Toyota MR2 MK1 - Advice from a MR2 specialist

Advantages: Handling developbed by Lotus, stuning looks, perfect reliability. A1 examples still under £5,000.
Disadvantages: Rust kills most of them, lots of very rough examples out there - especialy T-Bars.

...Why the Mark 1 Toyota MR2? (1985-1990) Firstly and fore mostly; they are seriously fun to drive! Just ask any Mk1 owner, and watch as a massive cheesy grin appears across their face. It will happen! :) 80?s rocket ship styling Removable glass roof (T-Bar model) Very light weight Engine revs up to 8,000 RPM True sports car handling ? refined by Lotus Toyota reliability Toyota build quality Lots of electrical toys ? EW, CL, EA, EM, etc? Light steering ? Mid Engined Excellent value for money Excellent investment Cheap Tax (£180 a year) Very cheap to insure, even on a standard policy Qualifies for ?classic car insurance? Stands out from the crowd ? a 80?s Classic So, what?s the not so good stuff about these cars? Rust ? that?s what kills most of them: Wheel arches + wings front and back...

gafr21 15.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Toyota MR2 MK1

MR2 goodness

Advantages: Pin sharp handling, stylish looks, soft top good mpg for car
Disadvantages: expensive to crash, alloys corrode, requires attention to detail/

...of the headlights and pushed the wing. However this is part and parcel of what happens when going to fast. However the problems then started. The car would mysteriously refuse to start causing many headaches. This has never been solved even with Toyotas help. On one of these occasions I had a critical job interview. Hurridly I connected jump leads, but in my haste and due to poor markings, connected the wrong way. THEN the troubles began. it has blown most of the electrics, the fuses and dare I say the ECU. It is a MAJOR design flaw in the car so everyone take care! Lets get on to more positive things. Safety wise this car is very good. Had a head on collision with a land rover at 30mph. While damaged the front the important stuff was behind me. The air bags didnt come out which was very good and the car absorbed the damage well. Both me...

l33t-krew 16.09.2007 · Read review
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Review of Toyota MR2 Roadster

Toyota MR2 MK1 a Classic

Advantages: Quick, Cheap, Reliable, Great looking car
Disadvantages: Like all cars of its age rust is a problem

...I Love my Toyota MR2 mk1 T-BAR 1988. For its age it feels and looks better than anything I see on the roads nowadays. The styling of older cars was retro with all the cool vents and square shapes etc. Now u just get curves and all new cars look the same and are all about comfort and safety. I bought my MR2 in February for a measly £700. It needed work so I got all rust off and a complete respray for £450 from my local garage in Alrewas, he was very helpful and if anybody wants his contact number please get in touch with me. Very nippy 1.6 Engine, Great styling and classic car insurance. What more could you want. Great fun :) Being a Toyota it is also easy to get the parts despite the age. I would not recommend going direct to Toyota as the parts are a small fortune, try internet searches and local garages etc. i found toyota...

bengear8 10.06.2008 · Read review
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Review of Toyota MR2 MK1

  A Toy(ota) for 2

Advantages: proper sports car, reliable, flip up headlights
Disadvantages: short on power, noisy on motorways/high speed

...very good, my father is a Toyota monk, driven them for 20 years, cut him in half it would say Toyota thorough him like a stick of rock. It just that Japanese cars are like white goods, they don't really capture the soul of what driving is about, they are too functional, but not one to judge before I drive them it's on with the tail. A little research later I decided that a closer inspection was needed of this car as one of the pluses for the MR2, it is a real, proper sports car, even the name MR2 equates to the definition of a sports car layout; M = Mid engined R = Rear wheel drive (the R originally meant 'runabout' but was soon changed) 2 = 2 seater. All this means that it's a package which should be fun, this is the same layout as a Ferrari no less, but sadly that is where the similarity ends. A little point on the name I...

Paid.Ark.Man 07.07.2005 · Read review
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Review of Toyota MR2

Toyota MR2 GT T-Bar! A Future Classic

Advantages: Great looks, fast car, amazing handling and cheap to purchase
Disadvantages: common t-bar seals leaking but these can be replaced

...I originally had a mk1 Toyota MR2 which had reliability issues with trouble starting and rust build up etc. In January 2009 I decided to part with her and buy a nice red 1997 Toyota MR2 mk2 T-bar. Not only did it look like a baby Ferrari with its gleamiong red paintwork, pop up lights and twin exhasut system, it performed like one aswell! Not so common on the roads now you can't help notice people turning there heads for a look and i'm sure at first glance they think it's a Ferrari :) I have had no reliablility issues with my car as of yet, Ive had the car serviced at Toyota by very helpful staff. I have only replaced the engine struts underneath the engine and purchased some nice black and red rim 17" alloys with look a treat on the car. I recommend to keep away from the turbo version as my brother previously owned one...

bengear8 08.05.2009 · Read review
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Review of Toyota MR2 GT T-Bar

MR2 Roadster? No, No, No!!!

