*WANTED* 1989-1990 MK1 Mint

[magicrising]

Hi,

I am looking for a MK1, but I want a minter. Something I don't have to touch.

Must be 100% original and A1 condition
Totally rust free & preferably undersealed
Prefer white or red
Prefer T Bar
Prefer leather
Full service history
100% mechanics

Does this car exist?

Please PM me or leave your details. Many thanks

[coverco]

A totally rust free 20 year old car with full service history !!! Good luck :+:

[Kateg28]

It is possible for a renovated one but you have stated 100% Original.

I think you may need to be a little bit more flexible. If you went for a properly restored car you will find one that satisfies all the other requirements. But 100% original rust free with FSH? I doubt you will find it.

[kolby82]

if this car does exist how much are you willing to pay, cos I think it would be considerably pricey! :shock:

[magicrising]

When I say original I mean, no aftermarket 17" alloys, engine conversions, furry dice etc..

Restored, fine.

Will pay for a good one.

[mr2mk1chick]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1986-TOYOTA-MR2-M ... 013wt_1059 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1986-TOYOTA-MR2-MK1-AW11-ONLY-22000-MILES-FTSH-/290534115546?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item43a52ec8da#ht_5013wt_1059)

I wouldn't bother being too specific with the date/age, as the are all 'old' now.
There are sometimes some super low milers (read as very pricey) ones that crop up, such as the one listed.
The thing is with these is they deppreciate one you start 'using' them

[Jak_01]

Hello,
Erm well it doesnt have leather, t-bar and not red or white but! this MR2 does look sorted and apparently has full service history and looks like a minter ("extensively rebuilt"). I really like the look of it and if I have the money I would defo get one like this (I prefer MK1A's :+: ).

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1985-TOYOTA-MR2-M ... 2c5af7b9f5 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1985-TOYOTA-MR2-MK1-SILVER-/190504745461?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2c5af7b9f5)

Thanks
Jack

[magicrising]

Thanks for the links.

I saw the silver one at the weekend & drove it, and this is what made me decide to go for a later MK1, not the MK1A. It just felt VERY dated. I don't get the 'dated' feeling from the later model. The respray wasn't too hot either.

Is the red one 22k miles a MK1A? (i.e. wheels / 2 tone seats) though its got colour coded skirts. I would buy that at closer to £3.5k if later model but the bloke wants no less than £3995 which is why its been up for sale for months. There is another red '88 with 33k miles up for £4995, but this won't sell in a million years at that price.

[Jak_01]

@magicrising
The 22k one does look very nice and is a MK1A (hence the two tone seats and MK1A wheels etc). Heres another few links worth a look at:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2463431.htm
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C213739/
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C195758/

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2536017.htm (not quite perfect).

Thanks
Jack :+:

[magicrising]

Thanks very much Jack. :+:

The red D reg looks great. Have sent an enquiry - didn't know about that website.

The white/silver MK1A has virtually no history, I had enquired previously - but it seems to have had some extensive work done to it. Would the 'no history' make it difficult to resell?

Thanks for the help all. Its amazing what you can find when you turn over a few stones!

[mr2mk1chick]

I saw the silver one at the weekend & drove it, and this is what made me decide to go for a later MK1, not the MK1A. It just felt VERY dated. I don't get the 'dated' feeling from the later model.
what 'felt' dated? do you mean exterior or interior, i'm not sure what you mean. the mk1a engine map is actually nicer to drive - free'er revving etc. apart from the look of the car there is no real difference.
the red 22k is not a mk1a - its a crossover. it has 1a interior (which is seats, door cards, and indicator/light stalks different) and has 1b exterior (colour coded, triangle wheels etc) so i can't tell which bits you don't like. the car would be ideal for your spec.

[oukie]

I saw the silver one at the weekend & drove it, and this is what made me decide to go for a later MK1, not the MK1A. It just felt VERY dated. I don't get the 'dated' feeling from the later model.
what 'felt' dated? do you mean exterior or interior, i'm not sure what you mean. the mk1a engine map is actually nicer to drive - free'er revving etc. apart from the look of the car there is no real difference.
the red 22k is not a mk1a - its a crossover. it has 1a interior (which is seats, door cards, and indicator/light stalks different) and has 1b exterior (colour coded, triangle wheels etc) so i can't tell which bits you don't like. the car would be ideal for your spec.


But crossover cars are mk1a's with sideskirts Jo.


You might get one with the 7 rib block but blue top head but the rest is pretty much mk1a.

The difference when you get in to them is massive and I MEAN really into them, it really surprised me at just how much they did change .

