The Poor Man's Porsche // Toyota's Poor-sche
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- Опубліковано 18 кві 2023
- The third iteration of the Toyota MR2 marked a stark departure from its earlier versions and is a great investment opportunity today. This is becoming more evident as the end of combustion engines and an era of Japanese sports cars with personality are nearing their end. If you’re considering purchasing one or are even curious, then stick around to the end of this video.
The latest model of the Toyota MR2 debuted a few days before the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show and was launched in Japan the same month that Toyota's cumulative passenger car production reached the 100 million unit milestone. In Japan, it carried the same name "MR-S" as a concept car shown the previous year. However, in Europe and the US, the vehicle was referred to as the MR2 Roadster and MR2 Spyder respectively.
Remarkably, despite having a more advanced set of features, the new MR2 weighed significantly less than its first-generation counterpart. This was partly accomplished by eliminating the rear trunk and fifth bulkhead. This allowed for an increase in luggage capacity through the addition of full-width storage space behind the seats.
To simplify production across global markets, Toyota made the decision to offer a single engine, the all-alloy 1.8-liter DOHC 16v VVT-i 1ZZ-FE, which was also used in the seventh-generation Celica. This engine provided decent power with 138bhp and had the highest power-to-weight ratio in its class. It received praise from motoring journalists for its excellent handling dynamics and responsiveness.
Similar to the previous generation model, the Toyota MR2 received significant attention from Toyota-affiliated tuners and the Japanese aftermarket, resulting in the production of limited-run special editions such as the Modellista Caserta, VM180 TRD, and TOM’S W123.
The most notable official change came in 2001 when an optional five-speed and later six-speed ‘Sequential Manual Transmission’ to the manual gearbox was added. Interestingly, this was the first time a sequential gearbox had been fitted to any Japanese car. The clutch engaged automatically, enabling the driver to change gears without lifting off the accelerator.
Unfortunately, the MR2 did experience a downturn globally, which caused a significant drop in its annual sales figures. While the car's sales were discontinued in the US and Australia at the end of the 2005 model year, it continued to be sold in Japan, Mexico, and Europe until 2007, when production finally ceased.
In general, the Mr2’s appearance is an important aspect of its appeal, but the Mk3 model received mixed reviews on its likeability. Some people appreciated its small curves and even compared its front end to a Porsche, while others had a different opinion. At a glance, it could be mistaken for a Boxster.
However, the car's most appealing feature is its driving experience, and the Mk3 model does not disappoint. It is an excellent option for those who enjoy cheap, open-topped driving experiences. The Mk3 Toyota MR2 is comfortable and has excellent visibility, making it a pleasure to drive in the city. Additionally, its power steering makes navigating tight, slow corners a breeze, and it is so small that parking is effortless.
Regarding the car's bodywork, a positive aspect is that the exterior panels can be easily fixed since they bolt directly to the main shell. This is unlike previous Mr2 generations and some might even argue a strong selling point. However, it's essential to make sure that cars that have had damage don't have excessive panel gaps or shoddy repairs.
The standard soft top of the car comes with a rear glass window that protects the interior from the elements. Some vehicles, although rare, have an optional hardtop and call for higher selling price.
It's essential to check whether the hardtop was fitted by the owner or as an option from the factory, as Toyota sells the bracket separately for those who want to swap it later. The roof mechanism is straightforward, with an unclip-and-push-back system that's durable and strong. However, it's essential to inspect the rear window area as it can crack if it hasn't been folded correctly. The cabin also has a wind blocker that can be pulled up from behind the seats to reduce unwanted buffeting.
It is important to check the drain holes, which come out through the side-mounted air vents, to avoid dampness getting into the cabin behind the seats. Clearing the drain holes is a simple task that should be done every year. However, some cars with aftermarket air vent covers may make accessing the drain plugs more challenging. - Авто та транспорт
I love my 05’ MR-S. The best handling out of the 3, the lightest and most fun. The 2ZZ wasn’t an option due to the partnership with Lotus, however you can easily improve with a Turbo setup, tune, 2ZZ or K swap. It was under appreciated and neglected by the community for so long, only now they’re realizing it’s a diamond in the rough.
I also have an ‘05. It’s a manual, k swapped car. Don’t ever sell it man, they only imported 780 ‘05s, and a lot of them were automatic. There a legit race platform, it just a lot of car enthusiasts don’t like the way it looks. There not very photogenic, but in person they look really nice, kind of like a mini Porsche. I think the MR-s is going to be really popular in the near future.
Also, the ‘04, and ‘05 had better chassis bracing from the factory than the earlier cars.
@@diesel9677 You’re right, the facelift was ‘03 onward, but the different front underbracing was only in ‘04-‘05.
