1994 Toyota MR2 Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 1987-2006 Toyota MR2 as a used buy.

The huge success of the Toyota 86 in Australia, indeed globally, has reminded people that Toyota doesn’t only make sensible but boring cars, it also builds excellent sports machines. These have been somewhat short on the ground over the last decade or so, but quite a few Toyota Celicas and MR2s are still on Australia roads.Let’s look at the MR2 in detail: the name stands for Mid-engined Roadster 2-seats and MR2s are often bought by those who would dearly love a Ferrari but are a few hundred thousand dollars short of the necessary folding stuff.All real sports cars and racing cars have a mid-engine layout as it gives the best possible balance and traction. However there are some drawbacks in the handling department. Like many other mid-engined cars the Toyota MR2 can be tricky when it approaches its limit of adhesion. The difference between being in control and out of control is relatively narrow.At-the-limit handling improved with the second-generation Toyota MR2 of March 1990 and again with a revamp of the suspension in February 1992.Drivers without proper training and/or who drive in a sloppy manner should perhaps go for a less pure car than the MR2, though if you only want a cruiser and have no intention of driving it hard it may work fine for you.Then again, do you really want a pure sports car that won’t extend you when you’re behind the wheel, particularly on track days?The MR2 is typically Toyota in the reliability stakes in that it can run for years on end without problems if driven maintained correctly. Obviously, this is after all a sports model and some have been thrashed on the road or even pushed to the limit at racetracks.As it is strictly a two-seater, the Toyota MR2 is relatively spacious in its cabin because there's no need to compromise on squeezing in another pair of seats. Try before you buy, though, if your previous driving has only been done in hatches or non-sporty coupes.Boot space is better than average for a car of this type. Mid-engined machines are notoriously bad in this aspect, but the Toyota is capable of holding a week's shopping, or even holiday luggage if you are careful with your packing.Until the third-generation model of 2000 the Toyota MR2 was a closed coupe with a targa top, from then on it was a full convertible.From October 1987 until March 1990 the sporty little MR2 was powered by a four-cylinder engine of just 1.6 litres. Later models had a 2.0-litre unit which significantly improved performance, though these cars are still far from being the powerhouses you would expect from their styling.The MR2 convertible has a high-tech 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine and is by far the best in the performance stakes. It has to be revved hard to get the best from it, but that’s part of the joy of driving a true sports machine.A conventional five-speed manual gearbox is fitted in all versions of the coupe. But the convertible has a sequential manual setup in which the driver doesn't have to use a clutch pedal but still has to make your their own gearchanges. Like all of its type this gearbox is an acquired taste, but not too bad once you get the hang of it. The sequential manual gearbox has five forward ratios until late 2002 when a six-speed unit was installed. And  if you find a convertible with a conventional five-speed manual, it’s likely to have been a grey import.This Toyota sports is not an easy car to work on as the mid-mounted engine/transmission assembly is hard to reach. Professional mechanics generally remove the complete transaxle and work on it on a bench. If you don't have the equipment to do this yourself the MR2 may prove a very expensive car to repair.Spare parts are reasonably priced, but bits of the first generation MR2s are now becoming rare. The Toyota dealer network is huge but the remote agents probably won't have parts in stock. Naturally, these people can order parts in should you find yourself stranded in the bush.Insurance companies tend to be wary of sports cars, and this Toyota is certainly a full-on sports machine of the type that makes insurers nervous. Shop around for the best deal but make sure you are comparing apples with apples, and ask questions if one company seems to be a lot cheaper than the others.Toyota MR2 quietly disappeared from the Australia market in March 2006, though some may not have been sold and registered until quite late in the year.Although the Toyota MR2 was a victim partly of its quirky gearbox, it died chiefly because of the swing away from sporty models amongst trendy buyers.WHAT TO LOOK FORLook for heavy brake-dust buildup on the insides of the wheels and on the front suspension components. Uneven tyre wear caused by hard cornering is easy to spot - be suspicious of tyres that have recently been renewed.Look for previously repaired crash damage: sight along the length of the panels for a ripply finish indicating they have been panel beaten; look for a mismatch in paint colours between panels; see if there are any small paint spots on unpainted areas such as glass and plastic parts.Check for poorly repaired areas of body in out of sight areas such as in the front 'bonnet', the rear boot and the engine compartment.Severe engine wear may make an MR2 reluctant to start. It’s usually worst when stone cold so try to arrange to get to the engine first thing in the morning.If the engine smokes from the exhaust and/or the oil filler plug it’s probably due for a major overhaul. Smoking is at its worst when the engine is left to idle for a minute or so, then accelerated hard.Gearchanges should be smooth and easy, with light clutch movement. Crunching gearchanges from a manual box is a sign of wear, the three-two downshift is usually the first to suffer.Have a good look at the interior, including under the carpets, in case an MR2 convertible has been caught out in the rain with its top down. Look for a roll-cage or signs that one has been removed, an indication the car has had serious racetrack use.Extra instruments, bigger wheels and tyres, a body kit, sports seats and the like may also mean an MR2 has been fanged, though it’s more likely they are just there to improve the looks.CAR BUYING TIPIf looking to buy a car that’s loved by enthusiasts it’s always a good idea to contact a car club for the marque. The guys and gals there may even know details of the specific car you have in mind. 

