2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder - is it a drivers car?
Discussion
Just sold the '92 CRX and it was awesome, but after two years of ownership I want something different.
The CRX was lowered with relatively wide and sticky tires and with 124 hp/approx 800 kg. it was more fun than you'd think (everyone who ever tried it loved it).
Those cars have nothing in terms of helping aids (ABS, power steering etc.) so it was a challenge to drive it properly fast and I enjoyed that.
So how's the MR2 Spyder? Is it challenging at all or is it just too safe for us who love to extract every bit of a cars performance? I'm looking for the facelift 2004+ models. My previous sportscar was a '93 MX5 1,6 so I'm not spoiled with power. I actually prefer low weight + street usable power so I think I will like it, but wanted opinions without registering on a biased MR2 forum...
TL;DR: Is it a drivers car?
The CRX was lowered with relatively wide and sticky tires and with 124 hp/approx 800 kg. it was more fun than you'd think (everyone who ever tried it loved it).
Those cars have nothing in terms of helping aids (ABS, power steering etc.) so it was a challenge to drive it properly fast and I enjoyed that.
So how's the MR2 Spyder? Is it challenging at all or is it just too safe for us who love to extract every bit of a cars performance? I'm looking for the facelift 2004+ models. My previous sportscar was a '93 MX5 1,6 so I'm not spoiled with power. I actually prefer low weight + street usable power so I think I will like it, but wanted opinions without registering on a biased MR2 forum...
TL;DR: Is it a drivers car?
caraddict said:
Just sold the '92 CRX and it was awesome, but after two years of ownership I want something different.
The CRX was lowered with relatively wide and sticky tires and with 124 hp/approx 800 kg. it was more fun than you'd think (everyone who ever tried it loved it).
Those cars have nothing in terms of helping aids (ABS, power steering etc.) so it was a challenge to drive it properly fast and I enjoyed that.
So how's the MR2 Spyder? Is it challenging at all or is it just too safe for us who love to extract every bit of a cars performance? I'm looking for the facelift 2004+ models. My previous sportscar was a '93 MX5 1,6 so I'm not spoiled with power. I actually prefer low weight + street usable power so I think I will like it, but wanted opinions without registering on a biased MR2 forum...
TL;DR: Is it a drivers car?
Massive amount more drivers car than a civic, rate it better than my VX220 and it was sharper, more pointy and ultimately more fun than my 265bhp MX5.The CRX was lowered with relatively wide and sticky tires and with 124 hp/approx 800 kg. it was more fun than you'd think (everyone who ever tried it loved it).
Those cars have nothing in terms of helping aids (ABS, power steering etc.) so it was a challenge to drive it properly fast and I enjoyed that.
So how's the MR2 Spyder? Is it challenging at all or is it just too safe for us who love to extract every bit of a cars performance? I'm looking for the facelift 2004+ models. My previous sportscar was a '93 MX5 1,6 so I'm not spoiled with power. I actually prefer low weight + street usable power so I think I will like it, but wanted opinions without registering on a biased MR2 forum...
TL;DR: Is it a drivers car?
5 star rated by EVO
Edited by Herman Toothrot on Wednesday 28th May 22:32
MR2 mk3 is a great little car, a baby elise just more reliable/easy to use/better built.
Have owned a couple of CRX mk1 16v, the MR2 mk3 is far better to drive in terms of handling just so much better.
They are not powerfull (just 140 bhp) but its so easy to make good progress and keep pace with such little effort that its a hoot to drive and gives good mpg.
The later 6 speeds are better, but having had a 2001 and a 2004 its not a massive difference.
I prefered the MR2 to the VX220's I've owned, not as raw as a vx or Elise but a far better all round car.
Have owned a couple of CRX mk1 16v, the MR2 mk3 is far better to drive in terms of handling just so much better.
They are not powerfull (just 140 bhp) but its so easy to make good progress and keep pace with such little effort that its a hoot to drive and gives good mpg.
The later 6 speeds are better, but having had a 2001 and a 2004 its not a massive difference.
I prefered the MR2 to the VX220's I've owned, not as raw as a vx or Elise but a far better all round car.
I own a pre facelift 2002.
Aside from the fatally flawed 1ZZ engine (Precats, piston rings etc) which is a serious consideration when buying one of these (I'd not assume the facelight engine is bulletproof although failure rates are much lower) the car is a peach.
Design faults aside, the engine is a little meh for the car although the 2ZZ is apparently a straight forward conversion and opens up a new rev limit of 8300RPM and around 190BHP but a similar power delivery to the 140BHP so it's sensible when not 'on cam' I'd love to go this route providing the insurance stays sensible.
