Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Will give him a bell. DAB would be nice actually...

How fucked is the engine ;)

The upgrade to the Celica engine the added 50hp makes it closer to the MK1 in terms of fun imo.

Noisy. Uncomfortable. Impractical.

I love it.

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The fun is in the handling not the power.

Anyway a car that is a fraction faster than a first generation 911 is fine by me.

Love it

Odd you find the car uncomfortable, I found the standard seats quite good.

Mine needed another engine so decided to go the Celica route as finding decent engines was difficult and the Celica one are cheaper.

Tho I did look for the supercharger version but that was way out of what I was willing to spend.

What's your advice on the 2ZZ engine refit? Like, where did you get it, what were the problems, how much did it cost, what was it like after you got it?

The engines blocks are the same, so is a straight swap. Didn't have much choice, as finding a MR2 engine block/engine was difficult as they are also used in the elise which seems to get blown up a lot. Tho I looked and there are a lot of damaged block/liner engines as the sleves are composite lined in an aluminium cast block.

I got the front of a Celica that had been rolled. But had heard the engine running and done a compression test so the engine was good. The engine ECU were a straight swap. There was an issue with built in immobiliser but that was solved by reprogramming the key in the car. That lot cost me £500 delivered (not to London) and guy came back to collect the scrap, fancied fitting the 6 speed box but wasn't sure if it was damaged as there was a lot of suspension damage

Did all the work myself over odd weekends over time, needed help to get the body off the engine as I dropped the whole lot out of the bottom as I intended to replace suspension with Gaz adjustables and do all the bushes but that idea died a death as I had an offer of second hand Gaz shocks from a mk3 race car but the shocks weren't a straight swap and would need revalving for road use so didn't happen. Also remember that the upgraded anti roll bars were something like 18mm.

Once engine swapped MOT and ran for a couple of weeks and then it was sold. Chap turned up paid cash and didn't even haggle.

Have had a MK1 and 2 MR2 and the mk3 was the closest I had to to the MK1. Lots of fun and eager. Think I wanted a cheap reliable Elise, but have a soft spot for the MK1 t bar.

My Giulietta looking shiny in Sainsburys car park

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Have this for a few days as my A4 is stuck on a ramp (snapped bolt, unable to remove), had to double check the mileage on it as it only had 60 miles. Such a bore to drive, don't really see the appeal in the shape either.

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🥰

Man, the engine note on this car is amazing, it sounds like an aeroplane. Just driven up to Mount Coolum to stay the night and it was a joy of a trip, even with not great brakes.

It's a funny little car, I love it more every day.

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Not Waitrose.

Love it, glad it's working out! BTW, I used to live right behind Mt. Coolum. Was great growing up there. We rode out BMX bikes everywhere there... Deserted beaches, into Coolum town etc. all back roads... Our parents had no idea!

Did you really?? Lucky chap, it's so beautiful here. My OH wants to move this way, if we can afford it we'll do it!

Crikey that sounds compliqué. I can barely change a light bulb, let alone an engine.

Although to be honest I did buy the MR2 with a view to upgrading (with professional help, obvs) so wasn't really bothered about the state of the engine, I was looking at bodywork and interior. But so far and despite my best efforts the car refuses to go wrong in any way. The only problem which came with the car was high speed vibration and that was solved by Road Force wheel balancing on a Hunter machine (£39).

I do wonder how the car would cope with all that extra power but when the day comes I'm going to try it anyway.

Yep, Lagoda Drive. Was great. I bet it's changed since I was there last... Probably 1995....

I've spent a lot of time in a 1zz MK3, some time in a 2zz MK3 and a tiny bit of time in a 2gr (V6) MK3 and in my humble opinion, the 1zz is plenty if you upgrade the handing package.

Bracing, bushes, suspension, and diff will all help you exploit more of what the 1zz has to give, and for me the best interior upgrade is ditching the lower dash panel (bit underneath the dash in the middle). It then has an interior like an Elise or an older 911 and it feels much roomier inside.

Tnx. Never thought about the dash mod, it could certainly use some more room.

Car when I got it had already had all bushes recently done and new 30mm lowered suspension, I don't think any stiffer than it already is would be advisable! Best thing I did was the Road Force wheel balancing, that really transformed things. I also replaced the tatty original vinyl roof with a fabric one, it just looks better.

How come I can't find any images of this dash mod?

Dunno, I'll ask my mate to see if he's got a pic on hand

had the (2011) golf into the garage for a service - mechanic says underside is ridiculous. immaculate. still has factory stickers on and he was pulling out bolts that looked like they’d been put in yesterday. benefits of lack of salt on japanese roads and japanese drivers babying their cars, I suppose…

Looking lovely as ever . I still regret not having that for myself.
L&M are still looking after my cars and remapped my Abarth recently.
Sadly now my GTV has gone I am Alfa-less for the first time in 15 years,

thanks - had to get a new turbo for it last year (£2k ish) and now the clutch is on its last legs. Which may ease your regret slightly. But it still puts a smile on my face

Best pic I can find on my mate's insta

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGn0gnkH0zX/?igsh=Nm91Znl0dXpyanox