REDLINE ALLEYToyota MR2 SW20 buying guide
1989 to 1999. An SW20 suits a driver who wants a mid engine Toyota and will pay for a clean, standard car with its rust and cambelt checked.
Big jobs
- Rear sills and quarters. Rust in the rear sills and quarters is common, often because the sound deadening foam traps moisture.
- Head gaskets. The 3S-GE can lose its head gasket after overheating, and the fibre head gaskets on Revision 1 and 2 turbo cars can fail with age.
- Cambelt and turbo tensioner. Cambelts are often overlooked because they are a tight fit with the engine in place. The hydraulic tensioner on Revision 1 and 2 turbo cars can fail if not replaced on time.
- Ceramic turbo shaft. The ceramic shaft in the CT26 and CT20 turbos can become brittle, and failure can cause catastrophic damage. A steel shaft unit is advised.
- Turbo coolant hoses. The coolant hoses buried deep in the turbo engine bay are known to owners as the hoses from hell, because replacing them essentially means an engine out job.
Workshop jobs
- Arches, stiffening bars and headlight brackets. The rear and inner wheel arches rust, as do the stiffening bars under the car near the engine bay and the inner headlight brackets.
- T bar roof seals. The glass T bar roof seals are prone to leaks, and replacement seals are costly and tricky to fit.
- S54 gearbox 5th gear. The 5th gear in the S54 gearbox on non turbo cars can fail.
Questions for the seller
- Is it the turbo 3S-GTE or the 3S-GE, and which revision is it?
- When were the cambelt and tensioner last done, and is there an invoice?
- Has the turbo been replaced with a steel shaft unit?
- Have the turbo coolant hoses ever been replaced?
- Has it had any accident repairs?
Sources
Researched 2026-11-03. General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection.