Anyone Owned a Toyota MR-2?

[onewhippedpuppy]

My auto ADD has me pointed in a new direction today, as I've found a mint condition stock supercharged '88 MR-2. I don't know the miles yet, I need to call on the ad. So, other than being small, what's not to like? Mid engine, RWD, supercharged 16V 4-cylinder, 0-60 in the low 6 second range. Plus it's a Toyota, which should be cheaper to own than the E30 and 944 that I've been considering for a DD. Comments?

[yetibone]

I had a normally aspirated, '87 model in high school, and a good friend had the supercharged version a few years after graduation. It's a very fun car to drive, got 28-30 mpg, surprisingly easy to work on (from underneath; that's the key), very reliable, couldn't be torn up, or worn out. 7500rpm redline, very comfortable for such a small car, and I'm 6'5".

The supercharged 4A-GZE was about 130something hp, and my 4A-GE was right at 100, so for a 2500lb car, it wasn't a rocketship, but driving Randy's was a blast. The S/C has a magnetic clutch like an AC compressor, with a green light on the tach that let you know when the S/C was engaged. When the light came on, you could really feel, and hear the difference. I bet his would have been lots of fun on the track after getting used to the understeer.

If the price is right, go for it! It's not as fast as the later MkII turbo models, but there weren't as many built either. The 4A engine series was just about as bomb-proof as the old R series, and can reportedly make some ungodly amounts of horsepower when highly modified, so if it stays close to stock, it'll go to about 300k miles before an overhaul.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

It's no Maserati. :P

[red-beard]

My ex-wife had one for most of our marriage. It was here primary car. It "fit" her, since she was 5' and under 100 lbs.

She got a deal on it, it was a previous year leftover, since it was automatic. I also think it was an '88. It was not supercharged, and it was fun to drive. And I agree with the comment about work underneath, or at least, you drop parts out the bottom. I had to replace the alternator, but that was it.

[MotoSook]

I had an 85 in college, and it was a great car. I wish I could find molested SC for cheap area here.

[IROC]

I owned an '89 MR2 that I bought brand new. Great car. It needed to be revved above 4k rpms to make some power, but that was half the fun of it.

IIRC, the supercharged version's power could be increased to ~ 185 hp by simply replacing the pulley on the supercharger. I think the part was even a TRD part.

[GothingNC]

My sister had an 88 MR2 with T-Tops since new, she just sold it about two years ago, upper rear fenders were rotting away (Long Island moisture and salt) and was having problems with the ECU.

She was looking for a Turbo but at the time it was unable to find an insurance company that would cover a young driver with a two-seater turbo for less then the monthly car payment. Even with the NA version she had to ship around to find coverage.

Fun little car but spins like a top with any sort of snow or frost on the roads

Strong following on the cars

The International MR2 Owners Club (IMOC)

[Scuba Steve]

You found one that hasn't been trashed by some idiot? Go for it!

[Z-man]

I had a '91 MK2 n/a for a couple of years -- fun little car -- competent cone carver (autocross), and very reliable. The Turbos can have some mad power.

Always wanted to get back into the MR2 scene - it was less "JDM" and more hardcore enthusiasts when I was involved with IMOC some 10 or so years ago....

I love the later MR2 Spyders, but with the price of first gen Boxsters plumetting the way they did, it is had to justify the price of a MR2 Spyder when a 986 can be had for about the same price...

-Z-man.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Scuba Steve

You found one that hasn't been trashed by some idiot? Go for it!

Exactly.... I was looking for the Gen 2 N/a and was having very little luck finding a pure one when I started looking at the 944s.... The rest is history...

[look 171]

Great little car with plenty of trunk space( for that type of car). It was an 88. cornering ability is by far the best of the bunch compared to other little cars in its class like the Miata, Z, and such. They like to be rev. I had 176,000 miles on it when I sold it. Change the cap and rotor and a bunch of tires. that's all my fault.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Exactly.... I was looking for the Gen 2 N/a and was having very little luck finding a pure one when I started looking at the 944s.... The rest is history...

