I just got an 01 MR2, it was a rescue car it sat under a tree for 4yrs, I put some fresh gas and a new battery in it and it fired right up first try. Gotta love Toyota reliability, such a fun car I love it to death.
I bought one of these in 2003 and it was an absolute blast to own. I still kick myself to this day for selling it due to a move. It is the absolute best car. I looked at them all too. From the Miata to the Lotus to Honda S2000 to the BMW Z3 and others. Drove them all. This car was the best, the most fun, and I never had any problems with it.
oh man, this is fantastic, i have a old gen 7 celica with a 2zz and i just bought a mr2, thinking to swap engine, have replaced few clutches at home, i think i can do a engine swap myself. its like a bucket list. makes me feel i'm on a fast and furious movie.
You don't see them that often bc the rear engine takes Soo much time to work on especially when something small needs to be replaced and it gets very costly at shops to get it repaired
In regards to the comparison between the lotus and the MRS/MR2 Spyder, there was an article written that compared this, the cayman and the Elise. They are, imo the best comparisons due to pricing, capabilities, and features. Obviously, the Yota is an example of entry-level midship fun and the Elise being the more intense example. The spread between the Elise and the MR2/MRS is quite a leap, even with the 2zz, as the Elise has specially designed suspension that is dialed to the already super light/stiff chassis. Now, it would be a shame to dismiss the enjoyment I have with my MRS (😉 pun intended) however they are a magnitude apart in regards to pricing and capabilities. Nonetheless, they are both exceptional at what they do, and that is put a smile on your face. I know my actual Mrs. Wouldn't have as much fun daily driving the Elise over the MR2 unless she found the right pedal more often, of course.
I had an 01, didn't like the 1zz but I was stationed in Guam and loved driving it around. I did put ppe exhaust and k sport coilovers on it which made it a bit more fun.
Wish these came from the factory like this. I was look for a Mr2 spyder after getting pissed at my 335i. These (manual lol) hold their value pretty good now. Didn't see any under $8k
I have almost the same setup as you ppe headers, ppe catted mid pipe and running stock muffler and it’s awesome when driving slow around town sound 100% stock but when you hit lift it’s super loud on the intake side. I think the mr2 in the video was running stock muffler too since my car sounds identical. Also I’m tuned with apexi pfc lift set at 5800 with no issues.
@@NelsonS92 drove it now has great heel toe shift 6sp and geez in 1st gear 0-45mph in a split second I've found some enkeis RPF1S so Ill save 7lbs per wheel/tire also will install a cat and a stock muffler to quiet some but keep the PPE header
@@robertpearce5553 I have an 01 2zz swapped with a 6 speed and apexi. PPE headers and catless downpipe with a megan racing exhaust, my frog SCREAMS. I have a quaife LSD I'm gonna have installed over winter.
By the way, if you ever play GTA IV, the Turismo engine is pretty much exactly how the MR2 sounds in real life. The MR2 Spyder sounds amazing in real life. I used to take it for trips in the mountains and to the beach. I would drive it just to drive it. It is that fun.
Listen to how it stays in cam. It all depends on how you shift. Do it right, you'll stay in lift 1st-3rd no problem. Not the same story with a 5 speed unfortunately.
@@sayhiwhenyouseeme we used to have to bang the limiter in my buddies Elise to get it to stay on cam, made it really difficult to nail it when you were pushing the car on a back road.
Why they ever came with 1zz as standard is just plain stupid. The 1zz was an economy motor, boring, it made ok torque but thats it, it didnt even have a significant displacment like the 5s fe did in the celcia. As somone has already stated, the way this car is set up, lsd, 6 speed gear box, and 2zz ge, is how this shouldve came, like a true sports car.
Okay so i need to figure something out off subject. Do you have a twin.. cause A to Z RC Channel guy is like your twin with a beard. Even the voice is the same. Maybe im just bugging and my algorithm is doing weird things lol.
@nx_Exe bushing are a problem. The MRS had the problem that is more likely to go from understeer in a corner to sudden oversteer but the limits are really high for doing this. Elise is more tail happy.
VVTL-i just kicked in, yo
Fr
Matrix XRS/Vibe GT also had the 2ZZ
And corolla XRS
I just got an 01 MR2, it was a rescue car it sat under a tree for 4yrs, I put some fresh gas and a new battery in it and it fired right up first try. Gotta love Toyota reliability, such a fun car I love it to death.
This is the way they should have came from the factory.
5:35 there was a cup holder between the seats in the back you forgot to do a BFB test in it
Last time I used that cupholder in my spyder, the milkshake ended up everywhere
I have the Celica GTS 6-speed and love it, but I’ve wanted to get an MR2 to swap & add to the garage for years.
I bought one of these in 2003 and it was an absolute blast to own. I still kick myself to this day for selling it due to a move. It is the absolute best car. I looked at them all too. From the Miata to the Lotus to Honda S2000 to the BMW Z3 and others. Drove them all. This car was the best, the most fun, and I never had any problems with it.
oh man, this is fantastic, i have a old gen 7 celica with a 2zz and i just bought a mr2, thinking to swap engine, have replaced few clutches at home, i think i can do a engine swap myself. its like a bucket list. makes me feel i'm on a fast and furious movie.
That crossover is way more dramatic than my vibe gt ever was. Even had a cat back and a CAI
It's the PPE headers. When I switched to them, it made the crossover insane.
It's weird that you never see these cars but old Boxters are everywhere. MR2s are solid reliable and somewhat sporty cars.
