1984, the start of life?

In 1984 Toyota produced an epic car, the MR2. It was revolutionary in design, and handling and the like have been never seen from the Japanese domestic market during this time. Powered by the 4A series motor, these cars had a lot of revs to give and was a true drivers car. A combination of lightness, nimble and direct neutral feeling and a low center of gravity all trained me to be a more proactive driver than what I could have ever done (NO ABS or power steering) if I drove say a Civic (hi uncle).

Some many years later (2006?) I found myself wanting an MR2, an SW20 at the time. I however, stumbled across a white G-Limited 1989 Toyota MR2 instead. It had 135,000 kms on the clock and it was completely stock, though not without its issues. It needed not that much work but rather replacement of parts to get it up to my standards, most of which I provided in the 3 years I owned it (as I nicknamed, 'tofu').

From the top of my head It was given something like:

New battery
New Windscreen
MR2 Spyder Rims
195 Bridestone Adrenalin Tyres
Twosrus Rear Tie Rods
Front and Rear Ball Joints
Prothane Total Bushing Kit
TRD engine Mounts
High and Tight Sway bar end links (front)
MK1 MR2 Twosrus Reproduction Floor Mats
Inner and Outer Tie rod ends
STI Ignition leads
Koni adjustble struts
King Springs
TRD shift knob
New Front Rotors and Calipers
New Starter Motor
Shifter boot
New OEM pinstriping from the UK!
And a few other parts that never made it on.

I spent countless hours on this thing, whether it be actually working on it, or researching, or asking for help on my many forums... it was all for my hobby, my interest, the one thing that made me smile :).




However.... as you do when you mature, you begin to realize nothing lasts forever. This is when I took a step back and looked at all the work, all the effort, time and (more painfully) money that i've injected into it. I could have left it and left it worse for wear when I first purchased it.. It probably would have started rusting (You all know what I'm talking about ;D) and falling apart, but no! I came along and basically gave it a new lease on life, and do wish the buyer (a Father, whom I assume will give this car to his adolescent son) will look after her for many more years to come!

What I'm saying is I regret everyday that I sold it..all that time, all that effort.. what was the point? With the money I had over the new car (Red Riding Hood/RRH) I could have probably dropped in a blacktop 20 valve 4AGE or a 4AGZE... far greater and faster than what this new car can do stock).

Being me, I insisted on buying a newer car/base to start with, a 1997 Toyota SW20 Bathurst. I gave into the red young seducing looks of a newer MR2 over my original tofu, and now what? Do I start the process again? Bring it back up to my standard? Up to scratch? Is it really worth it?

Tein Super Streets? R32 Magnesium forged rims? Gen III 3SGTE engine? Or even a BEAMS 3SGE with ITB's? simple questions... not so simple monetary value however... :(




I always ask myself what do I really want from this? But I also know I love this sort of thing, I have a drive and passion for it and its not a fast car i want nor a show car.. but rather a car I can be proud of, that has taught me things, that was tuned, researched and brought to immense GENG levels by me :).

I still don't know why I love these things (MR2's? Toyota's?)... It may mean I will go through all 3 generations of the MR2? who knows? But I do know this, money can always be re-earned, Time is never wasted if you're doing something with it, and at the end of the day if it floats your boat and keeps you fulfilled and satisfied in life, then who cares? ^___^v



That will do for my first blog post...

PS: Funny how 8 years of difference can change designs so much on the lines and cues of the same car!

...I blame you Jong xin for making me start blogging :@