Would have to be an MR2 Mk1. Upgrade the suspension and lower a little with coilovers. Add in small power upgrades with the exhaust, air intake and tuning and you will have a very fun car. Even better replace the 4AGE with turbocharged 3S-GTE and you will have a flying machine.
As an ex serial owner of too many MR2s including fixed roof, T Bars, Supercharged, standard and uprated suspension through to full stripped out, race prepared, light weight cars on coil overs one issue with your review = the Mark 1 was NOT known for lift over oversteer. With such feel and precision in the steering even on 80s tyres and a communicative balanced chassis any slip (often provoked) was easily and instantly brought back. It was fantastic on snow and ice! Made one wonder why everyone had to drive so slowly, as this did almost subconscious and smooth drifts with ease. You would have to have zero feel and no sense to lose one of these. Though many people claim the opposite for the Mark 2.
If you don't think a MK1 is known for lift off oversteer your either mad, or never driven one hard enough. I've driven several, LSD and non LSD cars, with and with our super chargers, and all of them got sideways with a little lift of mid corner. Wonderful mid engine cars to drive though, a great introduction to much faster mid engine cars.
@@themoppie1000 I didn’t say they wouldn’t slide, I said they weren’t “known” for (issues with, unlike reports of the Mk2) lift off oversteer. As for driving, literally 1000s of hours on road and track from 120ish BHP through 190 BHP Supercharged and 260+ BHP 3SGTE converted - and cars weighing as little as 720kg (corner weighted by the builders who developed Gp 4, Gp C LeMans, ex F/ etc. so hardly numpties and set up at Donington by ex Thundersports and F3 champion) and none were scary. Including class winning in Sprints & Hillclimbs and multiple track days where each kept pace with race series machines from MGs, Elise series, Alfa’s etc some on slicks. And better in corners than my race and rally prepared M3s, Lotus Sunbeam and Chevette HSR. So suspect they were driven pretty hard. Maybe with a bit of sense or finesse though, usually, the only 3 crashes being obvious faults from overdriving and a brake issue. Maybe you are the mad one…
@@kronkite1530 true, but remember to have experienced mid engine lift off oversteer in the 80s, you had to have driven a Lambo or Ferrari upto it's limits.
It's going to depend where your from. The USA variation deleted the rear roll bar, most other markets kept it. So you can have different experiences and both be right. Half the driving pleasure is working the short wheel base to shift grip forward and backward. Don't do it and you will be slow, do it badly and you will invite mid-engined shenanigans.
@@stephenbello1081 Yep. As with any car, you need to learn it, to understand it and to drive it accordingly. After all, most fwd cars, esp. “hot hatches” will “lift off oversteer” (I’ve owned two of the Series 1 Clio Cup race cars, for example)not just a mid engined rwd vehicle. Does make one wonder what Toyota thought of a so called typical American driver?
I love this Mr 2. Toyota shall bring it back with same styling. Can’t believe it is four decades but never looks dated. It actually looks better than some of today small 3 seaters
It definitely looks dated, it's almost peak 80's design. But yes it definitely looks far better than any modern small cars but that is not a tall order by any measure.
Thanks for this video…brought back lots of fond memories! I had a 1985 MR2 way back in the day and I loved it! Did several cross country trips in the US and it performed well all the time. I always marveled how the cockpit was so roomy because dash was angled forward. 👍🏁🍻
I had the 1989 Supercharged version (only sold in Japan) it was a 20 hp jump (to 146hp) but a big jump in torque, feeling like a strong 2.0 litre. I added a supercharger pulley upgrade and took out the catalytic converter (legal in New Zealand) as well as the heavy factory exhaust replacing it with a Coby Performance Exhausts, then added a K&N air filter, taking it to 175hp, for car that weighed 1050kg. The vision I had also had the optional (also Japan only) LSD, and the Japanese owner had fitted hight and ride adjustable shocks. it was a little weapon and I drove it sideways everywhere. Best handling car I've ever driven. A real Go-kart. I drove one of the later series 2 cars and it was 250kg heavier and a dull instrument, no comparison.
@Damon Angelo Supercharged MR2's were also some in the United States. I have owned 4. All left had drive. My current one is fully restored with the optional leather interior. It has all the same motor upgrades as yours once did... I use it as my track/auto cross car. Still, 35 years later... a brilliant car.
