2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder 1.8 1zz fe

Summary:

Good alternative to a Miata. Difficult to work on

Faults:

Bought the car knowing it needed a clutch. Didn't know about the common pre cat failure.

The headlights need a little polishing.

Chrome door handle peels a little.

General Comments:

The warm up catalytic converters have a bad habit of breaking up, the ceramic dust (which is very hard) scores the cylinder walls. This leads to excessive oil consumption. If you are looking at buying an MR2 from 00-02, check the pre cats by removing the O2 sensors and looking in with a flash light. That being said, it does handle well and has a nice exhaust note. You do have to drop the engine for any kind of gasket replacement though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th April, 2011

12th Apr 2011, 10:28

Glad you emphasized the problems with 2000 through 2002 models. Apparently, these engines should have been recalled. As one of many folks who lost thousands of dollars replacing the engine and exhaust system, I've been blogging about Toyota, and published a post with links to two major MR2 clubs - one in this country and one in Europe - that have been screaming about the issue for years: http://tinyurl.com/clm2uw.

I also discussed this matter in a recent article published by Torque News: http://www.torquenews.com/1/316-opinion-toyota-losin-reason.

2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder 1.8L 1ZZ-FE

Summary:

To sum it up, the MR2 can't be beat for the value, performance and overall Toyota quality.

Faults:

Driver side headlight seal began to leak while still under warranty (~5K miles) no cost to me.

General Comments:

I'm on my third "Mister Two." I fell in love with the MR2 in 1985. Bought one of the first Twos brought into the US. Then traded for a 1988 MR2 supercharged BEAST when they became available. Talk about a kick in the pants!

You gotta love the mid engine, rear wheel drive, manual transmission advantage. I have always felt like I can reach out and touch all four corners of the MR2. The 1985, the 1988 SC AND the 2000). I definitely like being in total control. The car is an extension of me AND I'm a part of the car.

I regret that I never snagged an MKII during the 1990s. I would gladly donate an eye, kidney, etc. to have an MKII turbo that has been pampered by it's original owner, while, of course, simultaneously keeping my 2000 MKIII.

I NEVER want to be without a "Mister Two." You simply cannot find another mid engine car that is affordable, reliable and so much fun it's probably illegal in socialist countries.

Virtually no stowage space in the 2000 MKIII, but why should I care? That's where my old reliable 4x4 Toy' pickup comes in handy; for trips to the lumber yard and bad weather days.

I hope Toyota never scares us again by cutting us off from the MR2 like they did in the late 1990s here in the USA. Keep your Miatas, MGFs and such.

Zoom, Zoom my arse! Gimme a "Two" any day!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th April, 2003

2nd Oct 2013, 16:49

You're absolutely right. I've been wanting one since I saw the 1985 version. Finally sprung for one in 2005 when my husband got tired of me going to the Toyota website and asking him, "Isn't it pretttttyyyyy????" Bought used with 23,000 miles. Put 90,000 miles on it myself (70,000 of those were quite literally city miles) and had to replace the throttle control motor. Oh, well! Still loved it!