'02 MR2 Spyder? RLH?
 

I don't want to hear from the all toyota's are crap crowd either...


Alright... Anybody had one? How big of a PITA are they to work on? How bad are parts $$?

Dad has it in his head that one would be a decent little car to have around for him and mom to run to town in to keep the miles off the megacab dodge since I am driving their Corolla now and they have an aversion to driving the '44. I realize its no boxster, but are they moderately fun to drive? Dad's got a line on a decent deal.. Should he get it or RLH(run like hell)?

Oh and I'm emailing the link to him... So keep yourselves in check boys, we've got guests....

The people I know that have had the MR2 spyder where very pleased with them. Even the ones that got modded and driven hard where reliable cars. They are fun cars to drive and parts are priced just like any other Toyota. Working on them from what I have seen is not a problem. Heck it is a Toyota ...... you change the oil and filters as needed and it will last longer than most other cars.

The standard complaint is that luggage space is really limited. The second most common criticism is they are not Miatas :)

I've never driven one, but I have "played" chase on the track with several well-prepped examples. They look like decent cars that are fun to drive.

No direct experience with gen III MR2, but I recall the Sports Car International comparison of the MR2 and Miata judged the Toyota to be the better sports car but noted it had almost no trunk space. The front compartment was taken up with the spare tire and a large plastic cover. Throwing out the spare and adding a can of 'fix-a-flat' might be in order.

Les

No experience w/ one, but for a grocery-getter I'd want something that could actually carry groceries . . .

My wife had one for a couple of years and loved it. She just saw one for sale in a local used car lot and is lusting for it once again. Great car, never a problem. Typical good Toyota quality. Engine and drive train should be good for a couple of hundred thousand miles. Most of them are low mileage cars as they tended to just be used on weekends. Luggage space is laughable. Small soft bag in the front and that is about it.

friend had a first gen MR2 and didn't have any issues other than space as others have mentioned. showed him my 914 2litre and he drove that around abit and he said would take a 914 over the mr2.

We went to look at them a few years ago but if two of you go to the store, the passenger will be holding whatever you buy.

wife got one when new..
first gear is 'stupid' very short..
handles like a go-kart..
she got rid of it after 1 yr..
in the land of jacked to sky bubbas..
she felt very vulnerable..
folks just don't see them..

Rika

I had a MKII MR2 for a year or two -- loved it. Handled fantastic, and was fairly reliable.

I think the MKIII MR2 Syder is a decent little car - a baby-boxster of sorts. Keep in mind that you can get an early 986 Boxster for about the same price as a used MR2S. I think the Boxster is a better deal - more room, better motor, better handling -- better all-around car.
You may want to take a look at these Porsches...

-Z

I have read that the sequential transmissions were problematic.

The mkII turbo cars were some of the best cars to ever come from Japan IMO. Killer autocross cars. Ferrari-sized performance easily attainable. One of my best friends has one that, until a valve found it's way out the exhaust and into the turbo, was making 400 RWHP. This is an extreme case, with about $30K in the car, but still. I drove it and it was definitely one of fastest things I've set foot in.

The spyders? A lot softer car, made as a cheap chic-alternative to the Boxster. Still fun but given a mkII turbo vs. a mkIII spyder with the same miles and same price- the mkII is the winner hands down, regardless if it was made 10 years earlier.

This thing won't see much hard driving... So it being a little "soft" isn't an issue....

And show me a decent boxster for 6k....

6k looks to be a really good price.

Hey, SidneyPop... buy the thing... we all know Sid wants to borrow it every other day and give y'all back the keys to the Corolla.

isn't the MR2 drivetrain the same as the Lotis Elise?
I've driven an MR2 & it was a fun car.

How big and old is dad, because they're tiny. Getting into a car like that is not a pleasant experience for most men in their 40s.

And forget groceries, the car has virtually no storage space. That would be like buying a Chevrolet Suburban as an A/X car.

MR2's are cool little cars, one of the very few Toyotas i might buy. But they're just way overpriced.

always wanted a MR2, that and a RX7 are on my list, this is a very long list that will never be filled but if the right one at the right price came by it would be hard not to go for it

My mom has one. Yellow. She's getting close to 70. Loves it. Biggest bummer for her after her hip replacements was not being able to drive it for a couple of months. Fun little car.

I like the way you think... They need to haul groceries and supplies for their business.... All I haul is college hotties.... They're more comfortable in a drop top anyways....
Ya.... He's about 5'7" ~200lbs.... Not a big guy... But he complains about my 944.... In fact thats why its my 944.... He bought it and didn't like getting in and out of it....