Had 3 mk1s, still got the 88 super charger. Driving them since 2001 and many other cars came and went but kept the 2. Love the looks, feel and cabin. Wasn’t a fan of mk2 or 3 really as they lost the magic. Drove it to its limits over the years as a modfied near 200bhp (sc pulley mod) lowered/uprated suspension, poly bushes etc… never had a single instance of lift of oversteer, that was definitely more a mk2 thing (mainly cos you never need to lift off in a well driven mk1 you just give it more not less and the back end digs in and round you go… like its on rails)
I still have my 1989 supercharged version. it's fun, fast enough, and handles very well. and with a world that's going electric and losing touch with real fun, my resolve to keep it grows stronger every year.
I a supercharged version with an over boost pulley aftermarket ECU and upgraded exhaust it is plenty quick enough. The tactile seat of the pants feel is amazing.
Had me one of these in 1999 it was a 1986 “sport” with red seats. Only prob was it used to pop out of 5th gear, but it was forgiven as it was such fun to drive! Happy memories
Glad you enjoyed this wee beauty... I have a super early production one that is actually registered in 1984... fun fact it doesn't have electric windows... also a couple of points you missed... First the code is AW11 for the manual (AW10 is the automatic). And you forgot to mention by name the legendary 4AGE engine...
Old man use to get drunk and take me outside in the middle of the night and do donuts with it in the middle of the night . I was was a little kid . His friend ended up crashing it into the fence one night lol , we use to live on this farm . Was epic fun . Amazing he didn't kill us . I found a split enz tape under the chair , honestly was the best day of my life the first day I got into that car . His was manual lol
i miss mine .. had a 1989 in metallic grey, fixed roof with the same wheels as that one. i had it for 6 years only selling it when my then gf reckoned we needed a more practical car. i saw it 3 months later destroyed .. the new owner wrapped it around a pole square in the passenger door. i also more recently had a 2nd generation 1997 version for 8 years only selling it recently due to a major back injury which meant getting in and out of it was too painful but those two cars are both ones i will always regret selling
Having owned the mk2 MR2 rev1 na with 3sfe engine and a rev2 turbo which I showed at Goodwood a few years ago, I would definitely like to get a rev1 turbo the rev1 having a more racing steering geometry, forget the mx5 if you want a car with some character and performance go for an MR2 mk1 or 2.
Had a couple.. loved them, but handling could be very scary with both lots of understeer and snap oversteer. Made a convertible one, and converted one to a 20V engine.
Its interesting how different countries enjoy different vehicles. In the states you can't give these cars away, nobody wants them. If it wasn't so expensive to ship I'd buy a bunch and sell them in the U.K.
Yes I agree still very satisfying even after a few decades, It's a sad state now Toyota has been taken over by accountants that only know how to emblem engineer their performance models.
The AW10's are intersting, but the SW20's were perfectoins. The final generation was a amazing chassis, underrated motor, but in a body that was just too soft on the eyes.
123 hp and must be 105 pounds foot. Nm would b about 70... I had a corolla GTi with the same engine..me mate had the Facelift GTi with the small port non tvis that was 128 hp.... Full of useless facts me....
![ROSÉ (로제) - number one girl [더 시즌즈-이영지의 레인보우] | KBS 241129 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/A9oByH9Ci24/mqdefault.jpg)
![Digital Circus Episode 4 [TRAILER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/abZtsmMUbJo/mqdefault.jpg)
Would you buy an MR2 or an MX-5?
Would have to be an MR2 Mk1. Upgrade the suspension and lower a little with coilovers. Add in small power upgrades with the exhaust, air intake and tuning and you will have a very fun car. Even better replace the 4AGE with turbocharged 3S-GTE and you will have a flying machine.
I bought the MR2 over a MX-5. Often drive in the company of both and I've never met an unhappy owner of either.
Second Gen MR2 with Camry V6 conversion, or, the Fiat 124 Rallye version of the MX-5, but then drop in the MoPar 3.6 V6.
Yes!
I have both ;)
As an ex serial owner of too many MR2s including fixed roof, T Bars, Supercharged, standard and uprated suspension through to full stripped out, race prepared, light weight cars on coil overs one issue with your review = the Mark 1 was NOT known for lift over oversteer.
With such feel and precision in the steering even on 80s tyres and a communicative balanced chassis any slip (often provoked) was easily and instantly brought back. It was fantastic on snow and ice! Made one wonder why everyone had to drive so slowly, as this did almost subconscious and smooth drifts with ease.
You would have to have zero feel and no sense to lose one of these. Though many people claim the opposite for the Mark 2.
If you don't think a MK1 is known for lift off oversteer your either mad, or never driven one hard enough. I've driven several, LSD and non LSD cars, with and with our super chargers, and all of them got sideways with a little lift of mid corner.
Wonderful mid engine cars to drive though, a great introduction to much faster mid engine cars.
