I spotted one in a stealership's used lot the other day at a rock bottom price...I thought I'd look at it...you know just out of curiosity....
So once I make sure it's not an auto or been in a wreck, what problems should I look for....um, you know just 'cuz I wonder why it's so cheap...
The only thing I've heard (and it's more on the Celica end, as there are more data points) is that this engine does not like being starved of oil and bearings will spin. Always check that it's got a full sump before any cornering.
Beyond that, it's a dead-nuts simple Toyota.
Per
minimal storage space. I want one so bad. Have since they came out in 2000
Legroom. I had two MKI MR2s and they had legroom to spare. I was really dissapointed in the lack of it in the MR-S.
There is a problem with the pre-cat breaking apart and ending up inside the engine, only real problem I've heard of so far. Don't think it's very common but has happened a few times. spyderchat.com is the active forum, should be helpful.
make sure and check the seal around the rear window. They go fast when left out. That's the reason the one on our local lot was so cheap. They also had some exhaust related issue they (Honda Dealer) couldn't fix and had to take it back to the Toyota dealership to get cured. WTF??!! I walked.
But man, thaat thing felt way cool on th test drive. I stil want one in the worst way, but it's hard to justify in addition to my pony
leaky soft-top, spun bearings caused by oil starvation, pre-cat failure, weak transmission, oil consumption and piston slap on older models can hint at slightly oval shaped cylinders.
I own a 1ZZFE, i'm on my second transmission and the bearings were all changed after i spun them at HPDE. Despite that, the MRS is a fun platform if you can throw $10grand at it...
In the later years of the MR-S the rear rim size grew an inch larger than the fronts. I believe 15" front 16" rear. The first few years received 15" all around.
MR-S + 2ZZ (Celica GT-S motor)= poor man's elise!
I thought the MR-S came from the factory with the 1.8L 2ZZ-FE, not the 1.6L 1ZZ?
I'd love to find one with the sequential manual, but I'm sure there's some reason I'm glad I haven't.
nope, they were all 1zz IIRC.
Techno Pro Spirit a japanese tuning shop made a track car out of a mr-s, put a 2zz in it (and im sure MANY other things plus lightened the crap out of it). but it seemed to be holding its own against higher powered rear drive cars.
I remember reading that the swaybar mounts rip off (I think in the front) and they cant be repaired in such a way to be legal for an autocross class that doesnt allow modifications to the mounts.
As Cotton says, they don't have much space and pretty much no usable storage at all - you can get just about a single grocery bag into the sorry excuse for a front storage cubby hole.
Pre-cat failure can be pretty subtle until the point where the engine spills out its guts. The one I drove was hesitant to rev past 5k which is one of the signs of pre-cat failure. It also seemed to like to understeer at higher speeds.
It's a cute little sportscar but IMHO the Miata is the better car and it sure isn't a poor man's Elise - the Mk1 MR2 probably is, but the 3rd gen, not so much.
Sounds like it would be worth the premium to get into a Boxster, or find an MX-5 instead.
ReverendDexter wrote: I thought the MR-S came from the factory with the 1.8L 2ZZ-FE, not the 1.6L 1ZZ? I'd love to find one with the sequential manual, but I'm sure there's some reason I'm glad I haven't.
All the MR-S's that came to Australia were equipped with the sequential manual. As a result, they've never been popular with the "enthusiast" crowd.
I'd like to find one with a 'proper' manual 
.
the sequential manual is not nearly as nice as Audi's DSG. I'd look for a "standard" box
ReverendDexter wrote: I thought the MR-S came from the factory with the 1.8L 2ZZ-FE, not the 1.6L 1ZZ? I'd love to find one with the sequential manual, but I'm sure there's some reason I'm glad I haven't.
Well... neither.
They came with the 1.8 litre 1zzfe.
And the sequential sucks. Just sayin'.
But that said, i've test driven a few of these. They feel just as fast as the recent miatas to me, they're more tossable, and yeah, they're more quirky, but the prices they're going for these days is nothing short of ridiculous.
Where else are you going to find a mid engined convertible that weighs less than 2200lbs? You drive it, you'll be splitting your face open with a grin.
I've had 11 MR2s now. The "Mrs." didn't come with any room for your balls.
When you consider what 1.8L Miatas and 'real' MR2s are selling for these days, the Spyder just doesn't compete IMHO.
Value notwithstanding, they are a neat platform. But they seem to be $10k+. That's WRX territory, and you can get two NICE Miatas for that much coin.
If they were Miata-priced, then they would be a lot more interesting.
Normal price for decent examples in the midwest seems to be about $8k.
They're a hugely different animal from the SW20 MR2s, and easier to find a nice one, plus ease of mind when comparing them to the AW11s.
The Miata seems to be the only competition, and the MRS seems to depreciate faster.
It's all preference. I'd rather the MR2 simply because it's mid-engined, light as hell, and performs beyond it's parts. 
Just got back from Virginia in the AW11. Had some tools, my overnight bag, the wife, her overnight bag, my computer bag and a jumper battery thing. On the way home, we added three pumpkins, fresh apple cider, some decorations, an apple pie and lots of Virginia Peanuts (the best IMHO). THAT is the problem with the MRS; not a weekend getaway car.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I too owned a AW11 and a Miata at the exact same time. I was always amazed at how much real space the was in the AW11 when you add up all the small spaces.
If I could find another, I would buy it quickly.
I like to looks and the idea of the MRS, but it seems to me than any year with less than 60k miles is still listed for $10k. Similar mileage Miatas (regardless of year) can be found for much less money.
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