D4A Patreon: www.patreon.com/d4a Discounted tools on amazon: amzn.to/2rZwqCr Is the AW11 too much to handle? How about a model instead :) : amzn.to/2BPp1aE A great book on MR2 performance and tuning: amzn.to/31OlRyb AW11 Haynes: amzn.to/2Pqz0Ls
How do you only get 7 seconds in 0-60 on a supercharged that is? I have the stock MR2 AW11 from 1987 and can go 0-60 in 6.0 seconds. I can also see you have the 1989 AW11.
Having one of these, an st165, having had an at180 and also a porsche 924, you would think I'd agree with this statement and adore pop-ups. No. I actually don't like them at all, and think the cars look way worse with them popped up. I love these toyotas unconditionally, even considering they come with two ugly frontal aerobrakes that have lightbulbs in, aka pop-ups. I still think the aw11 MR1 is one of the coolest and best looking toyotas ever, and I'll hold on to mine till the day my back stops my sasquatch self from being able to get in the car.
I've been a AW11 owner and enthusiast for 25 years, I still own the same one I bought back in April 1995. I had 5 3/4 AW11's at one time, unfortunately I only have 2 left. I love them, they are a true drivers car.
I've had 3 AW11 - MK1bs (Supercharger first then 2 NA/s I converted to SC) over the past 20 years, agree... absolutely beautiful car to drive, own and look at.
Man you're da business! I've owned 4 Mk1s back in the 80's and early 90's, most new or nearly new. They were my commute cars and i clocked up around 240,000 miles in them in total. The AW11 made going to work a pleasure and coming home even more fun on my 90-mile daily commute. Back then it just owned the country roads I drove on. I think the AW11 is probably the most underrated fun car ever made. If it had had a Ferrari badge on it and had been their entry level model you'd be looking at $30k rather than $3k for one of these today. Your review is superb because it is very informative, you cover every relevant area and deliver all that info with irreverent humour. You explained why none of the cars that I test drove 5 years back (when they really were cheap as chips!) never felt as good to drive as I remembered from back in the day. I'm on the the hunt for one to work on as of right now. Thank you!
Really enjoy your perspective in all of your videos. Is really refreshing to have this practical, in depth but fun kind of content around cars like this.
I owned a red 89 MR2 and it's still my favorite car in the world. It offers the highest fun factor of any car. You can park it in the tightest parking spaces. It drives like a ski mobile in snow. It floats across deep puddles. And the pop up headlights do cure depression.
My 17year old son has just bought one, been his dream car since he was 14 and until he passes his test I'm driving it and I adore it its a wonderful car to drive and at 33years old it puts my modern car to shame, your knowledge is invaluable, great vid thank you 😎😎😎
I have to be honest: we need more reviews like this, not some sort of quick drive around the BS talking about how a car feels to someone's socialmedia-driven enthusiasm. I've always found it to be much more rewarding by hearing a guy who not only knows a specific car, but also the brilliant history around it.
I still have mine (from when I was much younger - 27 omg) i'm now 59 !! But I just love it so much, always, always, always makes me smile when I drive it, at any speed. Thats the sign of a great car imho ........... it will be with me until I die thats for sure. Thank you for your great reviews/ channel and love for the what is (as you said a very, still under rated) superb car indeed, thanks once again :)
I actually owned one of the cars back in the late 80s and it got me some great attention. I was active duty in the Navy at the time and all of my friends absolutely loved the car. They would ask me if they could drive it around the base at Great Lakes Naval Training Grounds! I still love the cars and I would absolutely buy a new one right now. These have a loving place in my heart for sure since it was so much fun to drive and I enjoyed it so much!
1989 SC with 253K miles. I drive it every day. I don't go to Ikea anymore and no kids to haul around. If it doesn't fit in the 2, I probably don't need it. Like you, I basically rebuilt everything, mostly on my own but I had some help from a trusted mechanic for the heavy lifting. My one additional entry to your list of what to look for is to find a seller who can tell you whats been done to the car, especially the suspension. Springs, struts, and bushings all are shot on a 30+ yr old car, have they been replaced and what was put in. Love your videos, keep up the good work. Long live the screaming chicken.
Bought my 86 in 2005. Daily drove it for 12years with the love you mentioned. Saved it from the crusher! Even hauled 800#s of quickcret in it once,talk about heavy steering. Just watched to share the love. Still own it and if I ever sell it God help the buyer from my check list assessment profile. No love,can't have! My will may have me buried in it🤗
Im 22 and brought an old battered mk1. I FINALLY got it running after months of work. I cannot wait to learn more and understand how this classic car drives.
Very good review of the AW11! Glad to hear you were able to have a blast with it throughout the Summer =D That montage at 23:11 made me feel so sad for those poor MR2s that were abused that way ='( Nice dash cover at 4:45 by the way ;-)
I explained the dash cover in great detail and how I got it in my walkaround video :) people that I meet also ask about it often, as they don't exist here, but there seems to be demand. Then I tell them about my US connections and be all cool and stuck up lol
I have 8 years using my mr2 as my daily car. Sometimes I even go to the supermarket to buy groceries and almost everything fits in the trunk and frunk 😜
@@aw4516 probably not too good since it's mid engine and rwd I've heard the back slips more during the rain do snow would probably be bad and idk about how the engine handles the cold
@@aw4516 I drive my MR2 Supercharger for 20+ years through all seasons in the UK, INC SNOW! It's fine if you know what you're doing. The MK2 is a bit more leery in the wet, the mk1 is fine.