Advantages: When it works and the road is bone dry it handles well.
Disadvantages: If a rabbit so much as pees in your path, expect to crash. Engine trouble!!

...the saftey of my workplace i typed 'MR2 Roadster snow' into google and was informed by numerous owners of this 'toy' car that the best thing to do when in an MR2 and encountering snow is to pull the thing over and walk! I would have been prepared to attempt to forgive the car for these failings because lets face it; its a sexy looking little thing, reminiscent of a Boxter in many people's opinion...but then the engine exploded...oh yes my X-reg with 56,000 miles and full service history simply gave up the ghost and started rattling like a drug addict locked up in a prison cell for 2 weeks. I immediately took it into the Toyota dealership in Bolton and an hour later the mechanic theatrically emerged, sucking his teeth like only the finest mechanics can do, proclaiming that this low mileage, fsh vehicle 'needs a new engine'. But don't worry...

jamidomobilio 13.03.2008 · Read review
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Review of Toyota MR2 Roadster

Mr-2 Roadster - Ready for the summer

Advantages: Style, Handling, Low Insurance / Running Costs
Disadvantages: Slighty underpowered, Storage space

...A few months ago - I was having problems with a car that I had purchased. I owned ( and still have it sat on my drive at the moment ) an 'X' reg Alfa Romeo 166. I had been having problems with this car for a while, and happened to notice a few cars I was interested in at a local garage when driving past one day. I stopped, and looked around at the cars that I had previously seen, including a Subaru Impresa, and a few others. My friend then pointed out this little Silver Convertible tucked away at the back of the forecourt. As I walked slowly over, I realised that this was a Toyota MR-2 Roadster. It was immaculate, a really clean and tidy, looked after car. The garage was actually closed when I was looking around, and I thought that I would go and check it out the following day. The actual design of the car is subtle - its...

projectneon 08.01.2006 · Read review
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Review of Toyota MR2 Roadster

MR2 G Limited

Advantages: Good fun, stands out in the crowd
Disadvantages: Very low to the road, job to get hold of a manual

...We bought our MR2 two years ago. It was up for sale outside our local and I fell in love with the shape. To cut a long story short, we bought it for £2,000. The last owner was a mechanic so it had been well looked after. We were told that the engine was very noisy as it is a mid-engined car (believe it or not, that's what the MR stands for - mid range). However, after a couple of journeys, we didn't notice any noise whatsoever. This particular car was an import - G Limited basically means this. It is a term Japan uses which is similar to our 'Limited Edition' etc. The main problem we had was the fact that a handbook was impossible to buy - you can download them in Japanese, but that isn't really much help! Also, you have to fall into the car and climb out, especially if parked next to a pavement. The boot at the back is not...

Tomcat7 17.01.2007 · Read review
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Review of Toyota MR2 1992 Coupe

MR2 GTS TURBO (IMPORT)

Advantages: GREAT LOOKS,SOLID TOYOTA RELIABLITY,COMFORTABLE INTERIOR
Disadvantages: DOESNT LIKE WET WEATHER,SPARE PARTS COSTS,HARD SUSPENSION,INTERIOR NOISE

...i got my car 2 years ago freshly imported from the land of the rising sun i paid £4000 for it and it came with about 51000 on the clock and was a auction grade 4 which is a good grade, the car interior body work overall condition was great alot better than the uk versions i had been to see for the same money. well..what do you want to know ..ill tell you the car itself has great looks alot better than the previous model and the new mr-s shape, the interior although like most toyota cars is a little dark and drab but the seats are fully adjustable and the driving position again are fully adjustable as well as all the little buttons switches air con,stereo are very easy to reach and adjust without having to take your eyes off the road.mine come with a tbar and ive seen mr2s with sun roofs but they dont look the part compared to the t...

jimar123 06.11.2005 · Read review
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Review of Toyota MR2 1992 Coupe

Best in class

Advantages: Looks, quality and driving experience
Disadvantages: Not surprisingly ... storage

...the soundproofing and insulation are very good so I was never tempted by the optional hardtop plus the extra cost and storage problems counted against it for me. Interior: With the leather pack the interior has a very high quality, luxury feel to it. The seats are comfortable and supportive and you sit nice and low with your legs out straight in front of you. All the trim has a feel of quality and ergonomically everything is well positioned. Driving: The MR2 is a joy to drive. It is a sporty car rather than a sports car but the driving position and responsiveness enhance the feeling of exhilaration. As with other Toyota's, the drive is excellent. Everything feels precise and direct, steering, braking and gear change are smooth and clean. Long journeys can be undertaken without any fear of discomfort. There are three ways to drive the MR2 as...

brereton66 11.05.2006 · Read review
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Review of Toyota MR2 Roadster