1985 Toyota MR2 1.6

Summary:

Most bang and style for the buck, definitely better than a Honda

Faults:

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.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th April, 2002

29th Apr 2004, 00:35

The MR2 is NOT a beginners car, get a Mazda Miata to learn on. The MR2 websites document the over-steer issues with this and most all rear/mid engine cars.

Keep good rubber on the back, or better yet, upgrade to 195/50X15 wheel package to cure the oversteer issues. Or train yourself to recover from a spin.

I learned by autocrossing many years ago.

I will not give a MR2 to my kid to learn on. Not good, no, no! How about a FX-16 or a old Corolla GTS. They get the same motor and sport treatment from Toyota, just not mid-engine.

Front wheel drive or front engine/rear wheel drive are much easier to learn on.

7th Aug 2008, 17:35

Yes, the previous comment is correct. My wife and I have owned 5 wedges and 6 X-bodies and I constantly break the wedges loose with childish impunity and it is the most predictable car when the tires break loose, ever made. The X bodies on the other hand I have had scare me twice. Once at high speed and most recently I floored my Automatic 2.2 93 off a light into a left turn. It had just started raining and I know that this is the slipperiest road you can drive on but what was most alarming wasn't that I lost control, It was that I couldn't regain it. What would have required letting go of the steering wheel to correct and grab when it straightens out (wedge tactic) turned into, 4 rather desperate moves to stay in the two lanes I had (only because no one was coming the other way)

I would give a kid a wedge to start with. My brother did and his son is an excellent driver. Just no X-Bodies. And in defense of X-Bodies they handle phenomenally well, but don't break them loose. Breaking loose in a wedge is so fun, you actually plan it.

1985 Toyota MR2 2 door 1.6 L

Summary:

Drive it like you stole it

Faults:

Speedometer cable broke.

General Comments:

This car runs good.

The original owner stored it in 1996 and I bought it in 2000, people thought it wouldn't start, well I proved them wrong, it started on the first crank. And it runs like a champ.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th January, 2001

1985 Toyota MR2 1.6L 16v

Summary:

A destined classic!

Faults:

Warped front rotors - design flaw.

Galley plugs replaced - top of the engine.

Sticking parking brake.

General maintenance.

General Comments:

This has been a joy to own and drive. I will own it forever.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st December, 2000

26th Mar 2012, 20:16

Rotors don't warp, they crack or have pads transfer material in different depths that end up making it feel whacky. Definitely not literal warping.

In reply to 26th Mar 2012, 20:16

28th Mar 2012, 05:53

Rotors do warp if overzealous with air impact installed tire replacements. Use a hand torque wrench preset at designated torque. Then it will not be "wacky".