The Toyota MR2 is an emerging classic that remains relatively affordable – for now. They certainly make sense as a restoration candidate, as they can be purchased fairly cheaply as a project. Then again, when you look at what it costs to buy a good one, it may be worth spending a bit more up front. This 1985 MR2 was a trophy car for the seller, who embarked on a complete engine-out servicing this year before listing it here on eBay with bids to $6,100 and no reserve.
The MR2 is a classic mid-engined design and remains a well-loved enthusiast car, both for its handling and Toyota-grade reliability. The difficulty is finding a rust-free example, or one that hasn’t gone down the slippery slope of becoming someone’s cheap project car. They made terrific entry-level track cars, too, so there are numerous ways for these to be abused. The seller set out to find the best stock example he could, and this one certainly looks the part with a rust-free body and paint that still shines.
Another tell-tale sign of being a true survivor is how clean the interior remains, and this MR2’s cabin is in excellent condition. The deeply bolstered bucket seats are one of my favorite features as these seats are incredibly comfortable. The brittle plastics all look to be in good order and there are no indications this MR2 was ever cheaply modified by a teenaged driver. Mileage is believed to be original at 92,500.
What’s incredible about servicing an MR2 is how many Toyota dealers will seemingly still work on them. This is not the first example we’ve featured wherein the seller claims they asked the local dealer to perform an engine-out service to address the timing belt, and said dealer apparently was able to come up with the parts necessary to service it. The seller cites a total bill of $4,200 for a “…new timing belt, water pump, oil pump, seals, gaskets, and much more.” This is a honey of an MR2 that has the kind of maintenance which will keep it humming for years to come.
Here;s a great example of one of these mid-engine funmobiles.
I personally like the 3rd gen Spyder, even if the styling is derivative of the Boxster.
My preferences go 3rd generation, then 1st, then 2nd, but any way you slice it, this is a nice car! Proof that Miata is not always the answer. I had a professor who used to track-day one just like this…which really makes me think about how old this car is, too, and that makes the condition even more impressive.
Has anyone else stopped receiving the comment emails, or is it just me?
I’ve tried reaching out to the admins a couple of different ways and have received no response.
I’m still getting them.
No it’s not just you .l don’t know what up but who cares.
Maybe try replying to a comment and rechecking the box to receive comment updates?
Thanks for the suggestion. I gave it a try and that did not help.
I went in to settings and changed the email address that I’ve been using for years and years. That might fix it, but would still like to know what happened to my account.
Nice car.
I’m 6’4″ and often wondered if I’d fit in one of these. Sure could be a fun runabout if I did.
Years ago a friend of mine in CA had one of these. He told me it used a bit of oil – ok, no problem with that. I then proceeded to follow him down the freeways in CA to a car show and I soon realized that my windshield seemed to be fogging up. When I got to the show, I was dismayed (to put it mildly) to realize that his car spewed a fine film of oil out behind it, which coated the front of my truck on that drive to the show. Needless to say, it was a mess to clean up before the show.
Nice!
My sister drove one just like this one with no engine oil until the engine block cracked and though it ran ruff it ran for another two years. If I could get in and out of it I’d buy it. Nice dependable economical collector car that’s affordable.
The way the Japanese collector car market has been going lately, prices on these are going to take a huge jump, if not immediately then soon. Think Datsun 240Z, Fairlady roadster, 510.
You should still be able to get a Mister Two in great shape for a “used car price.”
Sold for 11K+.
LOL. $11k for a throw away Toyota with a hundred thousand miles on it. One of which 20 years ago you couldn’t give away. This planet sucks i want off.