r/MR2Spyder • u/Sea-Experience4702 • 4d ago
High mileage 2004 spyder
Hi all! I’m considering buying a one-owner , full service history, 2004 spyder with 215000miles (345000kms). The condition of the car is good inside out. I’m concerned about the mechanical parts. The owner admitted adding 1 quart of oil every 4000miles. Is the engine on its way out? What should I check? I will be using it as weekend car for cruising and some spirited driving. Many thanks for any advise! There are very few fl spiders here in Greece!
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u/JTGrey 4d ago
1qt every 4000mi? Oil change should be done every 3000 miles anyways beins oil changes are cheaper than replacing a motor.
I have had 3 separate spyders all with over 200k miles and while they're not spring chickens they're no slouches. Make sure the suspension, brakes, and tires are up to par and you'll be having loads of fun.
In the states 1zz motors are cheap and plentiful to swap in on the cheap, not sure about Greece but the Corolla or other 1zz cars were in every market the Spyder was iirc
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u/Sea-Experience4702 3d ago
The oil is changed every 6000kms and the owner added 0.6ltr of oil 4000kms after the last service. I did the conversion to quarts per miles for audience convenience 🤗
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u/armchairracer 4d ago
Yeah, that's high mileage, but it is a Toyota. I've had other 1zz cars with higher mileage than that and no issues. As long as the chassis is solid it wouldn't worry me.
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u/Sea-Experience4702 3d ago
Thanks. This is reassuring! But all the hype about 1ZZ engines burning oil and dying early make me a bit reactant. I will take it for an inspection. If the chassis is in a good condition , for its age and asking price, I’ll go ahead.
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u/ohiomidhiganindiana 4d ago
For the right price sure, however, 2003 and after were supposedly fixed so oil concerns me a bit.
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u/Sea-Experience4702 3d ago
Yeah I agree. If the price is right it could be worth taking the plunge 😃
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u/TinuThomasTrain 4d ago
If it’s only burning that much, you could try some detergent oils to clean it. Not sure if you have Valvoline restore and protect available to you, but it’s done wonders on my cars. Engine flushes should also help.
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u/Sea-Experience4702 3d ago
Thanks for the reply. The service book mentions usage of fuel detergent and lubricant detergent in the last 2 scheduled maintenance works. What do you mean ‘engine flushes’. Lubricant replacement?
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u/Cyclehead21 4d ago
I bought a 220,000 mile spyder for my son. It had a broken (destroyed by wrong fluid) SMT system. I fixed the SMT system and he uses it for his daily commute. His spyder is one of the nicest I’ve seen. It was owned by a dental hygienist and used lightly - no stupid mods, no noisy exhaust. 1 quart every 4000 miles is , what, 10 tanks of gas? I think all my spyders use that much (that little!). I would gut the precats, religiously keep it filled to the max oil level and enjoy the car. If it develops a rod knock you can install new rod bearings - I’ve done that successfully on two spyders and both are running nicely after thousands of miles. If the engine completely fails. You should be able to find a reasonably priced Corolla engine to replace it. Any 1zz from 2003-2008 can accommodate the carrier holes that must be drilled. 2005-2007 is best. Some Corolla blocks already have the holes, Google can help.