I’ve had five Toyota MR2s in the past ten years, all with different levels of upkeep and customization. All five of them were second-generation models with turbocharged engines and a handful with naturally aspirated engines (19911995 in the United States). All repairs and maintenance, with the exception of the times one of them needed bodywork, have been completed by me.
If you live in an area where the climate permits it, the Toyota MR2 is unquestionably capable of being a very enjoyable, dependable daily driver. Considering its age, it’s safe, cozy, and dependable (after all, it’s a Toyota). Compared to current autos, maintenance costs are also rather low.
You might want to give it more thought if you live somewhere that receives a lot of snow, like I do in Central New York. Any sports car should never be driven in the snow, let alone one that appears to be increasing in value. But aside from that, it’s a terrific idea to drive an MR2 every day.
Permit me to expand on a few of these ideas now:
In This Article...
Is the original MR2 trustworthy?
Now that you are familiar with the background and features of the Mk1 Toyota MR2, let’s look at what you should know before making a purchase of one of these Japanese mid-engine vehicles. The MR2 Mk1 is generally a fairly dependable vehicle, but many of them are getting on in years and can have a number of difficulties that could leave your wallet feeling considerably lighter.
Is driving the Toyota MR2 challenging?
The Toyota MR2 is so risky that it serves as an example of why sports car manufacturers should be cautious while creating their automobiles. The MR2 was adored by its fans for its performance, but its increased speed and power increased its risk. For inexperienced drivers, the MR2 proved challenging to operate due to its speed and power.
The MR2 was designed by Toyota to be a cost-effective sports car. Young drivers favored it because of its lower cost. Even the most basic safety features were missing from the MR2.
Is the Toyota MR2 quick?
- Powered by a NA 2.0L 3S-GE engine, the GT-i T-Bar. Full leather door cards and seats were optional, however the luxury 8 speaker audio system was provided as standard.
Although no turbo variants were formally supplied to the European market, many Japanese models were offered for sale on the black market.
- Trim levels for the US market
- 2.2L NA 5S-FE engine powering the MR2 with a four-speed A/T or five-speed M/T, delivering 130 horsepower (97 kW).
- MR2 Turbo is only available with a 5-speed M/T and has a turbocharged 2.0L 3S-GTE engine that generates 200 bhp (203 PS; 149 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 200 lbft (271 Nm) at 3,200 rpm of torque (offered solely with the T-bar roof after early 1993).
The “Turbo” emblem (US) on the rear trunk, the “TWIN CAM 16 TURBO” decal above the side intake (Japanese market), a fiberglass engine lid with raised vents, fog lights, and an additional interior center storage compartment placed between the two seats are all differences between the normally aspirated and turbocharged models. The wheels and tires on every SW20 MR2 were staggered, with the rear wheels and tires being broader than the front ones.
The Turbo versions’ mechanical variations include:
- Stronger axles and a heavier, more robust E153 gearbox with various ratios;
- larger radiator and gasoline pump.
- The front brake calipers on models with 3S-GE and 3S-GTE engines have two pistons. Only single-piston calipers were available for models with the 5S-FE engine.
- having a connected air-to-air intercooler and a modified exhaust arrangement, the 3S-GTE engine;
The factory MR2 Turbo variant on the US market was able to reach 060 mph (097 km/h) in 6.1 seconds and complete the quarter mile in 14.7 seconds.
At the skidpad, the Revision 1 Turbo SW20 can generate 0.89g, while later iterations typically generate 0.90g or 0.94g.
[22][25]
Revision Two vehicles were equipped with Yokohama A022 tires; ironically, the Honda NSX also makes use of a unique A022 variation. [24]
A stock Rev 3 GT-S Turbo sold in Japan was able to complete the quarter-mile in 13.1 seconds, outperforming more expensive and potent cars like the Honda NSX, Toyota Supra RZ, and even the Ferrari 348 TB[26].
In an episode of the well-known Japanese auto TV program Best Motoring, they competed on the Tsukuba Circuit against other Japanese market rivals in a factory stock Rev 5 GT-S Turbo. The MR2 won the circuit race. At the Tsukuba Circuit, a Rev 2 GT-S was able to post a time of 1:08.00 in the ranks of personal bests. [27]
Why are MR2 prices so low?
The later model MR2 built by Toyota between 1997 and 2007 is known as the MR2 Spyder. The Toyota Midship Runabout 2 made its premiere in 1997 at the Tokyo Motor Show, fitting for a vehicle intended for the Japanese Domestic Market. The name MR2 wasn’t merely a strange collection of letters.
The MR2 has a traditional mid-engine design, which makes driving it superior to some other sports vehicles of the same price. You can typically buy an excellent used car for under $10,000 on the used car market. Because they are a Toyota, they require little upkeep, and repairs are frequently affordable.
