Toyota MR2 Sports 2d (1991/J) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
Not cheap for a decent one but holds price well. Expensive to maintain properly. Rare to find a used example that has been looked after well.
Costs
Genuine parts expensive, can't get many none-genuine parts (that are any good) either. Tyres (good ones) are very hard to come by, no decent manufacturers make the original sizes for the rear anymore (205/65/14) & it chews through cheap tyres very fast.
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On the road
Driving
Enjoyable car to drive. Owned 3 years and still not bored yet. I do not thrash this car though and you shouldn't rev it very high until the engine is warm.
Performance
Looks faster than it is, not very good 0-60, more suited as a grand tourer. The engine is out of a Carina so is more big and lazy than light and fast. Lots of torque for a petrol though. Car weighs 1500kg so as much as a big estate car!
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Living with it
Reliability
Very good build quality, interior solid, never had a breakdown, always starts - but you cannot run this car into the ground, even if it is a Toyota, it still needs constant attention, oil levels etc and buy expensive spark plugs £20 each - it's worth it.
Image
Very good looking car, modelled on a Ferrari, paint often poor on them, I see too many red MR2s with horrible orangey pink paint but with a little Autoglym and t-cut you can get that deep cherry red back and make it a real head-turner.
Comfort
The ride is quite hard but well designed suspension and good seats make it very comfy at the same time. Once you get used to it, any other car you go in feels like you're riding on a big sponge.
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Security and Service
Security
Insurance insists on having a Cat 1 alarm and immobilizer fitted, a decent one will cost at least £350.
Service
Can't fault them apart from having car in body shop for 2 months as body panels take along time to be delivered.
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
Bottom end knocking noise, had sump welded twice for oil-leaks, mis-firing, must run on Optimax.
Other
Handbrake cable snapped (common), front shockers and tops needed replacing and take a speed bump at an angle at more than 5mph and the tracking needs doing. Speedo cable snapped. Do not buy one of these unless you are prepared to spend money on it.
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
Used
Would you buy the same model again?
Yes
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
Yes