Faults:

Clutch went bad at 97,000 miles.

T-tops leak on both driver and passenger sides.

Suspension was shot at 98,000 miles.

Temperature Sender Unit stop working before I got the car.

Lifter tick started at about 99,000 miles.

Leather on shift knob came off.

Steering rack just about shot (loose linkage).

Radio died at 100,000 miles.

Transmission doesn't like fast shifts into second or fourth.

General Comments:

Most comfortable interior I have ever been in.

Turbo still boosts strong and smooth.

Handled good even with bad suspension.

Using G-tech device to measure 0-60 on 11 year old car---6.62 seconds with problems listed above.

Faults:

Leaking t-bar roof above drivers side, a common problem fixed by some rubber sealant.

Rear tyres wear very quickly.

General Comments:

Excellent handling in the dry, but back end twitchy in the wet, especially on roundabout's.

Very good fuel economy for a sports car.

Good luggage space for a mid engined two seater.

Faults:

Trans went bad, car will not run with battery connected.

Faults:

Valve guides leaked at 168,000 and were replaced.

Radiator leaked at 180,000 and was replaced.

General Comments:

I bought my 1991 MR2 (2.2NA: non-turbo) in 1996 with 30,000 original miles. It now has 211,708. It is by far the most reliable and fun car I have ever owned. And I'm 50.

I drive a lot of twisty-windy two-lane highways for work. The MR2 is absolutely ideal for one person with a computer bag and overnight luggage. Fast and furious. It's O.K. for two people if they don't need to carry anything in the passenger compartment.

In 180,000 miles worth of driving, the extremely few repairs are amazing (and I don't treat my MR2 gently). I replaced valve guides at 168,000, since it was blowing a little smoke at start-up after sitting overnight. I also had all wheel bearings and seals replaced as a precaution. I replaced the factory stereo and separate CD with a seven-speaker Nakamichi/Infinity/Bazooka setup only because I wanted to, not because it needed it. The original Toyota plastic radiator finally leaked at 180,000. I replaced it with a metal radiator out of a Buick Riviera. That's it. No other repairs. Just normal oil-plugs-belts-brakes-tires-clutch maintenance. It even still has perfect original factory paint - and I live in Phoenix and have parked the car outside most of its life.

I own an 11-year-old MR2 with over 200,000 on it. People at gas stations ask where they can get one. It has a timeless style. It looks more "today" than most 2002 offerings from any manufacturer. The fact that there are not many MR2's around just makes it that much more exclusive to own one. It's a great ego boost.

And you can find one for less than $10,000 in perfect condition with less than 75,000 miles. The only drawback is the cost of insurance. It's a two-seater mid-engined car. I have no tickets or accidents in 16 years, but my Pathfinder is much, much cheaper to insure. But the insurance costs are more than offset by the low maintenance costs.

Great, great car.

Faults:

Gear Linkage went at 65,000 - not expensive to fix £200.

Tends to wonder on uneven roads - probably the wide wheels though!

Japanese import and so the speedo only reads to 100mph* which isn't very useful.

*on a private test track of course :)

General Comments:

Being only 23 years old and owning more or less a super car which has cost £4,000 to buy and £900 to insure fully comp must be the cheapest and most affordable speed under £5,000. It frequently anialates so called German sports cars and is a pretty good street sleeper/q car. Before owning it I had piled money into a hot hatch with total engine swap and modification - what a waste of money! get an MR2 Turbo and feel real cheap power that flings a huge V at anything else on the road!