[magicrising]

I saw the silver one at the weekend & drove it, and this is what made me decide to go for a later MK1, not the MK1A. It just felt VERY dated. I don't get the 'dated' feeling from the later model.

What 'felt' dated?!

- black bumpers
- black wing mirrors
- manual aerial
- massive radio knobs
- chunky heating levers
- exposed metal on steering wheel
- black strips on headlights
- black sections to side skirts
- corduroy type upholstery
- long indicator stalks

It felt like Life on Mars. Maybe Stephen Duffy's 'Kiss Me' would boom out of that massive radio. Hope I'm not offending Mk1A owners! Funny thing is, when I was 16 in 1984/5, I worked in a warehouse and the owner had a brand new B reg MK1A. I had to clean it every day as soon as he arrived, rain or shine. It had special gold coach lines and was bright white. I was allowed to drive it out of the warehouse and back in again to park it outside his office, and every day I wished I owned it. I've have had 5 MR2's since.

[superwhite90]

You still get long indicator stalks on the mk1b, black wing mirrors, chunky heater levers, massive radio knobs.

If you don't want to feel like life on mars, then maybe the mk1 is the wrong car for you? Its just my opinion, please dont think im being rude, but you can't get a mk1 without all the bits you dont like lol

[magicrising]

You still get long indicator stalks on the mk1b, black wing mirrors, chunky heater levers, massive radio knobs.

If you don't want to feel like life on mars, then maybe the mk1 is the wrong car for you? Its just my opinion, please dont think im being rude, but you can't get a mk1 without all the bits you dont like lol

....I'd say the radio is a lot more up to date, the heating controls are mostly push button LED and like I say, I've had 5 MR2 Mk1b but didn't recall the Mk1A as being so dated until I went in one at the weekend.

[mr2mk1chick]

^^ fair enough! I love both :+: prefer the 1a engine revs/map
if you find the right car you can change the interior easy enough.
The link i sent i thought had colour coded bumpers rather than black? i can't remember?
i thought it was pretty much 1b from the outside....

you are fussy! LOL ;) :lol:

[mk1 dal]

hi, i prefer the mk1 A over the B ,its more raw in design with a true retro classic interior , and is lighter and faster than the mk1 B , after all these cars are now classic and dated anyway but at the end of the day its down to personal taste . the white over silver car for sale was my car i built for tatton show , its total mint and drives beatify and the only mk1 i regret selling even over the supercharger i sold , so its worth a look ,Neil who is selling it is gutted to sell it ,he rung me up to tell me he was putting it up for sale ( genuine reason for sale ) . has to the history of this car it was lost , it did belong to a rich land owner who sold it to the lad i got it off ( who didn't have a clue about cars never mind the mk1 ) . the car is 100% genuine ( have restored enough now to now )


better pics of car when i sold it ,and it hasn't changed i put it through the mot for him 4 months ago and it flew through , he hasn't driven it much since .
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2011/03/Picture242-1.jpg

http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2011/03/Picture243-1.jpg

http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2011/03/Picture256-1.jpg


http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2011/03/Picture257-1.jpg


http://www.mr2mk1club.com/images/imported/2011/03/Picture245-1.jpg




good luck in your mk1 search

gary :+:

[Jimbo_Jet]

What 'felt' dated?!

- black bumpers
- black wing mirrors
- manual aerial
- massive radio knobs
- chunky heating levers
- exposed metal on steering wheel
- black strips on headlights
- black sections to side skirts
- corduroy type upholstery
- long indicator stalks



House's for courses I suppose, because they are a few of the reasons why I prefer MK1a's having now owned both. Let's embrace the fact that we're driving cars that are now, by and large, a quarter of a century old! :lol:

The black trim does date them more certainly but I really like it in a retro way very much as I feel it better suits a car that originated in the 70's. The classic wedge shaped style I think benefits from the black trim to better define the perimeter - if I even get another can't help but think that I want a gleaming white MK1a with all the black trim which looks straight from 1979 and the Spy Who Loved Me/Lotus Esprit era. Hey, but that's just me! ;)

Good luck with the hunt! Will loved to see what you find :+:

[superwhite90]

I know you said you feel about the mk1a but this one is in very good condition, mint apparently

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1985-TOYOTA-MK1-M ... 19c2476269 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1985-TOYOTA-MK1-MR2-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-THROUGHOUT-/110633640553?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item19c2476269)

[magicrising]

Thanks for that. That is a lovely looking car - I may go and look at this one as the condition is so good.

