Hey, I can’t decide between a second-generation MR2 and a third-generation supra. They are both nice, and I like them both, but I can’t decide which one I prefer, therefore I need your advice. I really need to know if anyone has tried both of them and which they preferred. THANKS!!!
In This Article...
An MR2 is what kind of a vehicle?
Toyota produced and sold the MR2 line of two-seat, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports vehicles across three generations, from 1984 to 2007: W10 (19841989), W20 (19891999), and W30 (20002007). It is the first rear mid-engined production vehicle from Japan.
The MR2’s fundamental design features, which included fully independent MacPherson strut front and rear suspensions, four-wheel disc brakes, and an inline-four engine positioned transversely, were used to create a tiny, affordable, and sporty vehicle.
Either “mid-ship run-about 2-seater” or “mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-seater” are the meanings of the moniker MR2.
[2] Because “MR2” sounds like the expletive “Merde” when spoken in French, the car was renamed Toyota MR in French-speaking markets. [3]
The MK2 is it a supra?
The Toyota Supra has consistently been a vehicle that stands out from the competition with little to no effort. In 1978, the Supra lineup was debuted. Over the years, this Japanese vehicle has been classified as both a sports car and a grand tourer. No matter whatever category the Toyota Supra belongs to, it is undeniably a fantastic vehicle.
Supra, a Latin prefix that means “above,” “to transcend,” or “go beyond,” is the name of this vehicle. This car has lived true to its moniker since it was introduced. For 24 years, from 1978 to 2002, the Toyota Supra’s first four models were built. And Toyota finally returned with the fifth-generation Supra after a 17-year absence. The latest Supra generation has unquestionably lived up to the Supra legacy.
Even though the entire Toyota Supra family is recognizable, some builds are more distinctive than others. The Toyota Supra MK2 is a nice illustration of this. One of the most well-liked Supra generations was replaced by this vehicle. The first-generation lineup was the one that got everything started.
This vehicle belonged to the second generation, which was produced for four years, from 1982 to 1986. Over time, the Supra MKII has found its way into the collection. It is unique even if it is not one of the top ten must-have collector automobiles. What we adore about the Toyota Supra MK2 is listed below.
Which motor powers the Toyota MR2?
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 produces 200 horsepower (149 kW) (offered solely with the T-bar roof after early 1993).
The MR2 is not a supercar.
For many years, there have been rumors about an MR2 replacement. The information about what appears to be a supercar inspired by the MR2 has been published in several automobile magazines in Japan. even an electric vehicle.
From a philosophical standpoint, this speculated supercar is very different from its predecessor. The MR2 was designed to be user-friendly. It had a midrange pricing for a performance vehicle. This potential replacement’s pricing would probably be closer to that of the Acura NSX.
The same characteristics that caused snap oversteer concerns in the first MR2 won’t be used in the design of this upcoming supercar. The new supercar will probably have more sophisticated safety systems than are currently considered to be standard. It’s interesting to note that Toyota’s homage to its well-known sports car will probably have a quite different reputation than its forerunner.
The MR2 is it rare?
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 does MR2 represent?
Mid-Ship Runabout 2 Seater is known as MR2.
Others think it refers to a Mid-Engined, Rear-Drive 2 Seater vehicle (which perfectly describes the car).
The “The moniker Midship Runabout 2 Seater is derived from the initial press release Toyota issued in 1984 to herald the introduction of the MR2 in Japan. You can read this press release, which Toyota has graciously archived, here. It’s an excellent read, and Toyota really emphasizes the advantages of the mid-engined design (however the mid-engined, rear-drive aspect of the MR2 generally contributed to making it a potentially dangerous car, but this was generally more of a problem on the SW20/2nd generation).
Right after the introduction, here is the area that is important:
So MR2 is the abbreviation for, straight from the source “2-Seater Mid-Ship Runabout. However, Japanese automakers have a history of creating names that are tough to interpret, which is likely where the meaning of “Mid-Engined, Rear-Drive, 2-Seater” comes from (as it is much easier to understand and also perhaps a better description of what the MR2 actually is).
Are Supras uncommon?
A 1994 Toyota Supra manual twin-turbo that was in brand-new, factory-condition, recently for an astounding $121,000 at auction. Although that price is unlikely to become the standard, it does firmly establish the Supra as a six-figure car. Why then did this specific Supra command such a premium price?
For starters, it’s a vintage collectible that still contains all of its original parts. This Supra has all the original equipment, right down to the cassette tape/CD player, including the distinctive rear spoiler, its original aluminum alloy wheels and Bridgestone Potenza tires, and the mint tan leather seats. Additionally, it has only 7,000 kilometers on it, which is unusual for a car this old. The car’s rarity is increased by the fact that it was also unmodified; Supras from this generation were frequently modified and customized, making the unaltered versions difficult to find.
The 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged inline-six engine with 320 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque in this Supra, along with a six-speed manual transmission, make up its very desirable drivetrain configuration. This Supra also has nostalgically appealing styling. The majority of cars in this generation came with a less powerful base inline six-cylinder engine and either a four-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission.
The high price is just a result of supply and demand, to sum up. For a unique vehicle like this one, there is a long runway of development potential, even though $121,000 sounds like a lot to pay for a car. Younger collectors who admire these models will eventually have larger money for the ideal automobile they dreamed of as children, while Supras as spotless as this one will only become more rare. Prices can rise significantly when there is a large supply gap and a high demand.
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.
How many more MR2 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.
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.
Why is the MR2 well-known?
Despite losing popularity with general audiences, the MR2 nevertheless retains a sizable cult following. The MR2 is regarded as a classic car by the majority of people who grew up in the 1980s and should be treasured and remembered with affection.
Compared to brands like Porsche or Ferrari, the Toyota MR2 was an expensive exotic sports car. As 80s nostalgia is at its height, so is Mister 2 nostalgia for Toyota.
Why are MR2s useful?
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:
Why did Toyota cease MR2 production?
The Toyota MR2 was one of the few cheap mid-engined rear-wheel-drive sports cars, but it was discontinued for a number of reasons, including growing competition and poor sales. The Mazda Miata, one of the MR2 Spyder’s competitors, outsold the MR2’s 2005 total sales for five straight months in the same year. The Honda S2000 met a similar demise only a few years later, possibly because there wasn’t enough place at the top of the inexpensive sports car segment. Only Porsche and Lotus continue to sell mid-engined versions of their fairly entry-level sports cars, so the Toyota MR2 was truly unique. The Spyder was the ultimate farewell, a daily-drivable sports vehicle with all the Toyota dependability without the hefty price tags of most of its rivals.
Despite its short lifespan and radical departure from earlier models, the Toyota MR2 Spyder nevertheless had something unique to offer the market. Although it might not have been the fastest or most attractive sports vehicle in its price range, the Toyota MR2 was all about providing an enjoyable driving experience. Since the moniker’s demise in the middle of the 2000s, there have been ongoing discussions about reviving it. Despite recent drawings, there hasn’t been any concrete information about a replacement, whether direct or as a spiritual successor. The MR2 Spyder may have been a shift, but it most definitely wasn’t a letdown. Many consider it to be the greatest handling Toyota MR2 of its three versions in terms of its limits and controllability due to its reduced weight.