There are sports cars and there are sports cars. Where once it was easy to define what a sports car was it’s no longer as easy with cars today. Where once a sports car was a stripped down, souped-up model with the emphasis on performance and handling, it seems today a sports car is anything with a folding roof.Toyota’s MR2, however, stuck to the traditional formula. The emphasis was definitely on the on-road performance, which makes it a great car for the enthusiast driver.MODEL WATCH The second generation MR2, the SW20, was the prettiest of the lot. While it evolved from the earlier Mk 1 there were none of the earlier model’s hard lines and sharp edges that dated it quickly. The SW20 was a pretty little two-door, mid-engined, Targa-topped coupe with well-balanced proportions that gave it an athletic stance. Its pretty lines have dated very well; it’s hard to believe it is 17 years old.But it wasn’t just a pretty face. The MR2 might have been small, but it was a pocket dynamo on the road. Its mid-engined layout gave it a balance that was close to perfect. With an agility few other cars could match, coupled with brilliant steering precision, the MR2 would swallow up a winding road like few others.The suspension was independent all round, the steering was rack-and-pinion, and the brakes were big powerful discs on all corners.Under the rear lid lay a cross-mounted 2.0-litre, 16-valve, double overhead camshaft, fuel-injected four-cylinder engine that punched out 117 kW at 6600 revs and 190 Nm at 4800 revs, all of which was channelled through a five-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels. A 1994 update brought the GT and the ‘Bathurst’ special models. The engine for both boasted 125 kW at 7000 revs and 186 Nm at 4800 revs.Inside, you were cocooned in a tight cockpit, sitting in form-fitting sports seats, with everything within easy reach. There wasn’t a lot of storage space so you couldn’t plan on taking a lot of luggage on a weekend getaway.At launch the coupe came with alloy wheels, power windows, central locking, rear spoiler, fog lamps, high-mounted stop lamp, and AM/FM stereo sound. A facelift in 1992 brought larger 15-inch alloys, larger front spoiler, revised suspension, steering wheel, gearshift knob, and upgraded sound system. From 1994 the ‘Bathurst’ had alloy wheels, front and rear spoilers, power windows and mirrors, central locking, cloth trim and cassette sound. The GT was better equipped. It came with leather, cruise, fog lamps, power steering, remote central locking, and an alarm. CD sound was added in 1995. Air was an option.Toyota also sold a turbocharged model in some overseas markets. Any here will be grey imports rather than locally delivered cars.IN THE SHOP Most MR2s are owned by enthusiasts who take care of them, but look for signs of hard driving. There are enough around to be choosy so take the time to find a well cared-for car.It’s important to follow the Toyota service schedule. Do so and the MR2 will give little trouble, but stray from the recommendations and you risk problems. Toyota recommends regular changes of the engine coolant, but be careful to bleed the system properly when you do so. Airlocks in the system caused by not bleeding the system correctly will almost certainly lead to overheating and engine damage.The cam-timing belt should be changed every 100,000 km or five years, but the engine is a free-spinning design, so while a broken belt will leave you stranded by the roadside it won’t cause internal damage to the engine.The clutch is relatively heavy. Clutch life can also be short if the car has been driven hard. Generally it’s possible to get well in excess of 100,000 km from the clutch, but hard driving can cut that to 80,000 km or so. The gearbox is generally sound, but there are reports of notchy gearshifts. Using higher-grade oil in the gearbox is the fix most owners use.Tyre wear can be a problem. Front tyres tend to wear the inside edges more rapidly than the outside; the rears wear more rapidly on the outer edges than the inner.If considering a turbo check its history, as it will have been imported though the grey import scheme.IN A CRASH The fundamental safety weapon in a car like the MR2 is the chassis. One of its most endearing attributes is its razor sharp handling that gives the driver every chance of avoiding a crash. Powerful ABS-supported four-wheel disc brakes, big tyres and sporty suspension form a powerful primary safety package. The GT had a driver’s airbag.OWNERS SAY Shae Haefele owns a 1996 MR2 Bathurst model that has done 150,000 km. It lives in the garage through the week and comes out on weekends. He says it is quite powerful, but due to its light weight it’s also very economical. On average he gets 8.8 L/100 km. He says there is nothing like taking the MR2 for a drive with the Targa roof off on nice sunny day. The MR2 is really at home on winding roads, taking any corner with ease. With the mid-mounted engine, it really hangs on, and allows you to put the foot down on the way out, with total control and confidence. He also loves the driving, the comfortable seats and the location of the gear stick. In summary he says it is the ultimate driver’s car, and it has been very reliable.John Mares owns a 1993 MR2 that has now done 89,000 km. He loves the looks, the acceleration, handling, and the economy of driving it day-to-day. His dislikes are the rear tyre wear and the cost of servicing it. Like Shae’s John’s car has been very reliable.LOOK FOR • Pretty coupe looks• Great handling• Good performance• Economical running• Robust and reliable mechanicalsTHE BOTTOM LINE• Great looking sports coupe boasting brilliant handling and performanceRATING 75/100