Wait, I haven't finished... There's DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS and LASTLY a WHOOPING 20 Owner's Review from ALL OVER THE WORLD by carsurvey.org. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the review.
In Malaysia, I found 3 units on sale. A 1985 Track car going for RM12k, the other 2 price not listed. The MR2 MK1/MK1.5 is so RARE (less than 120 units on the road) today that it's BUYER'S MARKET. Ie. Buyer Determined the price.
Let's Proceed to VIDEOS:
Wheeler's Dealers Part 1: Toyota MR2 MK1 1.6 -NA-
Wheeler's Dealers Part 2: Toyota MR2 MK1
Wheeler's Dealers, Part 3:
Wheeler's Dealers Part 4:
Wheeler's Dealers Part 5:
Wheeler's Dealers Part 6:
Top Gear (UK) Old vs New (Toyota MR2 MK1 vs MR-S MK3)
History of the Toyota MR2 Mk1
(SOurce: http://www.mr2mk1club.com/_newsite/index.php?currPage=mr2mk1)
1976 - The project that would eventually become known as the "MR2" was conceived. However, the actual project did not get off the ground until 1979 when the design process got underway. Whilst the car is recognisable even from the first design the car would go through many changes before the prototype, labelled the SA-X, was built. This was an extraordinarily exciting piece of work for the staff at Toyota, with some employees giving up their summer vacations to test the car.
1976 - The project was re-evaluated by Toyota Management and the first prototype SA-X was built. The car was designed by Seiichi Yamauchi. The inspiration for his design was the "Katana" a Japanese sword.
1983 - Final design changes were made and the car was re-labeled the SV-3. The SV-3 made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show and caused notable excitement as it was the first lightweight mid-engine sports car to be built in Japan.
1984 - The SV3 received some body changes and the concept car was given an internal production code, from now on, internally at Toyota the MR2 would be known as the "AW11" a nickname that stays with the car to this day. The press and public were informed that "MR2" stood for Midship Runabout, 2 Seater, but it also made reference to the cars Mid-Engine, Rear Wheel Drive configuration.
1984 - The MR2 is launched in Japan and the car wins the Japanese "Car of the Year" award for 1984. The AW11 MR2 was launched with a 1587cc, 16 valve, DOHC engine dubbed the 4A-GE. The engine was equipped with Denso electronic multi-point fuel injection system and a variable intake system called T-VIS. The Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) had the option on an AW10 which was equipped with the 1452cc 3A-U engine. It is believed less than 2000 of these models were built and there are no known models of the AW10 in the UK.
1986 - In 1986 the MR2 went through several changes to improve looks, handling and performance. Toyota introduced a "T-Bar" version with leather interior (not in Japan). This was not available in the UK until 1987 however and leather interior was made standard on T-Bar models in 1988 for the UK. Many minor changes took place (see Mk1a to Mk1b differences article for full details) Cosmetic changes that happened were colour-coding bumpers and skirts and a new design of alloy wheels. A key none cosmetic change was the change from C-50 to C-52 gearbox as some of the early Mk1a's had developed a problem with 5th gear. The new revision of the MR2, which has now become known as the "Mk1b" also received uprated brakes, improved suspension and a stronger engine block.
1987 - The Supercharger. In 1987 Toyota introduced the 4A-GZE engine to the MR2. Based on the same block and head as the 4A-GE, the 4A-GZE was equipped with a SC-12 roots type Supercharger and a Denso top-mounted Intercooler. This version of the MR2 was only sold on the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and US Domestic Market (USDM). All Supercharger's in the UK are either conversions or JDM Imports.
1989 - In 1989 there was a limited production run of the MR2 called the "Super Edition", this was a JDM Only model that was done in Midnight Blue (8E4) with Recaro Interior and Mirror Polished Alloys. The "Super Edition" was also produced in White over Gold with Recaro Interior and Mirror Polished Alloys. 270 were produced of both versions.
1990 - Production of the AW11 MR2 ceased with a total of 165,000 being produced and distributed across the world. 32,000 of which ended up in the UK.
TOYOTA MR2 MK1 Buyers Guide 1: (Link)
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/_newsite/index.php?currPage=mr2mk1&currPageSub=buyersguide
MR2 MK1 Buyer's Guide 2: (Link)
http://www.challoner.com/mr2/tech/mk1bg.html
TOYOTA MR2: MK1a - MK1b Differences
Source:
http://www.mr2mk1club.com/_newsite/index.php?currPage=mr2mk1&currPageSub=differences
Aesthetic & technical updates to the Toyota MR2 Mk1...
