Anyone know anything about a toyota MR2 spyder?

[Killercanary]

AND DON't SAY ITS UGLY! LOL! My wife really wants a little 2 seater convertible. She wants an audi TT or a 350Z, but after wheeling and dealing on them they are just too much money for the cars that they are. So, we took it down a notch and looked at miata's and MR2 spyders. We drove both and we both LOVED the MR2 over the miata. I didn't love the looks of it at first but the more and more I look at them the more i'm growing to love them. Anyway, I just wanted to know if anyone on here has one, or knows of someone that does. Did they have any problems with them? Were they a great car? etc Please save the foreign comments and such to yourselves. I can't believe I am even looking at buying a foreign car, but there are no domestic 2 seater convertibles availbale yet. The pontiac solstice and saturn sky are coming out at best this winter and they are both on waiting list already so they are out of the question.

 

[stprorolla49]

what about an '05 v6 vert??? or any year vert for that matter...even if it is a v6

 

[1slow95]

My cousin has one of the older(95-96 I think) MR2's. The turbo went out on it and it was throwing oil into the intake. I don't think he had many other problems with it, other than cops . Oh yeah, and I think replacement parts were kinda pricey. I think he said it was a couple hundred $$$ to replace the spark plug wires??

 

[94gts]

a freind of mine has a 2000 black spyder. real clean car. only makes 138 hp stock but they weigh next to nothin.

 

[Car Nut]

One of my teacher's had one for a while and loved it (probably still has it). He thought it was real quick, but I guess that's because of the lower weight. Doesn't have a lot of HP, but the manual tranny MR2s seem to be quick-ish.

I'm 6'5", so I've never even thought about getting inside one. I've tried getting into the Miata (just for kicks) and I could not get me legs in the car.

 

[Car Nut]

You know.........if your wife doesn't mind a slightly larger vehicle, but still a two-seater why not check out a Vette. Some of the Vettes that are 10+ years old (like our cars) are priced really well and don't have a ton of miles. Even a 97 would have to be priced well now days. Insurance and repairs may be another matter though.

 

[WhiteDevil]

I hear they handle real nice and have really responsive steering

 

[EpiKk3]

I'd buy one of the mr2's with this body:

can be made into monsters too.. theres one that pops up in sport compact every now and again thats tt and crazy..

and if it makes you feel any better my step sister flipped hers 12 times and had no serious injuries

 

[DougNuts]

I would stay the hell away from an MR2. I know of at least one person who's had the motor replaced I believe 2 times while under lease and they wouldn't even take the car back.

From what I've heard about them, they aren't designed very well, especially the catalytic converter which is too close to the engine.

 

[1slow95]

I'd buy one of the mr2's with this body:

can be made into monsters too.. theres one that pops up in sport compact every now and again thats tt and crazy..

and if it makes you feel any better my step sister flipped hers 12 times and had no serious injuries

That red one is what my cousin's looks like, but with different wheels. When his turbo went out he swapped in a japanese spec engine off ebay, and he said ran like a striped ass monkey, but it locked up after a day or two.

 

[95WhiteVenom]

Paul, well I hate to be the bearer of bad news. I've ridden drove and worked on one before. A friend back in high school had one. They are a pain to work on. If you looking at the newest body style good luck most mechanics will charge you double to work on them with the absolute no room to do anything factor. those motors are jammed packed together and everything touches something else important. Too many things to go wrong. I won't touch one. But if she wants a two seater get her something im sure you'll love and want to drive more than her a COBRA replica!!!
There isn't a single thing you can't do to that car yourself!

 

[WhiteDevil]

Yeah but he is buying this thing new so he wont have to do any work for 3-6 years depending what kinda warranty he gets on it.

 

[jghood13]

a freind of mine has a 2000 black spyder. real clean car. only makes 138 hp stock but they weigh next to nothin.

