Awesome! Love that Nick :) We'd love to do the same and get another x1/9 to put alongside our current one. Best of luck restoring your MR2 daily driver!
Owned one of these 26 years ago as a 22 year old. It was 9 years old and like new. It was so much fun to drive and I absolutely loved it. Was a sad day the day I sold it. Best car I've owned to this day.
Just a small correction,,the T-Bar Glass Panels go behind the seats not in the boot. I have an '89 Supercharged MR2 and mine came with 2 bags that you put the panels in and store behind the seats,,there's even a strap to make sure they don't move about.
+phinds1 Thanks! Yes we realised afterwards that's where they went. Didn't have time to test the roof during filming as the car had to get back to the auction.
They usually leak in the rain due to the age of the seals but they can be changed. Doesn't matter to me,,I'm on my FOURTH MR2 and I love them!! It's like you said,, It's like a poor mans Ferrari!!! Cheers from Canada!!
Can imagine that is a common spot for them to leak, especially when the rubbers get old and perish. Wow thats cool! 4th MR2... yeah you love them alright! ;) Thanks for watching! :)
+SW20 Thanks! Yeah we found out after filming was done so could go back and reshoot that bit. Good point actually. Even a small shunt in the rear could damage them in the boot.
I was fortunate to work for a Toyota franchise in the 80's and 90's and have covered thousands of miles in various Mk1 MR2's and bar the crappy wet weather performance of the factory Continental tyres, it was an extremely well balanced and good handling car. Like most mid-engined cars it can catch out the lazy driver and is a bastard to catch when it lets go. I have also driven one on Donnington circuit and having driven many Fiat X19's both early 1300 and later 1500's they were very similar! The X19 was a much lighter feel and possibly more nimble as you say, but the MR2 was in a class of its own on high speed corners. BTW Toyota officially denied the lotus involvement on the MR2....But they had lotus engineers crawling all over the factory in Japan...Make of that what you will lol! Great review though!
Cool! Thanks for sharing that and I'm glad you liked the review 😎 I would like to have a Mk1 MR2 as a daily as it certainly has a lot more comfort over an x19. Toyota did a good job with the refinement. But still huge fun. Yes the story goes Toyota denied any Lotus involvement. TBH it wouldn't have done any harm really to officially say at the launch the suspension was Lotus tuned. Might have swung a few more converts
I test drove an FXGT Corolla, same engine/g/box as the Mk1 MR2, it went like a scalded cat!! On the motorway 4th gear 3000rpm 100kph, redline is about 7000rpm plus it had 5th gear still to come, AND IF that was not enough you get a factory SUPERCHARGED MR2 Mk1 my guess over 200kph top speed even without the supercharger. No one seems to like auto trans cars, my friend does not like them either; I bought a 92 Nissan it is auto, being a Japanese Import, it is such a nice car to drive, if i am taking easy ( light throttle ) it will shift accordlingly, but put your foot down and the shifts are quicker and higher up, when i go for a drove it just simply means i am concentrating on the road and let engine and auto trans do their thing, on the open road it is deceptive, give it half a chance and the speed will build up, this happened on a long trip home, until i looked down i had no idea how fast i was going.
I dunno if you get paid to make these videos or if you are financially independent, but you really need a better microphone. Audio is such an important part of video. It may sound a bit silly, but it's true. You clearly get to show off a whole bunch of interesting cars, but I haven't seen you try to promote your channel anywhere. At least not on places like Reddit. I just feel that it's a shame how few views your videos get.
+Jagh Haringenamn Thanks for the feedback Jagh. Yes I need to improve the audio side. I simply don't have the budget at the moment. It's on the list of many items that need to be bought to bring the standard up. I do everything myself so there is only so much I can do with the resources I have available. When I can budget for an affordable upgrade I will jump at it. I am on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and I promote Take to the Road on them everyday. Reddit and most groups on there have policies that prevent self promotion. So I'm not in a position to promote my films there as a result. It's hard to grow when you have a small channel. But I'm sticking with it. Thanks for watching!😎👊
Since I tend to have the same problems audio wise... would you happen to enlighten me a bit? The hiss on the rode videomic I have makes recording dialogue a pity, the 2 Tascams I use (dr7 mk2, dr22wl) are Ok but not good enough to record audio inside of a car or inside a crowded room (imagine theatre plays, shows etc) unless they are very close to the stage, with the people far away behind them. Thanks in advance!
@@TaketotheRoad No they weren't optional. Someone must have removed his (easily done it's just a few screws). All MK1 MR2s had them (i've had 3 MK1's including the awesome Supercharger which I still have; all in 8e3 Dark Blue pearl like this.) The Supercharger version looked even better with raised engine vents, much nicer rear lights (not as dated) and flush rear spoiler brake light (also on 89 N/A versions). There was the MK1 A and B (87 on) and the B was a lot nicer/more modern looking.