Buy a Japanese RH drive model. Easy to find with low mileage and not too expensive to ship. A co-worker has one.

[Erakad]

A friend has one, uses it as his daily driver, says is fun to drive and gets great gas mileage. He is a bit short though...would think if you were much over 5-8 it might start getting tight.

[tcar]

NO.

You absolutely want the MK II (90-99, I think) version, turbo, not the MK I S-C.

Night and day difference.

Plus the MK I has many 'issues' (beside being too ugly to exist).

BTW, the MK III is a loser.

[RWebb]

what's wrong with the Mk III?

[t-tom]

Originally Posted by IROC

I owned an '89 MR2 that I bought brand new. Great car. It needed to be revved above 4k rpms to make some power, but that was half the fun of it.

IIRC, the supercharged version's power could be increased to ~ 185 hp by simply replacing the pulley on the supercharger. I think the part was even a TRD part.

I've had an 86 and my best friend had an 85 and an 89 S/C. The 89 with the HKS boost pulley and a HKS air filter was a rocket. Mid 13 in the 1/4 all day long and get 25mpg

[krystar]

being MR, they are known to claim newbie drivers with uncontrollable oversteer at the limit.

MKI's were nicknamed death wedges.

my friend has a MKII. sexay thing. turbo ones are very quick

the MKIII looks damn good to me. but being NA, they're underpowered. but handling is superb still. if u feel the need for speed, drop in a 2ZZ-GE celica motor. or a honda K20/K24 motor for little more extreme.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by tcar

NO.

You absolutely want the MK II (90-99, I think) version, turbo, not the MK I S-C.

Night and day difference.

Plus the MK I has many 'issues' (beside being too ugly to exist).

BTW, the MK III is a loser.

What's wrong with the 1st gen? I assume you want the turbo for more power? That's like saying do not get early 911s. Got to have a 930. What issues? I talk to many who own MK1s, they have absolute no trouble at all. Have you own one or did you get the info off the net?

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by yetibone

The supercharged 4A-GZE was about 130something hp, and my 4A-GE was right at 100, so for a 2500lb car, it wasn't a rocketship, but driving Randy's was a blast. The S/C has a magnetic clutch like an AC compressor, with a green light on the tach that let you know when the S/C was engaged. When the light came on, you could really feel, and hear the difference. I bet his would have been lots of fun on the track after getting used to the understeer.

FYI
The 4AGE has 112hp....

The 4AGZE aka the Supercharged 4AGE has 145hp in U.S Spec.

Originally Posted by tcar

NO.

You absolutely want the MK II (90-99, I think) version, turbo, not the MK I S-C.

Night and day difference.

Plus the MK I has many 'issues' (beside being too ugly to exist).

BTW, the MK III is a loser.

Mk.1 or AW11 Chassis has zero issues (maybe rust depending on your location)...and is NOT an ugly car. Please elaborate on your statements.

I owned an '88 Supercharged 4AGZE MR2 and loved it. Very quick, great handling car...very reliable and easy to work on.

I even upped the boost (from 8psi to 12-13psi) with custom pulleys, a larger intercooler and TRD headers and the car made about 185hp..it was fun. Ownership is recommended, you can't go wrong.

Yasin

[Reg]

My '85 MR2 has been in my possesion since 1995 and is/has been a great car. I am 6' and have loads of leg room. You could be 6'4 and fit in the car. My father has a same era rx7 and I cannot fit inside it comfortably at all.

It handles great and revs freely but more power would be my wish. I was thinking rather than SC or Turbo dropping in a later 5 valve "black top" NA motor that was 170 ish HP from factory. You see many of these JDM motors about.

I could be wrong but I think these 1600cc 4AGE screamers were used for many years as the engines for the Atlantic Formula cars that were NA and had over 200hp.

Can't find a pic here but will post one if I can.