90 Toyota MR2

[Deutscher]

Hi,

Well I've just brought my 1990 Toyota MR2 non turbo. In the ad it was advertised as having 73,xxx kms on the clock.... After I've paid for it and everything from a auction place.. My GF took my car for a drive and inspected it and saw it was actually 173,xxx not 73,xxx! the 1 was hidden from view! (prob on purpose) :@ !! I paid $6000 for it. Bet the salesman knew! Stupid you buy as is and where is. Can't do anything nymore. Guess was too excited to finally get a MR2 and believed it had only 73,xxx kms.

Learnt my lesson, don't rush an inspection, get someone else to check aswell!

Hate buying cars, pay your money and then finding out stuff is wrong with it. Ill take it to Toyota to get a full service done and see what else awaits me.

Atleast the paint is in pretty good condition, and I found out there are 2x 10" Alpine Type S subs and Alpine DD Linear speakers which neither I or the sales guy knew.

Wonder what other suprises are in store.

Suppose it wasn't that big of a loss. On Carsales, 91 SW20 MR2's selling between $9000-$12,420, around same Km's. Only difference is they are Turbo.

I was after a stock MR2, pref non-turbo. Just for fuel consumption. I don't need the power. I can only do 100kms anyway.

[fkford]

you still didn't get ripped off, but in saying that you didn't get the best deal.. just an average sale in my opinion. Fun car to drive and they go like stick around the corners (Y)

[Deutscher]

Well here's some pics of my new MR2.

Paid $6,000.

It's none turbo.

Also has Alpine DD Linear speakers in the doors.

[MasterOfReality]

Man, if it was advertised as having 73,XXX on the clock, and in reality is has 173,XXX on the clock, I'd be kicking up a hell of a stink.

This wouldn't be a case as purchasing as is - it was falsely advertised.

I wouldn't take this one lying down.

Salesman is probably laughing his ass off at his own cunning.

[Deutscher]

Man, if it was advertised as having 73,XXX on the clock, and in reality is has 173,XXX on the clock, I'd be kicking up a hell of a stink.

This wouldn't be a case as purchasing as is - it was falsely advertised.

I wouldn't take this one lying down.

Salesman is probably laughing his ass off at his own cunning.

The thing is, it was from an auction, the guy doesn't know anything about the bloody cars! We didn't know how to open the engine bonnet.

But isn't it the same if you buy privately.. they're ad says in good mechanical order.. you dont notice something and buy it.. find out things are stuffed later.. you can't take it back and say false advertising. Unless you go legal action.. but wouldnt be worth a $6000 car.

They've got signs up saying as is, where is. It's my fault for not picking up on it. I've kicked myself over it and learnt my lesson. But considering all, it's not a bad deal imo. Finding one is hard enough and then they all want 8k for them.

[MasterOfReality]

What about if you can produce the original advertisement that says it has 73k on it?

Yeah, auctions are buy as is, but something simple like the odometer shouldn't be hard to get right unless they were trying to hide something.

I'd be seeking the opinion of the department of fair trading or similar.

Edit - re your example about privately bought second hard cars. Small things are enough to let slide, but if I bought a car privately that had tampered or hidden the true odometer reading, I'd be wanting a refund quick smart. Reminds me of that movie The Big Steal......

I'm not trying to detract from your purchase, its a nice car and sounds like a reasonable buy, but a 100,000km discrepancy in the advertisement is just toooo big to let slide in my opinion.

[Deutscher]

By looking at the engine picture.

Can anyone tell me what engine that would be?

I'm thinking it's a 3S-GE engine but maybe 3S-FE. Reason I'm not sure. According to Wikipedia.

Japan received three trim-levels;

G-Limited with a NA 2.0L 3S-GE engine producing 165PS (163hp/121 kW), an automatic transmission was standard, a manual transmission was optional. The G-Limited has basically all the bells and whistles an MR2 can have. Climate control, Power folding Mirrors, Steerable Fog Lamps, etc.

I've got Power Mirrors, Manual. No Climate Control and not sure bout the steerable fogs.

The European market also received three trim-levels;

Coupe with the NA 2.0L 3S-FE engine producing 138 hp (103 kW).

On my rego papers, it says Coupe. Doesn't mention any model or anything. Is there somewhere or somehow to determine which I have? Makes it easier to buy parts knowing what engine I have O and I don't have a manual for it.

Edit: Cancel all that, I've just worked it out. my VIN says SW20 (which means 3S-GE) and SW23 means 3S-FE! Finally figured out the difference! I always presumed SW20 was just the model! I searched a few VIN Decoders and for some reason my numbers didn't match up to theirs.. finally just found a new site and my numbers matched! yay.

[ashbox]

the 3s-ge's are good motors, espec when turb'd, the gt4's were good cars, kinda miss my old one but, i'll get another one sometime

[Deutscher]

I've got a question and can't seem to find answers on google.

There's vents on the engine bonnet which allows air to escape. Well the question I have, wouldn't these vents also let in water? from the rain or car wash? Unfortunately I have to leave my car out on the driveway (no cover), at the moment it is ok because it's still summerish.. but I have a concern about when it starts to rain etc. Especially because the airfilter is quite exposed.

The current filter I have on their looks pretty rusted up (guessing water) and clogged by tree crap. So I've ordered a Apexi airfilter to replace it, but wouldn't the same thing start happening again? The engine bay looks a mess because of the rust and crap that falls into the engine bay. I have seen engine bonnets on the internet were water wouldn't get in. But it just seems weird that Toyota would make something like that. Is it nothing to be worried about? these cars were available in Japan and Europe aswell... they would have a worse problem than me.

[fkford]

i dont think its a worry unless u baby it.. i left my bonnet off my vs when it was pooring with rain..... didnt do anything