I’ve driven a 1987 MR2 in the winter and through snow storms. I feel it did as well as front wheel drive cars. My main concern in the snow was being seen by big vehicles and eighteen wheelers.
Svaka čast na trudu i odličnim videima, pratim te već duže vrijeme i tek sam sad po tablicama skuzio da si domaci, rijetkost je ovako kvalitetan kanal sa nasih prostora zivio
Loved both of my Mk1's. Agree with every word of this review. I rebuilt the suspension on my first one and it transformed the car. Same for the brakes. Sadly....it got written off three weeks after being finished. Absolutely devastated. Mine was an early red "hex" wheel version. My second was a revised ice blue t-bar and I loved it in stock form as was so well sorted. Put 50,000 miles on it until the dreaded A pillar for made its appearance. I sold it to A friend and bought a NiKKI and that was an entirelgndifferent beast and outside of the Lotus Elise I owned after, it's the best car I have ever owned. All three MR2's I have owned have given me so so much joy. I adore them!
The seats are comfortable?! They are NOT just comfortable! They are so damn comfortable, modern car buyers wouldn't believe! They are comfortable enough, to be dangerous! Seriously! In my Celica (mk4 has thesame seats) I'm so snug like a bug in a rug, that it's dangerous to drive it when I'm tyred... XD At least the engine sound keeps me save... ;)
I remember sitting in my friend's MR2 on the way to a car show (My GC8 had decided to snap a CV joint before the show), the seat didn't feel that comfortable. Not even three minutes into the drive, I fall asleep on my friend's shoulder and it feels like I'm in a bed. 😂
Nice review. That's my art work at 2:58 with the blue MR2. Also my artwork at the end where I put the MR2 in the future looking scene. Glad to see they are getting put to good use :D
@@d4a here are a few AW11 artwork I've done. Use them all you want. i.imgur.com/h4coQ2f.png i.imgur.com/gxNquN4.jpg i.imgur.com/mAeBZqS.jpg i.imgur.com/PkrFKhk.jpg
I have owned 2 MK1 MR2s when i was younger, a 1988 was my first car. The interior on both of them needed some help due to previous owners with bad habits, the first car had a flawless dash though. The exterior definitely needed restoring. The cars were the most fun to drive that I ever owned. And this is coming from someone who owns a 2018 Subaru STI Type RA that for a modern car gives a lot of feedback, especially through the steering wheel. But there is something about completely analog cars that really speaks to me. Modern cars that aren't a lotus just lack feeling in comparison to the classic MR2. One day I will do a full restomod of a MK1 tin top (no moon roof or t-tops) if I can find one. just need the money and time.
@@TrueDiaboli yes I did. Used NA SW20 axles. They say non ABS ones only, but both NA ones work. I rebuilt them, they're a plug n play solution. but if you want to buy new axles, get the short side from an SW20 (passenger side) and the long side with carrier bearing from a late ZZW30 spyder. The carrier bearing provides more clearance for the header and is probably more robust. You won't have any issues with the SW20 NA ones, though. Join the ZZW11 MR2 group on Facebook, all the information is present there and a few of Us have completed the swap.
great car, had one for ten years. konis and stock springs. never repaired the bad brake bias with the 94 supercharged rear caliphers. good mileage, and weight was good at 2380 lbs. had the same colors red and grey
Its surprisingly roomy. Drove cross country (USA) in it, no problem, comfort wise. Boy do I miss this car, it had an issue that I didn't want (couldnt afford) to fix - I was young and dumb, wish I kept it. My dream is to own one of these again someday, and restore it. So much fun to drive, handled like a motorcycle.
I `am 6"5 big ( 1,98 meter ) and it fits very well in this car, drive a T-top model here in germany. at the moment iam rebuilding the engine so that in april i can drive. sry or bad english. greetings from germany
I'm 6'4, and i somehow dont fit in my T top too well (ive been told my torso is where most of my height id from though) Mine currently needs a windshield (thanks to german laws), but ill be driving soon. Hope to see you on the road in april, wherever you are in Germany
Well I was going to get a mk2 but with all this talk of the 80's and me being massive fan of 80's retro stuff, I do believe you've just convinced me to buy a mk1 instead. Thank you for painting it in a new light for me!
my brother and I's computer chairs are made from my old 1986 mr2's seats that I ownedin highschool lol dont have the car but saved the seats casue i loved the car so muc lol
Been watchin you for a long time and i love youre vids. Your love for the mk1 is what pulls me in even more. You have exquisite taste. Thanks for the iconic engine series as well.
I have 2 reasons why i want buy a mr2 ... First: The car by his self . and the Second one is ....YOU , dude your vids are amazing its nice to look at it
I used to own a 1973 914 with the 2000 cc eng. It was the 70s mid engine , pop up headlight, wedge sports car .it was a fun car to drive. I always liked the MR2 ,great engine in those cars .
What a fantastic car! I've owned 2 . A c reg red one and a g reg white one. It's over 20 years now, blumming hell I wish I still owned them. Very engaging handling when driving hard, they must be treated with respect, a year to get used to the mid engine layout and reer wheel drive, just push it a little bit more every few weeks or so. If you don't it will bite!
