I had a fire-engine red MR2 in '85. I put 150,000 on it the next 15 years. The seats hugged you in like a cockpit and there was a built-in roll-bar/cage. If you were sitting in the driver's seat you could put your arm out the window and touch the ground. And it had some nice gitty-up pep. Handled like a dream and the steering was very responsive and quick. In the curves it hugged the road and was exciting to drive with a nice moonroof. It was a real pleasure just to stretch it out through the 5-speed gears and then revving the RPMs to match your downshifting instead of leaning on the brakes. Mine had a nice spoiler on the rear and a great exhaust system which purred and/or roared. And loved those flip-up headlights. One of my favorite cars I've ever owned. Gave it to my son when he turned 18 and he wrecked it doggone it. They could get away from you. That thing would still be running. A very reliable car and I've had four Toyotas since all high quality.
You couldn’t possibly have driven a worst example. Too bad because those cars well sorted are unforgettable to drive and in the best way possible. Nice review.
I own an 86 5 speed with the wing that I'm rebuilding. Had 85,000 before the motor blew in the 90's. I keep getting told to sell that car and i refuse to. i love the look the feel. I love that it came with a rollcage when i bought it last year and had the moonroof (cracked) but it's a dream come true
Dad had a 85 it was a silver/gray with black trim. Got pics of him standing by it. VERY KOOL ride. He ended up selling it because my sister was born and needed back seats. He tells me stories of it. And I love it
I convinced my grandpa to let me work on his 1985 MR2 (looks just like the light blue one shown on the track) so I can have it as a temporary car (it'd be my first). When I get enough money working I will try to buy it from him so I have reassurance it stays in good hands instead of being sold for spare money.
I resolved the item in the "cons" column... I was only (supposedly) window shopping for cars and a 9/10 red 1989 one pops up only an hour away from home... Don't need another car but had to buy it. I was actually selling a BMW the same day I picked up the MR2 and the buyer/seller were less than 20 minutes away from each other. It was meant to be! Worth every penny and an underpriced/underappreciated gem. It's slow, but fast at the same time. It teaches you all the correct car control habits. I have a much faster performance BMW in the garage, but this is as much if not more enjoyable and I could buy 7 or 8 of them for the same price as the BMW! #1 for smiles per dollar! If you can find a clean one, get it!
@@_jawsh_488 I got it, it's Hella fun to drive but I'm making some repairs cause a lot of gasket and seals are on their way out. just old car things really
My favorite MR2 hands down. I would love to own one. The interior is even better than I thought. This is a car that should be valued as much as the Supra Mark 4
Well, let's not get too carried away. Lol. They are great cars and my close second favorite MR2 (SW20 is my favorite), but no way should they be valued as a MK4 Supra (which IMO is already way overvalued). But the AW11s are shooting up in value as of late. I would love to own a stock SC MR2 with t-tops.
@@mk2mister2 I agree. When I said valued I meant emotionally valued not monetarily. I have my own Jay Leno's garage in my head and many of the cars I would put in it or not monetarily valuable. For example, a Honda Element, a Mazda 323 all wheel drive, a Toyota Corolla all-wheel drive wagon, a Suzuki samurai, and Isuzu vehicross.. I like a lot of the odd duck Japanese cars as well as some of these really neat mid engine cars that Toyota came out with. How about a Subaru brat? I own a 95 Mazda Miata 5 speed and a 1995 totally mint Toyota Camry.
Well done Vid!! I went with my buddy back in 1991, to pick up his 1987 MR2 5-speed, in NJ. One owner, 55k, for 5 grand.. It was a red/dark grey interior, base model,silver steel wheels, but had t-tops, with an added factory sperler, Great car & memories too 🤔😎
I drove my buddy's NA Miata. I just got a bone stock MR2 and it rotates better than his Miata. Really rewarding to drive fast with the right skills. Trail brake into the corner and transition to throttle and it's almost driftable. Stock. Bone Stock. Color me impressed.
Thanks again for reviewing it! Hopefully by winter I'll be rebuilding the bottom end, my Ranger should be rebuilt and on the road soon if you'd like to check that one out
I wouldn't put a full-size Jack in front of the MR2 aw11 drunk like that it will ruin the balance of the car I would rather take the spare tire out keep the car light as possible upgrade parts like a k&n air filter a nice custom stainless steel exhaust. If the carpet is really bad I would just remove it completely. Try to get rid of weight and make it look like a clean project car even get rid of the stock heavy glass headlights and replace them with some Ray Briggs and I would definitely send and spray the car a nice color
Not the best looking MR2 (that's the second generation), but that's a cool car nonetheless. It a pity that there was no market for cars like this. Mid-engine, rear wheel drive and affordable sports cars.