Handling is sublime and the car is pretty nippy point to point if driven at 10/10ths. Mine hasn't bitten me but getting used to the mid engine layout took a conscious effort. I moved up to a slightly wider 195 front tyre but the car feels a little edgy, may have to move back to the 185 OE size.
Usual decent Toyota build quality so stuff just works and the standard soft top is water tight. I'd guess the car is pretty useless as a day to day proposition if you ever need to carry anything more than a sportsbag or suchlike. Spares are typical Toyota as well, rarely needed but pricey. I've just had to source a rear calliper for mine, made from unobtainium but sourced online for a reasonable 79 quid.
Cracking car if bought with care, plenty of doggy ones about.
Aside from the fatally flawed 1ZZ engine (Precats, piston rings etc) which is a serious consideration when buying one of these (I'd not assume the facelight engine is bulletproof although failure rates are much lower) the car is a peach.
Design faults aside, the engine is a little meh for the car although the 2ZZ is apparently a straight forward conversion and opens up a new rev limit of 8300RPM and around 190BHP but a similar power delivery to the 140BHP so it's sensible when not 'on cam' I'd love to go this route providing the insurance stays sensible.
Handling is sublime and the car is pretty nippy point to point if driven at 10/10ths. Mine hasn't bitten me but getting used to the mid engine layout took a conscious effort. I moved up to a slightly wider 195 front tyre but the car feels a little edgy, may have to move back to the 185 OE size.
Usual decent Toyota build quality so stuff just works and the standard soft top is water tight. I'd guess the car is pretty useless as a day to day proposition if you ever need to carry anything more than a sportsbag or suchlike. Spares are typical Toyota as well, rarely needed but pricey. I've just had to source a rear calliper for mine, made from unobtainium but sourced online for a reasonable 79 quid.
Cracking car if bought with care, plenty of doggy ones about.
Had 2 Gen 7 Celicas- one with the 1ZZ (140bhp) and one with the 2ZZ (190bhp).
The 1ZZ engined car felt pretty underwhelming, and to date is the only engine I have ever managed to kill. Failures are well documented in the early engines, although as stated these were addressed from 2002(ish) onwards. 2ZZ was a cracker, and the VVTLI Gen 7 was rather underrated IMHO.
Im sure that the 1ZZ is far more fit for purpose in the little MR2, but a 2ZZ would make it really special. I dont think the swap is as easy as one would imagine though. I read a thread somewhere which listed the work/ parts involved and it looked a bit disheartening to me.
As mentioned, a good car with a knackered engine could well be a good candidate for the swap.
The fella with the naff haircut on /DRIVE owns/ owned one and was always banging on about how brilliant the chassis is. Those guys get to drive everything, so thats praise enough for me to consider one.
The 1ZZ engined car felt pretty underwhelming, and to date is the only engine I have ever managed to kill. Failures are well documented in the early engines, although as stated these were addressed from 2002(ish) onwards. 2ZZ was a cracker, and the VVTLI Gen 7 was rather underrated IMHO.
Im sure that the 1ZZ is far more fit for purpose in the little MR2, but a 2ZZ would make it really special. I dont think the swap is as easy as one would imagine though. I read a thread somewhere which listed the work/ parts involved and it looked a bit disheartening to me.
As mentioned, a good car with a knackered engine could well be a good candidate for the swap.
The fella with the naff haircut on /DRIVE owns/ owned one and was always banging on about how brilliant the chassis is. Those guys get to drive everything, so thats praise enough for me to consider one.
Thank you for the replies. Engine swapping is not an option (straight away anyway). The insurance would be affected, less people want a "butchered" car when it comes to resale and I usually own a car like that for maximum of two years anyway.
I will definitely keep an eye on the market
I will definitely keep an eye on the market
caraddict said:
Thank you for the replies. Engine swapping is not an option (straight away anyway). The insurance would be affected, less people want a "butchered" car when it comes to resale and I usually own a car like that for maximum of two years anyway.
I will definitely keep an eye on the market
I had my Y reg phase 1 before I had the internet so didn't know about the scare stories, drove it flat out everywhere & it never let me down. Also, as an aside it taught me pretty much everything important about how to drive properly quick.I will definitely keep an eye on the market
Seriously tempted by one, I prefer the front bumper on the pre-facelift over the post facelift (and I'd love one in Green! Looks awesome) but the scare stories would put me off.
For the price, I could probably trade in my s2k and get a mk3 MR2 and a Celica, but having two cards with the exact same engine? hmm... boring?
For the price, I could probably trade in my s2k and get a mk3 MR2 and a Celica, but having two cards with the exact same engine? hmm... boring?
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