WISE BUYER
1989-1999 This one high-performance, mid-engine spor ts car you can afford to run, says James Walshe
WITH MODERN CLASSICS
Why you want one
The first generation MR2 was always going to be a hard act to follow. This now highly-prized Eighties gem breathed life into the affordable sports car segment occupied by just a tiny handful of others at the time. Up against the MR2, Fiat’s X1/9 looked ancient. However, hot hatches had taken the world by storm and by the late Eighties, the little MR2 had begun to look a bit out of place. A successful replacement would have to be something sportier and altogether more usable. Mazda went its own way with the MX-5 but Toyota set its sights on a level above. Risky, perhaps… but the intense development of this mid-engined two-seater, with its brilliant dynamics and ‘mini-Ferrari’ feel absolutely paid off. More luxurious and tougher in every respect than its predecessor, only now are we seeing a growing flurry of interest from the wider classic car market. Values are on the march, as enthusiasts discover its mix of svelte good looks, performance potential and quality engineering.
Which one should I buy?
At launch in the European market, we got the basic 119bhp coupé without the T-bar roof, spoiler or fog lamps (dropped in 1992). It was a 2-litre 16-valve twin-cam engine – tried and tested, but far from potent. You had to spend a few grand extra for the GT Coupé with its 156bhp and 137mph top speed. The T-bar version was a little extra and got optional leather.
I OWN ONE
Trevor Bailey is on his fifth MR2. ‘This 1997 model is a keeper. It has been well looked after. I run it often – they’re made to be driven, after all! It is quick, it turns heads, it’s comfy and – being a Toyota – it’s reliable. I recently did 6000 in about six months and it never missed a beat! Parts support is good – you can get most service parts from Toyota – and there are a few great specialists out there.’
Catalytic converters were fitted after August 1992. Both versions of the engine had electronic fuel injection and th