There was always a Corolla or Celica with a near identical weight, engine and gearbox for each generation of MR2. In most markets, the MR2's were priced 30% more expensive than these cars that were the parts donors. "Affordable" only came later as they became forgotten in the 2nd hand market.
First car I ever purchased myself. Quick, fun, holds onto the road. Topped it out at 121. It was a sweet ride, like no other at the time.
Give it to me
It was the second best investment vehicle in 2023
I had a fire-engine red MR2 in '85. I put 150,000 on it the next 15 years. The seats hugged you in like a cockpit and there was a built-in roll-bar/cage. If you were sitting in the driver's seat you could put your arm out the window and touch the ground. And it had some nice gitty-up pep. Handled like a dream and the steering was very responsive and quick. In the curves it hugged the road and was exciting to drive with a nice moonroof. It was a real pleasure just to stretch it out through the 5-speed gears and then revving the RPMs to match your downshifting instead of leaning on the brakes. Mine had a nice spoiler on the rear and a great exhaust system which purred and/or roared. And loved those flip-up headlights. One of my favorite cars I've ever owned. Gave it to my son when he turned 18 and he wrecked it doggone it. They could get away from you. That thing would still be running. A very reliable car and I've had four Toyotas since all high quality.
I know the owner of this car and I sat in it. You feel like you're in the future and the 80s simultaneously. I love it
This is what it's come to hasn't it
Nice to see someone getting a fairly worn example back on the road. I would love to see if all the rough edges have now been smoothed out.
You couldn’t possibly have driven a worst example. Too bad because those cars well sorted are unforgettable to drive and in the best way possible. Nice review.
I own an 86 5 speed with the wing that I'm rebuilding. Had 85,000 before the motor blew in the 90's. I keep getting told to sell that car and i refuse to. i love the look the feel. I love that it came with a rollcage when i bought it last year and had the moonroof (cracked) but it's a dream come true
Dad had a 85 it was a silver/gray with black trim. Got pics of him standing by it. VERY KOOL ride. He ended up selling it because my sister was born and needed back seats. He tells me stories of it. And I love it
I convinced my grandpa to let me work on his 1985 MR2 (looks just like the light blue one shown on the track) so I can have it as a temporary car (it'd be my first). When I get enough money working I will try to buy it from him so I have reassurance it stays in good hands instead of being sold for spare money.
I have a 85 Celica GTS and I love that car old Toyotas are the goat
I had one 5-6 years ago that I got for $2500. Regret selling it to this day, can’t wait to have one again
I resolved the item in the "cons" column... I was only (supposedly) window shopping for cars and a 9/10 red 1989 one pops up only an hour away from home... Don't need another car but had to buy it. I was actually selling a BMW the same day I picked up the MR2 and the buyer/seller were less than 20 minutes away from each other. It was meant to be!
Worth every penny and an underpriced/underappreciated gem. It's slow, but fast at the same time. It teaches you all the correct car control habits. I have a much faster performance BMW in the garage, but this is as much if not more enjoyable and I could buy 7 or 8 of them for the same price as the BMW! #1 for smiles per dollar! If you can find a clean one, get it!
Watching this video before I purchase my dream car on Sunday
how did it go? i’m literally messaging a seller rn
@@_jawsh_488 I got it, it's Hella fun to drive but I'm making some repairs cause a lot of gasket and seals are on their way out. just old car things really
The 1st gen MR2 is my all time favorite car. One day I'll be able to buy one
It is also my dream car, i can't stop thinking about it. One day we'll be able to own one I'm sure!
@@lomeas i’m in this club now. one day!
Fortunately you can still find them at a reasonable price if you look hard enough.
I'm 53 and finally got one! Not clapped out even!
@@ModMINIhow has it been?
My favorite MR2 hands down. I would love to own one. The interior is even better than I thought. This is a car that should be valued as much as the Supra Mark 4
Well, let's not get too carried away. Lol. They are great cars and my close second favorite MR2 (SW20 is my favorite), but no way should they be valued as a MK4 Supra (which IMO is already way overvalued).
But the AW11s are shooting up in value as of late. I would love to own a stock SC MR2 with t-tops.
