Verdict
B
Sports · Japan · 1989-2007
Toyota MR2
Toyota MR2 — spec data and generation history.
Years
1989-2007
Generations
2
Segment
Sports
Toyota's mid-engined two-seater - quirky pocket sports car across three generations though only W20 (1989-1999) and W30 (1999-2007) are in scope here. W20 was the bigger Ferrari-look turbo era - 3S-GTE 2.0 turbo with 242 bhp on JDM Rev3+ specs. UK got 173 bhp NA cars officially. Often called Toyota's poor man's NSX - and built like one. Reliability and snap-oversteer reputation in equal measure. W30 (UK called it Mk3 / sometimes Spyder) ditched the turbo and the roof - lightweight 1.8 NA roadster, 1ZZ-FE 138 bhp, 1000 kg, mid-engined. Pure budget mid-engined fun, but cursed by 1ZZ oil consumption.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
W20 1989-1999 → W30 1999-2007
BHP (UK NA) -35 bhp
Weight -200 kg
MPG +10 mpg
0-60 mph +0.3 s
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1989-1999
W20
→
Turbo - 242 bhp (JDM), 0-62 in 5.9s.
Verdict
B
BHP
242
0–60
5.9 s
Top
150 mph
MPG
20 mpg
Used
$7,600-$23,000
- + Ferrari-look mid-engined two-seater
- + 3S-GTE 2.0 turbo - JDM Rev3+ 242 bhp
- − Snap-oversteer (early Rev1 cars)
- − Rust
1999-2007
W30
→
1.8 NA - 138 bhp, 0-62 in 7.9s.
Verdict
B
BHP
138
0–60
7.9 s
Top
130 mph
MPG
32 mpg
Used
$4,400-$13,000
- + Sub-1000 kg roadster - mid-engined honesty
- + 5MT or single-clutch SMG (avoid)
- − 1ZZ-FE oil consumption is the killer
- − Pre-cat break-up pre-2003 can wreck engine
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1989-1999 - W20
- 3S-GTE turbo failures
- Snap-oversteer (TRC retrofit on later cars)
- Rust on rear arches and engine bay
1999-2007 - W30
- 1ZZ-FE oil consumption (Toyota TSB)
- Pre-cat fragmentation pre-2003
- Convertible roof leaks rear plastic window cracks
Rivals
Mazda MX-5 · Honda S2000 · Lotus Elise · Porsche Boxster