They don’t have much power, with only 138 bph from the dependable 1.8L engine. Popular options for the car that can boost its power and speed include aftermarket turbochargers.
The fact that the MR2 is also available with a manual transmission, which has the same Toyota dependability and is simple to shift but increases driving enjoyment, would also be of appeal to many prospective purchasers.
Are MR2 repairs expensive?
Toyotas typically rank among the most affordable cars to maintain. A Toyota MR2’s annual maintenance and repair costs range from $95 to $2,650, with an average of $454, according to Your Mechanic. Fortunately, maintenance is free for the first 25,000 miles or two years after you buy the car. However, the cost rises as the mileage does.
In a similar vein, Toyota MR2 repairs are less expensive than those for other models with comparable quality. The extended car warranty is the best way to increase coverage while lowering repair costs.
You won’t be responsible for Toyota MR2 maintenance fees for the first two years. Depending on mileage, budget between $100 and $600 annually. For example, service between 30,000 and 60,000 miles will cost extra. After the initial two years of coverage, you’ll be responsible for paying for both planned and unplanned maintenance on your Toyota MR2. The planned maintenance includes all procedures Toyota advises to be completed at predetermined intervals, such as an oil change, fluid level correction, and tire rotation.
Replace systems or components that degrade over time, including brake pads and windshield wipers, as part of unforeseen maintenance. The cost breakdown for Toyota MR2 maintenance and repair is as follows:
Depending on where you take your MR2 to get mended, the price will change. Going to a Toyota dealer will definitely cost you more money than taking the car to a local mechanic. The key is to locate a store or dealer you can believe in.
How many more MR2s are there?
21) Less than 11,000 MR2 models (including legally provided and imports) are currently officially registered in the UK, according to the website How Many Left. 22) According to Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota, “Three Brothers should be part of Toyota’s sports vehicle lineup.
Which engines will fit in a Toyota MR2?
Rogue Motorsport has finished several engine conversions for various makes and models over the last 15 years. We provide a number of “off the shelf” engine conversions for different Toyota models, as well as “one off” custom engine conversions to meet client needs. In this area of our business, our internal design, development, and fabrication facilities are crucial. Here are a few instances of conversions we can perform or give.
A historically highly well-liked engine upgrade for the UK-spec MR2 without a turbo. We’ve finished a lot of these conversions over the years, but the engine kits are increasingly harder to find these days. The conversion increases your horsepower from about 175 to 240 in basic trim, and there is plenty of room to modify the engine for more power. Being a direct fit to the chassis, this engine modification is pretty simple.
Conversion of a Mazda MX5 to an RX8 Rotory Engine. This was a unique project for a customer that needed us to construct a brand-new subframe for the front of the car in order to do the change. To install the RX8 rear LSD equipped differential, we also had to modify the rear subframe. The finished product was fantastic and includes the factory RX8 dash, which can rev up to 9000 rpm despite being a highly involved job!
A Toyota MR2 is a sports car, right?
The Toyota MR2, which was discontinued in 2007, is still recognized as one of the best sports vehicles produced by the company. Since then, the car manufacturer has been debating whether to design a replacement for the MR2, with one executive even stating that he would want to see Toyota collaborate with Porsche on a prospective new lightweight sports car.
Unfortunately, it appears like Toyota has no plans to bring back the storied nameplate, at least not in the near future. The Supra, the new GR 86, and the GR Yaris are the company’s current three sports vehicles, thus a comeback is “not a priority for the company.” Simply told, Toyota won’t be producing a new MR2, so don’t hold your breath.
Is it wise to invest in MR2?
One advantage of having a distinctive classic car is the possibility that it will one day become a highly sought-after collectible with a potential for appreciation. MR2s are currently not as expensive as other vintage JDM models, but with rising market demand, costs are expected to soar.
Owning an MR2 today may therefore turn out to be a great investment in a classic in the future. The only thing that is certain is that an MR2 is a fun sports vehicle to possess and may be among the least expensive mid-engine versions now available on the market. However, there is no certainty as to how much higher the prices could go.
Are MR2 stylish?
The Toyota MR2 is a stylish and reasonably priced mid-engined sports car that was sold in three distinctly different incarnations.
Toyota has a lot of experience building quality sports cars. They have built numerous renowned and iconic sports cars over the years, many of which have made significant contributions to history. Some of those are now worth absurd sums of money as well.
But what happens when the head of Toyota gets a brilliant idea to build a mid-engine, reasonably priced sports car that handles as well as the best supercars and costs a fraction of the price, both to buy and to maintain? The MR2. The MR2 is an interesting sports car that is underappreciated.