Friday 30th November 2012

PH buying guide: Toyota MR2

Toyota's mid-engined roadster is ideal for those looking for something less hardcore than an Elise

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The third generation of Toyota MR2 that arrived in 2000 was the ideal car to take on the Mazda MX-5 and MGF, particularly as it was the first MR2 to have a fully folding soft-top. It mixed many of the attributes of both of these cars while retaining a unique appeal, although the Toyota perhaps divided the opinions of contemporary road tests and buyers more than its competitors.

Sticking with the mid-engined layout of previous MR2s, the third generation W30 model differed slightly by having its engine turned so the exhaust manifold was to the rear of the engine bay. It also did away with the rear luggage compartment, making this model more focused on driving fun than practicality. This more than anything was what split opinions on the MR2 as many were happy to enjoy the purity of the MR2's driving experience, while others deemed it too compromised.

Search for Toyota MR2s here

Actually there IS an alternative to an MX-5!

Weighing in at just 975kg, only a Lotus Elise could claim to be lighter in the affordable roadster market. This meant the MR2 didn't need a hugely powerful engine to deliver good, though not outright fast, performance. The 140hp 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol motor could muster 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds, though some contemporary road tests saw 0-60mph times as low as 6.8 seconds, and a top speed of 130mph. Another benefit of the lightweight and relatively mild power output was 38.2mpg average fuel consumption and many owners report this is a very realistic figure in everyday driving.

Toyota didn't need to change the MR2 greatly during its production life, which came to an end in 2006. The most significant were the addition of a six-speed gearbox and alterations to the engine to prevent the problems experienced by many early owners with disintegrating pre-cats that ruin the engine. For this reason, the post-facelift cars from late 2002 onwards are generally considered the most desirable. Take heed - though an early MR2 for around £1,600 can look like a bargain it can also be on the verge of some expensive repairs. Expect to pay from £2,500 for a facelifted car and all the way to around £7,500 for a late model, low miles example.

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Owner's view
"I found the car to be really great fun and one of the nicest handling cars I have owned, and I have owned a few. Mine was low mileage and in mint condition so I never experienced any problems: the engine, six-speed gearbox, handling and driving position were faultless. The roof was easy to raise and lower too."
Martin Roberts

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Buying guide contents:
Introduction
Powertrain
Rolling Chassis
Body
Interior

Search for Toyota MR2s here

[anonymous-user]

"more hardcore than an Elise"???


er, I think you'll find you mean "less" not "more"...........

[anonymous-user]

Beat me to it

[eliotrw]

As above x 3

[Guvernator]

Always found this version of the MR2 a huge disappointment when compared to the previous version to be honest. Weedier engines, less practical and the nicest thing I can probably say about the looks is that they weren't to my tastes (dare I say it, very girlie) so not a huge fan I'm afraid.

Give me a previous gen, late revision turbo or one with the 2 litre NA Beams engine any day of the week.

Edited by Guvernator on Friday 30th November 14:17

[justa1972]

My folks drove one of these down to the South of France - brilliant little car. With a luggage rack on the back and one suitcase there was plenty of room.

With twin exhausts it sounded fantastic and due to the low power you couldn't overwhelm the chassis - one of the best handling cars I've driven.

I ended up using it through the winter a couple of years ago - one memorable drive was from Bradford back to home in Derbyshire - the snow had started to settle when I left but the little MR2 coped with everything and the heater belted out hot air - it never skipped a beat and was great fun in the snow, the thin wheels meaning it was surprisingly sure footed...

I really wanted to buy it off them but didn't have a spare 7.5k at the time

8/10's of an Elise I always though but cheap to insure and run - 35 mpg was easily possible even with spirited driving..

Edited by justa1972 on Friday 30th November 17:27

[justa1972]

My folks drove one of these down to the South of France - brilliant little car. With a luggage rack on the back and one suitcase there was plenty of room.

With twin exhausts it sounded fantastic and due to the low power you couldn't overwhelm the chassis - one of the best handling cars I've driven.

