RE: SOTW: Toyota MR2

[Rrroro]

Ahh... memories... great thread. I used to have one of these about 15 years ago. Superb reliability, remember it being quite tough at the time and well built. I wonder where that car is now. If only I could remember the reg!

[magicalex]

Mr2Mike said:

magicalex said:

i had two mr2s, a rev 1 & a rev 5 ('91 & '99) and still miss them dearly. I never understood the tail happy reputation though, in my experience if driven correctly on decent tyres they are more than manageable, those engines dont exactly throw out massive amounts of torque.

I guess you've not driven a turbo then?

LukeSi said:

Got a Rev 3 N/A as my first car. Discovered a hole in the rear arch though. Rev 3 onwards are considered safer due to improved suspension.

The suspension was revised on the Rev 2 onwards.

Yeah I've driven a couple of turbos but couldn't really justify owning one as a daily driver back in the day (mainly due to ludicrously high insurance) but yeah the Turbo is a bit tail happy at times but I was referring to the NA specifically.

I'd also say in my experience the people with the most criticism of the Mr2 havent really driven one - I've yet to speak to an unhappy owner

Edited by magicalex on Saturday 16th February 13:48

[anonymous-user]

Christian85 said:

Can you pick up decent ones for sub £1k?

First one I saw on AT.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
High miles and a Rev 1 but full ticket and 6 months tax. I'd say that would be worth a look, if not a punt.
Makes me miss mine. I'd be out driving it now, roof out, stereo on, pop-ups up.

[SonicShadow]

Christian85 said:

Can you pick up decent ones for sub £1k?

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=168290

Looks in decent condition.

[dc2rr07]

redroadster said:

Really can,t believe that no car maker is making anything like this any more,surely there is a market for a car like this sub £20,000 come on dacia you can do it..............

Seem to recall they where nearly 25k when the production ended, that was the problem Toyota had they where just to expensive to build.

[SonicShadow]

405dogvan said:

On the 'track toy' front, I've been searching for a pic but can't find one - someone locally, however, actually competes one of these in rallycross!!

Looks pretty nice - I'd have thought it was far-too low-riding but seems to not be an issue

In an episode of TG (last season?) they rally crossed an MR2,and there were a couple competing against them!

[Zircon]

And if you watch carefully the black car that won was an MR2

[Mr Tank]

Hi

Great little cars (Had three) not certain of the quoted MPG more like mid 20's. The only bad point was you could get through rear tyres easly!

Andy

[anonymous-user]

I don't know if it's just because I've little experience in mid-engined sports cars, but the only think I've ever driven which felt as planted as an MR2 was a Boxster. Slight difference in trim, obviously, but noise and feel were very similar.

[acf8181]

I want another now!!

think there's better ones out there at that price than this one though

[psychoR1]

Bought one almost a year ago just over a bag and then bought a turbo engine and the bits to fit it for under a monkey.

I have owned the Mx5 and S2000 before and this is definately a better package!

[Mr2Mike]

magicalex said:

I'd also say in my experience the people with the most criticism of the Mr2 havent really driven one - I've yet to speak to an unhappy owner

I'm sure that's very true, though this applies equally to other cars.

I would definitely like another one, ideally a late Turbo, but I don't have space for more than one car so I'd be going back to 25-27mpg which hurts the wallet with the commute I do.

[TSpark]

Mine doesnt seem to worry about how I drive it, drive it hard or eco and it gets 28-30mpg.

However, lovely motor!




However is now up for sale as I have done 1,000 miles in it over the last 12 months and it needs a good home

Shed money, but not a shed car imho.

[vanman1936]

Love this thread.....got me into trouble yesterday....just taken a punt on a Rev 2 Turbo for near shed money track day fun!

[iangex]

RickofManc said:

Erm...my 1995 GT Coupe does 27 mpg with granny eco style driving. Around 20 pushing on, so not too cheap to run for some.

Is that just me? Is everyone else seeing late 30's even 40's?

My Rev 3 never got above low 30s IIRC, even on economy-mode motorway trips. Was a bit of a rough example though (horrible heavy aftermarket alloys probably didn't help).

[LukeSi]

Motorway trip today = 31.6mpg. Not an economical car by any means.

[bobzilla7]

My everyday 97 MR2 returns early 30s MPG. Less if driven hard.

My old 91 model got 40+ on the run to south of France. I sold it seven years ago with 160k on the clock for £1k after owner it for four years.

My current one I've owned since then. They really are great cars, but perhaps the time is coming for a change (altho I'd love a V6 version!). Yes the T-bar leaks, yes they do have a few problems (sticky calipers, frozen handbrake, alternator) but they are fun and reasonably practical.

Economic? Well I bought mine seven years ago for £3.5k, so that's £500 per year. Sailed thru MOT every year but kept it properly serviced (so FSH). I think that's pretty good value.

[_Al_]

My rev 3 turbo import has the standard suspension, an Apexi air filter, 17 inch wheels and basically nothing else done to it.

The brakes wilted a bit after 20minutes on track but that's because it was only a 30 minute taster session so I didn't bother with track pads.

Brilliant cars. I've had many and went back to the MR2 as there's just nothing else out there for the same cash that offers so much.

[KMB]

I'd agree with the gent above - I actually miss my Rev 3 96 MR2 Turbo more than my S2000.

They have good power and handling and mine behaved very well on track days (which was aided by front and rear Cusco strut braces), very little to fault and I'd dearly love another!

[LukeSi]

I really wish I had taken my N/A Rev 3 out on track now. Although how long the brakes would have held out I don't know.