Druze, ubih se dok skontam odakle si, jer vidim da imas akcenat, da nisi native english speaker :D Svaka cast i sve pohvale za tvoje klipove, cist profesionalizam i jako je zanimljivo gledati te i slusati. veliko pozdrav za tebe iz Srbije i samo tako nastavi! Pozz
Dear D4A, I love your passion for this car and for your videos. I'm about to rebuild a MR2 myself. I bought it from some absolutely clueless guy who drove it until the engine broke (the pulley broke lose and tore a hole in the side of the engine block). After that he bought a replacement engineblock, paid someone to remove the engine from the chassis, tore the old engine halfway apart but then the job never got finished. So I'm currently sitting on a lot of parts an lose screws which I'm not sure about if they are complete. Thats why I'd like to ask you: Could you do a... let me call it "walkaround", of the engine bay? It always helps me to see the live thing and I could see see how most of the parts are supposed to be arranged. I also have the original Toyotas Repair Manual so the engine itself won't be a problem, but the assembly of the enginebay might be.
I'm going to share something that helped me out at least a million times. Look through all the galleries. They are incredibly useful. pbase.com/aw11mr2/root
Amazing video, everything you said is on point, I'm a fellow W10 MR2 owner and I love the car too, but I'd like to point out that they didn't necessarily design it like that because they thought the future would look like that, but rather because of the low powered computers only being able to process complex geometry, so they had to resort to low poly count shapes and these flat angled sides
I just recently found out about your channel and I am actually in love with all the generations of the MR2 and I honestly don't know which one of them would be the best one for me to buy in the future but anyway, I just wanted to say that I really really appreciate the time you take to work on your videos and the knowledge that you pass on to other people... I was so proud of myself for liking mr2s because if somebody like yourself likes and owns an mr2 then it means that I am somewhat able to make good decisions about which cars I like.... For your little quiz at the end I scored a 7 but I cannot get this car or any other mr2 generation just yet because I want to get a house with a garage first because I choose a permanent home for my son over a project car but dude I honestly am so happy that someone like you is making videos about cars on RUclips and I personally really really hope you keep on doing it and maybe one day I'll show you pictures of my own mr2 that is slightly inspired by your own channel
I bought an '86...it replaced my VW Scirocco. Keep in mind the '86 Corvette was 0-to-60 in 6 seconds and did the 1/4 mile in 14.5@95. I didn't consider a Corvette but did consider a Mustang GT. That was the last year it had a carburetor and was a bit slower than the Corvette.
winter project ! door card reupholstery haha. An excellent review of your mr2 man, also respect for the buying guide that you made for future potential enthusiasts. I suspect some of those UK cars were from the 'max power' era of tuning lol..
That car has the late 1980's styling. The late 1980's car styling was very good, with cars like the 1987 Toyota Supra which was one of the nicest looking Toyota cars ever made. The 1986 Celica looked very nice. Toyota did really good in the 1980's with most of their more high end cars.
I have an MR2, engine doesn’t work, belonged to my mom a long time ago and no I’m feeling ready and mature enough to make it a project car. Still debating if I want a 4age or 3sgte though! Great video!
Awesome video. I love the style of a mk1 mr2, but I'm not ready to own this car. I'm happy mk3 mr2 owner and some day i would love to own mk1 too. Also I love watching your videos, you know how to explain things in interesting and fun way :D
Great content. I can tell from the information you provide you care and are passionate providing what to look for and self assessments, and for that I will subscribe!
@@d4a k20 is even better but a lot more expensive ..i just finished helping a buddy of mine to complete his k20 mk3 mr2. A k20 swapped aw11 though would be black magic on wheels man!! As for the tfsi engine.. It would slay I'm sure but so much added complexity in such a straight forward car seems a bit out of place to me.. It's been nice talking with you man, keep it up and stay great!!
I have a red 86 hardtop, did all the bushings, steering rack, Coilovers, steering shaft, new Interior, etc- We've done many similar repairs and restorations. My car was in real rough shape after 272,000 miles and cooking in the Texas sun, but at least 90 percent rust free. While you did bike carbs, I did a 2zz swap. You should join the zzw11 mr2 Facebook group. Love your content, wish you the best.
damn, Looking at a 1989 Mk1 right now, Very well maintained, One rust spot on the driverside frontside panel, Everything else is perfect, Very clean at 260k Miles, picking it up for $5k, Mr2 has quickly became my alltime favorite car, Plan on owning multiple of them, Cant wait to drive it home!
I'm hoping to buy one soon! Time to subscribe and find all the know how on how to maintain this beauty, I found one for $6,000 in very good condition and am desperately saving to buy it soon
While ago.... I owned a Red 1989 US-Spec AW11 with Supercharged 4AGE with the T-Top.. the "Quintessential MR2". Bought it from a guy in LosAngeles, 150k miles, for $3000. It was my dream car back in High School... and finally it was mine. It was like, finally having $EX with that girl in high school you had crush on LOL I took really good care of it. I kept it all stock. I took out all the stupid RICER crap, and put the OEM parts, including the cassette deck. I had full intention to keep it forever. But after 3 years, I got into accident. Yep the "Snap Oversteer" - Totaled it. I was depressed for 3 months. Just watching your vide makes me sad.
I like the visual design of MK1 better than MK2 and MK3. I have only driven MK3 once, with a Celica swap (190hp). It was a joy to ride, drives like a go-kart. The only problem is that I am too tall (190cm) and I don't like the way it looks.
