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33k-Mile Midship: 1987 Toyota MR2

Though Toyota’s MR2 has endured plenty of mimicry over there years (seriously, save your snap oversteer jokes), the lovable midship is becoming more desirable and valuable in the eyes of collectors. With that being said, this well-kept 1987 MR2 that is available here on eBay is absolutely evidence of that trend.

This example is a first-generation AW11 MR2, and it is located in Woodland Hills, California. The sports car is completely stock and original, with its remarkable condition attributed to the fact it was always stored indoors.

A peek at the odometer shows that this MR2 has only been driven 33,200 miles.

The interior of this MR2 seems to be in absolutely beautiful shape, almost appearing new. Unfortunately, the cabin reveals the likely reason a sporty and fun car such as this MR2 survived in such immaculate condition– it has an automatic transmission.

Under the hood, there’s Toyota’s renowned 4AGE engine. The 1.6-liter 4-cylinder powers the sports car’s rear wheels. This rev-happy little engine is a blast in such a light car and should make this a fun car to put some miles on.

The Buy-it-Now price for this MR2 is $11,900, though reasonable offers are also considered. The seller, California Cadillac and Collectibles, mentions “these Japanese cars are on there (sic) way up in price so don’t wait,” also adding “this will be a 30k car in two years.” Do you agree with the seller’s assessment, or do you think that an automatic transmission makes this MR2 a hard purchase to justify?

Comments

  1. Avatar Mayor

    The auto will hold the value back for many, but it’s a nice 4speed w/ o/d and a “power” mode that raises the shift points for better performance. I had an FX16 GTS w/ the same engine & trans and it worked quite well. I’m not at all surprised by the condition of the interior. This era Toyota interior held up very well. My ’89 supercharged interior looks nearly as good w/ 158k miles. Also not 100% stock, the muffler has been replaced. It should have dual outlets w/ chrome tips.

    Like 3
  2. Avatar Marc

    Being an automatic is less of an issue than the collector price it’s asking for.

    at 33k, i’d be wondering why it has:
    1) non oem muffler
    2) side mouldings painted over
    3) front TOYOTA logo in the wrong position, it’s 2 inches too high.
    4) wrong battery bracket (it’s from an S/C AW11 and ghetto rigged onto the car).

    Like 3
  3. Avatar Sandy Claws

    In years to come when we are, oh how shall I say it, ahhh…dead- those left will be by far, not able to drive a manual. The day of the automatic has arrived. I have a friend with a six speed automatic Miata, of all things, it is very nice. He wanted the manual but his wife insisted so she could drive it. (I guess she didn’t do so well with manual trans car driving lessons). I have driven that car, it is a nice compromise, so unlike the nasty 84 Omni my wife had with an automatic, man was that car sluggish.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar brianashe

    Mimicry = copying. Mockery = joking, making fun of.

    No way will this sell for $12k with an automatic.

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Lynn Dockey Member

    The trans takes away the whole reason to buy the car

    Like 2
  6. Avatar Neal

    I’ve wondered why these are considered mid-engined cars when the engine seems to be all the way back?
    Auto is a killjoy for this.
    Never drove one, but I’ve always been intrigued by these cars.
    And WAY too expensive.

    Like 1

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