappy handbrake that always gets me 🫣

[@kevinmcg6747]

Remember money is only useful when it delivers memorable experiences - I think you will have those with your MR2 - call it your fun investment project 😊. Kevin.

[@midlifemotors5050]

Excellent reasoning, thanks 👍😎

[@jamesst1809]

What a great quote that is love it 😊

[@mattrobbo141]

Love the MR2 videos, ive got a 2001 which I'm fixing up. Yours is fantastic, still a great car even for 6k.

[@midlifemotors5050]

Great cars to work on, learnt so much doing ours. Thanks for tuning in 👍

[@vltruan]

The Mrs was rated better than the Miata back when it was released. The Techno Pro Spirit car from Japan just shows what this chassis is capable of. It was also a low production offering from Toyota. I have one here in the states, mine is K24 swapped. I wouldn't trade it for anything especially a typical MX-5. I see at least 20 a day here, lol.

[@midlifemotors5050]

Very true, plenty of MX5s here in Scotland too (we even have one 😂). I’d like to compare our 2 with a Mazda of the same era. Both great cars but here in the uk all MX5s of that age rust like mad!!

[@flanners41]

Shows the difference between the cheaper end of the MR2 market for a modern classics or picking the wrong one...bodywork rust hood oil/engine issues handbrake/rear calipers the bigger one's...will be great when you finish. £ for fun almost unbeatable!

[@CarBore]

Nearly 7K in 2 years? Thats positively cheap! You've made a good choice 😂Say it all the time as well you'll never get the cash back but its about the smiles per mile after all cheesey as anything but it's true.

[@midlifemotors5050]

It’s been ok tbh. I do love the simplicity of cars from this era, very refreshing. You doing ok? Missing the live streams

[@CarBore]

@@midlifemotors5050 oh absolutely the less computer systems the better mixed in with actual access to parts in the bay… can’t be beaten! I’m doing alright sir it’s been a bit of an adjustment this year so far with job change and everything Mrs is the same starting to get into a bit of a rhythm with it now hopefully get back on track in a few weeks 🤞(you’ll be the only one missing the lives apart from me and maybe Rhys 😂) Don’t think we’ll be able to do those often this year if at all tbh my daughters at home more these weekends less granny time and all that so house is manic. Will need to wait till we buy somewhere bigger I think 😬 Will you be going to any or many meets this year? Thinking if I get my act together I’ll maybe hit a few.

[@midlifemotors5050]

@@CarBore Sounds good, onwards and upwards 👍 Heading to the tartan tarmac/focus ST meet at Loch Lomond on the 7th April. How’s the 5?? Seems the mk4s rust just as well 😳🤣

[@CarBore]

@@midlifemotors5050 I’ll hopefully have an update on that in the next few weeks 👀

[@gzk6nk]

If you've got an MX5, why on earth would you want an MR2?

[@restless-ghost]

you've got that backwards mate :)

[@collinwaugh939]

are you crazy ! i had a mx5 nc 2008 a lot of fun to drive a complete rot box was rusty as an old Datsun underneath garage said it would not pass next years mot and said they have had a lot of really rusty mx5s in !! swapped it for a mr2 mk3 2003 even more fun to drive what other reliable cheap mid engine rear wheel drive car can you get for the money !! plus zero rust on the car !!

[@gzk6nk]

@@restless-ghost There's only one superb lightweight sports car on the market, and it ain't the Toyota! There's a reason the MX5 is still a top seller in its 4th iteration, while the Toyota has been history for decades.

[@gzk6nk]

@@collinwaugh939 I had 2007 NC from new and traded it in 2021 for an ND2. It was sound as a pound after 14 years as my daily driver, nothing ever went wrong with it, and it never got any MOT advisories, and always lived outside. Did you take yours into the sea? 🙃

[@BlackLines]

The MX-5 is not mid-engined. Different driving experiences.

[@vgama]

That's ridiculous cheap in European money 😅