MK1 definitely looks the best. Mk2 may be curvier but it looks more dated these days in a way the Mk1 doesn't (mk1 just looks like a timeless piece of car history - and extremely striking in the metal esp with the SC engine lid with raised vents making it more aggressive - but mk2 looks like it TRIED to 'de mid engine' the MR2 to fit in with the normal curvy coupe looks). Mk1 looks more functional, MK2 looks more mainstream and imo feminine... MK3 is a fun car but they lost it on the looks... and of course we can no longer have pop up headlights which ruins the looks too.
Great review. My first car was an 87 and I miss it dearly. Also had a stripper 85 which felt like it weighed nothing. I've owned a few MX-5s, including a 2023. Is the MX-5 a better car? No doubt. Is the MX-5 more fun? Debatable.
Id love to have one as daily because its light and small engine sized, so its fuel efficent and because of the MR layout fun also without tons of power.
I'm running Eibach Pro springs and Tociko Illumina 5 Way adjustable shocks on my 89 SC and it's way better than the crappy coilover setup the previous owner had in it. I bet Koni yellows are a bit better than the Illuminas but I'm satisfied.
Love this car, I always like 80s and 90s cars, and this is one of the best one out there, yeh it might be abit outdated and few things broken or damaged, but that can be fixed, but alot better then todays crap cars with crap technology and tv screens and all the fancy tech which people have in cars to entertain and that because the cars of today are so boring they have put technology to entertain, sad, but real fun is in cars like these, sound, speed, and desighn. Nice review love the car and drive.
I am between the AW11 and the MK3 Turbo Supra. I would prefer the MR2 because I think it looks so cool and it'll pair well with my 1st Gen 4runner, but the Supra has back seats and would be more "family friendly". Downside is they are usually more expensive.
I have 2 integras, DC4 and a DB sedan, an Acura EL and an 04 civic SiR I’m really interested in grabbing an AW11 and a SW20 that’d be a sick collection I think. Probably just do what you did with yours and completely refresh and build it for a decent NA build 11:1 comp. and then k swap the SW20 and boost the tiddies out of it for tracking. Edit: I feel a slightly modified aw11 would be an awesome daily driver. And man your car is such a nice example 😍 And my heater switches have the same problems on my 90s Honda’s snapped my integras heat adjuster off because there’s a stupid little bar that fatigues then binds after slightly losing its shape.
ngl I have the opportunity to get one, and I am seriously thinking of getting one, even to enjoy for at least for a year, bc I'm amidst a bit of moving and etc. I drove a go-kart in my childhood, and it was one of my most precious childhood memories, basically when I saw this it really just looks like a bigger go-kart. It's like fate. I have a ton of factors that might be preventing this, but I have to go all out.
D4A Patreon: www.patreon.com/d4a
Discounted tools on amazon: amzn.to/2rZwqCr
Is the AW11 too much to handle? How about a model instead :) : amzn.to/2BPp1aE
A great book on MR2 performance and tuning: amzn.to/31OlRyb
AW11 Haynes: amzn.to/2Pqz0Ls
How do you only get 7 seconds in 0-60 on a supercharged that is? I have the stock MR2 AW11 from 1987 and can go 0-60 in 6.0 seconds. I can also see you have the 1989 AW11.
"You get to look at pop up headlights all the time. And that is actually a proven cure against sadness." Immediately liked the video for that
Having one of these, an st165, having had an at180 and also a porsche 924, you would think I'd agree with this statement and adore pop-ups.
No. I actually don't like them at all, and think the cars look way worse with them popped up. I love these toyotas unconditionally, even considering they come with two ugly frontal aerobrakes that have lightbulbs in, aka pop-ups.
I still think the aw11 MR1 is one of the coolest and best looking toyotas ever, and I'll hold on to mine till the day my back stops my sasquatch self from being able to get in the car.
After owning 3 mk1's and an mk2 I 100000% agree
i have a t185 Celica and yes it is true
🤣🤣🤣🤣
I've been a AW11 owner and enthusiast for 25 years, I still own the same one I bought back in April 1995. I had 5 3/4 AW11's at one time, unfortunately I only have 2 left. I love them, they are a true drivers car.
I've had 3 AW11 - MK1bs (Supercharger first then 2 NA/s I converted to SC) over the past 20 years, agree... absolutely beautiful car to drive, own and look at.
Most fun car ever to own and drive for little money? I think so!!
"Let's do the ultimate MR2 review!"
One sec later:
"There's a lot of sheep poop here"
Sheepa poopa
Man you're da business!
I've owned 4 Mk1s back in the 80's and early 90's, most new or nearly new. They were my commute cars and i clocked up around 240,000 miles in them in total.
The AW11 made going to work a pleasure and coming home even more fun on my 90-mile daily commute. Back then it just owned the country roads I drove on.
I think the AW11 is probably the most underrated fun car ever made. If it had had a Ferrari badge on it and had been their entry level model you'd be looking at $30k rather than $3k for one of these today.
Your review is superb because it is very informative, you cover every relevant area and deliver all that info with irreverent humour. You explained why none of the cars that I test drove 5 years back (when they really were cheap as chips!) never felt as good to drive as I remembered from back in the day.
I'm on the the hunt for one to work on as of right now.
Thank you!
Thank you for that truly awesome comment. Made my day!
I bet you wish you hang on to them huh as the prices for used ones these days has gone throw the roof,
You can get one of these for 3 k?
@@hershellumiere That was 3 years ago when I found mine. And it needed lots of work. Now you're looking at twice that for a good-ish example. Sorry.
I mean. I was already sold. But now I'm extra sold?
