Thanks haha, really means a lot to hear. I honestly kinda just slapped this video together compared to my normal stuff which is even funnier. Definitely a more casual vlog style series but at least I can manage to get every detail filmed by doing it that way. If you’re new the channel and wanna see my more usual production though you should check out my Celica vid. It’s my third most recent one and my best work so far. I wanna do a vid like that with my MR2 once it’s road worthy again.

No way! Well sweet, maybe we can share some tips on working on it if needed haha

Hell yes. It’s funny with how beat the car looks right now. The natural coolness of these MR2s makes it like a cross between super badass but also total trash hahaha. But really hoping to get it looking really nice by the end.

That’s so cool. The MR2 is definitely a very unique looking car for sure

Super glad you liked it. Honestly compared to my normal videos this was totally just slapped together and more vlog like so I was worried it wouldn’t be well received but have been proven wrong hahaha. I already almost have enough footage for the second one now so hoping I just get a chance to edit with my bush schedule. Also, if you’re new to the channel you should seriously check out my Celica video. It’s the third most recent video and is by far my best car work. I wanna do an MR2 cinematic like the opening to that when it’s ready. Anyways thanks for watching!

Seriously, took forever. The video at that part is sped up 20 times too haha. Not sure yet what I’ll use to hook the new cover with but probably try to find something easier. As for the speedometer cable I’ve heard that but wasn’t too sure. I did happen to find a used mk1 one for $40 around here so I’m gonna give it a shot. If it snaps again the I’m gonna try a new cable. Either custom made or a new mk2 cable which seems to be cheaper.

@@RetraCast Good find. A custom made cable will be good if it comes to that, I'm sure it'll be an improvement over the stock one and MK2 version

Good luck with your project! ST165s are amazing cars, but definitely not the easiest beasts to keep on the road. I'm looking to collect the 'Three Brothers'(Celica Alltrac, Supra Turbo, and MR2) so I'm eventually going to get into an AW11 at some point. Just need to finish restoring my Supra, first. :)

@@Alltracavenger @Alltracavenger Thanks! Ever since I got the AW11 I've been thinking the same crazy thought. Looking to get a mk3 Supra at some point when my wallet can forgive me for it. Would be very cool to have one of each. Preferably one red, one white and one black. Ultimate 80's Toyota collection :D

Thanks, it’s been a lot of work and filming, but it’ll be so worth it by the end. At least I hope haha

Thanks, I really love it so far. The more I work on it the more it feels like mine and special. Funny since I’ve only driven it twice now haha. I’ve worked on it quite a bit more and have enough footage for two more episodes I just have to edit when I get a chance. Hoping it all the work goes smoothly and is entertaining. Though most car work is never as straight forward as it seems hahaha. But at least that makes it more entertaining to watch I guess haha.

I’ve been waiting for them to reach out for a sponsorship

Super excited to join haha. I got another two videos filmed I just need to edit. Honestly hard to stop working on the car long enough to get them out hahaha.

Yeah I totally could use some, where should I contact you?

Thanks, I got the third MR2 episode coming in the next couple days and two other car reviews I’m wrapping up too. Hoping to get them all up in the next week

Hahaha no way, it’s like you got the newer versions of my car. Check out my recent Celica video! Mainly the intro cinematic is the highlight. Anyways hope you enjoy the series, I feel like it’s picking up as it goes. I’m hoping the next video I do I will have the car on the road. I’m literally sewing the drivers seat as I type this.

@@RetraCast o wow lol I never even see the celica now I'm like this guy is obviously a man of taste

That’s a huge relief hahaha. I was honestly concerned the video was gonna be pretty dry since it’s not my normal more cinematic style. But I’m glad just working on the car and commentating is entertaining enough to warrant the length. Like literally I’m just taking apart a seat for like 7 minutes hahaha. But yeah I got plenty more progress already filmed. Just wanna get one my main videos up first since it’s been waiting then another MR2 update will probably follow soon after.

​@@RetraCast Looking forward to it! Good luck on your MR2, far too many have been sent to the junkyard already. Btw, have you tried using a heat gun or hair dryer to help peel off the spraypaint from the panel? One car I've looked at that also had a terrible paint job done (original paint was still there, they just painted over it), and it was peeling as well. However, they did because it concealed the fact it had some panels replaced. Maybe the same thing has happened here?

Yeah I’m not entirely sure what’s up. Again my guess is the paint probably is worn more on places like the hood or front which is typical. But all the panels seem to have red paint underneath so if they did replace a panel then they at least found matching colors. That being said I’d rather have worn real paint vs terrible uneven spray paint. Plus I’m repainting it at some point anyways so it’s worth a shot to just see. Now as for trying a heat gun. That may actually be genius. I’ll have to give it a try when I’m able to grab one. Someone else recommended to try pressure washing it but I can’t do that until I get new wheels and tires so I can take it outside.

Yeah seriously, there aren’t many MR2s in my area. Most of them seem to be $2000 and need a full engine rebuild and are trashed. Mine isn’t stellar by any means but it runs and needs mainly cosmetic stuff which I wanted to do anyways. Really hoping no major engine work comes up but you never know til you drive it for a while. Anyways, thanks for watching and those celicas are great cars too. Honestly my first drive home with the MR2 was kind of weird in how much different it was from the Celica Im so comfortable with now.