TOYOTA MR2 MK1 EXTERIOR
* Front bumper is 1” narrower on Mk1a than Mk1b
* The very early Mk1a front bumper is flat at the front & painted matt black as standard
* Front bumper bar iron on Mk1a is different than Mk1b. (but interchangeable only if you fit the same bumper skin and foam insert)
* Mk1a does not have central locking from the door key, Mk1b does
* Mk1a has smooth wing mirror housings, Mk1b has textured effect
* Mk1a had black moulded door & panel protector strips, Mk1b have colour coded clear plastic strips
* Mk1a cars had front mud flaps as well as rear flaps, MK1b only had rear flaps
* Very early Mk1a had black unpainted plastic rear sill protectors
* Very early Mk1a had black caps on wheel nuts
* Mk1a has metal (some plastic) lower front spoiler, mk1b is plastic. Also MK1a has different front panels
* Mk1a had “triangle” alloys, Mk1b has “teardrop” alloys. MK1a 5.5J & MK1b 6J, so MK1b alloys are slightly wider
* Mk1a engine cooling grille is metal & was split into two sections, MK1b was plastic & single entry type which protruded further outwards from the body
* Mk1a had roof mounted manual aerial, MK1b had electric aerial mounted on the rear o/s wing
* Mk1a only had sunroof & tintop options, Mk1b had T-bar, Sunroof & tintop options
* Very early Mk1a sunroofs have no dot pattern in the blackout paint. MK1b’s do
TOYOTA MR2 MK1 INTERIOR
* Mk1a had two tone seats, Mk1b are single coloured
* Mk1a interiors (excluding seats, headlinings & sunroof cover) were all black
* Mk1a original radio very basic compared to Mk1b
* Inner door handle backing plates on Mk1a different thickness to Mk1b & not interchangable between the two
* Mk1a wiper / headlight switches are more square than the Mk1b's rounded type
* Mk1a has no glove box key lock, Mk1b does
* Mk1a headlights don’t rise on the first switch position, they don’t have dim/dip, so its side lights only. Mk1b lights do rise on the first position & operate in dim / dip mode with side lights
* Mk1a has sub woofer under driver’s seat, Mk1b doesnt have this
* Between seat cubby box has lid support on Mk1b only, not on Mk1a
* Mk1a had only one behind the seat coat hook, Mk1b had two
* Mk1a inner door cards are different than on Mk1b, switches sit in a semi-circular pod, although the switches are interchangeable
* The air vents at either end of the dash on a Mk1a have silver center knobs, Mk1b had black only
* Radio surround on Mk1a is different to Mk1b & incorporated a small light
* Centre arm rest on a Mk1a incorporates a padded arm rest, Mk1b doesn’t
* On a Mk1a the ashtray is located forward of the gearstick, on a Mk1b its to the side of the centre console
* Heater controls on a Mk1a are basic design with levers & knobs for air flow etc, on a Mk1b they are push buttons with green L.E.D’s & motorised direction flaps
* The Mk1a heater control panel incorporates the cigarette lighter, on a MK1b this is housed under the ashtray flap & the cigarette elements are not interchangeable
* Lights up warning buzzer found on Mk1b only & only on ‘F’ & ‘G’ reg
* Dash speedo lights on Mk1b 'F' & 'G' reg ONLY had dimmer switch fitted
* Mk1a boot trim is different shape to Mk1b & not interchangeable
* Mk1a boot has fibre board covers over the inner wing area behind the o/s/ & n/s boot panels
* Mk1a coolant filling procedure warning sticker on the engine lid is yellow, on a Mk1b its blue & white
* Tyre pressure information sticker on the bottom of the drivers door on a Mk1a is different to Mk1b
* Mk1a dash gauges have larger increments than Mk1b
* Mk1a had no rear speakers, Mk1b did
* Mk1a steering wheels had exposed metal supports, Mk1b’s were covered
* Mk1a steering wheel 2.5" larger than Mk1b
* Mk1a had black front strut top caps, Mk1b’s didn’t
* Mk1b T-tops ONLY had front strut brace fitted as standard
TOYOTA MR2 MK1 - MECHANICAL
* ECU is NOT interchangeable from Mk1a to Mk1b
* Mk1a ECU is more aggressive for fueling than Mk1b
* Mk1a weighs less than Mk1b
* Mk1a has different radiator brackets to Mk1b
* Mk1a has two mounting bolts on the brake master cylinder, Mk1b has three bolts
* Air filter on a Mk1a is in the engine bay, on a Mk1b its in the boot behind the n/s boot panel
* Mk1a drop links are different length to Mk1b
* Brake disc’s are smaller on a Mk1a than Mk1b
* Cam covers have “16 VALVE” in blue on a Mk1a, on a Mk1b this is in red
* MAP sensor on a Mk1a is square, on a Mk1b this is rectangular & NOT interchangeable between the two models
* Rear suspension subframe is different between a Mk1a & Mk1b
* Mk1a have single jet injectors, Mk1b have twin jet, higher flowing injectors & are interchanglable providing the engine bay loom is changed between the two models
* Mk1a TVIS comes in at a lower RPM than Mk1b
