1991 Toyota MR2 2.2 liter non-turbo from North America

Summary:

A gift for the pure automotive enthusiast

Faults:

This car has been rock solid and super reliable. The coolant is a hassle to replace and is expensive / time consuming - but I guess that's the price you pay for mid engine.

Had issues with distributor having hairline cracks that lead to engine hesitation under hard acceleration. No more problems once I figured it out. The radio is a piece of crap and a total nightmare to get out and replace.

T-roofs will definitely leak if you don't keep the rubber gaskets lubricated!

Goes through back tires like crazy... lucky to get 30k out of a set! But handles like a dream, so it's a fair trade off I guess.

General Comments:

Bought new in 91 (had to custom order it from Japan and wait 5 weeks for it to arrive).

Still get lots of looks and comments. People think it's new and often mistake it for something exotic.

The original factory 14 inch wheels were very lacking, so upgraded to 16 inch for better performance and looks. Also very hard to find performance tires in 14 inch. Well worth the investment. Also upgraded the soft shocks (after 10 years) for a significant improvement in handling.

Use this car simply as a fun weekend toy. It is so much fun to drive. Speaks to your soul and makes you feel good every time you're in it. Such a treat to go for a drive with the tops off and listen to the engine sing to you. One of the best cars Toyota ever built! It's a classic.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th November, 2015

1991 Toyota MR2 MkII 2.2 NA from North America

Summary:

Happiness on wheels

Faults:

Alternator (2).

Batteries (2).

Brake pads.

A/C compressor.

Tires.

Paint faded.

All normal wear items.

General Comments:

Fun times 2. This car is still as exciting to drive today as it was the day I bought it back in November of 1990. The grip and handling are like no other car in its class.

I immediately fell in love with the body style, and it still has a current modern look today with its sweeping lines. I've had the fading Crimson red exterior repainted, and have replaced the tail lights with the 94+ style. This car still draws numerous ooohs and aaahs everywhere I take it.

It is a garage queen these days after serving as a daily driver for around 12 years. All the while delivering better than 30 MPG. There is absolutely zero rust on this vehicle; a tribute to its excellent construction and e-coating.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th July, 2013

1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo 2.0 3S-GTE from North America

Summary:

Fun, reliable, inexpensive, and a real head-turner

Faults:

Wear in leather for shift boot and driver's seat, squeaky front struts. Car and tranny are unreliable at best in below 0C conditions.

General Comments:

I bought this car in May of this year as a summer cruiser, and I am not disappointed. I don't know how many previous owners it has had, but I do know the owner prior to the one I bought it from, started building it for serious performance. As such, the car is much faster and better handling than a stock MR2.

The car accelerates very quickly. I haven't gotten used to the car enough to launch it, but once the turbo spools up, it will literally force you into your seat from the acceleration and g-forces. It won't win a race against any of the heavier hitters in the same price range (Mustangs, Skylines, Supras, etc), but it will out handle them any day. The car can take almost any corner at speeds in excess of 60 km/h, which is pretty impressive for a budget sports car. The car doesn't weigh a lot, which adds to the performance. It's a "quick" car, not necessarily a "fast" one. If you're looking for something to impress people with your top speed, don't buy this car. If you're looking for something to embarrass those "fast" cars with at the track, this is for you.

Interior is very comfortable, if small. Not a lot of storage space, especially with the tops in the car. The seats are among the most comfortable I've sat in, up there with luxury and super cars. The trunk is tiny, and the only thing you'll be keeping in the front boot is maybe a briefcase. All this being said, I love the interior for the sole reason that your driving position is almost perfect. You're very low in the cabin, and you feel only inches above the road.

The car's fuel efficiency is alright. About the same as my Honda was pulling with its 2.3L engine. The modified engine does about 24 MPG city driving when I drive normally. Using the turbo too often kills the efficiency, but is too fun to resist. Your mileage may vary.

The car looks and sounds great. The exhaust note is loud enough to get people's attention, but beefy enough for such a small engine that it's good attention. My car is an arctic white, and it looks stunning. You'll turn a lot of heads in this car, and many people who are not car enthusiasts will be surprised to learn it's a Toyota.

Car is almost maintenance free. Placement of the engine makes DIY mechanics cringe, but luckily having a shop do tune-ups and minor repairs is cheap enough and infrequent enough you won't mind. Other than basic tune ups, the engine needs nothing, and the belts are made in such a way that if they go, your valves don't get destroyed.

Seeing as the engine is mounted above the driving wheels, you might think this car would do alright in snow. The N/A engine may, the turbo definitely does not. If you're looking for a year-round car, avoid a turbo engine like the plague.

Overall, the car is about as much fun as you can buy on a budget. I test drove many, many cars before deciding on this one, and I can guarantee this is one of the few cars you will still be excited about driving months, maybe years after the first purchase. Even doing menial chores in an MR2 is exciting. The uncommon factor and great looks add to the appeal of the car for me, and I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a reliable, inexpensive, and fun sports car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th October, 2012

8th Jan 2013, 07:40

Looking to purchase a 1991 MR2. The odometer is broken, but I'm guessing it's well past 150k miles. However, if I get a good price on it, what issues should I look out for?