Is The Toyota MR2 Spyder A Budget Lotus Elise?

The Toyota MR2 has gone through three distinct generations, with each one being known for different reasons. The third and final iteration of the car is often called the budget Boxster, but with its Toyota engine and super light weight, you might think that it's actually a cut price Lotus. Owner Peter wanted my opinion on how close the car comes to achieving that, so drove all the way from the Netherlands for me to find out.

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[paulstabin]

Owned a 2002 for several years, and tires matter. With sticky Yokohama tires it stuck like glue, and did not push wide, and could be taken through the twisties at high speed, and gripped very convincingly.
It is still not as pure as the Elise. But even used it is less than 20 % of the cost, and it was my daily for four years. An amazing and underappreciated, underrated car.

[danlongyear]

Got my MK 3 MR2 about a month ago now, and simply love it. Use it as my daily and always puts a smile on my face.

[johnny]

I bought my MR2 for daily commuting. I can honestly say that after a few mods the MR2 out handles my 350z w/ similar suspension mods. I take it everywhere. There's plenty of cargo room if your passenger doesn't mind holding all your stuff. Lol

[jordanbudd]

They only come with the 1ZZ so they didn’t step on lotus toes and spoil the relationship.

[tinkerpearce]

Got my 2003 Spyder last year, and it's a pip. Came with lightweight Enkei wheels, uprated tires, struts and TRD strut-tower braces; exactly the mods I would have started with myself. I don't mind the engine; I live in a suburban area where 50 more HP just wouldn't be that useful in this car. But the best thing, the most important thing, is that this car is fun to drive even at the speed limit. I've had much, much faster cars, but I had to risk my license to properly enjoy them. This one? Smiles all day long.

[junitoortega]

OMG JAY YOU FINALLY DID I have been following your channel since the beginning and I own a low mileage Mr2 Spyder myself. Get one, their potential is amazing and people are noticing now 15-20 years later. Is an amazing car!

[ReclusiveDuck]

Bought my completely standard MR2 Roadster last summer, 05 reg, 39k miles, red, 6spd manual, full black leather interior, hardtop included and a removable boot rack (storage issues solved!) and it cost...……..just £4, 900, best purchase I've ever made!

No handling issues whatsoever, feels surprisingly neutral and handles like a dream. In my experience the MR2 is happy to be driven at 9/10ths, in dry weather anyway, all day long and the brakes are excellent too. In the wet however it does move around quite a bit, alarmingly so under heavy braking.

Also, and this just personal preference, I like that it has the lower powered engine. I'm in rural mid wales so maybe i'm biased but to me the MR2 is at it's best on B roads or unnamed roads where power is unimportant and you can just enjoy the handling and the change of direction and become totally immersed in practicing your technique.

I think the 6spd makes a huge difference too, it's actually quite happy on motorways sitting at 80mph at around 3000rpm which makes it surprising comfortable for the type of car it is.

Get a decent one, (with a removeable boot and it's an absolute bargain.

[colliedogjoy]

I love my MR2MK3. As painter and decorator I sometimes struggle for space, but my folding ladders fit in the passenger footwell so it's all good. Regular trips away with the Mrs, coming from a motorbike this is much more practical even if there's less storage - at least we don't have to stash helmets, boots and riding suits when we get somewhere.
It doesn't threaten my license like a Lotus would, it's a lot less pushy but such a giggle when the sun's out, a really nice place to be.

[leonscheepers]

No problem with a weekend getaway - wife and I pack two duffel bags, stow them behind the seats and then off the beaten track on the twisty bits. Absolutely love this car - never get tired of her and owned her for 13 years now - so reliable ... it's a Toyota

[ddtl]

fun fact: the MRS wheel base is actually 1 feet longer than the mk2 and an inch shorter than a '96 boxster.. and without the rear boot in the mk3.. it handles better than the mk2.. the mk2 having a shorter wheel base and a boot at the back, it did harm the handling of the car which would prone the car to oversteer more..

[KarfontaAlec]

They're great cars. Once you start upgrading them its like nothing else I've ever driven.

[nucnik]

Just one factual correction - the MR2 doesn't have electric power steering as Porsche has nowadays. The MR2 has electrically-powered but still hydraulic power steering, so it is different to your normal system, but you don't lose the feel like in modern cars.

[RogerBaileyOnCars]

Oh yes a proper car on your channel James, I've got one if you didn't guess and it's a keeper, Yokohama tyres have helped the handling & grip, and I love the thing. Don't miss the storage cubbies behind the seats by the way.

[DildosForChristmas]

I've got a circa 190bhp 2zz MR-S. It really is amazing. The handling is incredible, good MPG, once it hits lift it flies. Can't fault it at all

[MrEnjaycee]

The available luggage space is a testament to minimalist living and cutting out unnecessary items. We went for a long weekend in France, did not use the boot rack and had enough space for the weekend including bringing back some shopping without taking out the spare wheel.

[adamfry]

I've had plenty of cars and I probably miss this one the most. I did a couple euro trips in it, including camping at Le Mans. Didn't have that much trouble fitting my stuff in.

[adriansong]

The soft suspension is really quite fun to throw the weight around and perform sketchy (but really fun) trail braking. It's really a great thrill to catch the snap oversteer or use it to help you showboat around tight corners on a track :D

[jt-bgey]

got me one of these had it for 6 years now no issues what so ever

[ruzzelladrian]

Still running after 19 years and the driver wasn't afraid it might breakdown while on the round. Isn't it amazing?

[kylemGT]

Plenty of space in this car. I took a set of race rims/tires, 4 jack stands, a jack, and miscellaneous tools for autocross. It was a sight to see. Tons of fun this car!