[Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the October 2000 issue of Grassroots Motorsports. Some information and prices may have changed. All text has been left as it originally appeared in print.]
The Mazda Miata has pretty much enjoyed a competitor-free life for the last 10 years. After all, the original 1.9-liter BMW Z3 was too expensive (and too slow) to be a real threat, the Mercury Capri convertible never caught on, the Honda del Sol was never really a sales success, and the new wave of performance drop tops–including the Honda S2000, BMW M roadster and Porsche Boxster–all cost tens of thousands of dollars more than the Mazda.
Well, after a decade of carefree living in the midst of the new-car sales wars, the Miata finally has some genuine competition in its market segment with Toyota's release of the new MR2 Spyder.
The Toyota MR2 name has been a favorite among driving enthusiasts since the car's first release in 1985. The original was a small, wedge-shaped, mid-engined, two-seat sports car powered by a 112-horsepower engine, that quickly became a staple in many forms of motorsports, from autocross to professional road racing. In 1988, Toyota added the supercharged version to its MR2 lineup.
The early car's interior was a little on the techno side, but the driver's hands fell easily on all controls and switches–a trademark of many Toyotas.
In 1991, the public received a new MR2, one that was much, much sleeker than the previous model. While the original MR2 resembled the automotive equivalent of a computer nerd, this new car–especially in its 200-horsepower, turbocharged guise–was an athlete. From its Ferrari-inspired sheet metal and turbocharged engine to its awesome handling manners, the new MR2 became a budget supercar for the masses. Unfortunately, rising prices–and few changes in specifications–killed it, and the MR2 disappeared from our shores after the 1995 season.
After a brief hiatus, the MR2 name has returned to the U.S. for the 2000 model year, and it's on a car that gets back to the model's more modest roots. While still clad in swoopy bodywork, the new MR2–now officially known as the MR2 Spyder–is geared more toward the enthusiast of average means, meaning it's lower in price and power output. And since it is a two-seat convertible, the Spyder is a direct competitor for the popular Mazda Miata.
Like all MR2 models, the Spyder is midengined, but this time around a 138-horsepower version of Toyota's revvy VVTi inline four-cylinder resides under the rear deck. (This engine is nearly identical to the one that powers the new Celica GT.) That power finds its way to the rear wheels through a typically Toyota-smooth five-speed gearbox, while MacPherson struts are used at all four corners.
We would have to say that the best part about the new MR2 Spyder is merely the fact that the car exists. As we said earlier, there hasn't been much of a selection in this market segment for the last 10 years. ln no way are we saying that the Miata is a bad car, but it's nice to have a choice in this price and performance range.
Speaking of price, the Spyder's $23,098 tag seems reasonable. It fits squarely in the middle of the Miata's price range, but unlike the Mazda, the Toyota comes only one way. (Sorry, this isn't Burger King.) There are no factory options available for the 2000 MR2 Spyder, meaning that the $23,098 price isn't for any budget, stripped-down version.
All Spyders come with niceties like an AM/FM/CD audio system, air-conditioning, tilt steering wheel, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear glass window and .some snappy-lookjng five-spoke wheels. (One wonders when the wheels will begin showing up on Civics, since the bolt circle appears to be correct.)
Aside from the standard equipment, we quickly fell in love with the MR2 Spyder's driving position. We would have to rate the relationship between the driver's seat, pedals, steering wheel and shifter as nearly excellent.
We also liked the soft top mechanism. The latches are very similar 10 the ones used on the Miata, but the Toyota's top folds in such a way that it forms its own tonneau cover.
Another plus goes to the car's light weight. In a world where a 3000-pound BMW M roadster doesn't seem like a big deal, we like the fact that the MR2 Spyder checks in at only 2195 pounds, even lighter than the beloved Miata. (The newest Miata weighs about 2300 pounds.)
While there is much to like about the new MR2 Spyder, we did find a few sore spots. These items don't ruin the car, but they may be a major issue for some potential buyers.
For one, the automobile has practically no carrying room. Even though they were two-seaters, both previous generations of the MR2 had enough cargo capacity. The fact that there is none in the new car kind of shocks us, especially since Toyota is usually one of the more innovative companies out there.
There is a minuscule storage spot in the MR2 Spyder's front trunk, and Toyota also put another small compartment behind the seats. The EPA measures only 1.9 cubic feet of carrying space, which isn't much larger than the average backpack. You can get a week's worth of groceries into the trnnk of an early Miata, while the MR2 would only carry home your groceries if your die1 consisls of mns and berries.
Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder, but we didn't find the MR2 Spyder to be the most attractive car ever produced. From the front. it looks a linle like those Nick Park cartoon cars that are featured in the Chevron commercials. while its flanks give a new definition to the term "slab-sided." Taken as a whole, it looks a little too much like a kit car for our taste, although Toyota's stylists did do a good job on the tail. (Too bad you don't drive down the road backward–at least not legally.)