I ended up using it through the winter a couple of years ago - one memorable drive was from Bradford back to home in Derbyshire - the snow had started to settle when I left but the little MR2 coped with everything and the heater belted out hot air - it never skipped a beat and was great fun in the snow, the thin wheels meaning it was surprisingly sure footed...

I really wanted to buy it off them but didn't have a spare 7.5k at the time

8/10's of an Elise I always though but cheap to insure and run - 35 mpg was easily possible even with spirited driving..

Edited by justa1972 on Friday 30th November 17:29

[justa1972]

My folks drove one of these down to the South of France - brilliant little car. With a luggage rack on the back and one suitcase there was plenty of room.

With twin exhausts it sounded fantastic and due to the low power you couldn't overwhelm the chassis - one of the best handling cars I've driven.

I ended up using it through the winter a couple of years ago - one memorable drive was from Bradford back to home in Derbyshire - the snow had started to settle when I left but the little MR2 coped with everything and the heater belted out hot air - it never skipped a beat and was great fun in the snow, the thin wheels meaning it was surprisingly sure footed...

I really wanted to buy it off them but didn't have a spare 7.5k at the time

8/10's of an Elise I always though but cheap to insure and run - 35 mpg was easily possible even with spirited driving..

Edited by justa1972 on Friday 30th November 17:29

[Scrof]

Max_Torque said:

"more hardcore than an Elise"???


er, I think you'll find you mean "less" not "more"...........

Yes. That was what I meant to say when I wrote that bit. Sorry. I got distracted halfway through writing it, and forgot to go back and change it.

Consider my head hung in shame and my feet sitting in a vat of cold porridge as penance.

[Codswallop]

Slight inaccuracy in the article. This was the first full folding top MR2;



Built in (very) limited numbers by Toyota Racing Developments (TRD).

I like the Mk3 MR2 - reputedly by far and away the best handling MR2 produced. Low weight helps the performance and reduces fuel and consumables usage too. Shame about the lack of luggage space though.

[collateral]

Am I right in thinking all the ones with front fog lights are the later 6 sp?

[Ricky944s2]

Nice to mention they come with LSD as standard!!

Mine was great fun, had to have a can of tyre weld and leave the spare ar home for a weekend airport run tho!

Gearbox bearings can go on early ones if abused (mines went, new used gearbox cheaper than a rebuild), the usual precat problems and some early ones suffered too much oil consumption (mine had a short engine rebuild done 1 year after warranty expired, Mr. T still honoured it tho )

A bit comical in snow as with a family of BMW & Porker drivers its the only car the works!! lol

miss mine no

[Mastodon2]

Easily the least impressive member of the MR2 family. While some people will try to style it out by saying Toyota didn't bother giving it a good engine because they "wouldn't want a charismatic engine stealing the show" or that the car is "all about the handling", there really is no hiding from the fact the engine is not so hot. Even in a lightweight car it can't pull much out of the hat.

I find the styling not to my taste either, it's much too cutesy for my liking. I think with this MR2 Toyota were looking to tap into the women's market, and in my experience they seem to have met that objective well, I still see a lot of them about so I assume they shifted quite a few, and they do seem to be popular with a certain demographic of customer. In that sense, they probably didn't need a good engine, because a lot of the buyers would not be interested in performance, would not want to be intimidated by a powerful engine and the impressive MPG for a 1.8L engine would be a bonus.

Personally though, if I were buying an MR2 it would be any of them but the MK3. People might say the MK2 Turbo was too intimidating, not the sharpest handling, too snatchy at the limit, but I'd rather drive a car with a surplus of power that requires respect, than thrash one that is lacking in performance knowing that it can't bite because it will never overwhelm it's chassis or grip.

[Herman Toothrot]

Easily the best MR2 by miles if it's a great handling sports car you are after rather than a dual carriageway GT car. Have a look in my garage I have had a few MR2's over the years. :-)

Engines are the only weak point and I'd advise a baffled sump if taking one on track.

They really should be compared to the Elise rather than MX5 or MGF, they have more in common price wise with the latter but much more in common in handling ability and feel to the former.

