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. I would never encourage driving any sports car in the snow, especially one that seems to be getting more and more valued. 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...
A Toyota MR2 is 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:
- 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.
- Stronger axles and a heavier, more robust E153 gearbox with various ratios;
- having a connected air-to-air intercooler and a modified exhaust arrangement, the 3S-GTE engine;
- larger radiator and gasoline pump.
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]
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).
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.
A Toyota MR2 uses how much fuel?
The Toyota MR2 Spyder gets up to 27.5 miles per gallon in mixed driving.
For instance, the 2005 4 Cyl. 5 Spd. Convertible 2D gets a combined gas mileage of 29.0 miles per gallon whereas the 2002 4 Cyl. 5 Spd. Convertible 2D trim model has a combined gas mileage of 27.5 miles per gallon (8.2 liters per 100 km) (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.
What does MR2 represent?
Some people mistakenly think that MR2 stands for Mid-Engined, Rear-Drive 2 Seater instead of Mid-Ship Runabout 2 Seater (which perfectly describes the car).
The “The name “Midship Runabout 2 Seater” is taken from the original press release Toyota issued in 1984 to announce the introduction of the MR2 in Japan. You can read the press release here. It’s a great read, with Toyota really pushing the advantages of the mid-engined layout. (Needless to say, there is no mention of the mid-engined, rear-drive nature contributing to making the MR2 a potentially dangerous car, although this was generally acknowledged.)
Here is the key sectionright from the initial paragraph:
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).
Which MR2 is the best?
the title “Either “Mid-ship, Rear-drive, two-seater” or “Mid-engine, Rear-wheel-drive, 2-seater” are said to be the meanings of the letters MR2. Toyota made an effort with this well-liked sporty daily driver to provide a compact, inexpensive, fuel-efficient car that was nevertheless entertaining to drive. The MR2 was built by the carmaker in three generations between 1984 and 2007: the W10 from 1984 to 1989, the W20 from 1990 to 1999, and the W30 from 2000 to 2007. They are additionally known as Mk1, Mk2, and Mk3.
Most people agree that the W20, or Mk2, is the best. Japan’s driving is credited “For the second generation to be the best, there was a bubble in the economy from 1986 to 1991. Japanese automakers made significant investments during this period of economic prosperity in an effort to outperform one another. Stars like the Mazda FD RX-7, Acura NSX, and the fourth-generation Toyota Supra were born during this time.
“According to Driving, automakers were all in on outstripping one another in terms of technology, and this was clearly reflected in the fresh personality the revised MR2 presented. Because of this, Toyota started positioning the second-generation MR2 as a more upscale option rather than a cost-effective choice.” The exotic styling of the coupe, which swapped the original model’s harsh ’80s angles for windswept curves reminiscent of Italian cuisine like the Ferrari 355, mirrored this.
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.
The new MR2 costs how much?
The article claims that Toyota plans to use a similar approach for the new MR2 and is searching for a technical partner to aid in the revival of the mid-engine sports car. Toyota is said to have contacted Porsche and Lotus.
According to the journal, the new MR2’s powertrain will be a plug-in hybrid that combines an electric motor and either a 2.9-liter or 3.0-liter V6 to provide a combined output of 345-395 hp. It would then fall under the Nissan Z category. The new MR2 is anticipated to cost about six million yen ($52,700) in Japan. If so, it would rank higher than the Toyota GR Supra, which has a US starting price of $40,000.
The new Toyota MR2 will debut in 2024 if construction proceeds as planned, but until we hear something official from Toyota, we’ll have to take these speculations with a grain of salt.