[david cropley]

Hi. I have a mint '88 white t-bar with perfectly retrimmed leather seats (perforated in the centres, as per original). I've just fully restored the car, a winter project (bodywork/spraying is my trade of 23 years). It has been done with 100% originallity in mind. New wings, arches, sill ends, rear lower corners & front bumper bar. Original decals applied. It is gorgeous! Only 88k, mechanically perfect also. Fully serviced & ready to go. I'm not asking silly money for it, but i'm also not giving it away (i've put about 150 hours into it, at a paltry £20 an hour that's £3000 in labour alone! Seats cost £700 when i had them retrimmed, & spent about £600 on parts & paint).
I really think you'll be hard pushed to find better. Tel 07739309373 if you fancy a peak. ;)

[magicrising]

I didn't think finding an MK1 would get me so confused!
My 4 tick boxes are;
1) Low miles (i.e. less than 85k)
2) A1 condition
3) max £3k
4) low amount of keepers (everyone tells me to avoid high amount of keepers as these cars can be problematic.

Is original paint desirable over a resprayed vehicle? Does 8 years in between a service matter, even if little miles covered?

What should I be paying? There are only about 3 cars in the country upwards of £3k and I'm worried this is too much in case I ever need to resell?

Help!

[Kateg28]

4) low amount of keepers (everyone tells me to avoid high amount of keepers as these cars can be problematic.


May I ask who "everyone" is? I don't think of these cars as problematic. My last car had 4 previous keepers, I was the fifth (I think, it may have been 5 and I was the 6th). 5 keepers over 20 years is okay.

I think the servicing is much more important but the problem with that is many owners service it themselves so there is no 'evidence'. I would rather buy an enthusiasts car than someone who just owns one.

[Monkeymax]

4) low amount of keepers (everyone tells me to avoid high amount of keepers as these cars can be problematic.

Is original paint desirable over a resprayed vehicle? Does 8 years in between a service matter, even if little miles covered?

On the low number of keepers; I thought the same. Mine has had 6 keepers prior to me if I remember right, and this was a little higher than I originally wanted. Then again, it was 18 when I bought it, so for the number of years that wasn't too bad. And it's not really caused me problems in the end at all (even with a lack of service history, but then I broke a fair few of my requirements for the car when i bought my MR2, but it was the right one for various other reasons).

8 years in between a service isn't great as things still age - i.e. it should still really have a new cam belt and alternator belt, etc, as these all should be replaced around every 5 years if I remember right. However, if it's since been driven more regularly by the current owner, then hoepfully all the niggles of sitting around with such little use for so long should have been sorted out.
Also depends how it was stored in between usage. For various reasons mine didn't do a mile for a year and a half while I was doing other work on it, etc. I still started it fairly often, rotated the wheels, etc. Didn't have any problems after that...

[magicrising]

...someone who has approached me has 13 previous keepers on their car. People I have spoken to (enthusiasts, specialist servicing, specialist renovation etc..) all say avoid a car with this many keepers.

[Richard79]

Hello. How goes the search?

I am very sadly having to consider parting with my white '88 T-Bar (E-Reg) after losing it's storage. I've had the car almost three years and have had it garaged for the winters or when not in regular use. It's getting MOT'd at the end of the week after having a 'sticky handbrake cable' adjusted. No other problems reported.

Having looked at your list of requirements it may not tick them all but it might be worth a look:
- 52K with most of it's service history.
- The V5 states six former keepers (Inc the one before me).
- Excellent condition. No rust anywhere (well, not that I can find).
- Completely original (Original Toyota radio, decals, roof slides & bags, jack, spare, tools).
- Blue cloth interior. No rips or stains (Slight wear on gear lever cover)

I really don't want to sell but the loss of garage will almost certainly see the car start to deteriorate- Plus, I hardly ever get to drive it these days- So I'd rather see her go to a good home. I'll be asking for £2500.

If you've found a good one - Happy motoring!
In the meanwhile - Happy hunting!

[magicrising]

Hello. How goes the search?

I am very sadly having to consider parting with my white '88 T-Bar (E-Reg) after losing it's storage. I've had the car almost three years and have had it garaged for the winters or when not in regular use. It's getting MOT'd at the end of the week after having a 'sticky handbrake cable' adjusted. No other problems reported.

Having looked at your list of requirements it may not tick them all but it might be worth a look:
- 52K with most of it's service history.
- The V5 states six former keepers (Inc the one before me).
- Excellent condition. No rust anywhere (well, not that I can find).
- Completely original (Original Toyota radio, decals, roof slides & bags, jack, spare, tools).
- Blue cloth interior. No rips or stains (Slight wear on gear lever cover)

I really don't want to sell but the loss of garage will almost certainly see the car start to deteriorate- Plus, I hardly ever get to drive it these days- So I'd rather see her go to a good home. I'll be asking for £2500.

