Tell me about Toyota MR2s

SlyReaper

SlyReaper

SlyReaper

Soldato
Joined
26 Apr 2008
Posts
6,653
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Bristol, Old Blighty
I've been thinking of getting one, because they look absolutely fantastic from an aesthetic point of view. But how are they from a driving point of view?

I'm not looking for a commute-to-work or drive-to-the-shops workhorse - I already have a car for that. This will be for weekend and holiday fun.

Anything I should be wary of? The first thing that comes to mind is that I'm 6'4", so will I physically be able to fit in the driver's seat? What are the common complaints about MR2s?

Finally, how much should I expect to pay for one that's not a heap?
 
What age MR2's are you talking about? My Mk2 turbo has just decided to stop boosting properly on the way home from work today. :(
 
I don't really mind which rev or mk it is so long as it's not a heap. I mean this is what I was drooling over earlier today - low mileage, 5 years old, and a very nice looking interior. It's somewhat out of my price range though unless I took out a loan (not going to do that). I think that's a mk3 isn't it?

I have £5k in savings, which will have to cover the car, a year's insurance, tax, MOT, etc and have enough left over for unexpected repairs.
 
SlyReaper said:
I don't really mind which rev or mk it is so long as it's not a heap. I mean this is what I was drooling over earlier today - low mileage, 5 years old, and a very nice looking interior. It's somewhat out of my price range though unless I took out a loan (not going to do that). I think that's a mk3 isn't it?

I have £5k in savings, which will have to cover the car, a year's insurance, tax, MOT, etc and have enough left over for unexpected repairs.
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Yup that an MK3.
Great cars (I have one), lots of fun, nothing goes wrong with the post 03/04 ones.

Not much luggage space though, but enough for me
 
I have a nice 1999 rev 5 mk2 that I bought for £3500. Thats about top money for one but its got full toyota history with receipts for everything done at toyota even tyres. It's a 2 owner car with 65k and it drives like new. I'm 6'2" and fit comfortably in it. I wanted one because I think they are a great all round car, good looks, comfortable, nippy and reasonable on fuel because I do about 300 miles a week.

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It has mint black leather seats with a great driving position and the t-bar roof is great in this weather but when winter comes round it's just like a normal car. Stuff to look out for on the mk2s from the ones I have looked at are rusty sills, knackered t-bar seals, noisy rear wheel bearings and vibrating steering wheels at 80+.

£5k should buy you a late mk2 with plenty to spare or a mk3 if that's your thing but I don't know anything about them. The only thing I would say is if I had an every day car I probably would have gone for something a bit faster/special if it was me, I got a n/a because I don't fancy £100+ weekly fuel bills.
 
Very fun cars with great handling. Interior isn't great, it's what you'd expect from a Toyota really. The speed dials are cool as the passenger can't see them lol. In terms of luggage space, there's two little flaps behind both seats which give you access to one 'boot'. Not much space at all, so that's something you need to take into account. They look just as good with the hardtop on in the winter aswell!

Another thing I remember was that (even though you shouldn't be doing speeds like this) but at anything above 90mph it starts feeling unsturdy and the front end /steering feels very light.
 
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Curse my eyes, they have betrayed me. Or possibly my monitor. That's right, I'll blame my monitor.

How do MX5s compare to MR2s? It's another car I've been considering, and I think it might even be a bit cheaper than the Toyota?
 
My GT-S Turbo :)

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Great cars, mk3 will be cheaper to run/maintain than the mk2 Turbo, and will still be 'fun'. Just a shame Toyota didn't offer more power though.
 
Yer the Celica 2zz engine would have been a much better fit for the Mk3 imo

Still, I'm selling mine soon and getting either an E30 or another Mk2 (though NA)
 
SlyReaper said:
Curse my eyes, they have betrayed me. Or possibly my monitor. That's right, I'll blame my monitor.

How do MX5s compare to MR2s? It's another car I've been considering, and I think it might even be a bit cheaper than the Toyota?
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I'm 5' 11" and I find the MX5 a tight squeeze (mk2 that is).
 
TS7 said:
Very fun cars with great handling. Interior isn't great, it's what you'd expect from a Toyota really. The speed dials are cool as the passenger can't see them lol. In terms of luggage space, there's two little flaps behind both seats which give you access to one 'boot'. Not much space at all, so that's something you need to take into account. They look just as good with the hardtop on in the winter aswell!

Another thing I remember was that (even though you shouldn't be doing speeds like this) but at anything above 90mph it starts feeling unsturdy and the front end /steering feels very light.
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Interior isn't great?! What?! It's possibly the best I've ever had or been in. The switches feel great, the upholstery, dash, etc are also excellent and wear very well.

I've got a REV 4 N/A myself, use it to get to work, gym, football, etc and I also race in it at sprints.

Depending on what one you get, depends what to look out for. Personally I'd get a MK2. IF you go N/A, look out for the usual things, rust on the sills (not common), suspension condition, door/roof seals and ensure the engine runs well. Take it for a drive and make sure there are no leaks, knocking sounds, etc. Find out when the cambelt was last done (should be done every 60k) and clutch.

Get over to an mr2 owners club and post up links to ones your looking at, people will advise you and you'll probably find someone in your area to go along to view it with you. They're great cars and I love mine to bits.
 
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