* The air intake temp sensor on a Mk1a is on the TVIS manifold (after throttle body), on a Mk1b its on the intake pipe (before throttle body)
* Mk1a have a VTV dashpot under the throttle body acting on the throttle stop, Mk1b’s don’t have this
* Mk1a has smaller clutch (200mm) Mk1b has larger clutch (212mm)
* Mk1a has smaller diameter rear anti roll bar than the Mk1b
* Mk1a has C50 gearbox, Mk1b has C52 gearbox
* Rear track rod control joints are different on a Mk1a than Mk1b
* Struts are different on Mk1a than Mk1b & are not interchangeable without cutting studs & drilling holes
* Mk1a and Mk1b drive shafts are different, having different ends at the hub and not interchangeable
TOYOTA MR2 MK1 - WHEELS AND TYRES
* Standard Wheels
* Rim size: 14"
* PCD: 4x100
* Offset: 35 -> 38
* Centre bore: 54.1
* Standard tyres: 185/60/14
* Standard Tyre pressures: Cold Tyre Inflation Pressure = 1.8 / 26 FRONT 2.0 / 28 REAR
* Mk1a had ‘triangle’ alloys as standard, while the Mk1b had ‘pepperpot’ alloys as standard
* Larger Wheels that will fit on a MR2 MK1: Alloys up to 17" have been fitted, but all changes will affect handling
* Larger alloys must have the offset within the standard alloy range in order to fit
* Spacers can be used to help achieve correct offset
CAMBER/CASTOR SETUP:
TRD setup:
Toe-In:
ft=1.6mm (stock=1mm)
rr=3.2mm (stock=4-5mm)
Castor = 6 deg (don't worry about this too much though )
Camber:
ft= 1mm neg (stock zero)
rr= 1.5 neg (stock 1 deg)
TOYOTA MR2 MK1/MK1.5 Paint codes/Colour Choices:
* Beige Metallic (4G8)
* Black Metallic (204)
* Black (202)
* Dark Blue Pearl (8E3)
* Grey Metallic (167)
* Ice Blue Pearl (8G2)
* Dark Jade Metallic (6H7)
* Light Beige Metallic (4E3)
* Light Blue Metallic (8B8)
* Medium Red Pearl (3H4)
* Orange Pearl (3H5)
* Silver Metallic (166)
* Super Red (3E5)
* Super Silver Metallic (150)
* Super White (040)
* White (043)
* Dark Jade/Light Beige (2S8)
* Jade/Beige (28B)
* Grey/Super Silver (21E)
DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS:
Body: 2 Seater, Coupe OR T-bar glass roof.
Cd: 0.34
Dimensions and Weights:
Curb weight ........................... 1181 kg (2600 lb)
Weight distribution (%) ............... 44/56
Wheelbase ............................. 2320 mm (91.3 in)
Overall length ........................ 3925 mm (154.5 in)
Overall width ......................... 1665 mm (65.5 in)
Overall height ........................ 1250 mm (49.2 in)
Track ................................. 1440/1445 mm (56.7/56.9 in)
Min. ground clearance ................. 127 mm (5.0 in)
FUEL INFORMATION:
Fuel capacity 40.9 litres
Average comsumption: 7.3 l/100km, kms: 13.7km/L (31mpg)
ENGINE:
Bore × stroke 81.00 mm × 77.00 mm
3.19 in × 3.03 in
Cylinders In-line-4
Displacement 1.6 litre
1587 cc
Type DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
16 valves in total
Compression ratio 10.00:1
Fuel system TCCS fuel inj.
Maximum power
(DIN) 123.7 PS (122 bhp) (91 kW) @ 6600 rpm
Specific output 76.9 bhp/litre
1.26 bhp/cu in
Maximum torque
(DIN) 142.0 Nm (105 ft·lb) (14.5 kgm) @ 5000 rpm
bmep 1124.4 kPa (163.1 psi)
Specific torque 89.48 Nm/litre
PERFORMANCE:
0-60 mph (96km/h) 7.9 s (0-100 km/h 8.5 s)
0-100 mph 25.00 s
80-120 km/h (50-70 mph) in top
Standing ¼mile 16.50 s
Power-to-weight 125.13 bhp/ton
Standing km 30.40 s
Top speed 197 km/h (122 mph) (JDM limited to 180km/h/116mph)
OTHERS:
Lateral acceleration .................. 0.84 g
Interior Sound Level:
Idle .................................. 51 dBA
Full-throttle acceleration ............ 86 dBA
70-mph cruising ....................... 78 dBA
70-mph coasting ....................... 75 dBA
CHASSIS:
Engine location Mid
Engine alignment Longitudinal
Drive RWD
Steering rack & pinion
Ratio ................................. 18.0:1
Turns, lock to lock ................... 3.1
Suspension
front Independent, MacPherson Struts, Coil Springs, ARB.
rear Independent, Chapman struts, trailing-arms, coil springs ARB.
.
Brakes: F/R Ventilated Discs/Discs, Servo-Assisted
Transmission
5 speed manual
Gear Ratios:
Transmission rations:
1st ................................. 3.17
2nd ................................. 1.90
3rd ................................. 1.31
4th ................................. 0.97
5th ................................. 0.82
Axle ratio ............................ 4.30
Final drive ratio ..................... 3:53
END OF SPECIFICATIONS.
Without further ado, let's proceed to a WHOOPING 20 Owner's Review (from Carsurvey.org).
OWNER 1: 1984 Toyota MR2 G Spec 1.6L-16V review from Australia and New Zealand
"Simply it's fast, sporty and eco-friendly 80's sports car"
What things have gone wrong with the car?My head gasket needs replacing very soon.