If you've found a good one - Happy motoring!
In the meanwhile - Happy hunting!

PM'd you, thanks

[coverco]

I didn't think finding an MK1 would get me so confused!
My 4 tick boxes are;
1) Low miles (i.e. less than 85k)
2) A1 condition
3) max £3k
4) low amount of keepers (everyone tells me to avoid high amount of keepers as these cars can be problematic.

Is original paint desirable over a resprayed vehicle? Does 8 years in between a service matter, even if little miles covered?

What should I be paying? There are only about 3 cars in the country upwards of £3k and I'm worried this is too much in case I ever need to resell?

Help!

1) A 20 year old car with 85000 miles on the clock means it has done on average 4250 miles per year. That is unlikely unless it has been sat around doing nothing for a lot of its life, this is bad for any car.
2) Not sure what A1 condition is it is too subjective, your idea of A1 would probably differ to everyone else.
3) Sellers want as much for their cars as they can get, it is up to the buyer to decide whether the car is worth buying.
4) The number of keepers is a good measure but it can be very misleading. Mk1 MR2's are often bought as a summer car and then sold on so 6 keepers over 20 years is not ridiculous.

Automotive paint will deteriorate over time so a car that has been resprayed properly should be better than original.

Finally if resale value is important to you then I would suggest you don't buy an MR2 Mk1, they may increase in value in the future but then again they may not. They are great cars to drive but no one I know has ever bought one as an investment :+:

[magicrising]

1) A 20 year old car with 85000 miles on the clock means it has done on average 4250 miles per year. That is unlikely unless it has been sat around doing nothing for a lot of its life, this is bad for any car.
2) Not sure what A1 condition is it is too subjective, your idea of A1 would probably differ to everyone else.
3) Sellers want as much for their cars as they can get, it is up to the buyer to decide whether the car is worth buying.
4) The number of keepers is a good measure but it can be very misleading. Mk1 MR2's are often bought as a summer car and then sold on so 6 keepers over 20 years is not ridiculous.

Automotive paint will deteriorate over time so a car that has been resprayed properly should be better than original.

Finally if resale value is important to you then I would suggest you don't buy an MR2 Mk1, they may increase in value in the future but then again they may not. They are great cars to drive but no one I know has ever bought one as an investment :+:

There seems to be plenty of low mileage cars around, but I've seen some right dogs with only 48k on the clock so perhaps this isn't the be all and end all. I agree with you re pricing, but there must be some benchmarks i.e. is £3400 for a mint 1989 with re trimmed leather, FSH, 4 owners too much? Resale value is only important because my business is very up and down and if it ever comes to it, I might have to sell it to pay the mortgage!. I am a petrolhead, recently given up biking, and need something to indulge myself in at weekends - I love valeting cars and driving. I've had a few MR2's (the last Mk1b in 1997) most recently a MK3b that had the personality of a wet fish.....

Regarding the number of owners, I've been approached with a superb car but has had 13 previous keepers.

Condition wise, I want a rust free car with a very clean interior. I've got a few cars on the shortlist at the moment. But they keep on coming!

[jonnie]

Personally, I wouldn't pay £3500 for a MK1, even if it is in "A1" condition.

But then, everyone has a different opinion and will pay what they want to pay. Someone out there will pay £3500 for a mint MK1, but it might take a while for that someone to appear - so forking it out and then expecting to get that money back on resale isn't such a great idea if you're potentially going to be in a hurry to sell.

We all like to see a nice wad of paperwork and receipts when buying a car, but seeing that they are all over 20 years old now, it's pretty common for a lot of it to have been lost along the way. Obviously FSH is nice to have, but it doesn't actually guarantee anything, especially on cars of this age. There is always going to be the chance that something will break sooner or later.

Good luck with your hunt.

[superwhite90]

There is a fully restored white t-bar on ebay at the moment with 88k if your interested

[magicrising]

There is a fully restored white t-bar on ebay at the moment with 88k if your interested

Thank you for that. This is the car with 13 previous keepers that I've mentioned in some earlier posts. I had a look a couple of days ago and the parts of the car that have been done are superb but no bonnet/roof/boot respray meant that to me, the car looked mis-matched.

That along with the 13 keepers put me off, so I'm still looking.

[superwhite90]

Ahh I didnt know that was the one you were talking about.

Shame mine isnt mint, as im the 3rd owner :+:

[FossMan]

This one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0580573774 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150580573774)

I'm sure the seller is on here. Looks brilliant. :+:

[magicrising]

This one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0580573774 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150580573774)

I'm sure the seller is on here. Looks brilliant. :+:



That's the one with 13 keepers. He got a very good price for it.