1991-1995 Toyota MR2 | Review and What To LOOK for when Buying One
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- čas přidán 26. 06. 2024
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In the 90s, while the US was busy kickstarting the Human Genome Project, launching the Hubble Space Telescope, and GM had finally given DEATH to the Fiero, Toyota Japan was busy creating THIS!!! The second generation Toyota MR2. If you’re looking for a Mid-Engine sports car that is still somewhat affordable, I believe the Toyota MR2 to be a great choice in the segment. This particular model is a 1995, and today, I will show you why I think this is the BEST value in the mid-engine sports car segment. After that, I will show you some of my favorite features, take it for a drive, and at the end, I will point out some of the things you should LOOK for if you’re planning on buying one.
[Background]
The MR2 model began life as a design experiment in 1979 with the goal to make a fun-to-drive sports car with great fuel economy. Chief engineer Akio Yoshida was playing around with the engine placement and finally landed on a mid-engine configuration.
The first generation MR2 was sold from 1984 to 1989 with a 1.6 Liter inline 4 naturally aspirated engine (codename 4A-GE) and later a supercharged version was released (codename 4A-GZE) producing 112 and 145 horsepower respectively. These cars are usually referred to as AW10 and AW11 following their chassis designation. Light-weight construction, strong handling and performance gained the original MR2 many prestigious awards from car magazines of the time. There’s so much to cover on the first generation MR2 including Dan Gurney’s involvement, rally versions, etc., but I will cover all those details in another video.
The second generation Toyota MR2 was released for sale in 1990 as a 1991 model. It is powered by a 2.2 liter inline-four engine, which produces 135 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. The turbo model came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0 liter engine (codename 3S-GTE) producing 200 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 200 lb⋅ft of torque at 3,200 rpm.
Offered only with a 5-speed M/T (and after early 1993, solely with the T-bar roof).
The Toyota MR2 is a fantastic sports car and a blast to drive. With its aerodynamic design and performance to match it is sure to break some necks and put a smile on any driver’s face!
Content Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:09 Background
01:29 AW10/AW11 Specifications
02:21 SW20/SW21 Specifications
03:22 Favorite Features
03:37 Interior Design
04:41 Exterior Design
05:36 T-Bar Roof (T-Tops)
06:02 Pop-Up Headlights
07:14 Driving Impressions
09:20 Acceleration test
11:02 Tune-able
13:02 What to LOOK for when buying one
14:42 Rust
15:23 Rust - Rocker Panels
16:07 Rust - Wheel Well
16:40 Rust - Fenders
17:15 Rust - Trunk Area
18:01 Rust - T-Bar Roof
18:49 Cooling Issues
19:43 Engine Oil Leaks
20:16 CT-26 Turbo
21:05 Crank Pulley
22:06 Closing - Auta a dopravní prostředky
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I had a 94 NA MR2 back in 2004, it was the first proper car I bought after finishing Uni and getting a fulltime job. God I loved that car, it was like driving a go-kart around on the road!
Time to get another one!!! What do you drive now?
You forgot to mention checking the bottoms of the doors at the pinch welds This is so common, It's one of the first places I check. New doors are NOT cheap for desirable, rare cars like this one. Most places will charge 200 bucks to paint a door too. These expenses add up. Thanks for making an easy checklist. Very cool of you.
Very true!!! I completely forgot about adding that for the video! Thanks for sharing! Question - do you work on MR2s? Based on your knowledge, I assume you at least know people that have these cars and I'm searching for one. Please email me at miguelsgarage@outlook.com so we can discuss further. Thanks!
Better than a ferrari. You could argue it was more successful and iconic and reliable for sure.
Definitely got the reliability part 🤣 Iconic, I’m not sure…
@@Miguelsgarage
More people talk about mr2 because it was more attainable as a mass market sports car. It was a successful car worldwide and memorable in the real world. Ferrari brand is more iconic I suppose you could say.
@@Miguelsgarage
Most people look at prestige and dream about the badge. But I look at the success of the car itself and it's sales and that it is realistically attainable. Mr2 outsold all ferraris I bet and it still exists today where people still use them.