Really enjoy your perspective in all of your videos. Is really refreshing to have this practical, in depth but fun kind of content around cars like this.
I owned a red 89 MR2 and it's still my favorite car in the world. It offers the highest fun factor of any car. You can park it in the tightest parking spaces. It drives like a ski mobile in snow. It floats across deep puddles. And the pop up headlights do cure depression.
My 17year old son has just bought one, been his dream car since he was 14 and until he passes his test I'm driving it and I adore it its a wonderful car to drive and at 33years old it puts my modern car to shame, your knowledge is invaluable, great vid thank you 😎😎😎
I don’t t know anything about cars but now suddenly I’m so intrigued and I want to learn more
I have to be honest: we need more reviews like this, not some sort of quick drive around the BS talking about how a car feels to someone's socialmedia-driven enthusiasm. I've always found it to be much more rewarding by hearing a guy who not only knows a specific car, but also the brilliant history around it.
I still have mine (from when I was much younger - 27 omg) i'm now 59 !! But I just love it so much, always, always, always makes me smile when I drive it, at any speed. Thats the sign of a great car imho ........... it will be with me until I die thats for sure. Thank you for your great reviews/ channel and love for the what is (as you said a very, still under rated) superb car indeed, thanks once again :)
I actually owned one of the cars back in the late 80s and it got me some great attention. I was active duty in the Navy at the time and all of my friends absolutely loved the car. They would ask me if they could drive it around the base at Great Lakes Naval Training Grounds! I still love the cars and I would absolutely buy a new one right now. These have a loving place in my heart for sure since it was so much fun to drive and I enjoyed it so much!
Been looking for an inexpensive one to restore for years. Been loving the look and idea of this car since it came out.
The AHA song is perfect!
Who's the messed up hoarder who's buying every aw11 within a 150 mile radius of me.
Bro I feel that
150 miles is amateur numbers, you gotta bump that up
@@jcorkable *painfully moves slider to 500+ miles away*
I remember not to long ago there were plenty of good condition ones with 90-140k mileage for around $4-6k....sadly not anymore.
I just bought one from 2750 miles away. But it was exactly what I was looking for so well worth it.
I almost half expected the headlights to pop up by themselves when you mentioned them lol, would have been a cool edited shot 🥹🥹😇
1989 SC with 253K miles. I drive it every day. I don't go to Ikea anymore and no kids to haul around. If it doesn't fit in the 2, I probably don't need it. Like you, I basically rebuilt everything, mostly on my own but I had some help from a trusted mechanic for the heavy lifting. My one additional entry to your list of what to look for is to find a seller who can tell you whats been done to the car, especially the suspension. Springs, struts, and bushings all are shot on a 30+ yr old car, have they been replaced and what was put in. Love your videos, keep up the good work. Long live the screaming chicken.
I have had my 1987 Red MR2 since March 29, 2006! 15 years and still happy!! :)
BTW I think i have vid of mine driving around in my videos haha
Bought my 86 in 2005. Daily drove it for 12years with the love you mentioned. Saved it from the crusher! Even hauled 800#s of quickcret in it once,talk about heavy steering. Just watched to share the love. Still own it and if I ever sell it God help the buyer from my check list assessment profile. No love,can't have! My will may have me buried in it🤗
The P.T. Cruiser part made me crap my shorts 😂
"I f'ed Ted"
Im 22 and brought an old battered mk1. I FINALLY got it running after months of work. I cannot wait to learn more and understand how this classic car drives.
Very good review of the AW11! Glad to hear you were able to have a blast with it throughout the Summer =D
That montage at 23:11 made me feel so sad for those poor MR2s that were abused that way ='(
Nice dash cover at 4:45 by the way ;-)
I explained the dash cover in great detail and how I got it in my walkaround video :) people that I meet also ask about it often, as they don't exist here, but there seems to be demand. Then I tell them about my US connections and be all cool and stuck up lol
Thanks for this im 6'3" and i was afraid i would be too tall for the mr2 and never get to drive one
haha i am in the same boat, now i have the knowledge to not be afraid to buy one.... if one ever comes on sale....
6'-3"...and it was never a problem
I have 8 years using my mr2 as my daily car. Sometimes I even go to the supermarket to buy groceries and almost everything fits in the trunk and frunk 😜
How does it do in the winter?
@@aw4516 probably not too good since it's mid engine and rwd I've heard the back slips more during the rain do snow would probably be bad and idk about how the engine handles the cold
@@aw4516 I drive my MR2 Supercharger for 20+ years through all seasons in the UK, INC SNOW! It's fine if you know what you're doing. The MK2 is a bit more leery in the wet, the mk1 is fine.
I’ve driven a 1987 MR2 in the winter and through snow storms. I feel it did as well as front wheel drive cars. My main concern in the snow was being seen by big vehicles and eighteen wheelers.
My 1993 MR2 has 73000 miles and I drive it once or twice per week. It is in mint condition. I did repaint it in 2011! Looks and drives brand new!
2:30 in and I can honestly say he has completely done justice to this car
Just bought mine sight unseen, super charged and targa top. Scored an 8/10 on self assessment. Awesome video.
Owned my 87 since 93. Love it. I do not know a 10th that you do about the MR2. Thanks for sharing.