Seats needs covers or replacements.
General comments?
This car is very quick and handles like a Go Kart. I never want to let anyone else drive it, it's so great to handle - also it needs some new parts.
The cabin is sporty and still comfortable, spacious, with double boots, and room behind the seats for books or whatever you what to do with her (MR2).
Also, she's my very first car, all my friends like / love her. (MR2) Between 950-1100kg in weight and it a personal & sporty GO KART for the road (Fast, Sporty and Comfort), you can't do say no to a MR2.
Also I'm in my mid 20's and I have wanted a MR2 since I was 18, (in high school) But now, it's a different story now, my neighbours like the car.
Want a dream car to have and to drive. :)
Some say it's a baby Ferrari (from long view). sweet.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 8.6 / 10
OWNER 2: 1984 Toyota MR2 review from Australia and New Zealand
"A true MR sports car for the masses"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
As I've only had this MR2 for a short time, I can say nothing "new" has gone wrong, but it has come with problems like, electric windows only work when they want to (I should be able to fix it myself), probably due to the contacts.
When the engine is cold, I have to keep the revs over 1000rpm or it will die till it warms up a bit.
Heater does not blow hot air, and the air con does nothing.
General comments?
I've owned two Supra Turbos and a Levin, and I have to say that I really feel like I'm driving a sports car for the first time with my MR2.
Sitting inside you, feel like you're in a true sports car, with a nice looking dash that with its design, makes it feel very roomy.
The first time you drive one can be a bit scary, due to its mid engine and lack of power-steering. I felt as though it was going to under-steer, that is until I changed my driving style to suit this layout, and now find it to be the most fun and rewarding car I've every been in.
It's a great car to get to work and back and for weekends, however I probably wouldn't want to do long trips often, since the seats get uncomfortable after a while, but do offer more than enough support for those mountain roads.
The 4A-GE big port engine is a great surprise when the revs build up, the exhaust changes its note and you feel a bit of a rush to the 7200rpm red-line.
The previous owner removed the smog gear, so mine may have "slightly" more power than stock, but the car is no slouch.
All in all, if you want a car that makes you feel happy, and don't need a lot of room for mates and luggage, I totally recommend this car for you.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 9.0 / 10
OWNER 3: 1985 Toyota MR2 review from North America
"An absolute delight to own!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
I haven't had to replace anything.
General comments?
I was actually looking for a CRX Si that wasn't riced (which is almost impossible), or a turbo MK2. I found this 1 owner car and had to go look at it.
The original paint was great and the inside was like new and still smells new. All power accessories work. This car was garaged all of its life by the original owner.
I live in the south so there isn't a trace of rust. I only drive it on nice warm days, but I LOVE it! I can't say enough about it. I plan on leaving it all original.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 8.5 / 10
OWNER 4: 1985 Toyota MR2 review from North America
"Most bang and style for the buck, definitely better than a Honda"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Nothing, just normal tune up procedures which I could do myself.
General comments?
This car is great and fun to drive it's engine is so rev happy with a 7500 RPM redline, and the Toyota variable induction system or TVIS
It is great at cornering and has enough power to pass on the freeway.
The only two flaws are the restrictive stock air-box, which is easily replaceable with a high flow filter like K&N.
The seats are rather comfortable unless you have a lot of distance to cover, I've topped the car out at 129 MPH.
This car has some serious potential for the beginning driver.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 9.5 / 10
OWNER 5: 1985 Toyota MR2 review from North America
"A high-performance toy"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The valve cover gasket is currently leaking oil.
Interior leather on the steering wheel and shifter boot has started to crack.
Recently, a part of the exhaust system just before the muffler rusted through and needed replaced.
The clutch is starting to wear and needs replaced. The clutch is very old, however, and I am surprised it took this long to wear badly.
General comments?
I got this car over the summer. I have owned several cars before, and driven many. I can honestly say that I have never driven anything which was more fun. It has more than enough power, and acceleration is phenomenal for a four-cylinder with 120 horsepower.
This car handles perfectly. There is no body roll, and it is most fun on twisty roads. The steering response is instantaneous, and the car has all the traction in the world. If you do lose traction, the center of gravity is right by your right elbow, and the car will just oversteer (the back end slides out from behind you).
I though my last car was fun to drive. I was definitely wrong. It is not possible to tell someone how wonderful this car is, to fully appreciate the fun of a lightweight two-seater, they must go for a ride in it. And to truly appreciate the joy of a mid-engine with rear-wheel drive, you must take one for a drive.
The seats are fairly comfortable, and there is more than enough legroom, although the pedals are small and close together. Shoe size 13 is about the biggest that would fit. Power steering is absent, and also completely unnecessary.
I don't think you could get a car which would be more fun to drive without paying over $100,000.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 8.2 / 10
OWNER 6: 1986 Toyota MR2 mk 1 review from UK and Ireland
"A schoolboys dream, turned into reality"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Nothing so far, but it does have a full service history from new, so little surprise there.
General comments?
This car is the best I have ever driven or owned.
