1991-1995 Toyota MR2: Road Test

High in fun quotient, the MR2 isn't too bad in practicality, either. Performance is a plus, especially with the Turbo, which accelerated to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. A stick-shift base model, in contrast, took 8.5 seconds to reach that velocity. A turbocharger isn't necessary to enjoy the merits of an MR2, because the base model is nearly as much fun--and markedly cheaper, even today. With the engine sitting right behind your ears, you're sure to hear a lot of mechanical noise. Road rumble also may be prominent, due to the aggressive tire-tread design of the original high-performance tires. With a firm suspension and wide tires on the MR2, you'll feel most bumps and endure some harshness on washboard surfaces and heavily patched pavement, where the ride can become jiggly. Making up for that drawback, you'll be able to scoot around corners practically like a Go-Kart. You can expect crisp turn-in and a virtually flat cornering attitude when the car is driven assertively. Braking is swift and stable, too. Watch out for the tendency of the rear tires to suddenly skid sideways under hard throttle in a sharp turn. That's not unusual behavior for a rear-drive sports car, but it can be tricky for the less-experienced driver. Suspension modifications for 1993 helped, but it's still necessary to be wary in later models. Turbo fuel economy disappoints. We got only 19.6 mpg overall when the car was new. Cargo space divides between nooks around the spare tire in the nose (about 1 cubic foot) and a deep, oblong trunk behind the engine (5.5 cubic feet). Obviously, you'll need to travel light. The low-slung cockpit looks snug, but provides more than adequate adult-size room and good outward visibility.

Value for the Money
Billed as an "affordable exotic," the MR2 was a slow seller. Soaring prices helped kill it, and they remain relatively high today. Because no one else offered a 2-seat midengined sports car in its price class, however, if that's what you want, Toyota is the only game in town. Fortunately, Toyota's reputation for solid workmanship makes the MR2 a better value.