Svaka čast na trudu i odličnim videima, pratim te već duže vrijeme i tek sam sad po tablicama skuzio da si domaci, rijetkost je ovako kvalitetan kanal sa nasih prostora zivio
Hvala 😊
Loved both of my Mk1's. Agree with every word of this review. I rebuilt the suspension on my first one and it transformed the car. Same for the brakes. Sadly....it got written off three weeks after being finished. Absolutely devastated. Mine was an early red "hex" wheel version. My second was a revised ice blue t-bar and I loved it in stock form as was so well sorted. Put 50,000 miles on it until the dreaded A pillar for made its appearance. I sold it to A friend and bought a NiKKI and that was an entirelgndifferent beast and outside of the Lotus Elise I owned after, it's the best car I have ever owned. All three MR2's I have owned have given me so so much joy. I adore them!
The seats are comfortable?!
They are NOT just comfortable! They are so damn comfortable, modern car buyers wouldn't believe!
They are comfortable enough, to be dangerous! Seriously! In my Celica (mk4 has thesame seats) I'm so snug like a bug in a rug, that it's dangerous to drive it when I'm tyred... XD
At least the engine sound keeps me save... ;)
I remember sitting in my friend's MR2 on the way to a car show (My GC8 had decided to snap a CV joint before the show), the seat didn't feel that comfortable. Not even three minutes into the drive, I fall asleep on my friend's shoulder and it feels like I'm in a bed. 😂
@@n-nani8973 f, driver's shoulder
Nice review. That's my art work at 2:58 with the blue MR2. Also my artwork at the end where I put the MR2 in the future looking scene. Glad to see they are getting put to good use :D
If you have a link I can put it up in the description?
@@d4a here are a few AW11 artwork I've done. Use them all you want.
i.imgur.com/h4coQ2f.png
i.imgur.com/gxNquN4.jpg
i.imgur.com/mAeBZqS.jpg
i.imgur.com/PkrFKhk.jpg
This deserves way more views
I have owned 2 MK1 MR2s when i was younger, a 1988 was my first car. The interior on both of them needed some help due to previous owners with bad habits, the first car had a flawless dash though. The exterior definitely needed restoring. The cars were the most fun to drive that I ever owned. And this is coming from someone who owns a 2018 Subaru STI Type RA that for a modern car gives a lot of feedback, especially through the steering wheel. But there is something about completely analog cars that really speaks to me. Modern cars that aren't a lotus just lack feeling in comparison to the classic MR2.
One day I will do a full restomod of a MK1 tin top (no moon roof or t-tops) if I can find one. just need the money and time.
Awesome. Just fully refreshed my 86 hardtop and completed the 2zz swap.
supra1722 Nice. I have a 86 that i picked up a few months ago and that swap looks interesting. Did you use mk2 axels?
@@TrueDiaboli yes I did. Used NA SW20 axles. They say non ABS ones only, but both NA ones work. I rebuilt them, they're a plug n play solution.
but if you want to buy new axles, get the short side from an SW20 (passenger side) and the long side with carrier bearing from a late ZZW30 spyder. The carrier bearing provides more clearance for the header and is probably more robust.
You won't have any issues with the SW20 NA ones, though.
Join the ZZW11 MR2 group on Facebook, all the information is present there and a few of Us have completed the swap.
great car, had one for ten years.
konis and stock springs.
never repaired the bad brake bias with the 94 supercharged rear caliphers. good mileage, and weight was good at 2380 lbs. had the same colors red and grey
Its surprisingly roomy. Drove cross country (USA) in it, no problem, comfort wise. Boy do I miss this car, it had an issue that I didn't want (couldnt afford) to fix - I was young and dumb, wish I kept it. My dream is to own one of these again someday, and restore it. So much fun to drive, handled like a motorcycle.
Haveing a aw11, your videos are informative and clear, keep them coming my Freind
I `am 6"5 big ( 1,98 meter ) and it fits very well in this car, drive a T-top model here in germany. at the moment iam rebuilding the engine so that in april i can drive. sry or bad english. greetings from germany
Grusse aus Bosnien :)
That info is reassuring, thnx. I think I'm gonna buy one next year, it will probably be from Germany.
I'm 6'4, and i somehow dont fit in my T top too well (ive been told my torso is where most of my height id from though) Mine currently needs a windshield (thanks to german laws), but ill be driving soon. Hope to see you on the road in april, wherever you are in Germany
This guy is great I rebuilt this and this and this I love car RUclipsrs that work on their cars and drive them hard and all the time
Well I was going to get a mk2 but with all this talk of the 80's and me being massive fan of 80's retro stuff, I do believe you've just convinced me to buy a mk1 instead. Thank you for painting it in a new light for me!
my brother and I's computer chairs are made from my old 1986 mr2's seats that I ownedin highschool lol dont have the car but saved the seats casue i loved the car so muc lol
Been watchin you for a long time and i love youre vids. Your love for the mk1 is what pulls me in even more. You have exquisite taste. Thanks for the iconic engine series as well.
As soon as the Mustang Mach E popped up like that I gave this a big fat like 🤣👍 Good video man
Great video!! You should do a suspension upgrades tech talk video! I love your stuff, man. You give me the courage to start tinkering with my car.
I adore the wheels you choose. Vintage race wheels look awesome on these
I have 2 reasons why i want buy a mr2 ... First: The car by his self . and the Second one is ....YOU , dude your vids are amazing its nice to look at it
Man, you impressed me so much with your content. Very unique and valid points throughout the whole video!
Awesome review dude! Love your offbeat review and sheep poop observations. Keep the content coming.
I used to own a 1973 914 with the 2000 cc eng. It was the 70s mid engine , pop up headlight, wedge sports car .it was a fun car to drive. I always liked the MR2 ,great engine in those cars .