Had an 87 one same spec. Steering not as good as previous Fiat 127 Sport (DTMR Weber, upgraded 1301 cc and 5 speed conversion) but with koni suspension it held road very well. T bar leaked in rain!
Sounds good Luke! Your Fiat 127 must have been a lot of fun😎Upgraded suspension does seem to favour the MR2 well. And yeah the T bar leak, one of those niggles with them.
What is the reliability for this car. Love mk1 mr2’s but I’m not wealthy and at the same time and need to drive at least 1,000 miles a month. Will there be major impracticalities to where I should avoid this car outright, or is it not a terrible wallet sore to maintain. Because it is a Toyota but it’s old as well?
As a daily driver they should be ok. Overall they are reliable with rust being the main enemy. Like any old car if it is tired you’ll spend a lot on it. But if you find a good one that’s been looked after that’s the one to go for. They are comfortable to drive too. And good fun when you want to have a blast. I haven’t owned one though so it would be good to do research on the engines as they can have some niggles if I remember correctly.
Just want to put in a comment to say that the vehicle that has been reviewed is a 1987 mk1b (i owned both 1986 mk1a and 1987 mk1b). The fact that this is souly a review for the Toyota MR2, it is frustrating to hear how many times that it's getting compared to the X19, which is completely irrelevant. Using rock background music makes it hard to hear the reviewer's voice in certain sections of the video. Not many Toyota Mr2 reviewers out their, so I may upload my own..
Thanks for the comment Tim. Many models get compared to other cars and as I actually own a mid engine sports car, an x19, I wanted to mention how it performed. It was a benchmark. That is what it felt like to me as I drove the car and that is what I wanted to put into the review. So to me it wasn't irrelevant. By all means go ahead and upload your own review. Just to point out the x19 also gets compared to the Triumph TR7 which doesn't make sense since it is a front engine car. Doesn't bother me really as it was done in period in the late 70s.
The steering and agility can be made to exactly how you want it as its got fully adjustable camber, toe and caster too! Once polybushed and perfectly aligned the MR2 could handle a well as ANY mid engined car. Tyre pressures and tyres choice are critical and upgrading to a 15" with a 50 profile tyre really enhances precision, so your x19 may feel better than the MR2 you are testing, but it wont feel better than a properly set up example - for sure!
Thanks for that Jonathan. Looking back on the drive in that car, I do think it needed some suspension work. It looked pretty original to me and it is very possible the suspension might have been a little bit tired. It would be interesting to see how a sorted MR2 would handle compared to my x19.
Take to the Road: yes totally. Mine handled like a boat when I first got it and i replaced the dampers with KYB's and polybushed it. The handling now is amazing and very neutral and progressive. A well sorted Mk1 is a very very impressive drive and it certainly feels like lotus did have a hand in the suspension.
+Paul Dolden Details Yeah I remember when they were all shiny and new. Always thought the red ones looked like a Ferrari. Yup a Supra would be cool. Would need to do a Celica too. The Toyota Trinity😉
god...i shouldn't have driven one of those little Italian hotties...a pretty little metallic blue 5sp X1/9...I'm scared for life now! and i really like this little cutie Toyota .......
+TR4man If an auction house lets me drive and film their consigned cars then it's only correct to mention that during the film. That way I am upfront about it.
Before you compare this car vs any other.. maybe get more knowledge of this car before making a youtube video.. tumbs down from me. Cool car, but host.. not so much
love my 1986 MR2 so much that i bought another one just to restore for a daily driver! Midship Runabout FTW!
Awesome! Love that Nick :) We'd love to do the same and get another x1/9 to put alongside our current one. Best of luck restoring your MR2 daily driver!
Owned one of these 26 years ago as a 22 year old. It was 9 years old and like new. It was so much fun to drive and I absolutely loved it. Was a sad day the day I sold it. Best car I've owned to this day.
Just a small correction,,the T-Bar Glass Panels go behind the seats not in the boot. I have an '89 Supercharged MR2 and mine came with 2 bags that you put the panels in and store behind the seats,,there's even a strap to make sure they don't move about.
+phinds1 Thanks! Yes we realised afterwards that's where they went. Didn't have time to test the roof during filming as the car had to get back to the auction.
They usually leak in the rain due to the age of the seals but they can be changed. Doesn't matter to me,,I'm on my FOURTH MR2 and I love them!! It's like you said,, It's like a poor mans Ferrari!!! Cheers from Canada!!
Can imagine that is a common spot for them to leak, especially when the rubbers get old and perish. Wow thats cool! 4th MR2... yeah you love them alright! ;) Thanks for watching! :)
Take to the Road my pleasure!!