I've owned a fiesta, golf, cinquecento,306 and two corsas and none of these compare.
The car is very very quick for a 1600 engine and does take some getting used to, but once your comfortable it's a dream to drive.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 8.8 / 10
OWNER 7: 1987 Toyota MR2 T-Bar review from UK and Ireland
"The best car I have ever owned by far! buy one"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Exhaust was shot when I bought it so replaced with a stainless steel Mongoose. (don't buy a cheap exhaust)
Replaced the cam belt when bought as due @ 60000 miles.
Electric aerial doesn't go fully down.
Small amount of rust on rear arches, but expected for a 19 year old motor on the uk roads! (now repaired)
Small knocking noise started from the front of the car (droplinks often the reason so I'm told)
General comments?
After wanting a MR2 since a kid I finally took the plunge & nabbed one before they all rusted away! & boy am I glad I did, the car just makes you smile everytime you get in & drive.
I went for a mk1 as thought the mk2 would be a lot more to run & repair if things go wrong, plus with petrol costs etc a 1.6 would be easier on the wallet.
Looked at loads until finally settled for a white T-bar with full leather & a very low 61000 miles on the clock. This wasnt my first choice in colour, but as time went on & I got more desperate I relised I would have to take whatever colour came along in the best condition as getting more & more scare.
I use the car as a daily driver & so far it hasn't let me down once. Its more practical than most people think, you can easily shop for 2 in it & the boot takes around 7 carrier bags if packed well plus there is a small space in the front.
Performance wise the car is also great its quicker than most "hot hatches" and by far out handles them on country roads & islands etc, but beware if its wet & your driving to enthusiastically the back end will go & can be quite scarey! you have been warned.
The car doesn't feel to quick off the mark at first until you get further up the rev range & the TVIS system kicks in @ 4500 revs, at this point the car will pull & pull up to around 7800 revs leaving quite a few other cars eating your dust! 0-60 is around 7.9 seconds.
In regards to cost so far its been very good, full service came in at £130, set of 4 pirrelis cost £145, full mongoose stainless exhaust was £320, & cambelt change was £120, not bad for 2006 and all this on top of a great MPG of around 35-39 is excellent for a car with such great performance. Insurance is also a bargain I pay £240 a year fully comp, which came out about £10 more than my last car a Fiat Punto sporting.
The car is great on long distance to, the seats are very supportive & the drivers one adjusts in every way possible, up, down, rake, lumbar, side bolsters etc & all the switches on the dash are well laid out & easy to reach. Driving position & visibility is excellent all round due having the rear window right behind you.
The car can be a little noisy above 80mph due the the engine being behind you, but a small price to pay & to be expected from whats hailed as the best sports car to come out of the 80's.
If your thinking of getting a mk1 MR2 I reccomend you to do so you will not regret it, they must be about the best cars you can buy in regards to value & fun factor, just be wary of the bodywork & get a T-bar if you want part time cabriolet fun in the summer. £2k will get a decent car still & by todays standards (2006) you're not going to get a more fun & reliable car that doesn't hit you in your pocket.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 9.0 / 10
OWNER 8: 1988 Toyota MR2 Mark 1 T-bar review from UK and Ireland
"Amazing and fun car to drive/own"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Only problems to encounter with the car were a leaky T-bar (cured with some rubber restorer) and a rattly droplink on the antiroll bar. Other faults to minor to list as they come with the territory of buying a 16 year old car.
The car had very low miles for its year when I bought it and also had full service history. I gave it a full service for its 90,000 miles (£125 AA/Halfords service centre) and had the cambelt and droplinks on the antiroll bar done.
General comments?
The car is very good to drive both in the wet and dry (I have 17" alloys with low profile tires. There is no ABS or power steering, that's for girls, and the feed back you get from the car is amazing. Obviously you do not buy one of these cars for comfort, however I did an 800 mile journey my MR2 and didn't feel too bad after it. Summer is great when you can get the roof panels off. Don't bother with the sunroof version, T-bars are much better.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 7.0 / 10
OWNER 9: 1988 Toyota MR2 Coupe review from UK and Ireland
"Lightweight forerunner to the Elise"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The thermostat in the cooling system stuck closed - the car overheated badly! I replaced it myself and have had no problems since.
A metal clip from one of the rear brake pads fell off and caused a huge racket - it cost £15 for a complete set of rear brake pad clips but I guess it's better to replace them all.
General comments?
I think it was Autocar magazine which said that the Mk1 MR2 was quicker round the twisty bits than a Ferrari 308 (the equivalent of the 360 Modena at the time).
It's only got a 1.6 litre engine but it revs over 7500 rpm and weighs very little - who needs loads of power? Main criticism is it lacks torque but there are imported supercharged versions on the market.
It is also widely believed to have been a Lotus design before Toyota bought it and had it hand made by Yamaha.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 7.6 / 10
OWNER 10: 1988 Toyota MR2 T - Bar review from UK and Ireland
"A well designed, well engineered little sports car"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The exhaust rusted quite seriously.
The rear wheel-arches are starting to bubble with rust.
The headlamp adjuster for the near side lamp threaded, which required the headlamp unit to be taken apart and rebuilt.