Will a mk3 be doing Britcar this year?

[m7a]

I bought one of these new back in 2005, and loved it. No, it didn't have a huge amount of power, but the exceptional chassis more than made up for it - there was huge satisfaction in keeping a 'decent pace' over the roads I commonly drive, it was involving at all speeds, comfortable for the taller gentleman, good roof, and had a superb ride. I'd have another one in a heartbeat.

[dublet]

When you consider that in most markets they're actually called the Toyota MR-Spyder or MR-S, they make much more sense than as another revision of the MR2, with which it shares nearly nothing.

[The Don of Croy]

The folding roof is one of the best features...simply miles better than anything you'll find in an MGF or MX5, so simple and yet elegant.

Mine returns 40 - 42 mpg pretty much however I drive, with a high of 47 on the run to the TT. Not the best motorway cruiser - acceptable though. With the roof down it always surprises me just how much noise tyres make at motorway speeds (esp HGV and 4 x 4).

Very comfortable ride - much more so than the M-Sport BeeEm I had before, or the Nissan Gti before that. Just get used to looking up at everything.

Oh and the SMT gearbox - you can change using the stick or with buttons on the wheel, very easy, good fun, just not nearly as quick as the latest generation.

Do I like it? Very much so.

[Lione1 Richie]

Blindingly good car. 8/10ths of an Elise is a totally fair and accurate summary. I loved mine.

[Herman Toothrot]

dublet said:

When you consider that in most markets they're actually called the Toyota MR-Spyder or MR-S, they make much more sense than as another revision of the MR2, with which it shares nearly nothing.

True, although it does remind me of the mk1 I had, it's a car you can really throw about and begs you to misbehave in. The mk2's are just too heavy and dull feeling in comparison with a lack of feed back, 'grown up' is how I'd describe a mk2 compared to the mk1 & mk3.

I had an amazing trackday at the end of the summer with MSE, thrashing down with standing water everywhere at Abingdon, had almost 20 minutes thrashing the car about giggling like an idiot with no one else out on track. It gives so much feed back it's brilliant, mine now sports a 2ZZGE dyno'd at Surrey RR at 192bhp it's immense fun.

By the way stock they will still easily go sideways if you are a bit heavy on the throttle. Easier than a standard mk2 turbo which due to more tyre and more weight generates more traction. My 1st drive to work on getting the mk3 after my VX220 I had the back step out on a big roundabout that in the VX220 or Mk2 MR2 it simply wouldn't have at the same speed. Not an issue though as the car handles so amazingly well.

[Kateg28]

justa1972 said:

I really wanted to buy it off them but didn't have a spare 7500k at the time

That is an expensive car. You could buy a used Veyron for that price. I would have thought your parents would give you a bit of a discount.

Btw I think the Mk3 has a look of a boxster about them.

[gofasterrosssco]

Mostly agree with the comments above. Having owned 7 MR2's (and hopefully another one in the near future) the mk3 is the purest out-of-the-box in terms of a pure driving tool. I commented to someone recently that I felt was not far off dynamically to my VX220, but coped with the everyday stuff / poor roads about 3x better... Oh and to me the hardtop would be a must (its just a pain to store off the car) as unlike some optional hardtops for convertables, it does suit the car, and gives it a small couple feel inside and out. And I was surprised you do notice a difference in chassis rigidity when not fitted.

I'm also a fan of the mk2 because its excellent value and everyday / GT capablities / reliablity, and with good uprated suspension (Koni's / stiffer ARB's) its still a a really good car to drive (up to 8.5/10th's).

Contrast with the mk2 is made (even though they could have been made by different manufacturers!) which is a little unfair on both cars, as it highlights one as less of a pure driving tool (mk2) and the other as supposedly a bit affeminate looking, under-powered and with no luggage space.. For those that say its under-powered, I'm pretty sure most wouldn't be able to drive one to its potential on the road (and I'm not talking about nailing it on the straights and feeling their way round bends.. ;-))