+SW20 Thanks! Yeah we found out after filming was done so could go back and reshoot that bit. Good point actually. Even a small shunt in the rear could damage them in the boot.
I was fortunate to work for a Toyota franchise in the 80's and 90's and have covered thousands of miles in various Mk1 MR2's and bar the crappy wet weather performance of the factory Continental tyres, it was an extremely well balanced and good handling car. Like most mid-engined cars it can catch out the lazy driver and is a bastard to catch when it lets go. I have also driven one on Donnington circuit and having driven many Fiat X19's both early 1300 and later 1500's they were very similar! The X19 was a much lighter feel and possibly more nimble as you say, but the MR2 was in a class of its own on high speed corners. BTW Toyota officially denied the lotus involvement on the MR2....But they had lotus engineers crawling all over the factory in Japan...Make of that what you will lol! Great review though!
Cool! Thanks for sharing that and I'm glad you liked the review 😎 I would like to have a Mk1 MR2 as a daily as it certainly has a lot more comfort over an x19. Toyota did a good job with the refinement. But still huge fun. Yes the story goes Toyota denied any Lotus involvement. TBH it wouldn't have done any harm really to officially say at the launch the suspension was Lotus tuned. Might have swung a few more converts
I test drove an FXGT Corolla, same engine/g/box as the Mk1 MR2, it went like a scalded cat!!
On the motorway 4th gear 3000rpm 100kph, redline is about 7000rpm plus it had 5th gear still to come, AND IF that was not enough you get a factory SUPERCHARGED MR2 Mk1 my guess over 200kph top speed even without the supercharger.
No one seems to like auto trans cars, my friend does not like them either;
I bought a 92 Nissan it is auto, being a Japanese Import, it is such a nice car to drive,
if i am taking easy ( light throttle ) it will shift accordlingly, but put your foot down and the shifts are quicker and higher up, when i go for a drove it just simply means i am concentrating on the road and let engine and auto trans do their thing, on the open road it is deceptive, give it half a chance and the speed will build up, this happened on a long trip home,
until i looked down i had no idea how fast i was going.
Getting the chance too buy one tomorrow! Soo stoked
That’s cool! Hope it’s a good one. Enjoy your new purchase😎👍
@@TaketotheRoadBought it.
Soo nice man, 86 mk1, barely rust, minor engine fault.
2100€ lol
Fuckin bargain 😁
I dunno if you get paid to make these videos or if you are financially independent, but you really need a better microphone. Audio is such an important part of video. It may sound a bit silly, but it's true.
You clearly get to show off a whole bunch of interesting cars, but I haven't seen you try to promote your channel anywhere. At least not on places like Reddit. I just feel that it's a shame how few views your videos get.
+Jagh Haringenamn Thanks for the feedback Jagh. Yes I need to improve the audio side. I simply don't have the budget at the moment. It's on the list of many items that need to be bought to bring the standard up. I do everything myself so there is only so much I can do with the resources I have available. When I can budget for an affordable upgrade I will jump at it.
I am on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and I promote Take to the Road on them everyday. Reddit and most groups on there have policies that prevent self promotion. So I'm not in a position to promote my films there as a result. It's hard to grow when you have a small channel. But I'm sticking with it.
Thanks for watching!😎👊
Since I tend to have the same problems audio wise... would you happen to enlighten me a bit? The hiss on the rode videomic I have makes recording dialogue a pity, the 2 Tascams I use (dr7 mk2, dr22wl) are Ok but not good enough to record audio inside of a car or inside a crowded room (imagine theatre plays, shows etc) unless they are very close to the stage, with the people far away behind them. Thanks in advance!
An X1/9 review would be cool.
Nice vid. man!
+tommygun6866 Thank you!😎Yes we are planning a review of our x1/9 this year👍 Later in the summer all going to plan👌
I have that same car and color without the side skirts and roof wing, This one looks so much more cool.
+04dram04 Ok that's interesting. I guess those bits were optional extras? The full body kit does suit the car. Still a cool and fun car though😎
@@TaketotheRoad No they weren't optional. Someone must have removed his (easily done it's just a few screws).
All MK1 MR2s had them (i've had 3 MK1's including the awesome Supercharger which I still have; all in 8e3 Dark Blue pearl like this.) The Supercharger version looked even better with raised engine vents, much nicer rear lights (not as dated) and flush rear spoiler brake light (also on 89 N/A versions). There was the MK1 A and B (87 on) and the B was a lot nicer/more modern looking.
Had an 87 one same spec. Steering not as good as previous Fiat 127 Sport (DTMR Weber, upgraded 1301 cc and 5 speed conversion) but with koni suspension it held road very well. T bar leaked in rain!
