JDM/Not JDM... uhh...

[A790]

Hey Guys,

I'm new to the MR2 thing and I'm sure this is a fairly common post... but here it goes anyway.

The MR2 is my dream. Every night, I dream about this car. This summer I'm going to buy one.

Problem.

JDM, or USDM? I can get JDM ones for less than $12,000, whereas at the good turbo USDM ones seem to be over $14,000.

Are there signifcant differences between the two?

[theken]

JDM ones have more power, everyone that dislikes jdm is gonna come on here and start bitching that they are unreliable and everything, but they arent, just be prepared that usdm or jdm you are going to have to put some money into it

[A790]

Originally posted by theken
JDM ones have more power, everyone that dislikes jdm is gonna come on here and start bitching that they are unreliable and everything, but they arent, just be prepared that usdm or jdm you are going to have to put some money into it

JDM ones have more power?

I'm probably going to fork over big coin and get a MINT 4.0 JDM car if I can.

[TEAMFaint]

Originally posted by A790


JDM ones have more power?

I'm probably going to fork over big coin and get a MINT 4.0 JDM car if I can.


Yes they have more power, about 25 extra over the USDM 3SGTE actually, if I do remember correctly. The main difference is going to be in the ECU, this is what gives the extra boost for the JDM engines.

Here is another option for yah that one of my friends did, and it turned out very well for him actually:

Import a 5 speed N/A MR2 from the states that needs next to no work on the exterior. Drive it back up to Calgary, then swap it. You can have a LHD MR2 turbo with equal speed to the JDM (since it has the JDM engine in it) and itll cost you under 10 g's for sure.

[theken]

thats a good plan ^ but if mechanical know how isn't that great, and u pay for an install it could cost the same as importing rhd

[@lchy]

All the work that i have seen done to jdm ones is just front end stuff (ie. tie rod ends, steering rack etc.) apparently because they string them up on the boats comin over but most people i kno have had good luck with them. Import one if you like RHD, otherwise look into what TEAMFaint said, sounds cheaper than buying one local.

[A790]

I've had JDM before, so RHD or LHD is completely irrelevant to me.

I want to get a MINT car. How easy is it to bridge the performance gap between the two? IE- JDM = 225HP, USDM = 200HP. How easy would it be to take a USDM car to 225 HP +?

[stealth]

Just get a jdm ecu and your set.

[b_t]

Boost controller, intake, exhaust. Pretty easy.

[Sorath]

cam just get jdm, u`ll have more money for mods

[A790]

Originally posted by Sorath
cam just get jdm, u`ll have more money for mods

Yea I've been talking with Christian about it... I think I might just hold out till a 4.0 mint JDM one comes around ;)

[Ek9Max]

The JDM come with a few other goodies too.

-25hp more mostly due to ecu
-ceramic turbo, so it spools a bit faster
-motorized fog lights that turn with the steering wheel
-power folding mirrors


there's a few othe rfeatures athat are even more useless than those listed.

[A790]

Alright, so MR2 guys...

When I buy my MR2, what kind of initial maintainance should I expect? I've never owned a Mid-RWD before, nor have I owned a Toyota.

How relaible should I expect this thing to be?

[Envitro]

Pretty reliable, but it all depends on how the car was treated before you get it. However, that's almost impossible to determine before you actually set eyes on it (i.e. once it's delivered to you). So once you import it it's kind of a buyer's keepers situation. You're stuck with it. However, most of the cars that have a Japanese auction grade of 3, 3.5, and 4 are in good shape (just make sure that they can give you assurances that the engine is in good running condition), if you're talking JDM.

If you're getting a car from Japan, then I'd be prepared to spend a good $1000 to $2000 on getting it into a good running condition, worst case scenario in my opinion. Best case scenario is that it arrives to your doorstep and it works beautifully.

[Sorath]

serg would be kissing ur ass if u get that car

[A790]

Originally posted by Sorath
serg would be kissing ur ass if u get that car

Kasem, don't tell him anything. He thinks I'm getting a 3000 GT TT. Haha.

It's a surprise.... sort of.

[Redlyne_mr2]

Yeah not much diff between the us and jdm cars in terms of engines. The ceramic ct26 has been known to break apart damage engines but whatever, who keeps their ct26 anyways. The timing is a little more advanced with a higher maxboost so it requires higher octane. Again something easy to change on a usdm car. And then of course like Max mentioned all the cool little motorized features. I like the seats in the jdm cars better, suede and leather kicks ass.

[A790]

Yea, I think JDM might be where I get mine. I've checked the classifieds here and nothing really catches my interest, or it's JDM with a huge markup!

So, while I'm thinking about it, how much should I budget to hit 250 reliable whp?

And thanks for all the information guys!