2000 Toyota MR2 Roadster from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing has gone wrong with the car since new, not even any re-calls.

You just can't say fairer than that.

This is one quick car, think 0-60 in less than 8 seconds. It's great fun to drive too. Thankfully, the speed and fun doesn't take too much away from the comfort.

Light power steering, supportive seats and decent fuel economy (38mpg!) make this a nice everyday car to use.

The roof is very easy and quick to take down, plus it has a heated screen built-in!

It can be awkward to get in and out of the car, especially in car parks, but what fun!

Don't ever expect to be able to carry any more than a sports bag though, there is no boot, only storage boxes behind the seats...

I'd agree with all that. It's very comfortable despite me being 6'3 and long in the leg! Mine does have a couple of small interior rattles, otherwise it seems to be well built.

The poor man's Boxster.

Yes. It has most of what the boxster has to offer but half the cost!!

The boxster is worth the extra.. every penny in fact.. but budget sports cars have never been better.

It's funny how people say "Poor man's Boxster". How many poor people have nearly 20 grand to spend on a car that can carry 2 people and has no boot?

Wouldn't it be better to spin it around and describe the Boxster as the "Rich Idiots MR2"? :)

That aside, beware of duff paint on MR2's and most recent Toyotas.

Especially blue for some reason.

Have had long test drive - felt the steering is way too light and lacks feedback. I tried out an almost new car and noticed some scuttle shake which may become significant as the car ages. The car didn't seem to be very well built compared to Mazda and Honda offerings.

Love mine handles like a dream. I'd struggle to have one as a first car since B&Q trips are joke. Wife's got a mondeo so that's our practical family car and this is my work runabout and for that it is brilliant. Great across country, stable on motorways.

Storage is challenging - got a "square shaped" golf bag that just fits in behind the seats. To get my driver in, like the manual says, there are two removeable end panels to do so.

I don't see the point of comparisions with boxster. If you've got boxster money, then there are a raft of different cars to consider. I've driven the boxster and it is fun too though I found the higher revs on take off a bit annoying. I'm suprised boxster owners are worried about the MR2 and have to justify paying double the MR2 price. A bit like me trying to justify paying twice a skoda price...

MR2 is fun. Wouldn't like to have a smash in it, but it does stop on a sixpence.

"The poor mans Boxster" that's funny considering the Boxster coined the phrase "Poor mans Porsche"

My MR2 Roadster is now 18 months old and I have started having steering problems. The problem I am having which I would like other users to try is to put full lock on and reverse slowly, what happens is my car jumps about 6 inches. Is this a fault or as Toyota tell me that it is a characteristic of the vehicle.

I bought my MR2 in May 2002 from Arriva Toyota Bristol who were very helpful and extremely competitive (matched the best importer's quote).

The car is superb, with good performance, predictable and excellent handling, absolute reliability and good comfort. The roof is exceptionally easy to take down and put up (I can put it up without leaving the driver's seat; taking it down is about 10 seconds work). Stowage space is obviously limited, but it's still very good for a two-seater.

I would thoroughly recommend this car to anyone. Re Boxster, yes it is a poor man's Boxster, no question. The Boxster S is simply the best two-seater sports car on the market (£100,000 supercars excepted). If you can stretch to a Boxster then get one (I would!). If not then the MR2 will give you 90% of the experience for half the price. Buy it with air con & leather and enjoy.

We bought ours in November 2002 and it is absolutely fantastic. Yes there are a few rattles and after you have fitted an amp and sub-woofer in the passenger side storage box space becomes even more limited, great sounds though. Aside from Leather and Air-con you do not buy this car for interior design, it is a reasonably affordable two seater sports car without having to join the masses of zoom, zoom, zoom MX5 drivers.

Invest in a luggage rack for the boot, this will accommodate a reasonable size suitcase for all the clothes for her for two weeks and you can use the front stowage "matchbox" for your items.

On the Boxster issue, "Poor Man's" is a bit of a false statement. 18 - 20K is certainly not a poor man's purchase and I guess it is Boxster drivers commenting on this page as they know that this car is just as much fun and we have only paid half as much, and I bet the MR2's don't sit in traffic in Knightsbridge every day.

I live in West London with my MR2 parked proudly on the street outside. Next to it is my next door neighbours silver Porsche Boxster, and just down the road is another neighbours silver boxster. A couple of cars down, a silver boxster, and just round the corner, a couple more.

Just after leaving Sainsburys the other day, I considered how dreadful it would be to own one since it would be near impossible to find it amongst all those identical silver Boxsters all over the car park.

Responding to the comment in Jan about the juddering when reversing slowly with full lock.

I also get the same problem with my MR2.. It is 8 months old and I returne it to the dealer to check it out. They told me that they have had quite a few back with the same problem and Toyota are aware of it, but there was nothing they could do. They were awaiting instruction from Toyota as to what exactly the problem was and whether there would be a recall on any parts...

If anyone knows any more about this please post and let me know as it is getting a bit annoying now!

Other than that, the car is a dream!

Responding to the juddering problem; my MK 3 judders both forward and backwards. I recently took it to the dealers for a service, who told me this problem is a characteristic of the car. They also informed me that my tyres are down to the legal 1.6mm limit (20k miles) on all four tyres, the front ones were worn down to 4mm on one side and 1.6mm on the other. They also said this is a normal characteristic!

In future I will rotate the front tyres (not wheels) across after 10k.

Bought mine last week - still taking it easy, but its willing and wants to go! Looked at MX-5 and MG TF and could have saved money on both - but the MR is definitely a nicer package. I got a hardtop too... hoping I can justify the cost for all year running. It looks the biz, roof on or off. Need to get a roof bag to store roof safely.

I must be the only person to have bought a duff MR2, don't get me wrong I love my little car and I always have a big smile on my face when I see it in my drive. Everyone I know has made comments about it all wishing they could afford one.

I bought the car from a dealer 1 year old, I've had it 9 months and already its gone back 4 times. First the car decided out the the blue not to start, turned out to be the battery was useless needed a new one. Then as I was pulling into my drive the power steering went, need a new power steering pump, then when ever I turned right full lock the car made a loud banging noise, needed a new suspension arm the noise got quieter, but didn't go away back for my 4th time and they replaced another suspension arm. I've not had any problems in the last 2 months (touch wood) all I can say is thank god the cars under warranty otherwise I would properly would have sold it by now.

I did ask the dealer about the problems and they were surprised as they've never had an MR2 come back as often as mine. Just my luck never mind it still looks great!!!