RE: Toyota MR2: Market Watch
Discussion
I love the mk1 for the lightweights they are, but I have to respond to some of these
Bennet said:
I own an AW11 and I've driven a mk2 on several occasions. I wanted to like the mk2, and I don't doubt it's a decent machine in its own way, but it seemed a let down to me compared with the mk1.
The engine feels sluggish until you really rev it out in the mk2. The mk1 is eager, from much lower down in the rev range. (Though it should be noted my mk1 is a low mileage minter, and the mk2 I drove had 100,000 miles of hard driving on the clock, if that's likely to make any difference.)
That's car specific. there are a number of different engines in the mk2s ranging from the gutless 3s-fe to the properly pokey 'gen4' 3s-gte from the caldina. The 3s-ge wasn't the torquiest engine in the world but the gearing was accordingly short/The engine feels sluggish until you really rev it out in the mk2. The mk1 is eager, from much lower down in the rev range. (Though it should be noted my mk1 is a low mileage minter, and the mk2 I drove had 100,000 miles of hard driving on the clock, if that's likely to make any difference.)
Bennet said:
The ride is far worse. The mk1 has no problems with potholes and speed bumps. The mk2 crashes over them.
Again, that's car specificBennet said:
The mk2 has a depressing interior. The mk1 isn't a work of art, but it's characterful and focussed. The mk2 is just a big blank slab.
It's early 90's toyota, whereas the mk1s are angular, mid '80s toyota. The mk1 are also too small if you're over 5'11". The interior is well put together and uses the space you have pretty well.Bennet said:
The mk2s pictured in this thread look fantastic, but they've been subtly modified. The standard ones don't always look great from every angle.
This is a personal thing I think. I still prefer the stock body to almost any kitted car. I think it's look is lasting well. Mine is standard aside from the alloys.Bennet said:
If they ever build a mk4, I'd be very pleased if it were more of a successor to the mk1, rather than the mk2. Sharp, raw but with a suspension set up suited to UK roads. I've high hopes for the MX5-RF, but haven't yet tried one.
Yes, the mk1 was a great raw concept (especially the supercharged ones), but i would probably recommend the continuation of the mk3 which is the best driver of the three. Both the mk1 and mk3 are prohibitively small for some people (i.e me) which would put me off.For anyone who wants to know about the UK NA MK2 , i will fill you in 
I have owned mine since 2013 , it has 0 modifications and i have taken in from 57000 miles in 2013 to 80000 miles now.
Its a UK REV 4 with the NA 3SGE Engine , Figures say 0-60 in a snip quicker than 8 seconds.
People ask how quick it is. It is fast enough to be fun on the B roads , but you aren't going to be winning any drag races. You will be beaten off the lights by boring Grey Diesel cars but you won't be jealous.
That isn't the point of this car. Take the T tops off on a nice morning and hit the B-Roads. The Throttle is really responsive so a fantastic throaty sound right behind your ear is easily accessible , The 3SGE really likes to Rev so you will be looking for excuses to give it more beans that you really should.
I genuinely think this is the way to have a slice of the supercar experience for very little cash.
It is my second car , and driving it is still an event to look forward to.
Feel free to ask me any questions
I have owned mine since 2013 , it has 0 modifications and i have taken in from 57000 miles in 2013 to 80000 miles now.
Its a UK REV 4 with the NA 3SGE Engine , Figures say 0-60 in a snip quicker than 8 seconds.
People ask how quick it is. It is fast enough to be fun on the B roads , but you aren't going to be winning any drag races. You will be beaten off the lights by boring Grey Diesel cars but you won't be jealous.
That isn't the point of this car. Take the T tops off on a nice morning and hit the B-Roads. The Throttle is really responsive so a fantastic throaty sound right behind your ear is easily accessible
, The 3SGE really likes to Rev so you will be looking for excuses to give it more beans that you really should.I genuinely think this is the way to have a slice of the supercar experience for very little cash.
It is my second car , and driving it is still an event to look forward to.