@@themoppie1000 I didn’t say they wouldn’t slide, I said they weren’t “known” for (issues with, unlike reports of the Mk2) lift off oversteer.
As for driving, literally 1000s of hours on road and track from 120ish BHP through 190 BHP Supercharged and 260+ BHP 3SGTE converted - and cars weighing as little as 720kg (corner weighted by the builders who developed Gp 4, Gp C LeMans, ex F/ etc. so hardly numpties and set up at Donington by ex Thundersports and F3 champion) and none were scary. Including class winning in Sprints & Hillclimbs and multiple track days where each kept pace with race series machines from MGs, Elise series, Alfa’s etc some on slicks. And better in corners than my race and rally prepared M3s, Lotus Sunbeam and Chevette HSR. So suspect they were driven pretty hard. Maybe with a bit of sense or finesse though, usually, the only 3 crashes being obvious faults from overdriving and a brake issue. Maybe you are the mad one…
@@kronkite1530 true, but remember to have experienced mid engine lift off oversteer in the 80s, you had to have driven a Lambo or Ferrari upto it's limits.
It's going to depend where your from. The USA variation deleted the rear roll bar, most other markets kept it. So you can have different experiences and both be right. Half the driving pleasure is working the short wheel base to shift grip forward and backward. Don't do it and you will be slow, do it badly and you will invite mid-engined shenanigans.
@@stephenbello1081 Yep. As with any car, you need to learn it, to understand it and to drive it accordingly. After all, most fwd cars, esp. “hot hatches” will “lift off oversteer” (I’ve owned two of the Series 1 Clio Cup race cars, for example)not just a mid engined rwd vehicle. Does make one wonder what Toyota thought of a so called typical American driver?
I love this Mr 2. Toyota shall bring it back with same styling. Can’t believe it is four decades but never looks dated. It actually looks better than some of today small 3 seaters
It definitely looks dated, it's almost peak 80's design.
But yes it definitely looks far better than any modern small cars but that is not a tall order by any measure.
@@minoreye9984 Your mom is dated
@@absolutezero7344MK2 is a timeless design
Thanks for this video…brought back lots of fond memories! I had a 1985 MR2 way back in the day and I loved it! Did several cross country trips in the US and it performed well all the time. I always marveled how the cockpit was so roomy because dash was angled forward. 👍🏁🍻
I had the 1989 Supercharged version (only sold in Japan) it was a 20 hp jump (to 146hp) but a big jump in torque, feeling like a strong 2.0 litre. I added a supercharger pulley upgrade and took out the catalytic converter (legal in New Zealand) as well as the heavy factory exhaust replacing it with a Coby Performance Exhausts, then added a K&N air filter, taking it to 175hp, for car that weighed 1050kg. The vision I had also had the optional (also Japan only) LSD, and the Japanese owner had fitted hight and ride adjustable shocks. it was a little weapon and I drove it sideways everywhere. Best handling car I've ever driven. A real Go-kart. I drove one of the later series 2 cars and it was 250kg heavier and a dull instrument, no comparison.
@Damon Angelo Supercharged MR2's were also some in the United States. I have owned 4. All left had drive. My current one is fully restored with the optional leather interior. It has all the same motor upgrades as yours once did... I use it as my track/auto cross car. Still, 35 years later... a brilliant car.
Same here, JDM import with pulley..dark blue 88.. had 3. Love MR2 mk1. Not bothered about mk2 or 3. Still got it in the garage.
This type of mr2 is amazing, peak 80s
Wow, I turned driving age in 1989 and this was the car I wanted the most after a few years of reading about them in the magazines.
Had 3 mk1s, still got the 88 super charger. Driving them since 2001 and many other cars came and went but kept the 2. Love the looks, feel and cabin. Wasn’t a fan of mk2 or 3 really as they lost the magic. Drove it to its limits over the years as a modfied near 200bhp (sc pulley mod) lowered/uprated suspension, poly bushes etc… never had a single instance of lift of oversteer, that was definitely more a mk2 thing (mainly cos you never need to lift off in a well driven mk1 you just give it more not less and the back end digs in and round you go… like its on rails)
I still have my 1989 supercharged version. it's fun, fast enough, and handles very well. and with a world that's going electric and losing touch with real fun, my resolve to keep it grows stronger every year.
I a supercharged version with an over boost pulley aftermarket ECU and upgraded exhaust it is plenty quick enough. The tactile seat of the pants feel is amazing.
