1987 Toyota MR2 T-Bar from UK and Ireland - Comments

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.

Dear MR2 owner,

Simply brilliant, as I'm about to buy my friends 87' white MR2 T-Top, I just can't wait. And, everything you've said matches it perfectly, no misrepresentation.

We've been working on it as the car cranks, but doesn't start, we've replaced the fuel pump, igniter coil, and now preparing for the igniter itself. Through all this, I can't wait to drive it.

Thanks for posting your great car on-line. P.S. if you haven't already, the fuel pump will be one of the hardest things to replace as it is inside the fuel tank, which is in the center of the car.

Thanks and take care of the car.