2000 Toyota MR2 review from UK and Ireland

Case-end bearing failed in gearbox.

Starting to sound tappety?

Most of us want some sort of balance between sportiness and practicality. For this reason I think an MR2 Roadster is best enjoyed as a second car. When you have driven it for a while you want to be in something quieter, plusher and roomier. When you haven't driven it for a while you are desperate get in and enjoy it as the go-kart it is.

Its mainly my wife's car. It was bought privately with a full Toyota service history. We decided that the hardtop/leather/aircon was a must have, and they are.

Early ownership was a big disappointment. The case-end bearing failed just out of warranty. Toyota helped a little bit with the costs, but we faced a £600 bill on a 3yr old 20,000 mile car with full main dealer service history. After the work was done, my wife suffered a breakdown with no gears because Toyota had not tightened up all the bolts properly. Since then they have serviced the car and left dust caps off the wheels, forgot to stamp the book and didn't give it a wash.

Otherwise its been great. Its light, nimble, chuckable and grippy. It hasn't got huge straight line shove, but its swift and will keep up with all kinds of things on twistier roads. In some ways the power is about right because you don't find yourself in unexpected powerslides on wet roads. Its scary enough in the snow! (There are turbo conversions available now for the brave!)

The fabulous brakes are one of the best features of this car. They give you enormous confidence going into corners.

The fuel consumption is pretty good (mid 30s) and insurance is OK.

Much is written about the lack of luggage space, but if two of you are going away for a weekend, you do have enough space for everything. Just don't expect to get the posh luggage set in! You pack an MR2 like you pack a rucksack for camping, using every small nook and cranny for your stuff.

The seats are surprisingly comfortable although you'll get a bit claustrophobic during long stints on the motorway. The optional hardtop is an essential add on and well worth the extra if longer journeys in the winter are likely. The MR2 suffers a bit from scuttle shake which is acceptable when cruising on a hot day, but not day in-day out. The hardtop stops this. It also adds to the styling.

But this car is for summer days with the top down. It has a modest posing factor and is enough of a real sportscar in terms of its styling and drive for it to shrug off any "hairdresser" labels.

If you can travel light, appreciate a sportscar and like the styling then this is the car for you. A second (bigger) car will make ownership even more of a pleasure. Just watch Toyota closely when its service time.