First-generation Toyota MR2s offer some of the most smiles-per-dollar you can get in a modern classic, and despite being produced in fairly generous numbers, it’s not as easy as you might hope to find a decent driver. Rust, abuse, and general neglect have done their best to winnow the pool of prospective project candidates down to a fairly small number, so cars like this 1986 MR2 with a very low 42,000 miles on the clock stand out for sure. This one isn’t quite as fun given it has an automatic transmission, but the presence of the slushbox likely played a major factor in this one not ending up abused. Find it here on eBay with bids to $15,000 and no reserve.

This MR2 is listed for sale in Rhode Island, and I’m mildly shocked by this considering I thought I had a pretty good read on the desirable hobby cars in a 20 mile radius! I’ve never seen a clean MR2 like this around these parts, at least not recently. MR2s of this vintage are highly likely to be spotted wearing red paint, and almost universally, it’s started to fade on various panels. This car has a recent respray, which I can go either way on in terms of assessing its value on a low-mileage car like this. Personally, I would have rather seen it as a low-mileage, original paint car, but then again, buyers from on the other side of the country may have called into question the mileage claims if the paintwork looked tired. The seller claims he bought the Toyota from the son of the original owner.

The interior does look like it belongs in a low-mileage car, with near-perfect bucket seats that show no signs of the bolsters being worn down or tears developing in the now-fragile fabric. The dashboard and all of the plastics also present well, and the door panels appear to be mint. The car is said to have come from a non-smoking household as an added bonus. The seller isn’t just flipping this MR2, thankfully, as he has addressed some recent maintenance needs as well. These recent repairs include a new fuel pump, and new brakes and rotors. Not terribly extensive, as I’d like to see a proactive timing belt job done as well.

The headliner is quite nice as well, with no signs of the pop-up sunroof leaking. The plastic sail panel that sits on the back of the roof also looks crystal clear, but I think it originally had a “TOYOTA” graphic or decal adhered to it. Regardless, there’s no denying this is a clean example, and if the seller had the whole car resprayed to a decent level (he also mentions addressing a dent in one of the rear quarter panels), he’s already into this car for a decent amount. The timing belt job isn’t cheap, which is likely why the seller avoided it, or he thinks the low mileage means it doesn’t need doing. Still, get that done, and you’ve got a peach of an appreciating classic that will be a wonderful weekend driver for years to come.