Had me one of these in 1999 it was a 1986 “sport” with red seats. Only prob was it used to pop out of 5th gear, but it was forgiven as it was such fun to drive! Happy memories
I also lusted after one of these as a teen dreaming of my first car. Never got a MR2, nor an MX5. First car was an MGB!
Glad you enjoyed this wee beauty... I have a super early production one that is actually registered in 1984... fun fact it doesn't have electric windows... also a couple of points you missed... First the code is AW11 for the manual (AW10 is the automatic). And you forgot to mention by name the legendary 4AGE engine...
Old man use to get drunk and take me outside in the middle of the night and do donuts with it in the middle of the night . I was was a little kid . His friend ended up crashing it into the fence one night lol , we use to live on this farm . Was epic fun . Amazing he didn't kill us . I found a split enz tape under the chair , honestly was the best day of my life the first day I got into that car . His was manual lol
Love the look of this car, the smooth but boxy style needs to make a comeback!
My favorite car I got one lol and that’s a aw11 no aw10
while that is an aw11. The chassis started as an aw10. Same as the second gen being sw20.
brilliant video becky is amazing the car is amazing and the story was amazing too
Best car I ever owed! F723 PYX where ever it is!
i miss mine .. had a 1989 in metallic grey, fixed roof with the same wheels as that one. i had it for 6 years only selling it when my then gf reckoned we needed a more practical car. i saw it 3 months later destroyed .. the new owner wrapped it around a pole square in the passenger door. i also more recently had a 2nd generation 1997 version for 8 years only selling it recently due to a major back injury which meant getting in and out of it was too painful but those two cars are both ones i will always regret selling
i had a white 1987 t-top na in the 90 and I miss it a lot
I drove one, when the MR2 W10 was released. Such an exciting little Japanese sports car!!!!
Aw11 owner and enthusiast for the last 26 years. Love these cars, I only have 2 now.. Sad.
Having owned the mk2 MR2 rev1 na with 3sfe engine and a rev2 turbo which I showed at Goodwood a few years ago, I would definitely like to get a rev1 turbo the rev1 having a more racing steering geometry, forget the mx5 if you want a car with some character and performance go for an MR2 mk1 or 2.
Wow!!! Is a very interesting car! Nice video!!!
I was actually born when this car went on sale man do I feel very old
He beat me by 10 years. I kept my 85 for 20 years. Wow, I feel old now. Lol
Shout out to David from a fellow Mk3 Supra owner :-D I just don't have an MR2 alongside, but a GT86 :-)
Love this car.
What a little cutey!
Had a couple.. loved them, but handling could be very scary with both lots of understeer and snap oversteer. Made a convertible one, and converted one to a 20V engine.
Cool car, cool review! I had 1 😊
the autocross king
funny how toyota made a lotus style sports car and now lotus makes sports cars with toyota engines
the mk2 supra shared parts with the lotus excel. and lotus tuned the suspension on them aswell. toyota and lotus go wayyy back.
Its interesting how different countries enjoy different vehicles. In the states you can't give these cars away, nobody wants them. If it wasn't so expensive to ship I'd buy a bunch and sell them in the U.K.
I miss my 89...
Yes I agree still very satisfying even after a few decades, It's a sad state now Toyota has been taken over by accountants that only know how to emblem engineer their performance models.
Came for the car, stayed for the becky! 😍🤣🤣🤣
It's an AW11... Can you do the thing where you change the thing? Because you got the wrong thing.
my dad had this car
The AW10's are intersting, but the SW20's were perfectoins. The final generation was a amazing chassis, underrated motor, but in a body that was just too soft on the eyes.
@@tsmith7146 Get used to the idea that the wisest and strongest opinions on MR2's come from those who have never sat in or drove one.
Is that queenb
5:50 not making much money? Have you actually looked at the pricing? especially in Japan and australia.
I must be one of a few people who did not Luke the car at all. A gal friend had one. I did not like driving or riding in the vehicle.
Please don’t let this influence price
if you haven't seeen the pricing already. They're already expensive.
123 hp and must be 105 pounds foot. Nm would b about 70... I had a corolla GTi with the same engine..me mate had the Facelift GTi with the small port non tvis that was 128 hp.... Full of useless facts me....
In OZ the smallport was 100kw. And yes, it's a lovely thing to have in an AW11.
for this decade I prefer to watch the front mid engine RX7 FC.
for the next decade, oh yeah, I really prefer the MR2 over the FD.
oi bruvs at goodwood propre sick viddeo you got innit
rather charming yeah
mierdue is the french (yuck) sound of MR2, which sounds like crap
get it
Them ain't a Toyota.
MR2 a Toyota.
Fiat X-19 was more fun and better looking for the 80’s