I would call it the most exotic practical of its time
Photography Credit: David S. Wallens
We lived through the ’80s and ’90s and spent a lot of time with the era’s greatest hits–drove them, raced them, even knew them when they still had that new car smell. We fondly remember shopping for Kamei air dams, Hella lamps and 14-inch tires.
But were the cars of those times really that rad?
We wondered that ourselves, so we ditched the rose-colored glasses for a few to take a look back. Were they all winners, or did a few duds get released? Let’s slip on some Vans, break out the vinyl and take a trip back in time.
This week, we're looking back at the first-generation, AW11 Toyota MR2.
A 1985 MR2 was my first “real” sports car and the first car I seriously autocrossed. I’ve owned an MR2 of one generation or another concurrently for over 30 years, so I’m probably a little biased here.
[Project Car: 1985 Toyota MR2]
But if I am, it’s with good reason, as these are terrific cars. The first-gen AW11 models are pretty overbuilt, which makes them several hundred pounds heavier than contemporary competitors like the CRX, but that also means they stay solid for decades. As with any Asian car of the era, rust can be an issue, so check those door bottoms, trunk and frunk corners, cowls and anyplace water can pool for rot before making a commitment.
The first generation of MR2 also had the distinction of being among the last era of cars with interiors somehow larger than their exteriors–before door bars and high sills closed up cabins. The interior is downright spacious, with some of the best ergonomics and seats out of a factory in my memory. The view out the windshield is huge and panoramic, and the driving experience is strikingly exotic while still being attainable.
On the downside, trim parts are getting rare, with some seemingly having disappeared altogether. A cottage industry has sprung up around these cars, with enthusiast-based businesses like Twos R Us and MR2Heaven having good supplies of NOS parts and even reproductions in some cases.
Verdict: A true classic that still seems shockingly underappreciated.
I would call it the most exotic practical of its time
I've had two including a supercharged and would not turn down another nice example. Right now.
I daily drove an MR2 for about a year circa 2002. It was a fun car but from a driving dynamic standpoint I liked my NA Miata better.
With that said I'd have one in a heart beat.
Exotic? That seems a strong word for a cheap Toyota. Cool, Fun, Impractical, sure.
DD'd a 914 for a few years, then later DD'd an '87 MR2. The MR2 felt heavier (it was -by 200#), but felt easier to drive. Maybe the 15 years and Toyota quality explained that. The MR2 was also easier to work on. I liked the MR2 better than my Miata, but I think I like a coupe more than a convertible, but loved the Miata seats.
Wouldn't mind having another MR2.
An MR2 was one of two cars that my dad bought in his life that he didn't even test drive. He DD's it from when be bought it to when he retired. And it was the first car I ever autocrossed.
My non-salt season daily driver is an 85 MR2. This particular example is loud, missing some of the interior in favor of a rollbar, weighs in at 2150 lbs, has no radio, not a ton of suspension travel, and is on some small Azenis that keep the cornering limits reasonable- it gets over 30mpg driving it the way I like, and most normal stuff fits in the trunk. Honestly, I'd say the least practical aspect of it is that the roofline is below the windows of many modern vehicles, and I'm constantly getting cut off in traffic. It has only stranded me once, when the ancient fuel pump finally gave up- I have an ongoing argument with myself over whether to prep one for stage rally.
Neither exotic nor practical. But mechanically reliable and fun
In reply to Streetwiseguy :
It's exotic at this point in that companies don't make this kind of car anymore at all and I never see them. There used to be a time that cheaper companies like Lancia, Fiat, or Toyota were making cars like this but those years are long gone.
If I saw an extremely clean one at this Gears and Grinds show I go to in Las Vegas here I would B-line right towards it walking past actual exotics that I see literally at every show here.
I see at shows here imported Celica GT-Fours, JDM Land Cruisers, Bugattis, McLarens, GTRs, 911 GT2s and GT3s. Never see a single MR2 of this gen. The last time I saw one it was in this bright blue color and it was extremely mint, but this was YEARS ago now.
The only rare exotic, that wasn't some collector's race car, I ever saw that I was actually excited about was a McLaren F1 at the Fountain Hills show in Arizona. At least 1000 cars there in total, tons of copy and paste exotics, not a single MR2 lol.
The more I look at that lead picture, the more I want a first-gen MR2.
Not sure where I'd put it, though...
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