Courtesy: Bring a Trailer
- Toyota’s mid-engine, two-seat MR2 is a much-missed performance car.
- This is a second-generation model with the higher-output turbocharged engine.
- It also sports T-tops and is in exceptional condition.
The original Toyota MR2 was meant to be a thrifty little commuter that was plenty of fun in the corners thanks to its low curb weight. Early versions feel like a sort of fun-size Acura NSX. But for the second generation, Toyota’s engineers kicked things up a notch with bigger engines and more power. At the top of the range, the MR2 Turbo was a genuine sports car.Courtesy: Bring a Trailer This 1995 MR2 Turbo is a prime example of the more ambitious, second-gen Mister Two, and it’s up for sale on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos). like Car and Driver). It’s exceedingly well preserved with only 8K miles on its odometer. Talk about not a commuter—this thing’s barely been driven over the past three decades. Its new owner should get on that.Because to get this MR2 Turbo out on a winding road is to experience a car that’s short on wheelbase and long on fun. Take off the T-tops and let the wind tear through the cabin, and you’ll be enjoying one of the best driving experiences to come out of the 1990s Japanese car industry.Courtesy: Bring a Trailer The turbocharged 2.0-liter in this MR2 Turbo was rated at a nice round 200 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. Like many cars of its era, it responds well to tuning, but the appeal of this example is its originality, so you might want to shoo away Dominic Toretto if he shows up with a bunch of bolt-on parts and an underglow kit.Courtesy: Bring a TrailerThe early second-generation MR2s had slightly tricky handling, but Toyota had that sorted for the later cars, and this example shouldn’t have any bad habits. Further, while it’s plenty of fun to drive, it is also a typical Toyota product of the era. Keep an eye on the perishables, and it’ll be as reliable as it is enjoyable.Along with reworking the suspension, Toyota also upgraded the synchros for the five-speed manual transmission on later MR2s, and the Turbo models came with a limited-slip differential. The 1994 and 1995 models also got a mild cosmetic update.Courtesy: Bring a Trailer While it’ll perhaps never be quite the blue-chip collectible its big brother, the fourth-generation Supra Turbo currently is, an MR2 Turbo with low mileage is something of an investment. This one is a stunning example of the breed.Related Stories
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Toyota has brought back the Supra and reportedly has a new Celica in the pipeline; could it resurrect the MR2 as well? Toyota hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but has dropped a few serious hints.Maybe, but why wait? Even if there is a new MR2 in a couple of years, it probably won’t have T-tops. This one does.The auction ends on September 10. Brendan McAleerContributing EditorBrendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels.
Source: caranddriver.com