You don't see them that often bc the rear engine takes Soo much time to work on especially when something small needs to be replaced and it gets very costly at shops to get it repaired
Somewhat is an understatement. These things handle and maintain speed through corners 🖤
They didn't sell a lot of these in the states. They're much more plentiful in Europe.
Boxsters outsold these by a LOT. Kinda obvious ngl but thats the reason.
In regards to the comparison between the lotus and the MRS/MR2 Spyder, there was an article written that compared this, the cayman and the Elise. They are, imo the best comparisons due to pricing, capabilities, and features. Obviously, the Yota is an example of entry-level midship fun and the Elise being the more intense example. The spread between the Elise and the MR2/MRS is quite a leap, even with the 2zz, as the Elise has specially designed suspension that is dialed to the already super light/stiff chassis. Now, it would be a shame to dismiss the enjoyment I have with my MRS (😉 pun intended) however they are a magnitude apart in regards to pricing and capabilities. Nonetheless, they are both exceptional at what they do, and that is put a smile on your face. I know my actual Mrs. Wouldn't have as much fun daily driving the Elise over the MR2 unless she found the right pedal more often, of course.
I had an 01, didn't like the 1zz but I was stationed in Guam and loved driving it around. I did put ppe exhaust and k sport coilovers on it which made it a bit more fun.
Wish these came from the factory like this. I was look for a Mr2 spyder after getting pissed at my 335i. These (manual lol) hold their value pretty good now. Didn't see any under $8k
the owner's Spyder badge placement is heinous
Beautiful induction sound, must sound even better being so close to the driver in open air
Great Car I sometimes wish my 07 Toyota Corolla was a Stick Shift, Really Cool T-shirts.
My mr2 2zz has ppe header and tuned to lift at 5800 and magnaflow cat but it's just SO LOUD I'm older might sell after a week unless I can quiet it!!
I have almost the same setup as you ppe headers, ppe catted mid pipe and running stock muffler and it’s awesome when driving slow around town sound 100% stock but when you hit lift it’s super loud on the intake side. I think the mr2 in the video was running stock muffler too since my car sounds identical. Also I’m tuned with apexi pfc lift set at 5800 with no issues.
Don’t sell it you’ll regret it I sold my previous 2zz spyder and felt sad for 2 years until I built another one.
@@NelsonS92 drove it now has great heel toe shift 6sp and geez in 1st gear 0-45mph in a split second I've found some enkeis RPF1S so Ill save 7lbs per wheel/tire also will install a cat and a stock muffler to quiet some but keep the PPE header
@@robertpearce5553 I have an 01 2zz swapped with a 6 speed and apexi. PPE headers and catless downpipe with a megan racing exhaust, my frog SCREAMS. I have a quaife LSD I'm gonna have installed over winter.
@ do it brother I have rpf1s on my car and it looks amazing.
By the way, if you ever play GTA IV, the Turismo engine is pretty much exactly how the MR2 sounds in real life. The MR2 Spyder sounds amazing in real life. I used to take it for trips in the mountains and to the beach. I would drive it just to drive it. It is that fun.
by spring time i should have a 1AR swapped spyder for you to try out.
plus the 2gr sw20.. and the crusty 1ar sw20
dream build right here :') It's not just a poor man's Lotus, it's better
That's a cool machine! Thanks Zack!
The laughter at 3:42🤣
Watching live from Malawi 🇲🇼
Gonna make zzw30 price skyrocket with this one
In other markets you could get navigation where the cubby is
Listen how the car falls off cam! Most people don’t realize the Elise does the same thing, even if you hit the limiter.
I was going to comment the same. He should tune the vvt to turn on earlier so it doesn't fall off cam on shifts.
Listen to how it stays in cam. It all depends on how you shift. Do it right, you'll stay in lift 1st-3rd no problem. Not the same story with a 5 speed unfortunately.
@@sayhiwhenyouseeme we used to have to bang the limiter in my buddies Elise to get it to stay on cam, made it really difficult to nail it when you were pushing the car on a back road.
the 3am banger is so cool
The laugh makes me know how you feel on the performance 😅😅😅😅😅💥
Bought one couple days ago, k24 turbo incoming.
Thought it said 2jz (The famous Supra I-6 engine). Was wondering how they got that to fit.
The different shirts 😮. You always wear the same color!
I then realized it's merch. ❤
Why they ever came with 1zz as standard is just plain stupid. The 1zz was an economy motor, boring, it made ok torque but thats it, it didnt even have a significant displacment like the 5s fe did in the celcia. As somone has already stated, the way this car is set up, lsd, 6 speed gear box, and 2zz ge, is how this shouldve came, like a true sports car.
That mr2 needs a 9k rpm rev counter for that engine
Mister Two!
Toyota performance 🔥
the lack of a roll bar tho, scary.
the frame around the windshield is surprisingly sturdy.
Okay so i need to figure something out off subject. Do you have a twin.. cause A to Z RC Channel guy is like your twin with a beard. Even the voice is the same. Maybe im just bugging and my algorithm is doing weird things lol.
Sounds like a handsome guy!
I love this car.
2000-2005
You basically built a lotus
Nice
your make feel like a 2zz ge engey
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
I own one and it's better than a lotus Elise. A bit heavier but more balanced. This title is a stupid cliche
also owner, never drove an elise but id imagine double wishbone is hard to beat. But my car probably could really use a full bushing refresh.
@nx_Exe bushing are a problem. The MRS had the problem that is more likely to go from understeer in a corner to sudden oversteer but the limits are really high for doing this. Elise is more tail happy.