Good Buy or?

Re: Good Buy or? (Carmikey)

Sun, 29 Dec 2019 16:04:27 GMT

lord
Hi all,

Wanting to join the MR2 club and had an offer for an 98' Bathurst SW20.
Was just wandering if it was a good pickup with some general info,
I am looking for something clean as a daily driver, wanted to know about reliability of something at this odo reading

1998 MR2 Bathurst N/A Targa Top
Asking $7,500- 8,000
KMs: 230,000 (Main concern is here)
Rego expires Jan/2020 (So soon)
Stock rims, Stock Body, Stock Bathurst Wing, No fog lamps
Clean body, small scratches that have been touched up
Aftermarket Subwoofers behind the seats and Android/Apple Headunit
Carfacts reports never stolen or written off

I think MR2 prices are slowly rising so I wanted a community opinion if this is a good pickup

Cheers.

Going by your description, sounds like a bargain to me. These cars are becoming harder & harder to come by, especially the later model ones.

Re: Good Buy or? (Reddtarga)

Sun, 29 Dec 2019 14:01:41 GMT

When considering buying an 20 odd year old SW20, I don't think the odometer reading has got much relevance, even if you can believe it.
Assuming no major mechanical problems, original condition cars with good bodywork/paint/interior should be the main thing to look for.
Then even if you have to spend a modest amount to bring it right up to scratch, it could be well worth it.

Re: Good Buy or? (Lumix)

Sun, 29 Dec 2019 11:08:33 GMT

Reddtarga
Lumix, as a matter of interest, how many K's do you have on your '97 Bathurst?

I'm at 248,500km, I bought it with 112,000km.

Re: Good Buy or? (Reddtarga)

Sun, 29 Dec 2019 10:40:33 GMT

"KMs: 230,000 (Main concern is here)"
Probably not unusual for a 22 YO car.
IMO K's on the clock are not as important as the way it has been driven, as well as regular maintenance.
Stock rims and clean body looks like it could be an original car, so that could be a good sign.

Anyway for anyone interested in buying a 22 YO car, consider paying for a full checkup that will tell you exactly what you are getting. Could be good insurance.

Lumix, as a matter of interest, how many K's do you have on your '97 Bathurst?

Re: Good Buy or? (Dudeman)

Sun, 29 Dec 2019 01:01:31 GMT

Lumix

Bathurst models didn't come with fog lamps. If there is 2 empty holes on the front bar, it could be a good indication that the bar has been replaced or modified.

You could option the Bathurst with any of the options, centre console, fogs, abs, power steering etc. Depended on what the original purchaser ordered.

I bought an ADM GT with 113,000 on the clock and sold it just over 300,000 on it. Most of those k's were motorway runs, the car still drove like new.

Re: Good Buy or? (Lumix)

Sat, 28 Dec 2019 11:59:39 GMT

It will be hard for anyone to tell you if the car is a good pick up with out seeing it and talking to the current owner. This is only to be taken loosely and by no means saying buy or not to buy.

Do they have records or personal logs of all services and repairs conducted? You can get a good understanding of when and what has been replaced. The KM is what you would aspect for a car of that age if it was daily driven. The 3SGE is a great motor, however like all cars maintenance is key. Do you have it in your budget for repairs/servicing? Again the car is 20+ years old. Genuine parts are getting harder to find. Wait times from Japan/overseas or local venders.

It would be good to look into below:

How does it run? Sound? Smooth or does it hesitate in the rev range?
How frequent were the service intervals? 5000km?
Brake rotors, brake pads, brake fluid (How worn?, how does the pedal feel?)
Radiator flush and coolant change (When was it last done? Toyota Red coolant?)
Timing belt, Water pump (Any proof this was done? It's a big job, could mean motor out)
Clutch, Clutch Fluid, Gearbox (How does it change gears? new shifter cables bushes? Service interval?)
Fuel pump (Big job)
Air conditioning (Cold? Any noises?)
Suspension (Original? Any clunks? Feel smooth?)

~~Bathurst models didn't come with fog lamps.~~ If there is 2 empty holes on the front bar, it could be a good indication that the bar has been replaced or modified.

I have owned and daily driven my 97 Bathurst coming up to 11 years. Fantastic vehicle.

Good Buy or? (lord)

Sat, 28 Dec 2019 09:48:59 GMT

Hi all,

Wanting to join the MR2 club and had an offer for an 98' Bathurst SW20.
Was just wandering if it was a good pickup with some general info,
I am looking for something clean as a daily driver, wanted to know about reliability of something at this odo reading

1998 MR2 Bathurst N/A Targa Top
Asking $7,500- 8,000
KMs: 230,000 (Main concern is here)
Rego expires Jan/2020 (So soon)
Stock rims, Stock Body, Stock Bathurst Wing, No fog lamps
Clean body, small scratches that have been touched up
Aftermarket Subwoofers behind the seats and Android/Apple Headunit
Carfacts reports never stolen or written off

I think MR2 prices are slowly rising so I wanted a community opinion if this is a good pickup

Cheers.