@@diesel9677 Just because a car isn't "Out" in 5 years, doesn't mean nothing happened. cars don't just spring into existence. if something came out in 5 years, it means it was being drawn up 5 or even 10 years ago. meaning any legal work involved had been all but wrapped up and sorted revolving around it beforehand, so yes, if it took 5 years for Lotus to ditch Rover, that could have easily been part of the agreement 5 years prior to using the 2ZZ, ESPECIALLY when Toyota is working in tandem with a toolshed company like Lotus with a small staff and comparably negligible industrial might of their own.
@@twrcrew8852we’re is your evidence to this ?
@@pauledwards6446 I'll tell you "where". We're* talking about common trends in the automotive industry. Look up virtually ANY large automaker and hone in on the development process of a few specific sports cars. Look up average vehicular life cycles. Roughly 5 years is the industry norm from drawing board to release for most, and this is also why sports cars are the least liked vehicles among automotive bean counters because they take by far the longest to develop for the least amount of profit. A normal development cycle for the average sh*t box commuter car is half that time because they do far less to incorporate sophisticated suspension geometry, chassis, and aerodynamic downforce and stability into the equation.
This is also why a Lotus is 50-90,000 dollars and older american muscle cars (2004-2012 or thereabouts) were 25 grand using 15 year old engine designs that made twice the horsepower but costed little to develop and update. The rest of the car was commuter car levels of development. This changed sort of once we started seeing track development done on these. So now we are also seeing 50-90,000 dollar camaro and mustang trims, and other previously crude tech now becoming just as steep, aside from usual dealer greed.
Man, i always wanted one. Most people disliked it due the styling and being "underpowered". I personally like the styling, its cute instead of "muh aggressive" which is a nice change, but i cant say that the stock 1zz is powerful. Biggest (actual) issue with it, is that the pre-facelift models have pre-cat issues where the engine pretty much eats itself due it (like mentioned in the video). Well, there's also a case to be made about lack of cargo-space making the car a bad daily, but ive never had any issues with that coming from dailying a motorcycle.
Love my MR2 Spyder. Almost done with a Honda K24/K20 swap.
Be sure to upload a video when your ready👍
Loved the car and the video! Thanks
Neat, thanks for the video.
Yeah, I'd miss mine, too. It was such a great car and sooo good and fun to drive!! :D
Mine was a late 2003 model, so it was already facelift, a 1st owner car with only ~ 14.5k/km on the clock as I bought it back in spring 2009.🤩🤩😁 (for only 12k € incl. winter tires on alloys ;P)
Perfect condition in matching black out and black leather in. As may many will find a stupid decision, I'd specificly search for an SMT model and got one.^^
And I have to say I LOVED the SMT gearbox with it's 6 gears (yes, one more than the pre-face version :p) which would go in soo good after 'you'd find out the little shift-trick' as for
shifting up, you had to go off the throttle while putting in the next gear I figured out.^^ By doing so, you don't put torgue onto the electronic shift mechanism, so it CAN act much quicker and
without the nerving 'round 2 sec of backvectoring' (don't know if it's right, I mean the moment the auto clutch whould do their slip way while under force, if you may know what I mean...😅)
to archieve actually quick shift times without disturbances or others. Let me mention too, that at least by my feeling, the shit by using the shifter instead of the shift knobs, which are steering mounted, was much quicker and more... 'shifting-like in feeling' than using the actual knobs.😊 So much fun forcing the MR2 (called Roadster here in GER, instead of MR-S or MR2 Spyder) around corners and rushing along the country roads in the spring and summer time. :) Even the 140hp out of the 1ZZ were adequite but you have to rev it hight.😁🤪
Had so much plans to do with him. In '11 I'd want to get a MWR turbo kit, to 'get out a little extra' and replace the OEM exhaust system by an other exhaust manifold to 'eliminate' the far to near
located OEM cats (can go to a major known problem, the cats by sitting so near the exhaust valves/canales could crumble over time an hit the exhaust trackt -> not good :p) by replacing then with a SARD sports cat mid pipe (prodjuced for MT and AT gearbox) and a Fujitsubo power getter muffler with single outlet and some cams etc.. After that he should have made around 210-220hp
based on the final parts solutions....😍😍😇🥰
Unfortunetely it came different and at the end of 2010 I had to sell him because of upcome surcumstances after roughly 2 years and nearly 23k/km driven by me (= ~ 37k/km total) ...
