1988 Toyota MR2 T - Bar review from UK and Ireland

The exhaust rusted quite seriously.

The rear wheel-arches are starting to bubble with rust.

The headlamp adjuster for the near side lamp threaded, which required the headlamp unit to be taken apart and rebuilt.

Both hydraulic clutch cylinders leaked.

My car was an original, one owner, well pampered example, and had been owned by one woman for fourteen years when I bought it. She had kept every bill and receipt, and even the original shipping document (in Japanese) and windscreen tag from the transport ship were in the folder accompanying the car.

The T-Vis (Toyota Variable Induction System) 1.6 16 valve engine puts many modern units to shame, with its willingness to rev, and the fantastic stepped power delivery which comes into its own above 5000rpm. At around 120bhp it outperforms many modern 1.6 16 valve enfines, including my previous car, a 1999 Bravo with 'only' 100bhp.

Its also economical for such a quick car, returning 30+ mpg on a regular basis - this drops to around 27 on town trips, and rises to 38 on a long motorway run.

Parts, admittedly, are expensive for a fifteen year old car, but not extortionate. Compared to the modern Fiats I have owned, it is actually very reasonable. Tyres are also cheap, as, while they were high spec in '88, the same size is standard on most average family hatches these days.

This car's raison d'etre though is its handling. The balance afforded by having the engine in the middle of the car, and skipping that modern essential power steering, makes the car feel alive and a joy to take around any roundabout or bend.

It does have to be piloted with care in the wet, however, as I soon discovered when the back tried to overtake the front on a roundabout, not long after I bought the car. Once bitten, you soon learn to treat the car with the respect it deserves, and even enjoy pushing the tail to its (and your) limit.

Forget modern hermetically sealed containers, and get a slice of pure 80s fun. Take the roof out, stick some Duran Duran on the (weak unless you spend a fortune on cutting up the interior) stereo, and make like a hairdresser. Especially if, like me, you get a white one to match your socks.