1991 MR2 is a Mini Mid-engine Masterpiece
#1
1991 MR2 is a Mini Mid-engine Masterpiece
1991 MR2 is a Mini Mid-engine Masterpiece
By Aria Savadkouei
A love for Toyota's legendary MR2 isn't a bad thing to inherit from your father.
By Aria Savadkouei
A love for Toyota's legendary MR2 isn't a bad thing to inherit from your father.
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#8
Always have loved the look of the 1st/2nd gen.
I remember visiting Javier Quiros at his Toyota dealership in Costa Rica and he had a gorgeous MR2 Supercharged in the garage (that I'm sure was heavily modified).
I still think TMC's biggest mistake was not bringing the GRMN Hybrid Sports Concept II to fruition, even if it was based on the 3rd gen.
I remember visiting Javier Quiros at his Toyota dealership in Costa Rica and he had a gorgeous MR2 Supercharged in the garage (that I'm sure was heavily modified).
I still think TMC's biggest mistake was not bringing the GRMN Hybrid Sports Concept II to fruition, even if it was based on the 3rd gen.
#12
Toyota rocked when they developed the 1985, 1st-gen MR2 and did it again in 1990 with the 2nd-gen model. These were a couple of fast, fun affordable sports cars for their day! After a 10-year hiatus, they lost their way with the 3rd-gen MR2. I believe Toyota misinterpreted the non-success of the 3rd-gen car, and decided the market no longer existed for an affordable, reliable, two-seat, sports car. I contend it was the design of the car that slowed sales, not the concept. So, when they decided the only way to build another profitable/affordable sports car was by partnering with Subaru to make the BRZ/Scion FR-S, I think they were wrong. To add insult to injury, they pulled the same stunt with the new Supra. Sure, the (now) Toyota 86 and Supra are really good sports cars, but, they aren't pure Toyotas, which is what their fan-base longs for.
I believe the market is still there for a pure Toyota, affordable sports car, assuming they can still build-in that legendary reliability they're known for. Mazda did it with the Miata, so can you Toyota! I'll bet, however, that low sales/profits from the 86 and the Supra poison the well even further for a chance of ever seeing a return to the glory days of Toyota sports cars.
I believe the market is still there for a pure Toyota, affordable sports car, assuming they can still build-in that legendary reliability they're known for. Mazda did it with the Miata, so can you Toyota! I'll bet, however, that low sales/profits from the 86 and the Supra poison the well even further for a chance of ever seeing a return to the glory days of Toyota sports cars.
#13
The 1st gen MR2 is the one that really does it for me though. Love the weird oragami styling, you aren't going to mistake for anything else on the road. Plus its light(2200lbs), the 4A-GE engine doesn't make a ton of power, but man its fun to rev the nuts off it and it makes a glorious sound about 6" away from your ear holes.