2001 Toyota MR2 review from UK and Ireland

There have been no faults with the car.

The MR2 has the best handling car I've ever encountered, it just sticks. Corners can be taken at insane speeds and there is not even a hint of instability, unless you want to power slide around corners in which case the car will let you.

The MR2 can only be beaten by Porsche Boxters and Lotus Elise's on cornering.

This car offers the most enjoyable drive under £30,000. I reguarly find myself driving to the local shops even though it's quicker to walk, and then making huge detours down the country lanes.

The MR2 is a real drivers car, and you feel at one with it. It encourages you to push harder all the time and to get involved in the drive, not just sit back and drift along, however it is a comfortable car and drifting along is also a pleasure.

The roof is much better than competitors, as it has a glass rear window with de-misters, and it can be raised and lowered in seconds, without any zips, velcro or poppers.

The MR2 turns heads and is seen as a real drivers car not a hairdressers car as the MX-5 and the MG TF have the reputation for.

The MR2 has what seems like endless torque throughout the range and although it only has 140 bhp it is very quick and is faster than most cars encountered. A regular tractor has a 1000 bhp, and has little torque so the bhp for the MR2 is misleading, as the car is so light the torque is enormous.

The Brakes are incredible, and frequently scare passengers. The MR2 equals the Porsche Boxter in braking distance.

The Turning circle is very small making tricky manovering easy. Many 3 point turns in regular cars can be done in one in one, in the MR2.