Toyota MR2

Price Paid:  $24385.00 from Toyota of Stamford

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 Toyota

Summary:
Despite the fact that I am in love with this car, I unfortunately happened to buy a cursed one. In it's short life, I have run over a high curb which dented the radiator leaving me with no coolant causing my engine to seize while driving on the Saw Mill (very tight, winding road with no shoulder or street lights). But don't let me leave out that five minutes before the engine seized, I accidentally (!!!) hit a huge raccoon at about 65 mph. Fast-forward to two months later, I have a new front end and a new short block engine. The car should be good as new. Well... Westchester Toyota (horrible service center, by the way) never did a rear wheel alignment after they replaced the engine (the entire wheel chassis must be removed to do any engine work) so my tires were completely bald on the outside due to uneven wear. So I had tires replaced. A few months later, driving down another dark road at 3am, I hit a deer, and not a baby deer, but a full-grown deer. One perk about this car being so low to the ground, I took out the deer's legs and it literally bounced right over the car. There was no damage to my windshield or my roof. Again, I have the front end replaced. Now I'm faced with rear tires that are still wearing unevenly and a mysterious oil leak that no one can find the source of. In short, this little car has put up with a lot of abuse and while I have to get rid of it as soon as possible for fear of losing my life and the threat of hitting another poor defenseless animal, I'm really, really going to miss this car. She, I call her Rosie short for Rosalita, is so fun to drive. People always ask me about the car. They have no idea what it is after they realize that it isn't a Porsche Boxster. People shout to me from their cars at 70mph saying how hot the car looks. The car has protected me from the elements and major run-ins with large animals. I may just cry when I hand over the keys. If I could only say one thing about this car, it would be: Buy this for weekend fun in the sun because it's a great deal but do not expect to use all year long in Northeast-type climate.

Strengths:
Fast, stylish, attention getter, great on gas mileage, great price, easy to put the top down, smooth and easy shifting

Weaknesses:
Loud cabin, absoutely no trunk space (but that's not why you buy this car), tough to drive in the grooves from tractor trailors worn into the highways b/c of the narrow wheel width, huge blind spots with top up, cannot drive over 60mph in rain and forget about the snow

Similar Products Used:
Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

Price Paid:  $24500.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 MR2 Spyder

Summary:
I've wanted an MR2 since they first came out. The wedge aerodynamics really caught me eye. Took one for a test ride and never forgot how much fun it was. It was a roadster and your fears were the only limitation to what it could do. Didn't make enough to afford one then and, later, when they got turbocharged, it didn't appeal to me. Now that I'm older and wiser and exercise better judgment, I figured screw it. When you get to the pearly gates you're goin' to be buck naked, so you might as well get it now. My 2001 MR2 is liquid silver. The MR2 comes with practically every option and looks good from any angle, top up or down. When you're driving the new MR2 it is one of those cars that intimately surrounds you and becomes an extension of yourself. It's quiet enough with the top up and you don't get blown away when it's down. Like you'd really care. It doesn't feel small, just nimble. There's nothing cheap about it. It's not special off the line (7-8 secs to 60). It's power is in the way in rides and corners and in the way it accelerates at higher speeds to leave most anything else behind. When I say corner, I mean just that. It does corners and narrow country roads in a way you've never experienced. The engine has a bass growl to it that really turns you on. The top is manual, but it's a snap to put up or take down. There is no trunk, but so what. There's enough space behind the sports bucket seats to put stuff in, the glove compartment is pretty big, there's a neat compartment centerd in the dash under the front window, and, if you take the spare out of the front, you've got room for more junk. The amber lighting is easy on the eyes and the AM/FM/CD/Tape Player sounds great. I also like that it's got a glass rear window that's easy to see out of. Every day I look forward to driving my MR2. It is a ride you want to hang on to forever. If you don't know what I mean, you need to find out.

P.S. The MR2 is supposed to compete with the Miata. There is no comparison. Put the two together and drive them both and you'll see.

Strengths:
Sleak lines, unique look, terrific grip, outstanding sound, serious gas mileage, glass rear window and a roomy interior for a roadster.

Weaknesses:
Pack light. Right now, it only sells at MSRP, but it's not unreasonable and you get plenty bang for the buck. The only change I would recommend is to light up/outline the door lock/unlock switch and power mirror switch similar to the driver's side power window switch.

Similar Products Used:
The MR2 Spyder is a roadster. A lot of thought went in to it and it's got style. It compares with the Honda S2000, BMW Z3 and the Audi TT.