From: jdrout@scott.skidmore.edu (jonathan drout)
Subject: Life w/ my MR2 (long!) :)
Organization: Jonathan - the kid in the blue MR!
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 01:16:09 GMT


Hi there!
	Noticed some traffic referring to MR2s and thought I would
contribute my own MR life story.
	
	I purchased my 85 in the summer of 90 for 3K.  It had 70k
miles on it.  The car had been in an accident and needed a new rear
wheel bearing.  I also replaced the clutch, though not till 78000
miles.  I put Potenza's on it (all four wheels) before coming up to
Skidmore (read - Northcountry) this year.  The clutch was around
US$500, though I would have to check on that number to be exact (it
seems high, but that's what I remember).  I had the timing belt
replaced at the same time, so that may be the reason for the high
cost.
	
	As for the car - 
		1.6 Litre, 16 valve overhead cam, 116 hp (w/ the
better engine), appr 98 lb/ft torque, 5spd, 0-60 ~8.5 sec, runs to 120
with no problem, rev limited to that speed, 7250 rpm revlimiter in
other 4 gears that shuts off spark and injectors to save burning them
out, 4 wheel ind suspension (Macpherson struts all aorund), 4 wheel
disc brakes, manual brakes and steering (which is by rack&pinion).  

	Aside from those technical things, I have more fun in that car
than anything I have driven.  It has very neutral handling, and you
can under or oversteer on demand, depending on throttle and brake
applications in curves.  Driven properly, you'll never slide the car
and simply fly through curves.  Turn in in quick and precise, and the
steering has a smooth feel to it even in hard bouncy corners.
Low end torque is a little lacking, as is low end bhp, 
but once you learn the powerband and how to keep it there you'll have
no trouble with twisty backroads.  As far as interstate, it cruises
comfortably a almost any speed for long periods of time.  I just
returned from a trip to Virginia (1400 miles round trip with
incidental driving in Va included) and had no trouble with the car
other than a loose bulb on the interior lights and a rattle in the
tranny that mysteriously showed up for five or six miles driving
around town in Va. and then dissapeared.
	  I got 30-35 mpg on the trip, a little less coming
home b/c I drove VERY quick.  I was comfortable the entire 8 hours,
and only stopped twice.  The car was flawless on the Penn mountain
roads and the upstate NY hills.  It has plenty of power to pull away
from annoying drivers, and plenty of brakes to stop for morons who
cutoff drivers going over 75 without using a signal.

	Around town the car is even more fun.  The term pocket-rocket
defines this car.  No space is too small, no gap in traffic
unobtainable.  Off the line it flies, keeping up with cars much faster
in those short light to light sprints.  It holds enough groceries and
assorted stuff, even 8 ft lumbar with the sunroof in the trunk.  Plus,
the added fun of watching stupid gas station attendants open the nose
to check the oil :)
	I turn upward of 30 mpg around town, and have NO cold or hot
starting problems since I tightened my alternator belt at 95K miles.
Screw Toyota's intervals, however.  I go for new oil and filter every
2K (b/c I have so many miles, and lots at high rpm).  I change my
plugs every 12 months for the same reason.  I guess it is overkill,
but the little cost of it makes me feel better, and clean oil and
plugs is always safer.  One design problem is the seating of the spark
plugs.  The shape of the head allows grundge and dirt to build up
around them and is VERY hard to clean out.  
	The only unprecedented trouble I have had was the rupture of a
cooling gasket last month.  I had no tools where I was so I could not
do the labor myself.  Toyota labor rates are too high (IMHO) so get a
reliable mechanic.  The gasket was US$13 and no damage was done.  The
moral of this story is change some of the easy gaskets at about 90K if
they look worn or damaged.  YOu can check for small leaks when
checking coolant level.  If the level is changing in the reserve,
chances are there is some problem.  I should have looked!
	As for wet performance, it is merely a matter of using your
brain.  The rear end will come out sideways if you drive foolishly,
and you have to keep that in mind.  On interstates I once ran 110 in a
thunderstorm with no trouble due to wet traction.  However, the road
was TOTALLY deserted, and I would not recommend this to anyone b/c of
safety concerns (braking takes a lot longer in the rain with such a
light car).  In the snow the car must be babied, and don't be afraid
to use the ebrake to bring the read around if necessary.  The rule is
like all other cars: just go slow and you should be fine.  I have
chains for the Saratoga snow, and they help the tires get me up hills,
etc.
	I take the car to college, and transport quite a bit (last
semester I got my Mac, my stereo, my skiing eq, clothing, books, and
ice hockey eq in the car in one run.  Don't plan on a passenger if you
have to haul a lot of stuff.  

	I hope I haven't forgotten anything.
	Mail any questions to me at

	jdrout@scott.skidmore.edu
		Good luck w/ your MR2s.
			Jonathan Drout