MK3 Toyota MR2...

chrismscotland

chrismscotland

chrismscotland

Man of Honour
Joined
16 Jul 2009
Posts
9,246
Location
Edinburgh
Folks, looking to canvass opinions on the MR2.
I’m not doing much in the way of commuting just now so I’ve sold my ‘15 E Class Diesel and looking to spend about £6k on something fun.

Initially I was all set to just pick up an MX5 but then I had a shot of an 05 plate MR2 which to be honest seems much more lively to drive and aside from the engine issues on the earlier models (pre-cat problems) seems to be about as reliable as an MX5.

I just wondered if there’s anyone on here who has one and could give any words of encouragement / warning!!
 
Not owned one myself but i've fancied one for a while, but with a budget of 6k i think you'd be better served with a tidy MK3 MX5 as it's a far newer design of car than the MR2. That generation of MR2 was a competitor to the MK2 MX5.
 
For £6k I'd be inclined to agree with the above, the MR2 is a car to spend £3k or less on unless you want a turbo converted car.

Depending on just how tight the budget is you might want to either try and find a c2009+ mx-5 (when they all went with the solid roof) or even an S2000 - though tbh you're probably talking more like £8k for a good S2000
 
£6k is probably MX5 territory if you want a newer car, but you could also consider a Z4 or 350Z. You don’t seem to get a sub 100k mile S2000 for £6k but there are a few early ones around and if they’ve had suspension work and oil changes they should be reliable.

Edit - all of the above I’d have over a Mk3 MR2
 
Last edited:
Not tried one myself but a fan of the mk2 MR2/SW20s which is the better car between it and mk3, you could find yourself a imported Mk2 MR2 for around 6k or more.
But if you're after something bit more modern then like everyone else has said the MX5.
 
Thanks guys, obviously I’d be happy to spend less on an mR2! But the MX5 does also have all of the creature comforts like Heated Seats, Cruise Control, Air com and even a boot!
 
Having owned several mr2's the MK2 simply isn't the better car tbh - if all you wanted was power and a cruiser then a MK2 turbo would be the way to go...if they weren't funny money for a good one now.

As a driver's car the MK3 runs rings round it though....just lacking grunt as standard
 
Had a neighbour that had one, Looks wise I think it's a step back compared to the MK2, didn't help his was two tone pink and red, Felt cheap and nasty inside, but when he let me have a go must admit it was a fun drive.

tbh i'd probably look more at an MX5 as well, Will feel like one hell of a step back going from a nice comfortable E-Class to an old tatty MR2 :D
 
The E Class is very comfy I’ll give it that, awesome car on a motorway cruise but not doing enough of that!

I actually found the MR2 (with the leather seats) to be pretty comfortable, felt a bit roomier than the MX5’s I’ve driven, partly I suspect due to the lack of much in the middle between the seats.

I can get a low mileage, good looking MR2 for less than £5k, to get what I’d want in an MX5 (Hardtop, 2L) I seem to be looking nearer to £8k
 
sovietspybob said:
Where are you looking at MX5's! You can get a mk3 2.0 sport from about £3500 nowadays for an early car.
Click to expand...

My fault probably, most of the cars local Ive fancied have been newer rather than older!

Nasher said:
An MR2 or MX-5 will feel like a go-kart coming from an E class.
Click to expand...

True but that’s kinda what I’m after to be honest - I’m barely driving much now so really looking for something “fun”

rodenal said:
5 grand is far too much to spend on an MR2 - are you trying to buy a sun 50k mile car or something?

Honestly no value at that price
Click to expand...

The few I’ve seen have been 50k or lower, I think the first one I saw (which I really liked) was well over-priced now that I look around but I have seen a few sub 30k which are around the 5K mark with full service history / mint.
 
You're paying a massive premium for an old, relatively common car with a low mileage - far better off just buying an average mileage car that is as new as possible or picking up something that has been turbo charged with a documented rebuild
 
Good luck!

I have owned 3 of these and the engines have all had issues in some way.

Piston Rings went on one, causing massive amount of oil loss. (I crashed and wrote this one off)
The infamous ceramic pre-cat issue in one. (I think the 04 plate model you have doesn't get this)
The final one had an issue where it was running on 3 cylinders that 2 garages couldn't identify.

It's a shame because I loved driving it, such a nice little go kart, but I would never get another one.
 
Congrats. Even as a driver's car I think these are better than the MK3 Mx5 only 20hp down but 200kg's lighter. Start looking into 2zz swap options. Really makes them into a mini Elise for a fraction of the price.
 
200kg lighter? Really? Care to confirm that.
I do believe they're something like 30kg lighter than a mk2, and that is lighter than a mk3 MX5, but 200kg is Boxster territory.


Ref the pic, that looks very smart. Got any more pics.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom