Friday 30th July 2010

SOTW: Mk1 Toyota MR2

Shed spots a Japanese gem, and proves that Toyotas can be good

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Toyota might be a company that started life building sewing machines, and that today tends to focus its enormous corporate might on selling automotive white goods in the millions, but it is not, as some occasionally accuse it of being, a corporation bereft of soul.

Today's SOTW is proof of Toyota's passion. The MR2's origins actually go back to 1976, when Toyota decided that it wanted to build a small sports car that was both enjoyable to drive and fairly economical, but the car didn't actually appear until the Tokyo motor show in 1983, before going on sale in the UK in 1985.

During that time, the little Toyota became mid-engined, acquired its rather kitsch 'Midship Runabout 2-seater moniker, and got a zingy twin-cam 1.6-litre engine with 122bhp and 105lb ft. It also visited Lotus (in whom Toyota had a major shareholding at the time) to receive a fettling from one Roger Becker - who has just finished his illustrious career at Lotus with the special-edition RGB Elise - and even spent some development time with former F1 driver Dan Gurney behind the wheel.

The result was a fun, light coupe. As a result, the first-generation model has always had a bit of a cult following, although the attentions of rot and the tendency for the cars to be backed into objects at high speed has made them quite rare these days.

Cheap unmolested ones still exist, though, as PHer Ian Bond (Only1ian) - the proud owner of three Mk1 MR2s - has proved. He's spotted this one and sent it through to Shed, having been inspired by the forthcoming FT-86 coupe, as a reminder of how good some Toyotas have been in the past.

"If you dont use it," says Ian, "I'd love to know what you could have possibly found that's more fun, topical and cheap!" Quite right Ian - it looks clean, it's got an MOT but no rust, and for Shed's notional £1k budget you should have some spare change for a bit of repair work, should you need it.

Perhaps a telling insight into just how much the Mister-Two gets under your skin is this comment of the vendor's: "I already have a MK1 MR2 and spent a small fortune on it and have been told in no uncertain terms - not again."

This one's even red, so you can pretend it's a baby Ferrari (except one that's reliable and cheap to run).

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Advert is reproduced below:

1989 TOYOTA MR2 MK1 RED (1989)
77,000 miles £800

I have for sale a red 1989 Mk1 MR2 T - Bar

I have this car checked out by my friendly mechanic who carried out the MOT and there is nothing wrong with.

The rear wheel arches have been repaired and are therefore rust free. Body wise it is in very good condition.

Underneath is in excellent condition.

Interior is also in very good condition.

T - Bar does not leak

Bad points

Paintwork is a little bit patchy when close up

Rear window spoiler is missing

I already have a MK1 MR2 and spent a small fortune on it and have been told in no uncertain terms - not again

Please feel free to ask any questions

[loudlashadjuster]

Love these, and seriously considered one about 3 or 4 years B.K. (before kids) but was put off by the fact that almost all of them that I looked at were suffering badly round the rear arches.

This looks a good 'un though, the right colour (not white), the right wheels and everything

[HereBeMonsters]

I very nearly bought one about 5 years ago, but again, rust issues, and leaky sunroof put me off. I will own one at some point though - certainly one on my "must own" list...

[RallyRider]

My brother-in-law had one of these in blue (G400 TYO?) and when my sister drove it to college my mates were very jealous. Great little cars.

[sidaorb]

Great little car, was the closest I found to my old X19 for sheer 'go-kart' fun. Very tempted but I know what O/H will say

[meltie]

What an excellent deal! I had one of these last year - just be doubly sure it's not got the rot under the repairs somehow. Mine 'went' incredibly quickly when the rust took hold.

Lovely motor though

[HereBeMonsters]

sidaorb said:

Great little car, was the closest I found to my old X19 for sheer 'go-kart' fun. Very tempted but I know what O/H will say

Possibly the only car that rusts faster!

[FWDRacer]

This is just crying out for a "Ferrari" bodykit...

Mate had one of these at Uni - top car - willing engine - tidy handling. How did Toyota manage to bugger the concept up so far on the next ietration of MR2?

Good shedding.

[5pen]

Doesn't sound too bad for £800, but as has been said they do seem to rust badly. A friend of mine has one of a similar age and he's just fitted two new front wings and whilst doing so discovered loads of rot he was not previously aware of.

I had an '89 MR2 from 92-95 and it was fantastic fun and never caused me any trouble. Probably the only car I've owned that I regretted selling. I saw it on the M25 the other day was actually excited!

[laam999]

I paid £250 for mine with rusted arches and floor pan and no tax or MOT, just learning to weld now so hopefully it'll be on the road in a few months

[simonrockman]

I had one of these from new. Loved it

[LuS1fer]

Even when it came out, it was ugly and that was it's biggest failing. The MX5 spanked it in the looks department as did the MR2 Mk II.

[799boy]

Owned a couple of these a few years back. Find a good one and you will love it!

Aside from some 5th gear issues and the usual rust spots, these are fantastic to drive and the engine is a gem if properly maintained. Forget the MK2/3 - this is the best drivers car out of the range.

Absolute bargain I reckon (makes an MX5 feel heavy (and yes, i've owned one of those too)).

[Kentish]

Anyone else expecting to see a thread about Kylie?

[Mroad]

Great little motor. I think I had mine for 5 years, must be a good 10-15 years ago now. I had no real issues other than the usual rusting rear arches. The longest I have owned a car. The dark blue colour they did looked great, mine was red though.
I think I still have the sales brochure somewhere, nice cutaway drawings of it.

I seem to remember the whole engine, gearbox and suspension unit is literally taken out of a Corolla GT, turned around and plopped in the back (different exhaust obviously). The steering linkage and rack to what would have been the front hubs is just replaced with a solid bar, very simple and clever engineering.
By the way it's 122bhp and 102lbft as standard not 128bhp. The first UK SW20's that replaced it were less powerful (119bhp), heavier and therefore slower.
The AW11 to get is the rare, JDM only supercharged version with 143bhp as standard.

[Dagnut]

I mate of mine has a pristine version for sale in Ireland, absolutely spotless, spotless history not a spec of rust ..I don't think he'd let it go for less than 2k but it's perfect.

[simonpg]

Love this car,

Best SOTW so far

[Shedfan]

Ad says it's expired? Que?

Excellent shed, if I could sell my car I would buy it, seriously!

[IOM Q]

Love it, a colleague of mine has a spotless one with only 23k on it, garaged since she bought it new and says she will never sell it.

[Bruniep]

Would be a cracker for track days as well at that price

[Riggers]

Mroad said:

Great little motor. I think I had mine for 5 years, must be a good 10-15 years ago now. I had no real issues other than the usual rusting rear arches. The longest I have owned a car. The dark blue colour they did looked great, mine was red though.
I think I still have the sales brochure somewhere, nice cutaway drawings of it.

I seem to remember the whole engine, gearbox and suspension unit is literally taken out of a Corolla GT, turned around and plopped in the back (different exhaust obviously). The steering linkage and rack to what would have been the front hubs is just replaced with a solid bar, very simple and clever engineering.
By the way it's 122bhp and 102lbft as standard not 128bhp. The first UK SW20's that replaced it were less powerful (119bhp), heavier and therefore slower.
The AW11 to get is the rare, JDM only supercharged version with 143bhp as standard.

Oh well - you'll have to take that one up with Toyota - for this is where I got the info (personally I wouldn't be all that surprised if that was wrong, but you've got to pick a source...)


Having said that, i've just checked an old Autocar and that says 122bhp and 105lb ft - so i've amended the copy to say that