MR2 Spyder

[lane912]

how many of you like/hate? why?

recently picked up a 2001 and really having a enjoyable experience with it-
a very affordable car, similar to the mx5 miata in a lot of ways-
I like the mid engine configuration-
reliable as a Toyota can be-
affordable performance mods-

[Amail]

My son has a 2001 too and loves it. Gut the pre-cats if it hasn't already been done. Once those start to go your engine is as good as gone. See 2003 and gutting the pre-kitties for more information.

[masraum]

Should be a great little car. I haven't had or driven one. I have had a few miata which were great little cars.

I'm not a huge fan of the looks of the last body style. I preferred the older bodies better, even the gen I. But the newest aren't bad, just not my favorite.

[herr_oberst]

Listen a friend of mine has one of these, looks just like this with slightly different wheels. Super lo miles, like ≥75000. He never drives it. I'm trying hard to get him to sell it to me. Bulletproof reliable, sticks like it's painted down and won't break the bank. He never ever drives it, and I'd like to sample it....

[John Rogers]

When I was racing my 914-6 I did 6 or 8 races in Mexico on street circuits and in the same class I was in there were always 3 or 4 or those guys. They showed pretty good cornering but terrible braking as they would see fading after several laps of being pushed hard. I usually qualified ahead of them but down there the races use standing starts and they can rev the engines to the redline and pop the clutch and then it took me some laps to get caught back up and pass them. You can't do 7000RPM standing starts with a 901 gear box!

Anyways they never broke or wrecked which is a good selling point.

[scottmandue]

It was a toss up between the Miata and the MR2 when I was looking for a inexpensive reliable little two seater...

I opted for the Miata only because of the huge following and the ease of finding parts and help online.

[Rikao4]

bought her a new one few years back.
within 3 months she got tagged hard 2x..
didn't see you..
it's so little...

it's gone...
handles quite well..
1st gear is WAY too short..

Rika

[LakeCleElum]

A friend in Belgium has one. He owed me a favor and I put 2,600 miles on it last summer. Drove thru Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Czech, Austria, Switz and Italy.....Fun little car. Not a lot of room for luggage, but we managed.

[lane912]

it has no room for anything-
this is its downfall

this is the first car I bought not because of looks. I wanted the mid engine two seat sports car and this is what my wallet chose
pre cats will be replaced with a merged header-
then stiffer shocks

[HardDrive]

Why? Why must you people post things like this? I am without a sports car at the moment....and I've always loved the MR2. You people are evil.

[lane912]

I paid 5k for it-
and feel that was a steal for the car I got-

there are two for sale on craig's Columbus, OH........

[Nickshu]

A friend had one, rode in and drove it. Super fun car and at the price I would say a big YES if you are considering one.

[nzporsche944s2]

My friend had one for several years - it was the turbo model. It used to swap ends with alarming frequency mid corner.
I think this was a function of the mid-engine configuration and the on/off boost

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by lane912

I paid 5k for it-
and feel that was a steal for the car I got-

there are two for sale on craig's Columbus, OH........

LALALALALALALA!!!!!! I can't hear you!

[Rot 911]

I bought one for my wife. Great little car to drive around in, but as you have discovered, really no room to carry luggage for even an overnight trip.

[aschen]

2200 lb mid engine affordable car, whats not to like?

2zz is a fairly eazy swap I believe, and it is a complete mystery to me why it didnt come from the factory with one.

The biggest prob with the mr-s is that its main competitor, the miata, is like you know one of the most compelling sportscar bargains ever

[87maniac]

(2000-2005 MR2 Spyder is Gen 3 w drop top, not the Gen 2 hardtop w turbo.)

This is the type of vehicle that I wish Porsche would offer.
Imagine 2000lbs w 200HP boxer four.

Owned two of these. FUN to drive.

Brings back memories of the Lotus Elan I had in college,
lightweight and go-kart handling in a small package.

Drives more like a Lotus Elise than a Boxster.

- one of the lightest sports cars 2200 lbs (vs. 3000+ lbs Boxster)
- mid-engined, tossable, and small size = FUN.
- super cool Air cond., modern trouble-free mechanical/electrical.
- manual top can be raised and lowered from drivers seat.
- Toyota reliability and parts prices

2003-2005 are the best years, avoid the sequential transmissions.

[sammyg2]

a friend from the 914 side years ago had one of these, he would take it to AX when his 914 was down for repairs (which was most of the time).
IIRC his times were similar in both cars, but he did mention that he was looosing oil pressure in the MR2 under higher G corners.
Maybe the level was just low?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by nzporsche944s2

My friend had one for several years - it was the turbo model. It used to swap ends with alarming frequency mid corner.
I think this was a function of the mid-engine configuration and the on/off boost

This scared me a wee bit also... rumor has it I have been known to go into a corner a little too hot.
I have waged the tail in the Miata.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Cheap, light, reliable, RWD, mid-engined.....basically a perfect backroad or autocross car.