Feel free to ask me any questions
Edited by FIREBIRDC9 on Tuesday 18th July 13:16
IdiotRace said:
A standard uk suspended MKII shouldn't be crashy over bumps, with working dampers and the stock 15's they should be pretty cushy. I don't really like em, much rather the stock turbo billsteins or some konis imo.
They are VERY variable.My dad (a Trader) had an MR2 in stock and I took it up the road - it was awful, didn't want to turn in and drove terribly consequently, I dismissed them for years.
I then bought a modified V6 and I couldn't believe it was based on the same car - it's a delight !
Loved my Mk1 - my first 2-seat sports car.
Found it in a field and spent more than a pretty penny having it restored to the best standard my budget could afford - far more than the value of the car itself.
Loved being thrashed and whilst from the outside it possibly never looked as stunning a sports car as it felt from the inside (I thought I was in a Ferrari), I didn't have a single boring journey in it.
Found it in a field and spent more than a pretty penny having it restored to the best standard my budget could afford - far more than the value of the car itself.
Loved being thrashed and whilst from the outside it possibly never looked as stunning a sports car as it felt from the inside (I thought I was in a Ferrari), I didn't have a single boring journey in it.
The Mk1 MR2 was just right...properly responsive, balanced, eager. Surprisingly comfortable too, short gearing notwithstanding.
With a 1.8 litre engine and six speed gearbox you could put it on sale today. That virtually makes it a Mk3 of course, but it shows how good the original concept was.
Apart perhaps from a galvanised body.
With a 1.8 litre engine and six speed gearbox you could put it on sale today. That virtually makes it a Mk3 of course, but it shows how good the original concept was.
Apart perhaps from a galvanised body.
paulyv said:
Loved my Mk1 - my first 2-seat sports car.
Found it in a field and spent more than a pretty penny having it restored to the best standard my budget could afford - far more than the value of the car itself.
Loved being thrashed and whilst from the outside it possibly never looked as stunning a sports car as it felt from the inside (I thought I was in a Ferrari), I didn't have a single boring journey in it.
I remember the MK1 at the Great Yarmouth Motorshow (is that still going?) when I was about 14. I thought it was amazing and would have loved to have owned one. Found it in a field and spent more than a pretty penny having it restored to the best standard my budget could afford - far more than the value of the car itself.
Loved being thrashed and whilst from the outside it possibly never looked as stunning a sports car as it felt from the inside (I thought I was in a Ferrari), I didn't have a single boring journey in it.
Owning my MK2 was not an anticlimax. When my brothers had a Chimera and tuned Elise I still preferred it and those cars didn't overshadow it.
Wayoftheflower said:
CDP said:
I can't help thinking Toyota ought replace the MK2 as a Lexus with a transverse V6 and a 30 - 35K starting price tag. It would do the brand a world of good and a hybrid performance boost on the top model.
That would of course be utterly wonderful.But a few small points;
1. Lotus might be a bit cross at them offering an Evora competitor at half the price.
2. Might cannibalise GT86 sales a touch.....
3. They don't have a decent transverse manual installation in any form throughout Toyota.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mid-en...
This article has hit at just the right time, I have had a friend offer me his mk1 mr2 for £3k.
He has owned it for three years and it has been looked after, T bar repairs, cambelt, blew bushes etc. The only issue is that it is starting to show rust on the rear valance and arch, nothing major yet but will need work soon. It also has dodgy aftermarket wheels.
Prices of these are all over the place,what should I hope to pay? I don't want insult or short change my friend but need to think of myself.
He has owned it for three years and it has been looked after, T bar repairs, cambelt, blew bushes etc. The only issue is that it is starting to show rust on the rear valance and arch, nothing major yet but will need work soon. It also has dodgy aftermarket wheels.
Prices of these are all over the place,what should I hope to pay? I don't want insult or short change my friend but need to think of myself.
I've owned all 3 at some point (OK, the Mk3 was the wife's, but I still spent a lot of time in the driver's seat.