Both hydraulic clutch cylinders leaked.
General comments?
My car was an original, one owner, well pampered example, and had been owned by one woman for fourteen years when I bought it. She had kept every bill and receipt, and even the original shipping document (in Japanese) and windscreen tag from the transport ship were in the folder accompanying the car.
The T-Vis (Toyota Variable Induction System) 1.6 16 valve engine puts many modern units to shame, with its willingness to rev, and the fantastic stepped power delivery which comes into its own above 5000rpm. At around 120bhp it outperforms many modern 1.6 16 valve enfines, including my previous car, a 1999 Bravo with 'only' 100bhp.
Its also economical for such a quick car, returning 30+ mpg on a regular basis - this drops to around 27 on town trips, and rises to 38 on a long motorway run.
Parts, admittedly, are expensive for a fifteen year old car, but not extortionate. Compared to the modern Fiats I have owned, it is actually very reasonable. Tyres are also cheap, as, while they were high spec in '88, the same size is standard on most average family hatches these days.
This car's raison d'etre though is its handling. The balance afforded by having the engine in the middle of the car, and skipping that modern essential power steering, makes the car feel alive and a joy to take around any roundabout or bend.
It does have to be piloted with care in the wet, however, as I soon discovered when the back tried to overtake the front on a roundabout, not long after I bought the car. Once bitten, you soon learn to treat the car with the respect it deserves, and even enjoy pushing the tail to its (and your) limit.
Forget modern hermetically sealed containers, and get a slice of pure 80s fun. Take the roof out, stick some Duran Duran on the (weak unless you spend a fortune on cutting up the interior) stereo, and make like a hairdresser. Especially if, like me, you get a white one to match your socks.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 7.4 / 10
OWNER 11: 1988 Toyota MR2 GT Coupe review from UK
"Pocket-rocket that's hard to fault"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Nothing.
General comments?
Having wanted a mark one MR2 since I was a kid, actually jumping in my 12-year old example was a genuine thrill. It didn't matter that I could have bought newer, flashier metal, because the original MR2 still out-handles a lot of modern competition. When Rover set out to build the MGF, it used the old MR2 as its benchmark - shame they couldn't match the reliability...
I chose my car because it had been well-maintained technically, if not cosmetically, although the black leather trim was a draw, too. I've had the alloys repainted (£100 for the lot), and replaced some of the interior trim (you can order it all new from Japan via Toyota dealers – a new leather gearstick was £45). I'm trying to keep the car original, so I'm not lowering it or anything like that – the only change I've made so far is to add cross-drilled, grooved front brake disks, which was well worthwhile.
One thing I do need to sort out is a respray, as the red paint on my '88 is starting to get that white-misted look. I've tried polishing it out, but it's too far gone. It's November now, so I'll wait for the Spring before getting a new top coat put on.
Performance-wise... well, the handling is funtastic. Corners can be taken at speeds quick enough to scare yourself, and - so far - the car hasn't done anything unpredictable. I haven't really succeeded in getting the tail out, and that's not through lack of trying. It just goes quicker and quicker.
I'd be interested to drive a supercharged import version, because I would like to have a bit more go - but only a bit. Too much would spoil the car, as it's a really well balanced package. I might consider a sports exhaust, but too be honest the MR2 is a pretty noisy car anyway, so I'd have to get a bigger hi-fi, too! In the UK, www.fensport.co.uk has really good upgrade prices. There's an £140 +5bhp air-ram from Blitz that has caught my eye...
Overall, I love the car. I've thought about what I'd change it for, and this side of a Lotus Elise (with a hardtop), I'm at a loss. Things like Corrados, 200SXs, Mazda MX6s just seem too big and heavy after the MR2 - it's so light and nimble. Good engineering. I'm kind of tempted by an MX5, but a soft-top in London is just asking for trouble from thieves. It's worth noting that mark one MR2s are only insurance group 11, which is really low for the performance it gives.
Downsides? The boot is tiny - takes about six supermarket shopping bags - but compared to the new MR2 it's pretty good! The clutch can be heavy in traffic, as can the fuel consumption in town if you drive like I do (as in too damn fast). And if you like a lot of bass in your car, then watch out, because it'll cost a fair whack to get subs fitted in special cabs behind the seats - I've checked it out.
But that's about it. What can I say? In ten years time it'll be a sought-after classic, no doubt. And unless I win the lottery, then I for one will still be driving my MR2 in a decade...
Overall marks (average of all marks) 7.8 / 10
OWNER 12: 1989 Toyota MR2 Supercharger review from UK and Ireland
"Fantastic"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Faultless.
General comments?
Rare, rapid, blown 1600 engine provides terrific torque and power for 1600cc. Add mongoose exhaust and you have 155bhp+ 155ftlbs torque minimum.
Corners on rails.
t-tops off and it's a convertible.
Disturbs honda civic type r's even though its 18 years old.
Add 180mm pulley for up to 180bhp and 180ftlbs torque+++.
Excellent and all for £2500.
Beat that...