Yeah I know the same kid the car is cool mid engine thing is always fun and rear wheel drive and the car is fun to drive and handles really well.

 

[LoudToy958]

Ever think about getting a used BMW Z3. I really like the little car. Has a lot of power, nice two seater, great product IMO. I have driven a few, and if I did not need the room I have in the Focus, I would have one of these as my DD. Just a thought.

This one I found on ebay with existing warranty. This one is an auto though. I have seen them for less with this kind of milage as well.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=36468&item=4554105588&rd=1

Not too much info on the Toyota. I haven't heard good or bad. Sorry......
Good luck in your search. If she is like my wife, picky is just the begining.

 

[2kstangbuster]

take it from me

i currently own a 2000 mr2 spyder, very clean car only got 26k on it. The car is really quick its 5spd 138hp but the car moves through turns like no end. I suggest looking into the 04-05 models b/c there were concerns about the 00-01 models b/c the pre catalytic converter would break up and disinigrate into the engine and main cat. I suggest if your looking for a fun sport car the mr2 is the way to go. Have your wife check out www.spyderchat.com there are alot of good people there and you'll find good info on the car. Join up and any concerns or ?'s you have will be answered.
Take care Anymore ?'s just pm me
CT

 

[Killercanary]

Thanks guys! I'm 99% sure I'm getting an '00 MR2 spyder. I think a some of you are thinking of the older MR2's and not the new ones... the new ones look completely different. I go in monday to sign the paperwork on one I found here locally. I drove it and I LOVE it so far. Monday I plan to take it for a nice long drive to have a friend look it over so that will help me a lot on deciding on the car.

Here's a few pics of what they look like...

Here's the color of the one I'm looking to get.

2Kstangbuster- THANKS for the info! The car I'm looking at is an '00 with 48K miles, '03-up tail lights, 17" wheels, and its a sonic blue type color. I've actually been lurking on spyderchat.com a lot over the past few days, and some of the cars on there are SO SWEET! I REALLY hope this turns out to be a pleasurable experience and not a bad one as I am a scared a little bit that it doesn't have any factory warrenty left, but from the research I've been doing it doesn't seem like too risky of a move.

 

[2kstangbuster]

k

im glad i could help, my name on spyderchat is 2kspyder im sure you'll hear my name around. 1 suggestion i give you is GUT YOUR PRECATS! you'll find direction in the library on spyder chat on how to . Especially with the 00's just pop out the 02 sensors and peer dwon the hole with a flashlight and you'll see if your gunna have any problems. There are alot of mods you can do with a spyder , just do it up right and you'll be set
CT

 

[1slow95]

If it weren't for the ugly a$$ headlights, they wouldn't look too bad. It does look like a lot of fun tho! Good luck with it Paul, and post some pics up if you get it!

BTW, I LOVE the MR2 in Forza Motorsports. It's pretty fast, and handles like a go-kart.

 

[Black95GTS]

Before you pick this up, look at the Honda S2000. Yeah I know there are a lot of ignorant people here that wouldn't look at an s2000 just because it says Honda, but damn they are sweet cars.

My buddy's dad has one and its honestly a blast to drive. Its got 250ish hp, 160ish trq, and redlines at 8grand. I'm not sure of the exact power numbers, its an '04.

The car handles on rails and definately is not a slouch. And shifting it is the balls too. The clutch travel is about 6 inches tops and the stock shifter throw is about 4. The clutch pedal is so light that I honestly thought something was wrong with the car after stepping out of my stang with a FMS HD cable clutch.

- .02

 

[Killercanary]

Adam, my wife and I both like the S2000, but she prefers the MR2 over it. Plus the honda's are still getting over $20K for a decen one with normal/low mileage, and that's even concidering the 2000 models.


CT- what do I look for exactly when I look into the header? Will the cat material being falling apart or what?

Mike, the one I'm looking at has the '03-up lights which are nicer IMO than the 2000-2002. Here's the one I think I'm going to get.