If you don't mind manual, get the manual. SMT (something like Proton Savvy's AMT, without clutch but it is not auto)) has a limited lifespan on its pump.

Engine is 1.8 litre 1ZZ-FED, which is very similar to Altis' 1ZZ-FE but with slightly higher power output. The engine is rear mid mounted, so it takes some time before you can familiar with the car since it oversteer easily (on wet corners especially).

Service is not much (I would say not much differ from a Toyota Altis) if nothing breaks down. Most commonly spoilt part for a used MR-S could be the oxygen sensor. Common parts can get from Wing Hin, however accessories like hard top is not selling anymore if I am not wrong.

Many used year 2000-2002 units selling now, but 10 years old car you might have problem with loan (or the bank will charge a high interest for it). Price should be less than RM 100k for 2000-2002 used unit, but also depends on the car's enhancements & accessories. If you have the money, get the 2003 onwards version since it is facelifted. There are at least 2 unregistered units selling right now.

Worth to buy if you don't mind a 2 seater without a boot. Only 'boot' for storage is a compartment behind the seats or the spare tyre area under the front bonnet.

Join us at http://www.zerotohundred.com/newforums/the-mr2-mrs-club/

02/07 means the unit is manufactured in 2002 & registered the car in 2007. This means it is a used unit. You can try your luck to find a 2003 used unit but expect either high price or unavailability.

Remember SMT (Sequential Manual Transmission) is not auto. It is more of a manual without a clutch to floor on.

Most (if not all, currently) unregistered units in Malaysia are SMT. However there are a few manual used unit around. Regarding the SMT failure, it really depends on luck & maintenance of gearbox fluid (also maybe depends on your driving style), since we have a member having trouble as early as 20k+ km mileage while we have another until over 80k mileage also no problem. Manual also has maintenance, just that SMT is usually more expensive to repair if it fails.

Mudah.my has no transmission paramater for SMT when advertise, therefore the seller put it as auto.

If your wife can take manual then take the manual but there are not many used manual lying around.

For SMT, you still need to change the gears manually either on the gear knob or on the steering buttons, just that there is no clutch to foot on. This is unlike AMT where the gears changes automatically.

It is not AMT, it is SMT. AMT can shifts automatically but for SMT you need to shift manually but without the use of clutch pedal.

6 speed SMT is available for unreg 2003 model onwards but the asking price is high. Used unit is available too but most of them are modified either engine wise or exterior wise.

For maintenance, nothing specific because it uses the manual tranny gear oil. The SMT does has a life span on its pump which is costly to replace/repair. However there are owners that regularly maintain the car achieving over 100k km mileage without trouble.

Yes you heard it right, manual gear oil. Go to JDM car service specialists like GT Auto, Trial & etc will advice you the same. Consider the SMT as manual with actuator.

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Added on July 3, 2010, 5:01 pmJoin us in the club at ZTH

This post has been edited by deeplyheartbroken: Jul 3 2010, 05:01 PM

Wish you get your spyder soon. PM me if you need additional info in case koolspyda left out anything.

The only problem for prospective owners to worry is the SMT gearbox & sourcing of body parts (in case of accident). Getting the manual will make you less headache but it is also much harder to find. The engine is 1ZZ-FED, pretty much the same as the old Altis 1.8L engine; therefore maintenance wise should not be big worry.

I am one of them but looking for the facelifted 6 speeder manual

The one you found in carlist is not a manual, it is SMT though. And I am looking for a unit without too much mods on the engine too.

And for the 2ZZ-GE conversion question, guessed you got to ask for more information from koolspyda.