Agreed, in 2024 Toyota makes 3 cars with a manual transmission in the US. Ferrari makes 0 cars with a manual transmission. Ferrari fell off
what a beauty. one of my local used car dealers has had a second generation mr2 turbo for years but they don't want to sell it. keep on the good content.
It sure is! Thanks for your comment. I really appreciate it!!
Great! I love my 91' NA, like you said its slow but still feels like a go-kart 👍
I had a 91 NA!! Hardtop! I have a few videos of it right here on my channel. I do like the sharpness of the gen1 MR2s. You can definitely feel the tuned suspension was softened for the 93+ cars.
Great review of a great car. Thank you. Owner of 91T!
Thank you and thanks for watching! Please consider subscribing if you haven’t! I appreciate it!
I definitely want one
Very cool little car,Toyota's camaro.
You should have mentioned factors that affect prices, like lack of rust, rarity by year, and body type i.e. 1993 hardtops cost way more, as do 1995 turbos, and features such as fog lights and center console, premium stereo, and factory alarm. While these are not mechanical issues to look out for, they are definitely things to know when looking and questioning prices/value.
Those are all good and valid points! Thanks for sharing!
I have a 1993 hard top 2GR and it’s the best thing ever!
@7771ham what part of the country? I'm in Virginia with a bone stock 93 na ht. Have been considering a 2gr swap, but a stock example is the true rarity nowadays!
@@nftminter7922 a stock one is very hard to find. I found a bone stock 91 turbo in 2021 for 10k was a great deal tbh. I actually got my 2GR mr2 in the state you live in man. I’m from Oklahoma I had to get a plane ticket fly there and drive it ALL the way back. It was a crazy drive. No a/c no heat and no radio.. over 24 hour drive. Biggest drive I’ve ever made. But i made it because it was a car I REALLY wanted. I also knew, that the 2Gr mr2 will eventually become unaffordable. Just like the Supra. So I knew what what I had to do
@7771ham definitely one of the few cars worth making that kind of drive for! I recently moved from AZ and had to trailer mine but would much rather have driven it instead of a truck. The roads here were worth the move though! Just have to fight rust now!
MIRROR vs REAR SHIELD... no problem and you"re no DIM WIT ! Thanx for your intel
CRAP! I didn't realize I said mirror HAHAHA. Nice catch! Thanks for watching!
Good video. I'm getting a MR2 Mk2 turbo soon. Been binging on various videos haha. The snap oversteer scares me a bit (it's quite wet in the UK) but I'll treat it gently when I get it
Thank you! I appreciate your support! If you get a 93+, snap oversteer has been corrected with suspension changes and bigger tires. Some people complain about the dynamic of the car changing after the upgrades, but it's not that pronounced for most people. If you buy an early car, upgrade the suspension and add wider tires in the back. You'll be fine!
@@Miguelsgarage I’m looking to get one for track use. Should I get a 93+ or would upgraded suspension(coilovers/arms) fix the snap oversteer issue on the 91-92 models?
I WILL get one one day
Mint condition with a stock radio 📻 👌 👏 👍 🙌 baby supra with mid engine
Ahhh shit… you just reminded me of another of my favorite features… the retractable power antenna!!!
Had 2 of these , but mk 1 and mk 3. Considering buying a MK2. I also have owned 4 celicas and 1 supra . But I still prefer the mr2.
I'm buying a used one 1991 turbo model, previous owner claims head gasket leak. What should I look out for. As well any issues I should be warry of to fix the car; I heard the understeering is pretty bad.
I own a mr2 great car to drive unfortunately lost my licence speeding !
I would love to own one of these beauties, however, that mid engine layout is tight and harder to work on. I’ll just keep my Supras and own this car in 1/24 scale 😂
They both have their plus and minuses 🤣 either way you can’t go wrong!!
Just K swap it. We have a 91 K24 6 speed na car that's putting around 300hp to the wheels. It doesn't need a turbo I'm here to tell ya. Thing is stupid fast as is. Its probably gonna get boosted anyway soon. Yeah it has the big Wilwood brakes.
Personally I would go 2GR mainly due to sound. K motors at the end of the day are 4 bangers and sound like 4 bangers. They make a lot of power too. But 2GR sound you just can’t beat!