The Mk1 was bought with my heart instead of my head, it was a C' Reg ('86 I think) and was an absolute dog, had a terrible leaky head gasket and would over heat every journey and at the time I didn't have the money to do anything to it. Needless to say I sold after a few months, however, it was great fun to drive when it wasn't over-heating, handled beautifully.
My Mk2, was a dream come true for me, ever since I'd seen a yellow one cruising around not after they were released (about '93) I wanted a yellow T-Bar, I think very few cars actually look good in yellow, but MR2 Mk2's, really do look fantastic in that colour. I loved that car and kept it for 4.5 years. For me Mk2's are the nicest, not only do they have such a col exotic look outside, but I think the interior is possibly the best and most comfortable interior around, plus it felts so special, absolutely surrounded by nice leather, thick carpets and having that huge transmission tunnel and the stubby gear stick (oh, the stubby gear stick
) just made it feel far more expensive than it was. Sold it to get the VX220, which I loved even more and is by far the best car I've owned, but still wish I could have kept the MR2 as well. I still now consider buying a Mk2 as a dedicated track toy, preferably in yellow.
My wife's Mk3, she owned it for 10 years and loved it, granted, she drove like "Miss Daisy", but when I drove it was able to put my foot down a bit it really was brilliant, handled superbly. I considered a Mk3, when I got the VX, but to me at the time, I didn't like the interior, or the full soft top. It just wasn't an MR2 to me, I wanted more luxurious and enveloping interior, not less! But as far as handling goes (which is what it should always be about for these) it was way better than the Mk2.
The Mk1 was bought with my heart instead of my head, it was a C' Reg ('86 I think) and was an absolute dog, had a terrible leaky head gasket and would over heat every journey and at the time I didn't have the money to do anything to it. Needless to say I sold after a few months, however, it was great fun to drive when it wasn't over-heating, handled beautifully.
My Mk2, was a dream come true for me, ever since I'd seen a yellow one cruising around not after they were released (about '93) I wanted a yellow T-Bar, I think very few cars actually look good in yellow, but MR2 Mk2's, really do look fantastic in that colour. I loved that car and kept it for 4.5 years. For me Mk2's are the nicest, not only do they have such a col exotic look outside, but I think the interior is possibly the best and most comfortable interior around, plus it felts so special, absolutely surrounded by nice leather, thick carpets and having that huge transmission tunnel and the stubby gear stick (oh, the stubby gear stick
) just made it feel far more expensive than it was. Sold it to get the VX220, which I loved even more and is by far the best car I've owned, but still wish I could have kept the MR2 as well. I still now consider buying a Mk2 as a dedicated track toy, preferably in yellow.My wife's Mk3, she owned it for 10 years and loved it, granted, she drove like "Miss Daisy", but when I drove it was able to put my foot down a bit it really was brilliant, handled superbly. I considered a Mk3, when I got the VX, but to me at the time, I didn't like the interior, or the full soft top. It just wasn't an MR2 to me, I wanted more luxurious and enveloping interior, not less! But as far as handling goes (which is what it should always be about for these) it was way better than the Mk2.
I loved my red mk1 i ran it alongside a pug 309 gti.
During the time i owned it i had notes left by 2 dealers offering cash for it and was also followed by a guy for miles who wanted to buy it.
I had a stainless steel exhaust fitted which sounded good. I also had my local toyota/lexus dealer try and rip me off over a radiator. The car had gone in for a new radiator and happened to pop into the dealer just as a second hand one was being delivered and taken out of its packaging.
I kept a towel in the car for the odd leak from the t bar seals.
I really wish i had kept the car and instantly regretted selling it,
During the time i owned it i had notes left by 2 dealers offering cash for it and was also followed by a guy for miles who wanted to buy it.
I had a stainless steel exhaust fitted which sounded good. I also had my local toyota/lexus dealer try and rip me off over a radiator. The car had gone in for a new radiator and happened to pop into the dealer just as a second hand one was being delivered and taken out of its packaging.
I kept a towel in the car for the odd leak from the t bar seals.
I really wish i had kept the car and instantly regretted selling it,
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