Faults:

OK so only had car 6 weeeks, and no problems to report yet (fingers crossed).

General Comments:

I waited 20 years to own an MR2, was a teenage dream that finally materialised. And I have not been disappointed. OK so you can't fit more than two carrier bags in it (no boot - engine in there, and bonnet space houses spare tyre!) but hey I didn't buy it as a family car! Fast, nippy, easy to park (crucial for us females!) and OK on petrol. Holds the road like glue. Overall have been very pleased and have the 'grin factor' every time I get behind the wheel. Go buy one, don't think you'll be disappointed.

Faults:

A knocking noise started - I took the car to a garage and found out the con-rod bearings had started to turn on the crank. Fitted new bearing`s, but started to do the same.

Took it to another garage and fitted a new crank. Garage mentioned to me that with the 1zz fe engine, this was a common known problem, costing me £1500.

Faults:

Case-end bearing failed in gearbox.

Starting to sound tappety?

General Comments:

Most of us want some sort of balance between sportiness and practicality. For this reason I think an MR2 Roadster is best enjoyed as a second car. When you have driven it for a while you want to be in something quieter, plusher and roomier. When you haven't driven it for a while you are desperate get in and enjoy it as the go-kart it is.

Its mainly my wife's car. It was bought privately with a full Toyota service history. We decided that the hardtop/leather/aircon was a must have, and they are.

Early ownership was a big disappointment. The case-end bearing failed just out of warranty. Toyota helped a little bit with the costs, but we faced a £600 bill on a 3yr old 20,000 mile car with full main dealer service history. After the work was done, my wife suffered a breakdown with no gears because Toyota had not tightened up all the bolts properly. Since then they have serviced the car and left dust caps off the wheels, forgot to stamp the book and didn't give it a wash.

Otherwise its been great. Its light, nimble, chuckable and grippy. It hasn't got huge straight line shove, but its swift and will keep up with all kinds of things on twistier roads. In some ways the power is about right because you don't find yourself in unexpected powerslides on wet roads. Its scary enough in the snow! (There are turbo conversions available now for the brave!)

The fabulous brakes are one of the best features of this car. They give you enormous confidence going into corners.

The fuel consumption is pretty good (mid 30s) and insurance is OK.

Much is written about the lack of luggage space, but if two of you are going away for a weekend, you do have enough space for everything. Just don't expect to get the posh luggage set in! You pack an MR2 like you pack a rucksack for camping, using every small nook and cranny for your stuff.

The seats are surprisingly comfortable although you'll get a bit claustrophobic during long stints on the motorway. The optional hardtop is an essential add on and well worth the extra if longer journeys in the winter are likely. The MR2 suffers a bit from scuttle shake which is acceptable when cruising on a hot day, but not day in-day out. The hardtop stops this. It also adds to the styling.

But this car is for summer days with the top down. It has a modest posing factor and is enough of a real sportscar in terms of its styling and drive for it to shrug off any "hairdresser" labels.

If you can travel light, appreciate a sportscar and like the styling then this is the car for you. A second (bigger) car will make ownership even more of a pleasure. Just watch Toyota closely when its service time.