Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.
Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Used Toyota MR2 Spyder
Toyota’s mid-engine swansong is one of the best performance car bargains out there.
By
Andrew Connor
Courtesy
What if I told you that you could buy a reliable, mid-engine sports car for just a few thousand dollars? You might think I’m talking about the Pontiac Fiero (and point and laugh). I am not. You might think I’m talking about the first or second generation MR2. You’re close, but both aren’t as reliable as you’d think and they’re increasingly becoming expensive collector’s items. No, I’m talking about the MR2 Spyder, the oft-forgotten third generation MR2 produced from 2000 to 2007.
The Spyder is the unloved son of the bunch and there are probably a few reasons for that. It forewent the iconic pop-up headlights for big, sort of frog-like headlamps and the roof was done away with completely (no t-tops here). There was no artificially aspirated version, either, unlike the first gen that was made available with a supercharger and the second gen that got a turbo. Moreso, we have yet to become truly nostalgic for the Spyder’s era, not in the way we have for sports cars of the ’80s and ’90s.
But the MR2 Spyder was the end of an era. There wasn’t another small, affordable mid-engine sports car that came after it and there probably never will be. Modern safety regulations would never really allow for that. There’s a good chance more people will catch on to that fact, so it’s worth considering buying one now while you can still get it dirt cheap. Before you do, though, here’s everything you should know.
Performance
Let’s consider the MR2 Spyder next to is contemporary from the time, the NB Miata. Though the MR2 had less horsepower from its naturally aspirated inline-four (138 hp compared to the Miata’s 140), it was around 150 pounds lighter, proving an even better power-to-weight ratio than the golden standard for small sports cars. It was a couple inches shorter than the NB, but has a wheelbase more than seven inches longer, its wheels pushed as far the corners as possible. This, according to Car and Driver, helped provide a more stable handling experience than the two previous iterations of the MR2 that were notoriously prone to snap-oversteer.
Performance-wise, a 2001 Motor Trend review pitted it head to head with the Miata and found it to outperform in acceleration, braking and in a slalom. According to the author, Matt Stone, “When pushed, the MR2 tends to pivot more around its mid-point; when the back comes around to the left, the front is moving to the right at the same time, as if a big push pin were stuck right through the floor… this is an amazingly sophisticated chassis, considering its price.” Stone went on to praise the car’s responsive steering and feel, though ultimately he said he thought the Miata was ultimately more fun. Still, there’s no getting around the MR2’s handling prowess.
Unlike previous versions of the MR2, the Spyder only came with one engine, and it was a modest one: the 1ZZ-FED, a 1.8-liter naturally-aspirated four cylinder. It is, essentially, a slightly more powerful version of the 1ZZ engine you’d find in a Corolla or most other Toyota’s from the time. That came coupled to your choice of either a traditional five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automated manual transmission. To be clear, this not an automatic with a manual mode like many modern transmissions; it’s a sequential manual (thus no H-pattern) with an automatic clutch and no third pedal. Either way, the Spyder had a claimed 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds, so while it wasn’t exactly a powerhouse, by all accounts its fun to push to the limit, like a Miata or Toyota GT86.
Potential Issues
Because the Spyder’s engine was basically a mass-market economy car engine from an automaker known for reliability there isn’t a ton to worry about, but there are a few points of concern. Some owners on forums have reported problems with the “pre-cat” system. This system is comprised of ceramic internals that can become brittle and disintegrate over time, sending debris into the main catalytic converter, and reducing exhaust flow and power at higher RPM. This problem is apparently more common in model years ranging from 2000 to 2003 (though a possibility in younger cars).
Issues with the pre-cat system can ultimately cause damage to the engine, so consider buying a car where the pre-cat system has been removed or doesn’t show signs of failing. Some owners have also reported engines burning a significant amount of oil, so be conscious of that as well; according to the same forum post, this is more common in 2003 and older cars. And, while we’d recommend going with a manual transmission car (pretty much just on principle), if you do opt for the sequential manual keep in mind that it’s a more complex beast and thus more prone to malfunction.
Since the roof is vinyl and can deteriorate over time, pay attention to this when looking at a used example to buy. What’s more, since the drop-top takes up a lot of space behind the seats, there isn’t much cargo space in the MR2 Spyder. There’s a cubby compartment behind the seats, as well as a small, approximately two cubic foot cubby in the frunk, about half of which is taken up by a spare tire. In short, don’t plan on too many grand tours in this thing.