What a fantastic car! I've owned 2 . A c reg red one and a g reg white one. It's over 20 years now, blumming hell I wish I still owned them. Very engaging handling when driving hard, they must be treated with respect, a year to get used to the mid engine layout and reer wheel drive, just push it a little bit more every few weeks or so. If you don't it will bite!
Sold on the fact that he rebuilt some components. True love for what he owns
I owned this car for 10 years. I loved it!
I finally got a 86 mr2 I love mine its Awsome pop up headlights 5 speed mid engine the best three things in automobiles
Druze, ubih se dok skontam odakle si, jer vidim da imas akcenat, da nisi native english speaker :D Svaka cast i sve pohvale za tvoje klipove, cist profesionalizam i jako je zanimljivo gledati te i slusati. veliko pozdrav za tebe iz Srbije i samo tako nastavi! Pozz
Dear D4A, I love your passion for this car and for your videos. I'm about to rebuild a MR2 myself. I bought it from some absolutely clueless guy who drove it until the engine broke (the pulley broke lose and tore a hole in the side of the engine block). After that he bought a replacement engineblock, paid someone to remove the engine from the chassis, tore the old engine halfway apart but then the job never got finished. So I'm currently sitting on a lot of parts an lose screws which I'm not sure about if they are complete. Thats why I'd like to ask you: Could you do a... let me call it "walkaround", of the engine bay? It always helps me to see the live thing and I could see see how most of the parts are supposed to be arranged. I also have the original Toyotas Repair Manual so the engine itself won't be a problem, but the assembly of the enginebay might be.
I'm going to share something that helped me out at least a million times. Look through all the galleries. They are incredibly useful. pbase.com/aw11mr2/root
@@d4a Thanks a lot. Thats rrrrreally rreally helpful!
Amazing video, everything you said is on point, I'm a fellow W10 MR2 owner and I love the car too, but I'd like to point out that they didn't necessarily design it like that because they thought the future would look like that, but rather because of the low powered computers only being able to process complex geometry, so they had to resort to low poly count shapes and these flat angled sides
I just recently found out about your channel and I am actually in love with all the generations of the MR2 and I honestly don't know which one of them would be the best one for me to buy in the future but anyway, I just wanted to say that I really really appreciate the time you take to work on your videos and the knowledge that you pass on to other people... I was so proud of myself for liking mr2s because if somebody like yourself likes and owns an mr2 then it means that I am somewhat able to make good decisions about which cars I like.... For your little quiz at the end I scored a 7 but I cannot get this car or any other mr2 generation just yet because I want to get a house with a garage first because I choose a permanent home for my son over a project car but dude I honestly am so happy that someone like you is making videos about cars on RUclips and I personally really really hope you keep on doing it and maybe one day I'll show you pictures of my own mr2 that is slightly inspired by your own channel
I bought an '86...it replaced my VW Scirocco. Keep in mind the '86 Corvette was 0-to-60 in 6 seconds and did the 1/4 mile in 14.5@95. I didn't consider a Corvette but did consider a Mustang GT. That was the last year it had a carburetor and was a bit slower than the Corvette.
Always love your videos
I just purchased a 86 mr2.
winter project ! door card reupholstery haha. An excellent review of your mr2 man, also respect for the buying guide that you made for future potential enthusiasts. I suspect some of those UK cars were from the 'max power' era of tuning lol..
Max power era. Had a good laugh there
That car has the late 1980's styling. The late 1980's car styling was very good, with cars like the 1987 Toyota Supra which was one of the nicest looking Toyota cars ever made. The 1986 Celica looked very nice. Toyota did really good in the 1980's with most of their more high end cars.
I have an MR2, engine doesn’t work, belonged to my mom a long time ago and no I’m feeling ready and mature enough to make it a project car. Still debating if I want a 4age or 3sgte though! Great video!
Awesome video. I love the style of a mk1 mr2, but I'm not ready to own this car. I'm happy mk3 mr2 owner and some day i would love to own mk1 too. Also I love watching your videos, you know how to explain things in interesting and fun way :D
Gonna try to learn a bit more about cars by working on one this summer
this is a car to DRIVE FAST not to GO FAST!! I love it!
You have gained a subscriber my friend. You are hilarious! The PT Cruiser part made me laugh hahaha
Bro, I love your episode! your lovely AW11 have some JDM features...front and rear signal lamps despite left hand drive.
20:15 this is why is on of the best touge cars out there
As a SW20 owner, really want to try one!
I've got two of these babies. I love them.
me and my friend are freshmen and hes gonna get an aw11 so this is gonna be great :)
Great content. I can tell from the information you provide you care and are passionate providing what to look for and self assessments, and for that I will subscribe!
you are by far the best brother.
I love your mr2 man,i wish you many happy miles in it!
Ever thought of a 2zz swap?
I do think of swaps occasionally. 2zz is cool. I like the k20 too. Even thought of 2.0tfsi from Golf gti lol
@@d4a k20 is even better but a lot more expensive ..i just finished helping a buddy of mine to complete his k20 mk3 mr2. A k20 swapped aw11 though would be black magic on wheels man!! As for the tfsi engine.. It would slay I'm sure but so much added complexity in such a straight forward car seems a bit out of place to me.. It's been nice talking with you man, keep it up and stay great!!
