Rumors surrounding the possible revival of the Toyota MR2 have emerged recently from the Land of the Rising Sun, with several local outlets claiming the new model will retain the rear mid-engine and rear-wheel drive layout, sprinkling everything with the same engine powering the GR Corolla.
If this is the kind of news that excites you, then you should know that the all-new Toyota MR2 is believed to be a Japan-only affair. Thus, chances are it might not end up in Western markets at all, and that includes the United States, if it is really in the works, that is.
Nonetheless, enthusiasts can still enjoy the countless copies spread throughout three generations, as the model was made from 1984 to 2007. And if it's the second generation that gets your heart racing, we just came across one that you should check out. After all, it is a California car with not that many miles on the clock.
Said to have around 41,500 miles (~66,800 km) under its belt, this 1993 Toyota MR2 looks very fresh. It has a turquoise finish, five-spoke wheels, and a tan leather interior. Its owner wanted to make it feel a bit more modern, so they installed a touchscreen infotainment system, likely hooked up to an aftermarket stereo. Other than that, it looks all original to us.
Photo: Garage Kept Motors
That includes the engine, which is a 2.2-liter four-cylinder unit hooked up to a five-speed manual transmission. An automatic was also available, and the second-gen Toyota MR came with three other engines, all of which had a 2.0-liter displacement. The US-market MR2 packing the 2.2-liter mill had 130 hp on tap, and the turbo'd 2.0L unit produced 200 horsepower.
This fun-to-drive mid-engine and rear-wheel drive machine has a curb weight of around 2,800 pounds (~1,270 kg). Thus, 130 hp (though it's unknown how many horses it has lost over the last three decades) was enough for a car born in the 1990s, especially one that wasn't intended to compete with the exotic establishment.
Often called the poor man's Ferrari, the Toyota MR2 has left its mark on the sports car world, proving that companies can come up with an exciting model that doesn't break the bank. Speaking of which, this one will set you back $29,900 should you want to make it yours.
That is pretty much new Toyota Camry territory, as the base grade starts at $26,420 before destination and dealer fees, whereas the Camry Hybrid carries an MSRP of $28,855. That is also new RAV4 or Tacoma money, and the Prius also starts at just under $30,000. But none of them are as fun to drive as this MR2, which deserves a new and caring owner. The question is, are you the one to buy it?
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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