This is one of our picks for the best reading chairs you can buy thanks to its exceptional mid-century design and comfort. It's a chair you can sink into.
The Nike Blazer is a sneaker icon. Pare it back and make it a low top and it has instantly become the best shoe you can wear this spring and summer. It will go with anything and is durable for daily wear.
These Bose headphones are some of Gear Patrol's favorite noise-cancelling headphones of the past year, owing to excellent design and top-notch sound quality. Don't like this color? The black and white colorways are both on sale for $330.
Otterbox's Venture cooler features integrated injection-molding and high-grade cooling technologies, anti-slip rubber feet and interior separators for wet and dry goods. Don't sleep on this, cookouts are coming.
A set of Adirondack chairs is a timeless pairing for any backyard, patio or balcony. These are made from faux wood, giving them exceptional durability and weather-resistance.
If you want a mask with more protection and versatility than a simple cloth mask, check out this one from Outdoor Research. It has adjustable straps to keep your fit dialed and comes with three replaceable filters that block out 95 percent of particles.
These runners from New Balance look great and crush on light trails. Made from New Balance's Fresh Foam, they are supremely comfortable and durable enough to take a beating.
This is an outrageous deal on an excellent Bluetooth speaker. It features eight hours of battery life, has integrated Siri and Google Now and looks good in any room, to boot.
Here you go, the perfect boot for spring. Todd Snyder always brings it when it comes to collaborations and this is no exception; this silhouette comes straight from the Sebago archives.
These water- and sweat-proof earbuds are our pick for the best workout earbuds. They have 6-hour battery life and are MIL-STD 810G certified, which means they have passed repeated shock, vibrations, drop, and crush tests as well as extended exposure to tropical humidity, hurricane-force water and desert sandstorm conditions.
Patagonia's Black Hole Duffel is one of the best packs around, so whenever it is on sale, we jump at the chance to snag one, even if it is purple. The 40L iteration is a versatile size ready for a weekend getaway or an extended trip.
For three years running, we’ve awarded the top slot to Mountain Hardwear’s Super/DS StretchDown jacket, and right now, at arguably the best time to buy a jacket, it’s on sale for 40 percent off. If you don't like the orange, there are other colors on sale at a lesser discount, as well.
Aether makes some of the best technical wear in the biz. This waterproof jacket is packed with features, including a removable hood, numerous pockets, fully-taped seams and a powder skirt.
Flint and Tinder's bestselling jacket almost never goes on sale — usually only once a year, if you're lucky. Immensely warm and tough-as-nails, this is a heritage piece that you'll have forever. Now is the time to pick up this weather-resistant jacket for the cheapest price you'll ever see it.
Filson has been making some of the best gear to come out of the Pacific Northwest, and probably the whole country, for years. This tote is tough-as-hell and water-resistant — perfect for weekend trips to the farmers' market.
This is a perfect layer for spring. Just about everything NYC-based Todd Snyder makes is quality and damn good looking, but this definitely takes it up a notch. If you want to use it as a liner underneath a topcoat, it is an excellent choice, but it also pairs exceptionally well with a sweater or t-shirt.
Originally a tennis shoe in the 80s, the Killshot 2 has become one of Nike's most coveted kicks. After years of only being available through J.Crew, they are now available in multiple colorways directly from Nike. They sell out almost every time they go on sale, so act fast to get yourself a pair.
Spring is coming and we're thinking hard about our next trips out into the wilderness. When it comes to backpacking gear, a good sleeping pad is one of the more important pieces you can have in your pack, so it is best to opt for quality. This insulated pad keeps you warm and cozy when the ground gets cold.
Apple's premium AirPods have been hovering around $200 for a while now, which is a great deal. Competition is now fierce in this headphone category, but the quick pairing and native integration with Apple devices still makes the AirPods Pro tough to beat.
The Eco-Drive from Citizen is powered by light, so you never need a battery. This diver is highlighted by a date display at 4 o'clock, a luminous dial, and a dual-tone bezel.
When looking back on life and thinking hard about every travel mug and thermos you've seen, odds are high that most of them are made by Stanley. This classic brand has made some of the best insulated mugs for years, so picking one up is a no-brainer.
Staub's enameled cast iron is versatile, distributes heat evenly, and works with any heat source, including induction. This is one of our favorite pieces of cookware.
Huckberry and Timex threw it back to the 70s and 80s with this collaboration. Starting with a blank slate, the brands led with the iconic cola colorway, added a military-inspired dial and finished it off with a woven stainless steel bracelet and aluminum timing bezel.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
