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]
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Is the Toyota MR2 a quality vehicle?
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:
When did Toyota last produce an MR2?
Sales of the MR2 were clearly impacted by a global decline in the sports car sector in the New Millennium. Initial annual sales counts in the tens of thousands gradually decreased to thousands, and ultimately to hundreds. At the end of the 2005 model year, sales of the MR2 (and Celica) came to a stop in the US and Australia, but they remained in Japan, Mexico, and Europe until 2007, when production formally came to an end.
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.
What is the remaining Toyota MR2 fleet?
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.
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 gained notoriety for being “a poor man’s Ferrari.” The Toyota MR2 was more than capable of letting its performance speak for itself despite the unintentional compliment.
There were three different models of the MR2 coupe produced between 1984 and 2005: the W10, W20, and W30. Toyota later stopped making the MR2 due to weak sales and the emergence of additional rivals.
The MR2 is one of the most popular models for performance and enthusiast purposes, weighing slightly under 2,200 lbs. The MR2 has a great power-to-weight ratio and all the necessary components. Here is some information on the departed Toyota MR2.
Is an MR2 a vintage vehicle?
Toyota’s MR2 (Mid-engine, RWD, 2-seater). commonly used “The term “poor man Ferrari,” which I absolutely detest, is used to describe a Toyota sports car that isn’t aiming to be a Ferrari. There is no disputing the W10 MR2’s smooth, square lines, which are a very harmonious design built to last over time. Today, we’ll discuss the background of this entertaining mid-engine Japanese sports car. (The third generation MR2 is not covered in this article.)
Everything began in 1976, when Toyota felt the need to create and work on a fun-to-drive small automobile while taking into account good fuel economy. Akio Yoshida, a smart man, didn’t begin developing the design and drive-train for this vehicle until 1979 “(Which, to be completely honest, is only partially true; I’ll explain later.) not-sports car car
The SA-X prototype, which had a mid-transverse engine placement, was introduced by Toyota in 1981 after the company had decided on the sort of drive system and engine placement to use in the new prototype. From that point forward, this style of engine arrangement was applied to every MR2 model.
That prototype certainly looks wonderful, but could we please move on to the real MR2s? – No, not yet. In 1983, Toyota released another another prototype, this one dubbed the SV-3, which had an amazing appearance. The W10 MR2 would be released on the global market a year and a half later with 1.5L 3A and 1.6L 4A engine options. In advance of its official debut on the MR2, this vehicle attracted a lot of attention when it was displayed at the 1983 Tokyo Motor Show. Let’s now talk a little bit about the features of the first-generation W10 MR2 and its design.
Does the MR2’s value increase?
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.
Which Toyota model is the best?
The Top 7 Toyota Vehicles, Per US News & World Report
- Avalon (2017) Any family will be satisfied by the Avalon’s room, efficiency, and power.
- Camry (2018)
- Highlander (2017)
- Prius (2017)
- 86 (2017)
- Sienna (2017)
- Prime Prius (2017)
Do MR2s work well for drifting?
Active Member of MJG. While sideways in their limited angle with foot to floor, mr2s are very fast, which is great, but there isn’t much angle to be obtained before spinnage so they won’t be competitive at a high level.
What is the value of a 1990 Toyota MR2?
The cost can range from $8000 for a non-turbo example in #3 condition (Good) to $35,000 for a concours-quality turbo MR2, but it’s well worth it. The SW20 MR2 is incredibly dependable, much like many Toyotas from the 1990s.
Is driving the 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.
Who owns the fastest MR2 in the world?
Update (04/11/20): Nathan Freke broke his own quarter-mile record last weekend in his customized Toyota MR2, clocking an amazing 8.317 seconds and reaching a top speed of 173 mph. View the spectator footage here and the in-car video here.
The MR2 community has been inspired by this outcome because it represents a huge improvement of four tenths over Nathan’s previous record. In order to achieve a seven-second run, which experts had previously said was impossible for a modified Toyota MR2 with an original steel body and Toyota S-series engine, enthusiasm has thus been rekindled.
The world’s fastest all-Toyota MR2, which just won the quarter-mile record after setting a scorching 8.718 second pass at a terminal speed of 162.47 miles per hour, is owned, built, and driven by Nathan Freke. The fact that this record was set in a production-class MR2 with its original steel body, 3S-GTE engine block, and midship architectureexactly as Toyota intendedmakes it all the more amazing.
What is the background of this amazing modded Toyota MR2? To get the inside scoop, we spoke with Nathan, the owner of the worldwide racing team Century Motorsport.
What MR2 is turbocharged?
The Toyota Camry’s 2.2-liter inline-four engine produced 130 horsepower in the base Mk2. According to MotorTrend, customers might choose a 2.0-liter turbo engine, which is significantly more potent.
The Mk2 Turbo had a turbocharged engine authorized for racing instead of the Camry’s motor. Its 200 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque made it the quickest MR2 model that was offered. The Mk2 Turbo could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds when fitted with its engine. Comparatively, the standard 2.2-liter engine could reach 60 mph from 0 in 8.0 seconds.
The max speed of the Mk2 Turbo was likewise higher than that of previous MR2s. While other MR2 variants could reach speeds of 120 to 130 mph, it could reach 142 mph. Models with above 240 hp that were sold in Japan were unable to pass U.S. emissions tests, hence they were never driven on American soil.