Fortunately, once you slide behind the wheel, all other viewpoints are inconsequential. From that perspective, with your hands on the wheel and your feet on the pedals, the MR2 Spyder is beautiful.
The answer to that question depends on what you're looking for and who you are. The MR2 Spyder makes a great weekend toy and could be the newest, best thing for SCCA B Stock autocrossing.
On the other hand, this new Toyota probably isn't the hottest ticket for a one-car family, even if that family is just one person.
All told, if you are only carrying yourself and one other person (or yourself and a box of tissues), then go for it. If not, you may try looking elsewhere. Besides, its cartoonish front means you may have trouble looking super-suave while driving it.
The MR2 Spyder is a frustrating car, as it could have been so much better. In stock form, the handling is good, but it lacks the ability to easily carry speed in a sweeper like a Miata or even the Celica on which it is based. This could be due to its weird transitioning from understeer to oversteer and back again, something that could be solved with better shocks, although stiffening things up might exacerbate the already noticeable amounts of cowl shake.
The styling is reminiscent of a Porsche, including the view from the driver's seat, but it lacks the classic beauty of a 911 or even that of a second-generation MR2. While not groteqsue, the effect is more FUBU than Versace. The fact that the top goes down increases its appeal, but here, again, another car can do it better–a Miata in this case.
For around $23k, the R2 Spyder represents an inexpensive entry into the roadster niche, but it is going up against tough competition like a new Miata, a good used MR2, or even a Porsche that it is trying to emulate. And don't even get me started on the "trunk."
–Per Schroeder, GRM Special Projects Manager and 1992 MR2 owner
Compared to the Honda S2000, the BMW M roadster or the Porsche Boxster, the new MR2 Spyder is a crude little car. Then again, it is roughly half the price of these other roadsters. Yes, there is some scuttle shake and no room for any luggage, but the MR2 is the most fun car I have driven since my Porsche 914.
Speaking of the 914, the Toyota MR2 Spyder truly is the spiritual successor to that overlooked little Porsche. Dimensionally they are very close, and viscerally they have an uncanny similarity. Unfortunately, if you look at the actual design of the two cars, the Porsche 914 looks like the more modern automobile with its well-designed targa top and large trunk space.
Perhaps the Spyder is an incredibly good deal at $23,000 when compared to the Boxster, but what about a well-restored 914? A nicely-restored Porsche 914 would cost less than half the money of the new MR2. New-car buyers generally never look at old cars, but maybe a few more should. After all, the MR2 is more toy than practical automobile. Does it really matter if the toy is new or old?
–Tim Suddard, GRM Publisher and 1973 Porsche 914 owner
Driving the MR2 Spyder reminded me a great deal of my old first-generation MR2. It felt light, had gobs of living space in the interior, had excellent outward vision and the handling was good, if not quite great.
The biggest problem with this little cutie is that it's just not a real car. There's absolutely zero storage space, and at speeds above 60 mph the car feels darty and nervous. Now, there's a fine line between responsive and nervous, and this one is obviously on the wrong side of that line.
Not that I didn't like it, mind you. Despite my whining, the MR2 is loads of fun to drive, and really rather rewarding when you toss it around a bit.
If you really want a motorcycle, but just have to have a CD player and a/c, the MR2 Spyder is a natural choice.
–J.G. Pasterjak, GRM Production Manager/Art Director and former owner of a 1985 MR2
Where does the time go, right?
Sort of related, I was talking MR2 Spyders with one of our forum regulars IRL earlier this week. :)
The MR2 Spyder falls into that category of cars that turn my head, partly because I rarely see them on the road.
At the time, and as an owner of a several SW20 MR2s, I hated the Spyder. As time has passed, I think they're a lot more attractive. I hope Toyota will come through with the true MR2 successor that has been rumored to be in the works since, well...1995.
Give us another 2200 lb MR2, but with the G16 from the GR Yaris / Corolla, and sign me up!
To me, the MR2 Spyder looked kinda like one of those Chevron Cars.
te72 said:Give us another 2200 lb MR2, but with the G16 from the GR Yaris / Corolla, and sign me up!
I like that thinking. Putting the G16 in a new MR2 just makes sense, at least in my head.
I love my Spyder. Its fun, its reliable, and its just an all-around great car. Stock for stock, I think its a better sporty driving experience (it just feels unquatifiably "special", maybe its the mid-engine design) than the NA/NB Miata, but they are more practical.
In reply to NickD :
When I attended the press introduction, I was a bit shocked by the size of the trunk....
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Or the lack of size of the trunk ......
My golf clubs would have had to magically shrunk to miniscule proportions......maybe pickleball paddles instead ?
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