Looking for MRS with SMT & hardtop (year 2003 or onwards)

[koolspyda]

wah friend, like that of question aslo can wan?:confused_smile:

it been address before, lots of times. dont wan to sound like ticking off but if you have browsed around there were answers posted. (stop short of sound like a broken record).

thanks.

clearly from the question you posted; a high chance you never bought/experience a pararell /grey import car; you might wanna check on past dicussions.

other issues discussed in the past.
• How to own a soft top in these weather? Wont it be hot?
• Can find parts now that the car is discontinued
• Where to service? Is changing oil the same as other cars? Must we go back to toyota?
• Where to buy mods? How to find? Malaysia or SG?
etc

:shades_smile:

 

[benyeap]

Yea I had no experience of buying any recon cars before, therefore I'm quite blur. By the way I received quite a few private messages from a member nicknamed 'nunez' who offered to find the MRS I want. Besides, I'm also currently waiting reply from Mutiara Motors.

 

[benyeap]

koolspyda, your inbox exceeded storage limit causing me unable to reply your pm. Please advise me the address of Mike's place. Thank you.

 

[soff]

Ben,

Sometimes you just have to take the dive.

My two bits.

 

[benyeap]

Guys, I need your recommendation this time as I'm in a dilemma.

I got offered a 2002 MRS model (only 4-speed SMT & self upgraded to 2003 outlook) with hard top at RM 110k.

Should I wait for a real 2003 model with 6-speed SMT or go for this one? Is the price reasonable? Please advise. Thank you

 

[MRMIC2]

correct me if i am wrong...but isnt the 2000-2003 SMT spyders all 5-speed?
Same clutch and transmission as the manual spyders but using special actuators to control clutch-ing functions. Cool thing with SMT is that it will 'blip' the throttle when down-shifting to smoothen down-gearing, just like a pro race driver. I heard the newer SMTs from 2003 shifts quicker.

 

[koolspyda]

its SMT 5 speed. there is no SMT4 speed.

depending on markets the 6 speed SMT appeared late 2002 onwards & 2003 onwards. US manual spyder ONLY has 5 speed gearings (even up to 2006.) 6 speed manual was never an option for USA. (SMT 6speed is available in US)

only japan, europe & selective countries had the 6 speed manual. go figure

 

[benyeap]

Yes it is 5-speed SMT, it was told wrongly by the salesman. I just paid deposit for the car.

 

[benyeap]

Need some advise here again.

Does the MRS originally comes with a factory fitted rear strut member brace? The unit I bought comes with one in black. So is it advisable to upgrade with the TRD one? Any more recommended upgrades? I'm planning to do some worthy useful upgrades on the car.

By the way, is it possible to upgrade with TCS & LSD on the MRS? As I know year 2003 onwards MRS comes with at least TCS.

 

[koolspyda]

rear strut brace is good enough if you dont do serious .....you know. most spyder members find the front strut brace contributes more then the rear. cusco strut brace is relatively not too expensive. TRD is an option.

to equipe TCS into a pre model is probaly difficult unless you can find a post 03 SMT. it not just a simple "chip" .

LSD is available for MR-S (TRD, Cusco & KazZ)

 

[benyeap]

Hard to upgrade TCS huh? What a sad case, TCS is so helpful unless one wanted to drift... Darn those importers with AP for not bringing in the year 2003 onwards model, which makes me forced to settle with a 2002 model... sigh.

 

[koolspyda]

bringing in post 2003 with AP of 2003 onwards will mean paying >145K. in most cases people prefer to buy 2000 S2K or S15. (within that price range).

without TCS me our car could handle pretty well...you should have drop by to shah alam to see MR2/MR-S running in circles yesterday!!

 

[benyeap]

Actually I'm willing to pay up to RM 150k for a 2003 model MRS with SMT , hardtop & probably with some modifications/upgrades. Seen the S2000 before, I don't quite like it though (maybe except its dashboard). For S15, I prefer a roadster more though. Besides, I plan to use the car for daily drive (not so much on racing) & therefore such features are quite important to me.

Now I plan to put on a nice spoiler, TRD strut braces (front/rear), twin exit Remus muffler, change both front/rear lights to the facelifted one & maybe 16" or 17" rims.

 

[koolspyda]

whoa, rare case of ppl liking MRS 0ver S2K if within the same budget!

 

[benyeap]

I'm not sure about you guys but I feel the MRS design is much nicer than S2000