@@RetraCast Oh alright. I imagined them to be in much better shape in the US for that price. Yeah you seem to have gotten a decent one from start as long as the engine is good. Of course there's a lot to fix on it anyways, but on the good side, it makes for a lot of good youtube content ;P

I think they are cheaper in some areas of the US but for some reason Washington is not one of those places. I think there’s just so many JDM fans around here snatching stuff like this up.

Funny enough I considered a Fiero since they are more common and cheap. But I knew I would regret not waiting for an MR2

Have one of my own so it’ll be cool to see what you do with yours

Thanks! I got like 2 more episodes filmed that I just need to find time to edit. Been doing a good amount of work and planning for the car, pretty excited

RetraCast can’t wait bro keep at it 👍🏼

Yeah I have no idea what the last owner was thinking hahaha. But hey, the car is in better hands now (at least I hope haha). I have to admit I’ve only driven the car the couple hours on the way home so I hope once I do drive it more I actually like it hahahaha. But I’m sure I will love it. I mean 80s mid engine Toyota, I’m not sure how they could possibly mess that up.

Yeah I have no idea what the last owner was thinking hahaha. But hey, the car is in better hands now (at least I hope haha). I have to admit I’ve only driven the car the couple hours on the way home so I hope once I do drive it more I actually like it hahahaha. But I’m sure I will love it. I mean 80s mid engine Toyota, I’m not sure how they could possibly mess that up.

Thanks yeah there’s so much work I’m doing that I didn’t wanna draw any one part out to a whole video. I feel like the series has gotten even better as it’s gone on and bigger steps are being made

Yeah I did! So funny you say that cuz this video was so just slapped together compared to my other stuff hahaha. Really was just filming while I worked and hoped it’d all fit together in the end. Like I already almost have enough footage for another one of these but want to get out a normal video first

Some people really think “after market is always better” when making these dumb decisions. Like not only do they decide on it but they spend actual money and time to make the car worse.

They ain’t bad wheels. Just ain’t my style is all. Plus the bigger problem was they were too big to drive with. If they were 15 inch I may have been less in a rush to trade them though.

RetraCast yeah I get what you mean. Excited to see what you do with it (:

Yeah this car has some of the worst kind of mods on it haha. But yes I quickly dumped the wheels and spend the next couple episodes repainting them. It completely changed the look of the car for the better

Oh yeah, just hoping to get it back on the road soon enough haha

@@RetraCast whats left on it, I live neark Spokane if you need any parts or help

Honestly not too much to get it actually on the road. I got a couple episodes filmed I just need to edit. I really need tires and a muffler are the urgent things before I can drive it again. Then I’ll do a full tune up and fluid change. From there I can see if anything else engine wise needs work. I think the clutch pedal needs to be adjusted though. It grabs really low to the floor right now.

I feel that man. I was working over time for Domino’s pizza a couple years back saving up for my camera gear. Always worth the grind when you’re saving for something big like that.

@@RetraCast for sure bro

The MR2 stuff isn’t stopping anytime soon. I’ve been repainting the car for the past month now

Yes

Yeah seriously, even here in my area MR2s can be rare for sale and are usually like $2000 and need an engine rebuild and are trashed. Mine was a fair enough deal since it actual runs and needs more just a tune up and cosmetic stuff which I wanted to do anyway. You never really know about the engine work til you drive one for a bit though so we’ll see. As for snap oversteer, from what I’ve gathered the main MR2s with snap oversteer are the early 2nd gens. But I think the term has become associated pretty heavily with all of them at this point so I do see some people mention it with the first gens too. I’ve driven rear engine cars before (we have a corvair which is notorious for the same thing). You just gotta be aware the car isn’t a fwd like most people are used to and won’t understeer safely anytime you whip the wheel around. I’ve only had the one drive with it so far so I’m really excited to get it back on the road for more testing when I get new wheels/tires and that muffler. Then I’ll work on it more based on what I find then. So can’t say firsthand how it drives and handles quite yet.

@@RetraCast Same, a good "project car" is 1500 bucks, missing expensive trim and motor parts, and are literally in scapeyards. Luckily even though my Mr2 needs a fuel pump, trim, and a clutch, I got it for 600 bucks.

I’ve done a lot of work to the car since this vid but have held off on the headlights. I’ll take your advice today or tomorrow!

Yeah I’ve already got enough footage for another episode and a half hahaha

@@RetraCast Can't wait to learn, coincidently got an 88 about 5 weeks ago. Now I can learn something about these cars.

Yeah I’ve recently concluded that too. I really thought it was spray paint at first but with how it peels I’m fairly certain it’s plasti dip too. I’ve read goo gone also removes it well and am literally going to the store today to buy some and test it out. So I guess you’ll see the results in the third episode next week hahaha. Anyways though thanks, I’ll give wd40 a test too, maybe it’s better. Goo gone just sounds slightly safer in my head for the paint underneath.

@@RetraCast Ive had good results with soaking it with wd40 and a pressure washer. Probably not the best for the environment though.

