Faults:

Clutch replaced at 85,000 miles.

Alternator replaced at 100,000 miles.

Shocks replaced all round at 110,000 miles.

Gearbox feels tired and crunches a bit in 3rd.

Paint on the spoiler has started bubbling.

Aerial sometimes gets stuck.

General Comments:

The handling is brilliant due to the low suspension, mid-engine and rear wheel drive setup. Nothing much can keep up in the dry. It just sticks to the road with virtually no body-roll. You just have to treat it with respect in the wet. Decent tyres are important on this car.

Performance is good from the 2 litre 16v engine. It hits 60mph in about 7.7 seconds, which is more than respectable. Power delivery is smooth, and above 5000rpm it really shifts. Admittedly, the turbo model is about 2 seconds quicker up to 60mph, but much more thirsty.

The car looks great as standard with its sleek and curvy styling. You wouldn't believe the car was 14 years old. The black paintwork still shines almost like new. The interior looks nice with everything to hand. Mine has full electrics and air-con. You can adjust the steering wheel to suit. Imports have the best spec.

These cars are reliable and feel pretty solid being a Toyota. Mine has mostly only needed parts due to normal wear and tear. To be fair it's done 115k miles, but still drives nicely. I use it everyday for work.

General running costs are reasonable. Servicing can be done cheaply. Certain repair jobs can be expensive though. Insurance can be quite high for imports, but not too bad for UK cars.

I think these cars are great value-for-money, and I plan on upgrading to the turbo model soon.

Faults:

In the 3 months that I have owned this car only a front bulb had blow.

Did have typical power steering failure, but was sorted out after turning it on and off from the key multiple times.

General Comments:

I have the GT version of the Mk II MR2. It is a Revision #2 also known as a rev 2. As standard these cars will push out 220/230 bhp with a stationary start to hitting 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. I do have to mention for people that do not know that this car has a the same engine as a Toyota Celica GT4. The car had been manufactured in '93. The Rev 1 are from years 1990 to 1992. Rev 2 were manufactured from '92 to L reg '93. From 93+ came the Rev 3 which pushed out 240 bhp standard. This review is about the Rev 2 turbo.

After being without a car for about 8 months I started missing the feel for driving. I looked into driving the Civic Type R (EP3) and Intergra Type R (DC5) but the insurance on the DC5 was too much with only 1 company willing to quote me. After time my budget changed, but my taste for a performance car was still the same.

Months of research ended with me finding a minter MR2 GT Turbo. The GT version is the more luxurious of the turbocharged cars as the GTS was made to be lighter. More of a rawer car.

The only thing different from the GTS to GT is that it is equipped with electric mirrors, different air system. The air system on the GT has a normal cool/warm blower with air cond and climate control. Included are recirc air or intake from outside air. Also featured are half leather seats as the GTS has patterned fabric. I do have to point out that these seats have multiple areas to adjust the comfort for the driver. If I remember correctly the seats have a 7 point adjustment system.

The cabin at first felt somewhat tight, but it was down to me not being used to the coupe feeling. The MR2 now feels spacious with an armrest which you can freely move your elbows about. For long drives it can easily pace up and down the length of the country with ease. As a motorway car I'd only use it for a few hours at most. Anymore and it might not be the best car to purchase as the MPG isn't too great either.

Continuing with the interior and it being a coupe, I know a fair few owners who are 6ft + and they have no problem being comfortable as they drive.

Being a MR2 (Mid-Rear) you will know that the engine is in the back. LOL I had to point that out to some people. Still the engine being placed in the rear of the car there is surprisingly some room to store a trolley load of shopping or luggage packed for a weekend away.

'the GTS Mr2 had 235 break horse power as standard and an after market exhaust, boost valve, dump valve to bring it to nearer 280 Break Horse Power'

A quote from a previous poster:

I know that hitting the 280bhp mark with this engine is easily achieved, but with just those mods alone I doubt it.

Again the previous poster compared this car with a saxo! Diabolical, these cars are completely different breeds and cannot be compared together. This car is set against the S2000, Fiat 20v coupe, Civic Type R, Ford Focus RS and the new '04 Golf GTI turbo.

But being a japanese Import and the fuel that is sold over there in the east, it uses 100 ron fuel. The nearest you can get here on public roads is 97/98 ron. Also known as optimax or 4 star. This also adds to the running costs of the car. The car being a japanese import jumps into the insurance category of 20!! The highest of the lot. Also be aware that this car will eat away it's rear tyres if abused.

I do have to say that the gearchange on the car is slick and smooth. Not comparable to the CTR, but yet smooth. If you like to drive with a bit of heel-toe this can be done too, but please be careful.

I do have to point out though that many people purchase this car as a fun alternative to a FWD hatchback and drive it the same way. NO, this cannot be done as it is a RWD MR car and the weight distribution will be different so therefore please drive with care if you buy this car. Also many people discribe the handling in the wet as, 'dire' but it isn't that bad. It's just stupid to boot it around in the wet and then blame the car. Overall the handling is rather good and you can have hours of fun stepping the back out and catching it back in (private track of course).

The cambelt has to be changed at 60k.

If bought straight from japan, your turbo will be restricted to 112mph.

It is a sports car so the suspension will be harsh. To some, they might find it tiresome, but if you like sports cars harder suspension is something you should be used to, but this is what makes the handling good.

If you stick with the JDM (Japanse Domestic Motor)headunit you will only get restricted FM stations.

Remember this is a sub 6 second car and will pull all the way through 2/3/4 gears easily hitting stupid speeds. The people who won't know how fast these cars are are the clueless ones. Even though 10+ years it still turns heads. It will definately leave most cars for dust and the garrett turbocharger will happily boot you along.

The smile on your face when you hear the turbo whistling 2 feet behind your head is great fun.