Toyota MR2s

[Number5]

It seems a few owners here are also MR2 fans and whilst I never normally notice them, I've spotted two today within an hour. Perhaps it's just the recent topic has made them register with me, but here a pic or two for Firebobby and Spikey amongst others.

[Nictrix]

For me this model of MR2 was the worst looking of the lot.
When we had a Mk2 MR2 we looked at getting one of these as an upgrade.
After visiting one and taking a look around it and the interior we decided not to bother, it just looked cheap and nasty.
Nowhere near as good looking as the Mk2.
I think Toyota were possibly trying to make it look like a Boxster.

[john-e89]

The idea of the MK3, as in the photo, was a return to basics, to make a modern MK1, as many saw the MK2 as too heavy and too big. The fine chassis handling was given up for a more grown up car, much as the E85 and E89 are today, and indeed the 2lt MK2 can never claim to handle and provide the fizz that the 1600 MK1 does. The MK3 somehow missed the the goal though and never really caught on, maybe the MX5 simply eclipsed it, and they are pretty much overlooked by most. The woeful interior and lack of any space apart from a couple of cubbys behind the seats, make them not much use for anything really. They go and handle ok but again lack the fizz of the original. Theses days the MR2 is a car you want, not need, so the silly nicknamed 'baby Ferrari' is often the choice car, as it looks good, goes very well, handles well, superb turn in, good weight distribution, and in T top guise is a fun car to romp about in. If you want pure handling and driving involvement the MK1 cannot be beaten, but as these cars are now of an age and lots have rotted to nothing a MK2 is a very good fun car to own.

I'll never sell mine, it's my 6th and it's under my skin.

[Johnr32]

Never been a fan of the mk3s, I owned a rev2 turbo for a few years before I moved onto a clio 172 and now my zed.

[Marlon]

Never liked the shape of the Mk3, much prefer the Mk2 and it would have to be the Turbo T-bar in red or black

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[srhutch]

As you say Mk3 looks similar to a boxster. Hard to tell which way round it is in the first pic. Back end looks longer than the bonnet.

[firebobby]

Must admit, when I told my 19 year old (at the time) son that I was getting an MR2, he said "not a hair dressers car dad !" thinking it was a mk3. As soon as he saw the red mk2, he fell in love with it.
I love the lines

[Marlon]

^ gorgeous

[extrablatt]

I had a Mk3 for a couple of years before I found my first Zed. It was a fun car to own, but the hard top was an absolute nightmare to store as we didn't have a garage at the time.

I went as far as Edinburgh in mine for a long weekend trip. I have idea how we managed with our kit in the 'rear glove boxes' as I called them. Overall it was the interior and the projector headlamps that really let me down. I discovered Xenons and was an instant convert.

I was surprised how dated the Japanese interiors still looked when I had a test drive in a friend's 14 plate MX5

[DPG]

Loved the looks of the mk1 & mk2.

Not a fan of the mk3 at all.

[Mr Tidy]

Must admit, when I told my 19 year old (at the time) son that I was getting an MR2, he said "not a hair dressers car dad !" thinking it was a mk3. As soon as he saw the red mk2, he fell in love with it.I love the lines

That looks fantastic!

It's the only MR2 shape I would want to own. Strangely enough I nearly went to look at one, then decided to spend more money and got my E86!

Maybe one day though!

[mr.tourette]

had all three gens, the beauty of the mk3 was it was the only true convertible but they just got the styling not quite right imho, great fun little car that is immensely capable of being thrown about and if i was looking for a track toy I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one, mk2 was the best looking for sure and probably one of my favourite cars i have owned, my mk1 was my first car after passing my driving test so have nothing but fond memories of that...a great series of motors but not as classy as the z4

[Number5]

The Mk3 seems very similar to the MG and that was terrible !

I dont ever see any of the Mk1's about now. They were very similar to the Fiat X19 and TR7 in a more pointy/angular design.

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[Marlon]

^ thats a TR8 - they slotted in a 3.5 V8 from the Rover SD1
I had a TR7 in bronze

[firebobby]

^ thats a TR8 - they slotted in a 3.5 V8 from the Rover SD1
I had a TR7 in bronze

Old hawk eye, well spotted Marlon