Overall marks (average of all marks) 6.8 / 10
OWNER 13: 1989 Toyota MR2 twincam review from UK and Ireland
"Finest non supercar sports car of the 80's"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Exhaust at 87,000.
Head gasket at 112,000.
Handbrake cables at 90,000.
Clutch slave cylinder at 108,000.
Clutch master cylinder at 108,000.
Suspension drop links stabiliser bars at 85,000.
General comments?
"I will never sell my MR2, no other car is like it for performance, handling and general economy."
Of course I am a real enthusiast and have the 89 supercharger too, with only 40k on the clock, in near new condition considering its 17 year age.
The sc is absolutely amazing for a small car and must have been awesome back in 1989.
Will I sell? Never. Would I recommend? Absolutely, keep up maintainence and it's a love affair.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 7.0 / 10
OWNER 14: 1989 Toyota MR2 review from North America
"So good, I'm on my second one, and gladly would buy another one"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The only thing that has been kind of a nag has been the clutch. Have replaced both rear, and master cylinder.
Transmission was getting harder to shift, so I replaced clutch at 150k miles.
Battery finally died recently. Replaced.
Replaced timing belt, water pump, fuel filter, as soon as I bought it. Preventive maintenance.
Car is great, and very reliable. As with any car, do the maintenance work and replace parts BEFORE they fail.
General comments?
The car has never left me stranded. I have made several trips, over 1k miles each way non-stop. Car ran flawlessly.
Handling is excellent. However, ride can be a bit harsh.
Has enough power, although for really good acceleration, consider finding a Supercharged model.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 7.6 / 10
OWNER 15: 1989 Toyota MR2 review from UK and Ireland
"Good looks, performance and reliability - what more could you want in a car?"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The alternator seized in 1998.
Rust is beginning to show on the rear nearside wheel arch.
General comments?
Bought the car at 2.5 years old (15,000 miles) and still own it 10 years later (now 100,000 miles).
I can't imagine any other car offering so much fun and reliability in one car - it looks good, does not leak, is easy to get in an out of and it can contain a fair amount of luggage, so long as you use the bonnet, the boot and behind the seats - don't even think of using a suitcase.
It's a ball of fun in the snow, especially down remote country lanes. It handles very well with Pirelli P600s and sticks like glue in the dry, but in 10 years I have met the limit a couple of times - the front starts to lighten and the only solution is to floor the accelerator to push it round the bend.
Here's to the next 10 years.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 8.8 / 10
OWNER 16: 1989 Toyota MR2 , T-Tops, Base Model review from North America
"WOO HOO! Can I turn around and take that corner again?!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Problems in 14 years of ownership (for 12 years it was my father's) :
-Replaced a brake caliper
-Power antenna failed - it is now permanently in the UP position and will stay that way because I don't intend to spend approximately $250 on a power antenna unit.
-Both electric window lifts are failing - CLACK! CLACK! POP! "Please keep going up, nice little window!" This is especially fun in the rain...
-Oil leak from engine somewhere - I'm pretty sure it's from the oil pan.
-Suspension seems to lean to the right (driver's side). My dad and I are both about 200lbs, I think the driver's side springs are sacked out.
-No rust!
General comments?
Sharp handling. A little gutless. Could use a little more rasp in the exhaust note. I feel special when I drive this car because I only see another MR2 of this vintage once a month, if that. I live in Minnesota - this type of car isn't very popular here because of the snow and ice.
I don't even consider driving this car in the snow because I tried twice and nearly exterminated myself both times. Besides, it does lousy donuts - all it does is understeer...
My father bought this car for himself on the day after my 16th birthday. I have harassed him for years to sell it to me. He finally GAVE it to me 2 years ago when he traded up to a 2001 MR Spyder.
I drove it from Austin, TX to Minneapolis, MN and was never uncomfortable (did I mention that I am 6'3"?) and the car returned a consistent 37mpg at 75-85mph.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 9.0 / 10
OWNER 17: 1989 Toyota MR2 T-bar review from UK and Ireland
"A fast exciting sports car with superb handling"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Careful folks, abused models of this car are out there! If you're thinking of buying one, get it checked out thouroughly.
At this age, the car has probably had a lot of owners, and all of them would have liked driving hard. The engines are strong, but not invincible.
General comments?
The car is very nice looking, it's 80's looks make it look more desirable and retro than dated (in my opinion anyway)
I think the car looks really smart in white, other colours can leave it looking a little bland. Be picky when choosing!
With the leather interior, pop up lights, TBAR etc the car oozes excitement, and leaves you gurgling like an excited 2 year old outside a bouncy castle.
The sometimes overlooked speciality with the car, is that it is so LIGHT. 3 or 4 hundred pounds lighter than the mark 2.
The effect of this is; excellent pick-up, great response from the throttle, superb handling and fuel economy to boot (expect anything between 30/45mpg). What this means in practice, is that you can drive the car very hard and get away with it!
The car flies off the mark very quickly and is really great at scaring the crap out of passengers. With your foot to the ground, 2nd gear will shoot you to the back of your seat and take you upto 50mph very quickly. A change to 3rd gear will slightly delay the 0-60 time to around 8 seconds.
