The MR within the identify of right this moment’s Good Value or No Cube MR2 Spyder stands for ‘Midship Runabout,’ denoting its engine placement and spry driving habits. Let’s see if its vendor has named a very good worth for it.
To say I used to be shocked by the response to yesterday’s 1968 Ford Nation Sedan wagon could be an understatement. I believed the automotive’s rebuilt engine, heavy-duty transmission, and fairly full and driveable situation had been possible definitely worth the $8,000 requested for it. Most of you disagreed, nevertheless, sending the Ford packing in a 73 p.c No Cube loss.
I assume we’ll all must comply with disagree each every now and then, and we’d have one other alternative to take action with right this moment’s 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder. We’ll must see the way it goes.
When Toyota launched the third era of its mid-engine runabout, the brand new automotive proved a radical departure from the mannequin’s two prior editions. Positive, it nonetheless rocked a mid-engine format and simply two seats, nevertheless it adopted a full convertible roof and wide-eyed anime styling in distinction to the earlier generations’ extra conventional sports activities automotive seems to be.
Additionally gone was the two.0-liter engine and the choice of turbocharging provided by the Spyder’s speedy predecessor. As an alternative, the one engine possibility was the 1.8-liter all-ally 1ZZ-FE DOHC naturally-aspirated 4. That gives 138 horsepower and 126 lb-ft of torque, however drivers must go looking up the revs to succeed in to both of these numbers.
As a first-year mannequin, this MR2 Spyder has a typical five-speed handbook, not the bizarre SMT auto-manual launched as an possibility the next yr. Which means all of the ponies can be found on the driver’s whim. These vehicles didn’t have quite a lot of choices obtainable when new, and except for a big-screen double DIN stereo, this one doesn’t seem to have been contaminated by aftermarket-itis both.
This Toyota is dealer-offered, promoted by the vendor as a two-owner automotive that’s been well-kept and maybe one of the best in California. It rolls on manufacturing unit alloys that look to be in fine condition, and people are wrapped in rubber which might be stated to have about 75 p.c tread left.
Complementing that could be a silver metallic coat of paint and black vinyl convertible with a flowery glass again window. None of that exhibits any vital flaw within the footage. Of be aware, nevertheless, is that the headlamp and tail lamp lenses seem to have been coated in darkish movie of restricted enchantment. That may in all probability be only a morning’s work to take away.
The one notable flaw within the cabin is a big crack within the onerous plastic prime of the middle console. Was that owed to an errant elbow or too many aggressive yanks on the e-brake deal with? There’s no CSI for such issues, so we’ll by no means know.
One other problem to contemplate in regards to the MR2 Spyder’s cabin is how tight it’s. This can be a Kewpie Doll-sized automotive, and two-up, it may make for an uncomfortable area for individuals with private boundary points.
One other tight area is the engine compartment. That’s anticipated of a mid-engine convertible, and to be truthful, Toyota’s packaging is among the many better of the breed. In truth, it seems that this automotive’s bay has been accessed no less than as soon as, as there are lacking fasteners on the engine’s magnificence cowl.
That apart, there actually don’t appear to be any gotchas with this MR2. Per the vendor, it has a reasonable-for-a-Toyota 133,414 miles underneath its belt and has a clear title. The asking worth is $11,495.
Now, right here’s the place it will get difficult. You see, that form of money will purchase a decently sorted Porsche Boxster of the identical period or any variety of Mazda Miatas. Both of these is a stable alternative, and I believe we will all agree that each have higher pedigrees than the Toyota. That stated, that is the much less possible alternative and, therefore, excellent for the person who likes to dwell exterior the mainstream.
What do you assume? Is that this MR2 price that $11,495 asking and a wise expenditure in gentle of the competitors? Or is that this Spyder simply not too fly?
You resolve!
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