1) The MR2 was initially intended to be a two-person, fuel-efficient commuting vehicle. However, the project was refocused to become a cheap sports car, a modern iteration of Toyota’s classic Sports 800, when this was thought to be too avant-garde for conservative purchasers.
2) Despite using the engine, chassis, and transmission from the modern Corolla to simplify mass production and cut costs, the MR2’s configuration made it the country of Japan’s first mid-engine production vehicle.
Midship Runabout 2-seater is what the term MR2 stands for, although it should be noted that the initials MR also represent for the vehicle’s mid-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration.
4) In the UK, the first-generation MR2 was first sold in a single, well-equipped grade that was roughly comparable to the G-Limited grade in Japan. Metallic paint was the sole choice.
5) In August 1986, face-lifted automobiles were unveiled in Japan. The T-bar roof option, initially seen on the SV-3 concept car of 1983, was also made available globally. The T-bar setup increased the MR2’s kerb weight by 30 kg.
6) From 1985 to 1989, 13,580 vehicles of the first-generation MR2 were sold in the UK, considerably exceeding forecasts. The car was so well-liked that we got up to 20% of the global output.
7) The first- and second-generation MR2s were built with five bulkheads to feel sturdy in all driving situations: behind the radiator, at the front and back of the cockpit, behind the engine, and behind the baggage compartment.
8) Toyota engineers improved the suspension and steering of the second-generation model in the UK to better fit British preferences and road network in acknowledgement of our position as the MR2’s second-largest export market outside of the USA.
9) A 2.0-liter 3S-FE basic model of the second-generation MR2 was only available in the UK market (also used in the contemporary Carina). This model, which was offered until the fall of 1992, can be recognized by its lack of front fog lights and rear spoiler.
10) The second-generation MR2 gave birth to two extremely limited production models: the open-top Toyota Technocraft Spider and wide-bodied TRD 2000GT. The first-generation MR2 opened the door for the potential of a four-wheel drive rally version.
11) The second-generation MR2 was manufactured for ten years, which is nearly twice as long as the first. The model underwent a number of small revisions over this time, each of which is typically distinguished by the exact time period in which it was constructed, from Revision 2 through Revision 5.
12) At the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, the first design concept for the upcoming Toyota Prius and the first design concept for a probable third-generation MR2 were both unveiled. The MRJ (Midship Runabout Joyful) had a 2+2 seating configuration.
13) The third-generation MR2 overcame what was dubbed “being smaller in every significant aspect, including proportions, engine size, power, kerb weight, and price, during the cycle of growth.
14) Because the third-generation MR2 did away with the back luggage area, a fifth bulkhead was not necessary. This reduced weight and made it possible to channel the exhaust more effectively.
15) The top of the cloth convertible roof was made to fold down and function as a tonneau cover. There was, however, a lightweight, fiberglass hard top variant that weighed only 18kg.
16) The first Japanese vehicle with a sequential gearbox was the third-generation MR2. This automated manual gearbox, also known as SMT, did away with the clutch pedal and let the driver to select gears without lifting their foot off the accelerator.
17) The third-generation MR2 was the first Toyota car to be formally offered with a body package as an option in the UK. Due to its popularity, identical products are also offered for modern Yaris, Celica, and RAV4 models.
18) The 2004 release of the Red Collection model (shown above), which features graphite grey paintwork with red leather accents and a red fabric roof, has made it one of the most sought-after vehicles today.
19) In 2006, the TF300 special editions were used to sell the final 300 copies of the third-generation MR2. Each high-end vehicle had a unique vehicle number that was hand-stitched into the seatback and was constructed to order (see below).
20) A total of 45,161 Toyota MR2 vehicles were sold in the UK. Sales began to be tracked in March 1985, and thanks to sales of 4,053 units, 1991 was the model’s finest year in the UK. Here, the final third-generation vehicle was sold in 2007. Thus, the MR2 was offered for purchase for a total of 22 years.
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) Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota, stated in a statement that he would like “Three Brothers are included in Toyota’s lineup of sports cars. The GT86/GR86 and Supra already occupy two of those slots. Does that imply that an MR2 spiritual successor could complete the trio? Time will only tell.
In This Article...
The Toyota MR2 is an uncommon automobile, right?
Unless you’re a devoted admirer of Toyota, it’s simple to forget about the Toyota MR2. It was a rear-wheel-drive (R), 2-seater sports car with a mid-engine (M) that functioned as a cheap roadster with excellent driving dynamics and Toyota dependability.
What percentage of Toyota MR2 Mk2s are still in the UK?