@@mk2mister2
I agree. When I said valued I meant emotionally valued not monetarily. I have my own Jay Leno's garage in my head and many of the cars I would put in it or not monetarily valuable. For example, a Honda Element, a Mazda 323 all wheel drive, a Toyota Corolla all-wheel drive wagon, a Suzuki samurai, and Isuzu vehicross.. I like a lot of the odd duck Japanese cars as well as some of these really neat mid engine cars that Toyota came out with. How about a Subaru brat? I own a 95 Mazda Miata 5 speed and a 1995 totally mint Toyota Camry.
Well done Vid!! I went with my buddy back in 1991, to pick up his 1987 MR2 5-speed, in NJ. One owner, 55k, for 5 grand.. It was a red/dark grey interior, base model,silver steel wheels, but had t-tops, with an added factory sperler, Great car & memories too 🤔😎
2 days after I get an aw11 as my first car he posts this video, good timing!
Did you get a mint one or one that needs a bit of work? I just bought one today but I need to do some things
Also how's it been?
I will get one of these eventually. I already have a fiero and a fiat x1/9. I need to finish the mid engine trifecta.
you get one yet? :)
@@Newo48 I still gotta finish the fiero 😭 only a bit left on that, then my rx7. Maybe after that I'll take the MR2 lol
I had a 85, 89, and 91 MR2. Awesome cars
Saw one of these today, 86' MR2 5 Speed!
Loved my silver 1985 Mister 2. Financed my high mileage two seater in 1990. Paid a whooping 5k. Too much I know.
what a steal
I wish to be done with my 86 and drive it again around town. Cool and fun car I can say.
Friend had 1, super fun - small, videogame dash, pistol grip stick. Next 1 was Japanese Dino.
God I want a factory supercharged model of these 😩
Just bought one of the same year this week!
Man your kicking lifes ass Zach! I love you bro
Anyone ever notice that the na miata is used a lot for a reference or a comparison to other car's! It's crazy.
I drove my buddy's NA Miata. I just got a bone stock MR2 and it rotates better than his Miata. Really rewarding to drive fast with the right skills. Trail brake into the corner and transition to throttle and it's almost driftable. Stock. Bone Stock. Color me impressed.
Great video man! Cool car, The style reminds me of my first gen 4runner
Thanks again for reviewing it! Hopefully by winter I'll be rebuilding the bottom end, my Ranger should be rebuilt and on the road soon if you'd like to check that one out
What up dave
@@jonwatkins4306 ah shiit, did you like Zacks tour of my car?
Yeah it was fantastic, it's cool seeing it in this video, you still gotta let me drive it sometime
@@jonwatkins4306 I definitely do
@@davrulesdawurld big ol bet
My brother had a 1st gen but blue mostly stock just a few suspension upgrades and a tune up for more power but it was a fun little car
I loved this car so much, I would give up a my car in a second for MR2
I wouldn't put a full-size Jack in front of the MR2 aw11 drunk like that it will ruin the balance of the car I would rather take the spare tire out keep the car light as possible upgrade parts like a k&n air filter a nice custom stainless steel exhaust. If the carpet is really bad I would just remove it completely. Try to get rid of weight and make it look like a clean project car even get rid of the stock heavy glass headlights and replace them with some Ray Briggs and I would definitely send and spray the car a nice color
I owned one of these. Incredible how fun they are. And the engine is also incredible. The higher rmps are its happy place
I’ve had my aw11 for almost 3 years and I’ve never even driven it before :(
Lets goooo this is my buddies car!
I had an 86 and it had a factory installed Sub Woofer under the driver's seat. It was not wired although would be east to do. Did you find it yet?
Things I learned from this video: Zack wears cool socks 2:46
Someday I will have one
#lovemyMR2
The deadswitch is for ect also the climate control is not base, mine is base missing the auto feature and the two buttons replaced with a blank plug
With the facelift they went back to manual climate control and used the extra space for a double DIN stereo.
@Mod MINI well I guess it was more of a transition then because I didn't have ac nor did I get a double din. My aw11 is so weird bro 😂
Can you do a pontiac solstice?
Have you done a Z31??? I have 1
Not the best looking MR2 (that's the second generation), but that's a cool car nonetheless. It a pity that there was no market for cars like this. Mid-engine, rear wheel drive and affordable sports cars.
There was always a Corolla or Celica with a near identical weight, engine and gearbox for each generation of MR2. In most markets, the MR2's were priced 30% more expensive than these cars that were the parts donors. "Affordable" only came later as they became forgotten in the 2nd hand market.
80's Japanese wannabe ferrari