I was so fuc*ing sad but I had to do it back in that situation. I will never forget that car and I want one back again sometime like freakin' hell!!! :D
Sure in same configuration etc. and... for the BEST of all, my old one I had to sell.🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲
(I've every data from that car VIN etc., sadly I don't know where the dealer I sold it to, did sell it again... At least the region whould be nice.^^
But as long as he's at least in Germany I will 'move heaven and hell, the seas and mountains' to find and get him back home.🥰🤠🤓😎
Oh, fu*k... xD I was so excited I'd wrote that all BEFORE watching the video... Now seeing it there comes the same kind of stuff as I'd wrote here.😅 Looks... different but in the end now you know.🤭
the only affordable controllable MR at the limit
Great video 👍👍
Nice vid. Would like to see a video on late 90s suzuki carry mini truck pls. Only because im saving for one lol
Love you're vids, if you ever up to it do a video on the nb miata!
This sounds like it was read off Wikipedia
Good video. I have owned two of these, they are great aside from the lack of power. Still very fun to drive. Next video Lexus IS300 Lol?
How did your behave at 99 mph….plus? Is it planted better than the 1993 mr2 and which gear box do you have?
Music too loud.. Can't hear you properly sometimes
My MR2 hasn't worked for more then a few thousand miles at a time without being pulled back off the road for maintenance. Always buy a good example of one otherwise its a very costly endeavour. It's a good shout to check the Power steering fluid when purchasing as this is often neglected due to its location in the frunk. My power steering has failed and sourcing a grand new pump from toyota is unthinkably expensive.
look on rock auto
@@bdmr_isf There's definitely fluid! Uses a slightly different fluid then conventional power steering. You'll find the pump/res in the frunk underneath the plastic trim. Replaced the motor, lines and fluid about a week ago now it steers like a dream 🙌
I had a 96 non supercharged and loved it. Bought it used.4 years old with less than 24K on it and jet black. First thing I did was put some sticky Bridgestone Potenzas on it and change all the lube with AmsOil 100%. I found the steering a bit light and knew the solution - Drop the front tire pressure by 2 psi and no more. Almost always -1 in the front and + 1 in the rear. Handled like a dream. Had it up to 200 kph with 500 rpm to go. It would pull away from standard 5 liter anything and had a drag with a 12 cylinder Jaguar coup - left it in the dust, kinda surprised I was. Perhaps due to the 100% synthetic lubes - It was rated at 40 mpg(imperial) and back then if one took 10% off this rating it would be accurate. Mine constantly got 44 mph/hwy at 60 mph. And near dead nuts reliable.
When it came out, no one liked the way it looked, especially compared to the previous Mr2. It was really slow compared to the previous generation too.
Poorsche
I was very interested in these cars when they came out. But Toyota missed the styling by a long shot compared to the og mr2.
The MR2 is a really fun car to drive. Too bad what you said about the engine is completely wrong. It's a total piece of crap. You failed to mention the OTHER big problem with the engine; oil starvation leading to rod bearing failure. Great little car, fun to drive, but if you buy one, swap the engine for the 2zz, it's marginally better than the 1zz.
marginally? its alot more than that
@@arcanevoid9199 not in my experience.
@@ProfessorOzone what kinda experience are you having then? they are completely different in the way they drive and specs
@@arcanevoid9199 Hesitation when cold, running rich, popping the oil dipstick out, idle going up and down or becoming unstable, poor gas mileage, oil leaks. And yes, I've tried to fix these things and I'm still in the process of fixing these things, but I bought the engine from Monkey Wrench Racing so they are a reputable source, yet I'm having problems anyway. It has a beefed up oil pump, with a larger oil pan. When I go into lift, I can hear it very loudly, but I don't really feel anything. The best part of the swap in my opinion was the close ration transmission. It's just never really run right and while I understand that things happen to engines and they need fixing, I've tried dozens of things to solve these issues including bringing the car to an actual mechanic and bottom line is; I've never had these kinds of problems with my 4age, 4agze or my wife's 1mzfe engine which has 360,000 miles on it. So maybe it's the greatest thing since sliced bread for you, but for me. . . not so much.
You can see my engine swap on my youtube channel "antimatter garage." My name on spyderchat is ozone. I'm currently seeking help from that community.
@@ProfessorOzone hesitation when cold, I mean it could be an issue but what are you expecting when cold? always let it warm up, especially with the 2zz. popping the dipstick out sounds like an issue with pressure getting into the crankcase, have you done a comp test? Idling problems is almost always the idle control valve, poor gas mileage can be a number of things but should be easy enough to work out. oil leaks come with age in any engine, timing cover & chain tensioner are usually the only places that have issues. even if you bought it from monkey wrench was it a used engine? and did you do any maintenance before installing it? I have had some of the same issues as you and I’ve been able to fix it easily even though I’m not a mechanic and Im only 18
Can’t wait to do a Blacktop 4AGE swap on a MR-S coupe. Want to see how far I can push its handling & featherweight
does not make any sense to 4age swap it
It's time to move on. There are soo many better options like a 2zz or k20/24 or even the 2arfe. People are pulling 300hp from 2arfe.