“It was my 4 June 2004 purchase, thus today is its birthday! I’ve driven 63,500 miles in it since I’ve owned it. I’ve also owned the Starlet, Carina E, Avensis CDX, Corolla SR, and Auris Hybrid, which I presently drive.
“I visited the dealer to look at a Red Edition brochure that had been mailed to me. My wife told me to go for it because she could tell I wanted the automobile. On second thought, I decided that I liked it better in black, so I ordered the regular automobile as opposed to the limited edition.
“Fun is had! Driving is fun, and it makes you happy. I like the way the car shifts gears, how the road holds, and how I can drive with the top down.
“Roadsters aren’t common. But what sets it apart is that, with to its limited-slip differential, mid-engine design, and rear-wheel drive, it drives like a real sports car.
Michael Jackson
“I had noticed this car’s body package when I had saw it on the internet. It was missing two wings when I acquired it, had a ding in the back quarter panel, no handbrake, and no driver’s seat!
“Awesome! When I graduated from high school in 1985 and saw a Helios Blue automobile drive by, I knew it was the car I wanted.
Sarah & Mike Robinson
“The vehicle was given to us in December 2016. The car had been owned by my nan since it was brand new, but it had been sitting in a garage for 11 years. To restore the car to this state, we have been working on it for the previous six months. It all began when we discovered the fuel tank was clogged with sludge, which subsequently necessitated cleaning the injectors.
“I always adored it when I was a kid and would go out with my grandmother in the MR2.
“Rarity. Before I joined the club and started going to the meets, I had no idea how unique the automobile was. Additionally, it’s a unique color combination, and my grandmother always advised me to keep it.
“Here we meet! The ride here has been the finest one considering I’ve only covered seven miles in it since December.
Steve TudorClub Chairman
They are enjoyable to drive. I purchased the import and, of course, the anniversary model because a friend of mine competed in the MR2 Championship.
There were only 250 anniversary models produced, and only 60 are still in the UK. Having so many people here today is great!
A club event took place in the Peak District. Roughly 25 automobiles were involved, and we were able to travel about 70 miles in two hours throughout the weekend event!
Carol Moran
A year and a half. I bought the automobile in Brighton because I was very clear about what I wanted. For the appropriate car, I would drive great distances!
“My supervisor had a Mk1 model when I was 17 and working at my first job, and I coveted it. I fell in love after my brother-in-law let me drive his car. What follows is history.
“In 2010, I traveled to France on a club outing to Le Havre with around 20 cars. fantastic automobiles, pleasant company, and perfect weather!
Will the price of MR2 rise?
It’s unlikely that the MR2 will suddenly become more well-known or valuable compared to other JDM cars from the same era. However, merely because of time and the market’s supply of MR2s, the value of MR2s will undoubtedly rise in comparison to their prior values.
The total quantity of MR2s for sale is decreasing as discontinued models are driven, modified, and tragically, wrecked. The MR2 was initially a low-production vehicle, so they’ll keep getting harder to find. Prices will certainly rise as a result of a lack of supply.
Already, low-mileage, all-original USDM SW20 MR2s are fetching prices that have never been this high. An all-original 1995 MR2 Turbo with 67,000 kilometers just sold for $61,750 on Bring a Trailer. Due to their incredibly low production numbers, 1995 model year MR2s have always been the most expensive in the United States.
Comparatively, in November 2021, a 1991 MR2 Turbo with 37,000 kilometers on the odometer went for $35,500.
On the non-turbo model side, a 1993 automatic model with only 9,000 kilometers on it that appeared museum-quality went for $25,500. So it might actually be too late to purchase an unmolested MR2 at a reasonable price, depending on your spending limit, objectives, and willingness to do so.
Having said all of that, the vehicles in those cases are spotless and in excellent condition. A nice non-turbo MR2 may be purchased for far under $10,000, while a modified or more averagely maintained one can be bought for between $10,000 and $15,000 for a turbo variant.
A more cost-effective choice if you want to acquire a low-mileage, largely original SW20 MR2 is to purchase an imported JDM (right-hand drive) vehicle. It is simpler to locate a RHD MR2 with fewer than 100,000 miles than a USDM model because Japan’s geography makes lower-mileage vehicles more accessible than in the United States.
A 1995 Turbo hardtop model with 80,000 miles recently sold for $17,495 at Japanese Classics LLC in Virginia, and prices are far more tolerable than those examples on Bring a Trailer.
Is the MR2 a car that will endure?
Let’s use the same standards from before to determine whether or not the MR2 qualifies as a classic automobile.
Remember that there are three unique generations of the MR2. As a result, we have commented on each.
