Survivor-grade Toyota MR2 (W10) | Spotted
As we wait on Toyota's future sports cars, what better reminder of the good old days?
There are some cars that you always expect to last a little better than others. Luxury saloons built without consideration for cost and designed for a life on the motorway perhaps; fiercely expensive exotica that will live a pampered life; or those cockroach-spec 4x4s that refuse to die. It’s no surprise when a 40-year-old example of those emerges.
But a Toyota MR2? That is a turn-up. This was a semi-affordable mid-engined sports car with a propensity to rust; short of also having a rotary engine in the middle, it’s hard to think of a worse recipe for longevity. Which is a shame, because the Midship Runabout 2 Seat was a hugely significant little car; it was there with various Celicas, Corollas and Supras as proof that Toyota could make accessible fun cars. And remember this first generation W10 had wound up its five-year production run before the first MX-5 had sold; the MR2 was one of the pioneers, proof that Japan could do more than just econoboxes.
Four decades ago having the engine behind the driver in anything less than a supercar remained a real novelty, too. The Fiat X1/9 was soldiering on, but it was a far less modern machine by the mid-80s. Toyota fully embraced the mini exotic vibe with the MR2,: if pop up headlights, side strakes and bonnet vents are good enough for bonafide supercars, they’re good enough for a smaller mid-engined sports car. Subsequent MR2s would become more powerful, of course, and a full roadster came in time, though it was the original that was the real trendsetter. And while details changed, the fundamentals didn’t, the MR2 remaining mid-engined, four-cylinder and huge fun to drive. Next year marks 20 years since the end of all MR2 production - let’s hope Toyota has something special lined up to mark the occasion.
Until then, there’s this one to admire, one of the very rare W10 survivors. More than that, in fact, it’s an incredibly low-mileage, recently restored MR2, which there really can’t be many of. A 1989 example (so one of the last sold here before the Mk2), it was enjoyed during the early '90s to the tune of 18,000 miles. Then, 30 years ago, it went into storage - and didn’t come out until 2022…
In the past few years it’s benefitted from the recommissioning work that you’d expect, with fresh rubbers, fluids and whatnot. There’s no mention of paint or bodywork, so it must have been stored exceptionally well; it really does present as a showroom fresh MR2, from mudflaps to seat bolsters. A seemingly glorious example, and proof of just how right this original design was.
With little use even since the recommissioning, it’s still on less than 20,000 miles; probably a bit too nice for really regular use (especially as the weather turns), if the ideal retro runaround when the situation suits. It is an '80s Toyota, after all - of all the classic sports cars to place some faith in, an MR2 must be up there. And it’s for sale at £20k, or not very much more than the adjusted for inflation price paid in 1992. Sounds like a bit of a bargain…
SPECIFICATION | TOYOTA MR2 (W10)
Engine: 1,587cc four-cylinder
Transmission: five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 128@5,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 105@5,000rpm
MPG: 29
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 1989
Recorded mileage: 18,829
Price new: £9,295 (1985)
Yours for: £19,995
Always felt special, revved to the moon and was always reliable. By the time I got it, it already had rust on the rear arches and needed welding to get through it's MOT.
Not sure I'd want to spend £20k for a trip down memory lane, but a lovely thing to have owned in my early 20's.
I considered buying the later model a lot of years ago, when I went into the dealers for a look I couldn't believe how expensive it was...another car I regret never owning.
The much anticipated new MR2 will be an amazing car...I'll have to go and check it out and who knows it I part ways with my much loved Cayman S for one.
A couple of things to note on this one for sale, especially for £20k, there should be a dual pin stripe running around both bumpers, as per the 2 red MR2s, the alloys should also be painted black on the inside of the teardrop.
My first one I traded in a Nova GTE for, I absolutely loved it, I kept it a couple of years and traded it in for a MK1 MX5, as I was keen to have a convertible. I had another one about 10 years later, insured as a classic, I had to have both rear arches repaired...
I also had a MK2 MR2, I personally didn't think it was a patch on the MK1....
Everyone has to own a car with pop up headlights at some stage in their life...!
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