Yeah seriously I’m planning on pressure washing it too but I don’t really know where I’m supposed to do it and not make a huge red mess haha

What the heck is that. I’ve heard it referenced a couple times now

Yeah my plan is to restore the thing to hopefully look and feel better than it was brand new decades ago. Keep things only tastefully modded and done up so it’s as if it’s stock but a higher non existent trim level. Gonna be a long task but I’ve worked on the thing so much lately I have probably 2 or 3 more episodes filmed that I haven’t had a chance to edit yet hahaha. Really excited for people to see the progress though.

I'm excited to see that, and I like the idea of a non existent higher trim. Sounds a lot better then some kind of widebody stanced monstrosity. I also plan to get either a Celica or a Prelude once I turn 16 and since most Celicas in my area are the 4th gen models your videos are pretty helpful, so thanks. :)

Lol yeah I mean I get making a car the ultimate track machine but lots of people do the most obnoxious stuff or just don’t care or respect their cars to make it at least nice. Anyways, those Celica’s are fun. Mines been a very reliable daily since I got it. Honestly wouldn’t be able to have a project car like the MR2 without something that can first get me around town without any issues.

Both are great, but the MR2 is about as stylized as it gets

Yeah I noticed that too hahaha. Yeah hoping some of my work honestly inspires some interest in restoring these kinds of cars. Too many of them get trashed or never cleaned up cuz people usually think the work is harder than it is. Anyways thanks for watching and good luck with yours. I’ve got another episode coming in a couple days so look out for it.

Could be better, could be worse for sure. Out of the majority of MR2s I see out this is one of the better ones. Kinda sad the bad is so low though hahaha.

@@RetraCast yeah I agree. I’ve been trying to find a good one

$3000 which in my area is (sadly) about fair for the condition. That being said some places you can find them for much less or much more.

I’ve tried twos r us but not prime Mr2 yet. I’ll check it out, thanks!

TwosRUs.com PrimeMR2.com TechnoToyTuning.com mr2mk1toyotaspares.com side2sideracing.com Those are my favorite shops that I use frequently. I know Paul Sims (mr2mk1toyotaspares) is in the UK, but only takes a week for me to receive large parts all the way in Washington State.

Yeah I’ve seen the spares website and they have a few things I need but wasn’t sure about shipping. Good to know it’s not too bad

RetraCast also, I picked up a retro cassette triple stack system from Japan for mine. Look up Pioneer Centrate on eBay. I love playing my cassettes, but I use a wireless Bluetooth cassette when I want to stream from my phone.

Exactly, I’ve been wanting one for years and have just watched their prices rise. Like I’ve seen so many for $2000 and completely trashed and needing an engine rebuild. Mines not great at all but it runs, everything’s all mostly there, and it was a fair enough price. I just got the second episode up and have a third I’m editing rn. Honestly I’m having so much fun working on it. It’s a ton of work and the biggest slow down is just straight up money, but I’m dedicated to make it as nice as I can by doing as much myself as I can. I really wanna make it clean, nice, and keep things feeling stock but higher end. Like I want any mods or custom parts to feel like they belong on the car vs being too crazy or slapped together. At least that’s my hope, we’ll see how it all comes out. Stay tuned!

@@RetraCast Just watched the second episode. I love the dedication keep it up! Good work pays off.

Lol he yeah the current state of the car definitely fits a specific kinda car guy. He did some other pretty crap work on it to which I get to in the next couple vids I filmed. But I mean hey at least it gives me an excuse to customize and do things my way rather than feel like I’m ruining a 30 year old mint stock car. The guy actually works at a vape shop for the record. He sold the car to put money into his Subaru lol.

@@RetraCast hahahahahah sounds like i wasnt that far off. yeah its gonna be sweet seeing how you can refit everything to the sane man's version of a nice mr2

Yeah biggest concern is obviously just budget when it comes to cars lol. I mean after buying and registering it I’m pretty broke now. That’s why I’m doing the seats and wheels cuz they aren’t actually expensive to do, but just take a lot of time which I have since I’m saving up. Even if I painted it myself it wouldn’t cost a ton, just be a time sink and pain in the butt lol

@@RetraCast nice man well if anyone has the drive to finish a big project like this for such a dream car its you!

lol I’m sure I’m gonna mess something up. Second episode is filmed and has some trial and error stuff in it hahaha. But progress is progress.

Too much weight for the race times

My mom is Filipino so most my life I’ve pronounced things slightly different and have been called out on it at random times through the years hahaha. Mainly with Ts like you mentioned. Like some words I’ve finally adjusted how I say it but others I don’t even realize I say it weird. I don’t even take offense it’s just one of those things I don’t even notice myself haha

@@RetraCast Awesome, thanks for the reply. I'm from New Zealand and there is a humorous way we say next which is "Neck". So I was just wondering if it was one of those instances. Great video, you deserve far more subscribers/views.

Maybe minus the drifting haha

That’s pretty much impossible to answer just on the spot. There’s so many parts in a car that can vary on either being nice or bad and affect the value. And depending where you are in the world also changes the value

The Filipino family roots are a hard one to drop