- Age
- W10 MR2
- The W10/wedge MR2 performs well on the age side of things considering that the earliest models are already more than 35 years old (launched in 1984).
- SW20 MR2
- You already know that the SW20 MR2 was debuted in 1989 if you’ve read our SW20 MR2 buyer’s guide. That, in our opinion, at least qualifies as a “contemporary classic.
- W30 MR2
- The W30 wasn’t released until 1999 and ran until 2007, so it’s not quite old enough to earn top marks in this category. The earliest instances, meanwhile, are now 21 years old, so there is once more some potential for a modern classic.
- Desirability
- W10 MR2
- Despite being the oldest generation, the W10 MR2 is paradoxically viewed as being less desirable than its successor, the SW20. Nevertheless, some models, like the supercharged edition, have an undeniable air of coolness about them. Additionally, prices have been constantly rising.
- SW20 MR2
- Even the base NA variants of the SW20 are in high demand, and the turbocharged versions are even more so.
- W30 MR2
- The softer appearance and more “manageable qualities” of this generation of the MR2 must make it the least appealing. However, we believe that the W30 has been overlooked by the market for too long and will eventually gain in popularity.
- Rarity
- W10 MR2
- Make no mistake, finding a nice W10 these days is becoming increasingly difficult. According to the MR2 Wiki, this generation’s production reached its peak, although it has taken considerably longer to leave the market due to wear and tear, damage, write-offs, and other factors. Finding a subpar example of the MR2 generation in some markets, including New Zealand, where we currently reside, is now a genuine challenge.
- SW20 MR2
- Finding a nice SW20 MR2 is a little easier (especially if you’re not too picky about engine choice or standard), and in many areas, there are always mediocre examples available for the adventurous buyer or the DIY enthusiast. But these vehicles are unquestionably getting harder to find.
- W30 MR2
- Depending on where you reside, it may be difficult to locate one in your area since this generation had the lowest production volume. However, there are more survivors because the car is newer. Finding a decent example will probably be simpler if you look at a lineup from this generation.
- Performance
- W10 MR2
- By contemporary standards, almost everything you can drive off the lot at any new car dealer would likely be beaten by the naturally aspirated W10 (based on straight line performance). However, these vehicles still do well in this area because they were more about the harmony of handling and power as well as driver participation. Examples that have been supercharged also have some oomph.
- SW20 MR2
- The SW20 performed significantly better, and the turbo variants are still fast by modern standards. Good handling as well, but some people believe this generation to be the most dangerous production car ever in terms of handling due to its reputation for being a bit of a handful. Even a base model is a ton of fun to drive, but you do need to be careful because there aren’t many safety features or driver aids to save you if you get into trouble.
- W30 MR2
- The 0-60 mph time for this generation is roughly 7.5 seconds, and the handling is widely thought to be outstanding even though it didn’t live up to the SW20 (at least when compared to the turbo version). In fact, a lot of people think that the W30 is the most capable and controllable MR2 out there.
- At the time, the reception
- W10 MR2
- The W10 was mentioned on numerous 1980s best automobile lists. At the time, people liked the car a lot.
- SW20 MR2
- Once again, the appearance, handling, and power of this iteration were positively received. Many people, however, noted that the drive could be frightening because of the abrupt oversteer.
- W30 MR2
- The response for this generation was the most contradictory. The opinions on styling were split. Moreover, a lot of people thought the engine wasn’t powerful enough (it is part of the reason that a popular swap is the more powerful 2ZZ-GE). However, as we have stated, everyone complimented the handling. Few automobiles, regardless of price range, can handle as effectively as a W30 MR2.
- following cult
- W10 MR2
- Undoubtedly a cult vehicle, it has a devoted fan base of “protectors of this vanishingly uncommon machine. a true symbol of Japanese auto culture in the 1980s.
- SW20 MR2
- The SW20 has a devoted (and growing) fanbase once more. Owners groups, forums, and other resources abound, so you have access to good technical repair assistance, parts availability, etc. There may be meetup possibilities, etc., depending on where you reside.
- W30 MR2
- The cult following for the W30 has taken longer to emerge. There are undoubtedly some ardent supporters, and we anticipate that number to grow as more and more people realize that the W30 is a fantastic small car despite its flaws.
In light of the aforementioned ideas, we believe that:
- Undoubtedly a classic, especially in supercharged forms, is the W10 MR2.
- The SW20 MR2 is unquestionably a classic, particularly the turbocharged models.
- Although it is beginning to exhibit characteristics of “modern classic,” the W30 MR2 is probably not yet a classic.