I have a red 86 hardtop, did all the bushings, steering rack, Coilovers, steering shaft, new Interior, etc- We've done many similar repairs and restorations. My car was in real rough shape after 272,000 miles and cooking in the Texas sun, but at least 90 percent rust free.
While you did bike carbs, I did a 2zz swap. You should join the zzw11 mr2 Facebook group.
Love your content, wish you the best.
@@supra1722 that's just awesome man!!! Wish you all the best with your projects, and maximum smiles per gallon 😎🤘!!
damn, Looking at a 1989 Mk1 right now, Very well maintained, One rust spot on the driverside frontside panel, Everything else is perfect, Very clean at 260k Miles, picking it up for $5k, Mr2 has quickly became my alltime favorite car, Plan on owning multiple of them, Cant wait to drive it home!
I'm hoping to buy one soon! Time to subscribe and find all the know how on how to maintain this beauty, I found one for $6,000 in very good condition and am desperately saving to buy it soon
While ago.... I owned a Red 1989 US-Spec AW11 with Supercharged 4AGE with the T-Top.. the "Quintessential MR2".
Bought it from a guy in LosAngeles, 150k miles, for $3000.
It was my dream car back in High School... and finally it was mine. It was like, finally having $EX with that girl in high school you had crush on LOL
I took really good care of it. I kept it all stock. I took out all the stupid RICER crap, and put the OEM parts, including the cassette deck. I had full intention to keep it forever. But after 3 years, I got into accident. Yep the "Snap Oversteer" - Totaled it. I was depressed for 3 months.
Just watching your vide makes me sad.
I did the self-assessment quiz at the end and came up with a score of 12pts.
:D
La roux- in for the kill. Features this car!
Yes, but do you know Mary Popkids and night drive?
does seats play "Last Christmas" when it's getting closer to christmas ?
I like the visual design of MK1 better than MK2 and MK3. I have only driven MK3 once, with a Celica swap (190hp). It was a joy to ride, drives like a go-kart. The only problem is that I am too tall (190cm) and I don't like the way it looks.
MK1 definitely looks the best. Mk2 may be curvier but it looks more dated these days in a way the Mk1 doesn't (mk1 just looks like a timeless piece of car history - and extremely striking in the metal esp with the SC engine lid with raised vents making it more aggressive - but mk2 looks like it TRIED to 'de mid engine' the MR2 to fit in with the normal curvy coupe looks). Mk1 looks more functional, MK2 looks more mainstream and imo feminine... MK3 is a fun car but they lost it on the looks... and of course we can no longer have pop up headlights which ruins the looks too.
Great review. My first car was an 87 and I miss it dearly. Also had a stripper 85 which felt like it weighed nothing.
I've owned a few MX-5s, including a 2023. Is the MX-5 a better car? No doubt. Is the MX-5 more fun? Debatable.
Id love to have one as daily because its light and small engine sized, so its fuel efficent and because of the MR layout fun also without tons of power.
I'm running Eibach Pro springs and Tociko Illumina 5 Way adjustable shocks on my 89 SC and it's way better than the crappy coilover setup the previous owner had in it. I bet Koni yellows are a bit better than the Illuminas but I'm satisfied.
Glad to see another video as always. 😁
Agree, I love my red, 5-speed, '86.
Love this car, I always like 80s and 90s cars, and this is one of the best one out there, yeh it might be abit outdated and few things broken or damaged, but that can be fixed, but alot better then todays crap cars with crap technology and tv screens and all the fancy tech which people have in cars to entertain and that because the cars of today are so boring they have put technology to entertain, sad, but real fun is in cars like these, sound, speed, and desighn. Nice review love the car and drive.
Man people in the past would be so disappointed if they could’ve already seen future cars
I am between the AW11 and the MK3 Turbo Supra. I would prefer the MR2 because I think it looks so cool and it'll pair well with my 1st Gen 4runner, but the Supra has back seats and would be more "family friendly". Downside is they are usually more expensive.
I feel the MK1 MR2 is car designed for the desires in a car, of a Kid. And thats a good thing.
I have 2 integras, DC4 and a DB sedan, an Acura EL and an 04 civic SiR I’m really interested in grabbing an AW11 and a SW20 that’d be a sick collection I think. Probably just do what you did with yours and completely refresh and build it for a decent NA build 11:1 comp. and then k swap the SW20 and boost the tiddies out of it for tracking.
Edit: I feel a slightly modified aw11 would be an awesome daily driver. And man your car is such a nice example 😍
And my heater switches have the same problems on my 90s Honda’s snapped my integras heat adjuster off because there’s a stupid little bar that fatigues then binds after slightly losing its shape.
I love boxy cars but somehow ended up falling in love with mx-5s.
Nice Gunbuster music at the start.
*Aim for the top!*
Man i love it, i would love to repair stuff on my car that nice ... on my car my timing belt just ripped yesterday :3 hope i get that fixed again ..
"minimum fuss... Maximum jet fighter" 👍👍👍
ngl I have the opportunity to get one, and I am seriously thinking of getting one, even to enjoy for at least for a year, bc I'm amidst a bit of moving and etc. I drove a go-kart in my childhood, and it was one of my most precious childhood memories, basically when I saw this it really just looks like a bigger go-kart. It's like fate. I have a ton of factors that might be preventing this, but I have to go all out.
I would smoke up parking lots with mine. You can get it to do perfect donuts. It would barely chip in a straight line though.
This is actually my girlfriends car 💜💜💜
Looking forward to watch u in 2020
Cheers
Thank you very much for this video