1988 Toyota MR2 GT Coupe review from UK and Ireland

Nothing.

Having wanted a mark one MR2 since I was a kid, actually jumping in my 12-year old example was a genuine thrill. It didn't matter that I could have bought newer, flashier metal, because the original MR2 still out-handles a lot of modern competition. When Rover set out to build the MGF, it used the old MR2 as its benchmark - shame they couldn't match the reliability...

I chose my car because it had been well-maintained technically, if not cosmetically, although the black leather trim was a draw, too. I've had the alloys repainted (£100 for the lot), and replaced some of the interior trim (you can order it all new from Japan via Toyota dealers – a new leather gearstick was £45). I'm trying to keep the car original, so I'm not lowering it or anything like that – the only change I've made so far is to add cross-drilled, grooved front brake disks, which was well worthwhile.

One thing I do need to sort out is a respray, as the red paint on my '88 is starting to get that white-misted look. I've tried polishing it out, but it's too far gone. It's November now, so I'll wait for the Spring before getting a new top coat put on.

Performance-wise... well, the handling is funtastic. Corners can be taken at speeds quick enough to scare yourself, and - so far - the car hasn't done anything unpredictable. I haven't really succeeded in getting the tail out, and that's not through lack of trying. It just goes quicker and quicker.

I'd be interested to drive a supercharged import version, because I would like to have a bit more go - but only a bit. Too much would spoil the car, as it's a really well balanced package. I might consider a sports exhaust, but too be honest the MR2 is a pretty noisy car anyway, so I'd have to get a bigger hi-fi, too! In the UK, www.fensport.co.uk has really good upgrade prices. There's an £140 +5bhp air-ram from Blitz that has caught my eye...

Overall, I love the car. I've thought about what I'd change it for, and this side of a Lotus Elise (with a hardtop), I'm at a loss. Things like Corrados, 200SXs, Mazda MX6s just seem too big and heavy after the MR2 - it's so light and nimble. Good engineering. I'm kind of tempted by an MX5, but a soft-top in London is just asking for trouble from thieves. It's worth noting that mark one MR2s are only insurance group 11, which is really low for the performance it gives.

Downsides? The boot is tiny - takes about six supermarket shopping bags - but compared to the new MR2 it's pretty good! The clutch can be heavy in traffic, as can the fuel consumption in town if you drive like I do (as in too damn fast). And if you like a lot of bass in your car, then watch out, because it'll cost a fair whack to get subs fitted in special cabs behind the seats - I've checked it out.

But that's about it. What can I say? In ten years time it'll be a sought-after classic, no doubt. And unless I win the lottery, then I for one will still be driving my MR2 in a decade...