MR2's are not like your typical japanese cars. Unlike your Honda Civics and Preludes or Acura Integras, MR2's are a true sports car. The MR2 is rear wheel drive, and the engine is seated behind the seats. (Notice the vents on the back lid) There is only 2 seats and barely enough room to put a small sub woofer box behind them. (ya, I still have to have good sound...lol) They are very light, and very agile. MR2's do not know how to say NO to a nice sharp curve at 50 miles an hour. (Maybe more, but the only fun turn I have on my way to work has a speed limit of 45 ((well, up until the curve anyway's)) and I haven't got it up past 50 on that turn whereas most people slow to about 20 to 30 miles an hour. They really should reduce the speed limit a bit, because these big SUV's think they will keep up with me only to slow down after loosing a bit control and they start wobbling. It's funny in the mirror, not so funny when they are beside you.) If you are not experienced with MR2s, the rear end could get away from you, especially the 2nd Gen Turbo's. A mix of light weight and rear wheel drive can make any turn a whole lot of fun, or a nightmare. I personally have to change my rear tires every 6 months if that tells you how much fun I have. :) My present MR2 is a turbo, manual trans. It has a top speed of 148 mph stock.(some with money have up their HP to 500whp doing speeds that only Exotics could do.) I have gotten her up to 127, not that that's legal, but hey...the gov allows them to make them that fast...so....I'm here to not let all that power go to waste. :) I haven't found a decent safe road with no traffic to up that yet. I have put a lot of Mustang GT's to shame though! hehehe. She is a beautiful machine that loves doing 100 mph. At that speed I can drop her down in 4th and pull away from other cars like it was no ones business. (got to love turnpikes) At that speed she can switch lanes just as easy as if I were doing only 30 mph. It's a shame they stopped making the MR2. The plan is to pay this off, and then look for another First Gen MR2 like the red one I had, but this time, I'll hold out for the Supercharger model with the T-Tops. They're still reasonably priced, so no biggy. After that, I will try and put myself in the position to pick up the last, 3rd Gen MR2 better known as the MRS. They want the same price for an 03 model as they do for my 91. My second Gen will always be the most sought after of the 3. It would tickle me pink to own all three Gens. I love taking my turbo to the MR2 meets. Other owners can't believe how good of condition she is in for being a 91.

 

1986 Toyota MR2

This was my 1986 MR2. (The First Gen MR2) Automatic, Naturally Aspirated. (Non-Turbo) I got her in 2006 and she only had 115K original miles on her. She was a bute! Click the thumb nails for a better look. I loved that car and I wish I still had her. Although it's horse power was low, and it was an automatic with no turbo, she was still fun to drive and fishtailing was a daily habit. :)

1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo

In January 2008, I traded my 86 in for my current ride. It's a 1991 MR2 Turbo. (The second Gen MR2) When I picked her up, she only had 82K original miles. (you would have been embarrassed to know me that day...I was ridiculously over excited and happy... strait nerd'em came poring from the cracks of my cheesy grin). It is a car I have always wanted, and hopefully have for a very long time. I am paying for her still today and the price I am paying is the same for a brand new cheap economy car. To me it's worth it. You just can't find these baby's anywhere in this kind of condition, especially a turbo.She has a pop-up/removable sunroof, in-dash DVD player, power everything, cruise, leather, 5 speed manuel, 2.0 Ltr. twin entry turbo, dual overhead cam, 200hp (stock) with an aqua-marine pearl paint exterior. (stock, although it was re-painted last year.) I'd like to tune her and add a modest extra 100hp making a total of 300whp, but never will I make her like these idiots hondas that only sound fast. They sound stupid to me with all that coffey can muffler sound. It's a waste and it's the same as believing racing stripes and stickers will make your car faster....news flash...it don't. I think that's equal to peeps who have spinners on their hubcaps...ghetto...lol

Future mods will include a cold air intake, 3 inch down pipe, 90mm turbo with the ECU and water cooler upgrade. The great thing is, these are all bolt-ons, meaning no tarnishing the original engine and can always convert back. I'd like to get her some 15" slotted roters and some Koni yellows. Drop her about 1 to 2 inches. One other thing would be a short shifter. After all of this, no, she will not be ready to take on 800whp fox-body mustangs with spray, duh! But I'd have most peeps eat dust on the road. My only targets would be drivers of big useless and heavy V8 stangs, GTO's and camaros. You know the type, "YAY! post 70's American good try, but I should have bought foreign instead of that exaggerated paper weight because America forgot how to make a car" type person? ya that type. Don't get me wrong, nothing sounds as sweet as a nice Super Charged V8, but American auto makers today build cheap products and haven't figured out the bloated weight problem. Sure they can be fun...if all you want to do is go straight. But I prefer sharp turns with the adrenalin rush of not knowing what will come next. Straight quarter mile tracks you say?? boreeeeeiiinggggg!!!! I'd be just fine keeping up with Porsche's through winding hills and cliffs. Now that is FUNNNN!!!!!!