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:
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What should I look for in a used Toyota MR2 sports?
The MR2 demonstrates Toyota’s well-deserved reputation for dependability, so there aren’t many reasons to be concerned while purchasing this mid-engined roadster. It’s still important to look for any evidence of collision damage or track day wear, such as noticeably worn-out tyre edges. The MR2 needs four high-quality tires with the same tread pattern, as mismatched tires can negatively effect handling.
Since the MR2 is a low-slung sports car, it is more susceptible to abuse of this nature than other vehicles. However, some suspension issues have been documented.
The Toyota MR2 SW20 is dependable.
Going to drive to work and then discovering the car won’t start is not fun. Starting your commute just to end up stranded on the side of the road is much worse.
The good news is that MR2s are typically quite dependable automobiles, particularly if you have a non-turbo example (for the SW20 generation).
The 3S-GE/GTE engines used in the Toyota MR2 and other Toyota models like the Caldina and Celica (see our buyer’s guide for the Toyota Celica GT-4 here) are dependable components.
You have a straightforward RWD system and a straightforward manual or torque converter automatic transmission, neither of which should be problematic. The SMT transmission option on the third generation MR2/MR-S may be the lone exception, but there haven’t been many complaints about them.
The MR2 can be a dependable and comparatively trouble-free option when compared to some of the more complicated sports cars of the time.
The main problem with the MR2 in terms of reliability is that these vehicles are getting old. With so many years and miles on the odometer, it’s possible that the MR2 you’re considering buying wasn’t maintained as well as it should have been. No car is forgiving of poor maintenance.
People could now purchase MR2s for a reasonable price, mistreat them (because they didn’t care about upkeep and repairs or couldn’t afford them), and then turn them on.
Many of these cars have been driven aggressively because of their high performance, which can stress the vehicle and perhaps decrease its lifespan.
However, reliability shouldn’t be too much of a problem as long as you purchase a respectable MR2 that has been well-maintained and you continue to keep up with the maintenance. These automobiles are inherently basic.
The greatest thing you can do when checking and trying to purchase one of these contemporary masterpieces is to read our Toyota MR2 buyer’s guide to discover what to look out for.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the MR2 might be challenging to work on because of its confined engine compartment and mid-engine placement (if you intend to perform DIY maintenance).
A Toyota MR2 uses how much fuel?
The Toyota MR2 Spyder gets up to 27.5 miles per gallon in mixed driving.
For example, the 2002 4 Cyl. 5 Spd. Convertible 2D trim model’s combined fuel economy is 27.5 mpg (8.2 l/100 km), compared to 2005 4 Cyl. 5 Spd. The combined gas mileage for Convertible 2D is 29.0 miles per gallon (8.6 liters per 100 km).
Depending on the trim and model year, the Toyota MR2 Spyder can achieve a city fuel economy of 9.0 miles per gallon (9.0 liters per 100 km) to 9.4 miles per gallon (9.4 liters per 100 km) and a highway fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon (7.4 liters per 100 km) to 32 miles per gallon (7.8 liters per 100 km).
For hybrid automobiles, the gas mileage displayed is the miles per gallon equivalent.
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.
Will the price of MR2 rise?
The Toyota MR2 has always had more of a cult following and less of an all-encompassing fame than the legendary Japanese sports cars of the 1990s like the Nissan Skyline and Toyota Supra.
The second-generation MR2 (chassis code SW20), a bit more of a JDM dark horse from the 1990s, has remained a relative value despite its unconventional mid-engine layout, agile handling, and distinctive style influenced by Ferrari, all of which were constructed with Toyota’s exceptional quality.
Has the ideal time to purchase a SW20 passed due to the recent explosion in the price of 90s JDM vehicles, or will this special car continue to be a JDM bargain?
The value of Toyota MR2s will probably continue to rise in the future, but not as much as that of more well-known Japanese automobiles like the Supra, NSX, and RX7. The SW20 MR2 is a great deal in the collector car market thanks to its reasonable price, distinctive appearance, and performance numbers.
When was the MR2 the fastest?
Nathan: “Every road car I’ve ever owned has been a Toyota, and I’ve finished tuning projects on everything from an AE92 Corolla GTi-16 to a couple of SW20 MR2 Turbos, the first of which actually broke the world record for fastest production car back in 2009. Unfortunately, that MR2 (below) met an untimely end on the way back from an event, so it was a rather nostalgic move on my part to start another drag project.
“It’s funny because I already had the basic MR2. In order to get our Century drivers to the proper level to get their National A competition race license, I had purchased this specific vehicle years before and transformed it into an MR2 Championship car. But after that was finished, I suppose the MR2 was useless. It was placed in a back room of the workshop and nearly completely ignored. Until I had the brilliant notion to retake the title of fastest man in the world.
How much is a Toyota MR2?
Prices for Toyota MR2s vary from generation to generation according on features, mileage, and condition. A low-mileage Mk1 MR2 in great condition typically costs around $8,000, while supercharged versions can increase the value by up to 50%. Mk2 MR2s in comparable condition start at around $10,000, while turbocharged ones are once more worth about 50% more. A good Mk3 MR2 with low mileage starts at around $12,000.
How fast does a Toyota MR2 go?
The Mk2 Turbo edition of the Toyota MR2 had a top speed of 142 mph and was the fastest one to be marketed in the United States. The peak speed of a Mark I supercharged car is 130 mph, while a naturally aspirated Mk1 variant can reach 120 mph. The top speed of Mark III MR2 Spyders is 129 mph. The range of zero-to-60 mph times is around 5.8 to 9.0 seconds.
Why did Toyota stop making the MR2?
Toyota left the market as sales of tiny sports vehicles declined. With each subsequent model generation, fewer Toyota MR2s were sold in the United States. Sales of Mark I MR2s exceeded those of Mk2 and Mk3 models by over 300 percent.
Will Toyota bring back the MR2?
The brand Toyota is now more committed to producing useful, fuel-efficient commuter cars. There are no current plans to release a new MR2 model with a mid-engine. The Toyota 86 and Supra, which were jointly developed with Subaru and BMW, respectively, are Toyota’s current front-engine sports vehicles.
Why did Toyota cease MR2 production?
The Toyota MR2 was a remarkable car that was known for being “a poor man’s Ferrari,” yet despite the snide comparison, the Toyota MR2 was more than capable of letting its performance speak for itself.
Toyota later canceled the MR2 as additional competitors appeared, which resulted in weak sales. The MR2 was in production from 1984 to 2005, accruing a total of three generations for the coupe: The W10, W20, and W30.
Here’s additional information on the discontinued Toyota MR2, which weighed just under 2,200 pounds and was one of the models most frequently used for performance and enthusiast purposes.