Overview:
This Toyota MR2 Spyder is a 2-seater convertible with no storage space. None, zip, zero. But my bud Merkel corrected my thinking. What do you want from a sports car, says he. It isn’t made for the purpose of hauling a lot of gear around. Ok Merkel, sorry, because you’re right. What could I have been thinking? I’m a hopeless romantic and I just thought it would be nice to take my honey on a picnic. You know, a picnic basket, bottle of Vino, some bread and cheese and a blanket – destination: the beach, mountains or a trip to the country. Ok, so I guess I could take the big car. Wait a minute; I don’t have a big car. Oh well, so much for the picnic dear. You didn’t want to go anyway. Right?
I used to have an MGB but that at least had a rack on the trunk to strap on, you guessed it, a picnic basket or even luggage for that matter. That would be nice if we wanted to stay somewhere for the night. A ride up highway one to San Francisco or down the coast to San Diego. From Los Angeles either place can be done in a weekend but you do need a change of more than underwear, know what I mean?
Well, on the positive side this is a fast, fun car to drive. And it’s kinda cool looking. One guy said it looked like a Porsche Boxster. Well, from the rear it has a slight resemblance, I guess and they are both mid engine sports cars. So from that point of view, it’s a poor man’s Boxster. Aside from looks and mid engine, however, they are light years apart in my opinion.
I’d say the MR2 is for the younger set and from a real quick poll of people driving them I’d guess 18-30 year old male drivers have already fallen in love with it. They probably don’t mind the bumpy ride and basic car manual controls for air, seats, and convertible top, etc. And they’ll love the fact that it’s a 130 mph kind of car with 5 speeds on the floor.
Handling & Performance:
Excellent from this mid engine design, rear wheel drive sports car. Plenty of power because the car is light and the 138 horses won’t even work up a sweat.
Styling: Porsche-like in some ways and priced more like the Mazda Miata.
Fit and Finish: Decent as you’d expect from Toyota.
Conveniences: Everything is standard equipment and there is more than enough.
Cost: Because of all the standard features, this isn’t badly priced.
Recommendation: Be sure to drive the competition before you plunk down the cash. And if you test drive the Honda S2000 let me know what you think. That’s the only one of the bunch I haven’t tested.
The competition:
Audi TT $31,200-38,900 BMW Z3 $31,300-36,900, Honda S2000 $32,000, Mazda MX-5 Miata $20,545-25,055, VW Cabrio $19,900-23,300.
Good News:
Fast, zippy performance, manual top easy to use and tucks away neatly, the two seats are roomy for driver and passenger.
Bad News:
Trunk is useless and stores only a spare tire, very limited use car, if you play golf or go to the market you can forget taking a passenger.
Standard Equipment:
1.8 liter 138 horsepower 4 cyl. engine, 5-speed manual trans, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, dual air bags, engine immobilizer, alloy wheels, halogen headlights, dual o/s power mirrors, air conditioning, power steering, power windows and door locks, tilt leather wrapped steering wheel.
Gas Stats:
25 City and 30 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP $23,098.
Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is movello@earthlink.net .
Copyright © 2000 – Automotive Love Affair