This is all fantastic, however it is after this point where the limitations of a 1600c engine become prevalent. Don't get me wrong, the car will get upto 100mph at adequate pace. But at adequate pace only; not sports performance.
The revs get a little high at 80/85mph, making it a little loud if you want go down a motorway quickly. But that won't happen of course because you all abide by the 70mph speed limit!
Another problem is the sound system. The original speakers are tiny things, placed in tiny grills. If you want bigger speakers (and if you like music you will) you're going to have start cutting out bits of interior, or sacrifice some space inside.
The reason I bought this car, and would recommend anyone having one once in their lives, is because when it is night, and ahead of you, you see 2 popped up lights. You're very low to the ground, hearing a sexy engine noise, conscious that every other driver or passer by may well have their eyes on you, and you put your foot down, it gives that feeling of excitement and euphoria every motoring enthusiast craves. And this, is priceless (well actually, under two grand to be exact!).
Overall marks (average of all marks) 7.0 / 10
OWNER 18: 1989 Toyota MR2 Supercharger review from New Zealand
"Best Handling car in its price range"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Two new front shocks (they failed inspection due to being worn/leaking).
All rubber bushes replaced on rear suspension arms (This got rid of the annoying noises)
New clutch (was getting stiff and hard to press down).
General comments?
This is the most fun car I've ever owned, which is saying a lot, as I have had over 20 cars, my other car is a 1996 Subaru WRX, but I find this car a lot more fun to drive, its not that fast in a straight line, but around corners its simply unbeatable compared to other cars in the same price range.
The Supercharger makes the car very responsive, theres no Lag, its got instant power straight off the line, also the instant power is handy for corner exits.
On the straight roads most VTEC Hondas etc are faster, however not one has been able to keep up with me once there are some tight corners in the equation, they end up dropping back out of view in my mirror.
Only gripe is that Wind Noise becomes annoying at speed (over 100km per hour) probably due to worn rubber around the drivers side window. (it's an 18 year old car)
When buying one of these cars, try and find one with a good service history, avoid modified examples that have been thrashed to near death.
What ever you do, don't buy budget tyres, you need at least Bridgestone Potenza GIII's to get the most out of it.
I am very lucky as my car has only had one previous owner, who got it serviced every 5000ks from new. there is over $10,000NZD of receipts for the last 10 years alone.
In my opinion I have one of the the best ones in New Zealand.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 8.2 / 10
OWNER 19: 1989 Toyota MR2 Base review from North America
"The best 2 seater you can buy used for under $3000"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Only one thing went wrong with the car that took me about 1 month to figure out. I dropped a dime in the cigarette lighter socket and it shorted out my stereo.
General comments?
This car has to be the most reliable car I've ever owned. I drove it for 4 years and never had a single problem with the car getting me anywhere. Over 20 trips from Seattle to San Fransisco without a single problem.
I sold the car with 90,000 miles to a friend in 1998. It's now November 2002 and he still drives it, with over 160,000 miles on the odometer and the engine has never been rebuilt. If he offered to sell it back to me I would buy it in a heart beat. If you can find one buy one.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 9.2 / 10
OWNER 20: 1989 Toyota MR2 T bar review from UK and Ireland
"Good Fun on a budget"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Nothing.
General comments?
I've always wanted a Mk1 MR2 so was happy with my purchase. I knew it would not be as quick as previous cars, I've had a fair few 6 cylinder BM's including the E30 325i, E36 325i and the E28 M535, all fast in a straight line, but a handful in the twisty stuff.
The MR2 in contrast is the best balanced car I have ever driven. Mid engine and rear wheel drive results in a very responsive drive, you can really push the car into any corner and it grips and grips some more, it generally tends to understeer before it oversteers, which is nice and predictable as I like it, buy an old BM if you like going backwards, I've tried it a few times and didn't think much of it.
The MR2 is slightly underpowered, but not by much, too much BHP would effect the handling, but I still think another 20bhp would be useful, although 120bhp from a 1.6 is respectable. Totoya did produce a supercharged version which had the extra BHP and I imagine that is an almost perfect sports car.
The brakes on the MR2 are also strong, with disks all around, but generally its accepted that most need new rear calipers by now which seem to be a weakness, along with the rear arches which suffer from rust.
The engine is strong and likes to be reved, I've done approx 10,000 miles in mine since purchase with no reliability problems. which isn't bad for a 1.6 with 150,000 on the clock.
The T bar is nice on sunny days, as it can be removed so you can appreciate open top driving.
The car is also good on fuel due to its light weight and small engine, average 30-35 mpg.
There is even a boot which you can get 6 shopping bags in, and more storage space under the bonnet.
In conclusion if you are looking for an economical, reliable, sports car for under £1000, with exellent predictable handling, for B road blasting I can think of no competition.
Overall marks (average of all marks) 7.5 / 10
End of 20(!) Owner's Review. SOURCE: http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/toyota/mr2/
REFERENCES:
1) Most pictures taken from Autotrader.co.uk/
2) www.youtube.com (search Toyota MR2 MK1)
That's all folks, thanks for having time and patience to read this blog entry.
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