Sounds good Luke! Your Fiat 127 must have been a lot of fun😎Upgraded suspension does seem to favour the MR2 well. And yeah the T bar leak, one of those niggles with them.
What is the reliability for this car. Love mk1 mr2’s but I’m not wealthy and at the same time and need to drive at least 1,000 miles a month. Will there be major impracticalities to where I should avoid this car outright, or is it not a terrible wallet sore to maintain. Because it is a Toyota but it’s old as well?
As a daily driver they should be ok. Overall they are reliable with rust being the main enemy. Like any old car if it is tired you’ll spend a lot on it. But if you find a good one that’s been looked after that’s the one to go for. They are comfortable to drive too. And good fun when you want to have a blast. I haven’t owned one though so it would be good to do research on the engines as they can have some niggles if I remember correctly.
Take to the Road thanks for the response
If you want delete rust, replace the steel body panels with fiberglass.
Just want to put in a comment to say that the vehicle that has been reviewed is a 1987 mk1b (i owned both 1986 mk1a and 1987 mk1b). The fact that this is souly a review for the Toyota MR2, it is frustrating to hear how many times that it's getting compared to the X19, which is completely irrelevant. Using rock background music makes it hard to hear the reviewer's voice in certain sections of the video. Not many Toyota Mr2 reviewers out their, so I may upload my own..
Thanks for the comment Tim. Many models get compared to other cars and as I actually own a mid engine sports car, an x19, I wanted to mention how it performed. It was a benchmark. That is what it felt like to me as I drove the car and that is what I
wanted to put into the review. So to me it wasn't irrelevant. By all means go ahead and upload your own review. Just to point out the x19 also gets compared to the Triumph TR7 which doesn't make sense since it is a front engine car. Doesn't bother me really as it was done in period in the late 70s.
Tim Beck 'souly' 😆😆 Try 'solely'. 😉
The steering and agility can be made to exactly how you want it as its got fully adjustable camber, toe and caster too! Once polybushed and perfectly aligned the MR2 could handle a well as ANY mid engined car. Tyre pressures and tyres choice are critical and upgrading to a 15" with a 50 profile tyre really enhances precision, so your x19 may feel better than the MR2 you are testing, but it wont feel better than a properly set up example - for sure!
Thanks for that Jonathan. Looking back on the drive in that car, I do think it needed some suspension work. It looked pretty original to me and it is very possible the suspension might have been a little bit tired. It would be interesting to see how a sorted MR2 would handle compared to my x19.
Take to the Road: yes totally. Mine handled like a boat when I first got it and i replaced the dampers with KYB's and polybushed it. The handling now is amazing and very neutral and progressive. A well sorted Mk1 is a very very impressive drive and it certainly feels like lotus did have a hand in the suspension.
Sounds good! I do want a Mk1 sometime. One of my favorite sports cars from that area. Very comfortable too and that engine pulls so well. A fun car!
You must be my age always remember them in white oh the T bar so 80s great review try and get a Supra 👍🏻👍🏻
+Paul Dolden Details Yeah I remember when they were all shiny and new. Always thought the red ones looked like a Ferrari. Yup a Supra would be cool. Would need to do a Celica too. The Toyota Trinity😉
i have an red t-bar which i restored, the t bars are not stored in the boot they are stored behind the seats
Yes I realised that after the fact Alex. Didn't have much time with the car as it had to go back to be sold. Will know for next time!
Alex Hood Right i was like this guy crazy going to break one , i store mine in back seats enough space for em 👌
Here's one thing about the X1/9, it's a FIAT, the MR2 is a Toyota, so yeah.
Top marks for that observation
Just saying that on the long run the MR2 will survive the longest, fiats are not well known for it's reliability.
Nice with T-Bar...
god...i shouldn't have driven one of those little Italian hotties...a pretty little metallic blue 5sp X1/9...I'm scared for life now! and i really like this little cutie Toyota .......
Yup that is the affect the x1/9 will have on you! But I have been told that a proper sorted MR2 will be just as good.
It's a Japanese Ferrari for sure !
It sure is! And they did a great job on it too.
It's also a mid engine AE86
You seem to be morphing into a publicity machine for car auctioneers
+TR4man If an auction house lets me drive and film their consigned cars then it's only correct to mention that during the film. That way I am upfront about it.
No external shots of the car FFS
who in their right mind gave thumbs down. must be losers
I have 85 rare blue no spoiler.....
Cool! They look good without the spoiler as well👌
Annoying music...anyway...nice video
Thanks for the comments. Music is always a very personal taste. But I'm glad you liked the video in spite of the music.
Before you compare this car vs any other.. maybe get more knowledge of this car before making a youtube video.. tumbs down from me. Cool car, but host.. not so much