1987 Toyota MR2 T-Bar review from UK and Ireland

Exhaust was shot when I bought it so replaced with a stainless steel Mongoose. (don't buy a cheap exhaust)

Replaced the cam belt when bought as due @ 60000 miles.

Electric aerial doesn't go fully down.

Small amount of rust on rear arches, but expected for a 19 year old motor on the uk roads! (now repaired)

Small knocking noise started from the front of the car (droplinks often the reason so I'm told)

After wanting a MR2 since a kid I finally took the plunge & nabbed one before they all rusted away! & boy am I glad I did, the car just makes you smile everytime you get in & drive.

I went for a mk1 as thought the mk2 would be a lot more to run & repair if things go wrong, plus with petrol costs etc a 1.6 would be easier on the wallet.

Looked at loads until finally settled for a white T-bar with full leather & a very low 61000 miles on the clock. This wasnt my first choice in colour, but as time went on & I got more desperate I relised I would have to take whatever colour came along in the best condition as getting more & more scare.

I use the car as a daily driver & so far it hasn't let me down once. Its more practical than most people think, you can easily shop for 2 in it & the boot takes around 7 carrier bags if packed well plus there is a small space in the front.

Performance wise the car is also great its quicker than most "hot hatches" and by far out handles them on country roads & islands etc, but beware if its wet & your driving to enthusiastically the back end will go & can be quite scarey! you have been warned.

The car doesn't feel to quick off the mark at first until you get further up the rev range & the TVIS system kicks in @ 45000 revs, at this point the car will pull & pull up to around 78000 revs leaving quite a few other cars eating your dust! 0-60 is around 7.9 seconds.

In regards to cost so far its been very good, full service came in at £130, set of 4 pirrelis cost £145, full mongoose stainless exhaust was £320, & cambelt change was £120, not bad for 2006 and all this on top of a great MPG of around 35-39 is excellent for a car with such great performance. Insurance is also a bargain I pay £240 a year fully comp, which came out about £10 more than my last car a Fiat Punto sporting.

The car is great on long distance to, the seats are very supportive & the drivers one adjusts in every way possible, up, down, rake, lumbar, side bolsters etc & all the switches on the dash are well laid out & easy to reach. Driving position & visibility is excellent all round due having the rear window right behind you.

The car can be a little noisy above 80mph due the the engine being behind you, but a small price to pay & to be expected from whats hailed as the best sports car to come out of the 80's.

If your thinking of getting a mk1 MR2 I reccomend you to do so you will not regret it, they must be about the best cars you can buy in regards to value & fun factor, just be wary of the bodywork & get a T-bar if you want part time cabriolet fun in the summer. £2k will get a decent car still & by todays standards (2006) you're not going to get a more fun & reliable car that doesn't hit you in your pocket.