A first-generation Toyota MR2 always gets attention, but this 1989 example listed on craigslist brings a slightly different angle. Located with a clean title and showing just 1,000 miles on the odometer, the seller describes it as a fully restored and rebuilt car that’s been brought back with a long list of new components. For fans of lightweight, mid-engine Japanese cars, that alone makes it worth a closer look. Thanks for the tip, Curvette!
According to the listing, this MR2 has gone through a comprehensive rebuild. The seller states the engine has been rebuilt, and a number of supporting components have been replaced along the way. That includes a new starter, water pump, oil pump, alternator, timing belt, exhaust system, and brakes. It’s the kind of list that suggests the focus was on getting the mechanical side refreshed rather than leaving things untouched.
The car is powered by a four-cylinder engine paired with an automatic transmission, and it’s configured with rear-wheel drive as expected for an MR2. The seller doesn’t go into detail about performance specifics, but they do say the car “drives and runs like new.” As always, that’s a claim buyers will likely want to evaluate for themselves, but it gives a general idea of how the seller views the result of the rebuild.
Cosmetically, the listing mentions a professional paint job in “super red” using a base coat/clear coat process. The seller also states that the car has never been in a wreck and has never had rust. Interior work is referenced as well, with upholstery listed among the items that have been addressed, although no additional details are provided about materials or changes.
The odometer reading of 1,000 miles stands out, though the listing doesn’t clarify whether that reflects mileage since the rebuild or another circumstance. It’s one of those details that would likely prompt a follow-up question for anyone seriously considering the car.
First-generation MR2s have been gaining more attention in recent years, especially among enthusiasts who appreciate their simple layout and mid-engine balance. This one, with its reported rebuild and updated components, could appeal to someone who wants that classic MR2 experience without starting from scratch on mechanical work.
At the same time, it’s still important to read between the lines and ask questions, as the listing keeps things fairly straightforward without going deep into documentation or timelines.
For the right buyer, this could be an interesting entry point into MR2 ownership—something already gone through, at least according to the seller, and ready for the next chapter.
The seats and wheels are pre-1988.
From the time in automotive history dominated by Japanese tech and engineering,, Toyota’s take on what the X1/9 should have been.
The successor to this one was even better in many ways and sometimes called the poor man’s Ferrari accordingly.
The shift from selling the best of their engineering thinking and pride in quality to just making more money is telling.
A great example here of their pinnacle, and it looks like a very nice example. Maybe a little pricey for some but a lot used stuff from Washington seems to be likewise.
My X1/9 mechanic once had an MR2 on the lift for repairs. He told me that it’s chassis is an inch by inch copy of the X1/9. Knowing their tendancy to copy the Italians never sold a single X1/9 to the East despite the promising sales figure. Typical Japanese thinking is the lack of the rear bonnet to lower the cost. To their credit they waited until Fiat sold the project to Bertone before starting the MR2 production.
The Gruppo feared loosing sales from Ferrari so they never upgraded the engine after 1978 leaving the field to Toyota.
While the T-tops are a great feature, the 1985/86 interior and wheels, along with the automatic trans is unfortunate. The odometer shows 80K.
Probably a lot of fun at $4k, if it runs ok, but you’d better check it out top to bottom. It looks pretty worn out and that paint is on there for a reason.
True enough, but to be fair, the first generation of base coat/clear coat paints weren’t very good, and many cars, including my brother’s 1994 Mustang, suffered from paint failure. The clear coat would peel, then the color coat would oxidize, turning a chalky, flat imitation of the actual color. The only cure is to sand off the clear coat and repaint it with a modern two-coat paint process. One or more coats of color, followed by couple of coats of clear coat, will do the trick. Certain colors, like red or yellow, would oxidize more readily, like my brother’s red Mustang, LOL!
This car, being a 1989 red example, is an obvious candidate for paint failure. The only other thing that lets it down is the slush-box transmission, LOL! If it were a stick, I’d be all over it, but an automatic? No thank you! Hard Pass. Putting a juice drive in one of these is like painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa! Or Mona Lisa Vito, for that matter, LOL!
Fun cars to drive and maybe the t-Bar might be fun at times, but I have never found one that does not squeak, rattle, and leak. Don’t laugh, I drove a new one of these, and on the same day I drove a new base Fiero. I actually liked the Pontiac better! Better room inside, more comfortable. The Toyota reved better (obviousl), and handled a bit better, but the Fiero was a much better long distance driver in that regard and I drove long distances for my work in those days. . I bought neither, as I needed the storage space a a bigger car.
My 92 had t-tops. never leaked or rattled, either. Great car, like my 86 before it.
I was a technician at a Toyota Dealership in the late 80’s. These things had major engine problems. Most of them stemmed from the same issues a lot of their engines had small oil return holes. Bad engineering.
Sorry Don, bad engineering? That must have been a well kept secret. Not familiar with that.
An automatic MR2.
Why?
A rhetorical question to be sure, but for the same reason people buy Miatas with a slush box. They never learned to drive a stick, and have no desire to learn!
Many years ago i red that some X1-9’s were also ordered with an automatic!
That’s as good question.