1986 Toyota MR2 review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ต.ค. 2016
- The 1980's and 1990's were the golden age for Toyota sports cars, lets take a drive in one of Toyota most unique designs.
This car can be purchased from The Classic Car Gallery
classiccargallery.com
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Nice review. I'm 6'3 and had an '88 without the sunroof. Bought it back in 2005. In 2007 a 18 year old kid begged me to sell it to him. I showed him what I paid for it, the receipts from the normal maintenance and I sold it to him at break even.
I figure any young kid with as much passion for a quirky car like the MR2 deserves it more than me.
Great little car.
You probably made his year haha
Just bought an 89’. It’s my first car. I love it so much.
What’s insurance like?
@@Mk7adxm Probably not much
I had a black 89 but she got crashed😭
I'm actually currently working on a 1985 mr2, and i gotta say, it's probably the easiest car to work on from the 80's, at least that I've worked on.
@@Mk7adxm insurance was cheap as hell.
I had a 1985 MR2. It was a fantastic car; so much fun to drive.
How much was insurance
My dad bought one of these brand new in 1986 for my mom. I later received it as a hand me down for high school. I sold the car in 2000 and have missed it ever since. A few years ago I came across a 85' MR2 for sale and had to buy it. The AW11 is proof you don't have to be rich to have a fun and enjoyable car. A lot of cars have come and gone in my garage but the MR2 will always have a place. Simply put the AW11 is epic fun!
Nick, that mr2 is a peach. You should definitely buy it. The price can only go one on one of these.
@bing46 Sébastien mine is 😅 But mine is automatic and needs alot of work, Still glad i brought it home as a project car, Alot of work to do though
Hell Burd so more problems since it’s an automatic?
Nick always feels so joyfull in any Toyota he gets!!
Clearly I need to drive more Toyota's
I watched your review and actually got emotional. I had a 1987 MR2. It was my first new car. I loved that car so much. Put 150k miles on it. It always made me smile. To your point, still the best manual gearbox I’ve ever driven. Thanks for bringing back such great memories.
I absolutely love my 89 supercharged. Wife and I flew from Virginia to Florida to buy it from a Craigslist deal. Drove it all the way back with no issues. Best road trip to date!
I bought a brand new 85 in blue. What a beautiful car. Loved it for 7 years.
there is a white sw20 mr2 turbo by my house, 93 I believe. 43k original miles, garage kept. I want...
My best friend in high school had an 85 just like this! Loved the feel of that little car! We drove the snot out of that thing and it just asked for more! Best shifter ever! Buy it Nick!!
It's such a pleasure watching videos of cars like this. It's not often you see them on the roads these days.
I live in a city that gets a lot of the Japanese-only market right-hand-drive cars imported. Toyota makes a lot of interesting cars, but they don't market them to the world, for some reason.
This is a beautiful MR2, evokes great memories for me. Thanks for the awesome video, Nick! Your enthusiasm gave me goosebumps.
I purchased one in 1985 and it was the car of a lifetime! Oh how I loved that car! Red exterior and red & black interior, removable moonroof, 5 speed, spoiler, just total coolness! Your video is taking me back in time to automotive bliss :-)
I had an 85 MR2 and loved it. Fun to drive and reliable will great MPG. I had four studded snow tires for Montana winters and it was one of the best handling cars on icy and snowy roads I've ever owned. We had to sell it when the kids started coming in 92.
Nick, this is the most exciting review that you've ever made! Even if you didn't talk much about the dynamics of the car, you succed to transmit of what a MR2 is all about and why these cars are so special.
Wow... talk about memories! I had a red 1985 MR2 and I loved that car! Although mine had power windows and power door locks. Watching your review I remember everything about my car - I had the black/red seats. It was ahead of its time for Toyota with the fat steering wheel. I even had a one-touch down driver's side window. You are certainly right about the gear box - it felt awesome the way it shifted, and if I recall it had a short and quick clutch. Thanks for the memories, Nick!
PS - this is my first comment but wanted to let you know your reviews of your (former) M4 were like therapy for me while I was in the process of ordering, experiencing Euro Delivery, and waiting for redelivery!
Thanks Jeff
I just picked up a 1985 for my channel! I'm so psyched.
A red MR2 was my first car
mine was silver
@@yanni2112 I had 85 Silver 5 speed..no spoiler..no sun roof...
Over in the U.K. The press reports listed that as MR2, poor mans Ferrari. . . What a fab car, and still looks fab.
I used to have a blue one. It's still my favorite car that I miss the most. Actually, I'm only here after specifically searching for it for the nostalgia of seeing one. Thanks for the upload and memories!
This video took me down memory lane. The first car i purchased myself was a 1987 red MR2. And it was hilarious good fun. Over 20 years later I still miss it. So true about the shifter. It was pretty much perfect.
I had the next generation MR2. A 1993 to be exact. Bought it new. 5 spd manual. Put a "No Fear" sticker in it and absolutely loved every second of my time with it until I sold it 3 years later and bought an Isuzu Trooper. Had to. One dog with an MR2 is doable, but by 1996 I had 3 lol. The early 90's MR2's are the ones to get imo Nick. Great write up. Well done. Brings back great memories.
Jay Kells what you drive now?
A 2016 Mustang GT Manual. And bought a van for my dogs.
Honered to be the 30,000th viewer for this video. I'm buying a 1988 MR2 this weekend with the t-bar roof, two tone paint, and supercharged engine. Fell in love with these cars when I was VERY young and have never really had a chance to own a clean one (I live in the rust belt). I hope this post doesn't jinx it, but I hope to have mine on Saturday.
Just got myself one of these beauties - total rebuild in 2009 and engine re build in Oct 2016...almost like new ! Already loving it and you are right Nick about the gear change, cool motor.
So you want to tell us that this car was more fun to drive than the new Prius? Don't lie Nick
We agreed never to speak of the Prius....
Buddy I love you and you humor, your vids and comments make my day so often :-)
I had an 1986, the rare Green/Beige two-tone; I'm 6'3 and put 81K miles on it. Loved every minute of it and used both trunks regularly.
D Wade hi I'm hoping to buy one at some point soonish but I'm 6'5 think that'd cause issues?
I bought mine in 86. Surprised my brother at his graduation with it. everyone was in awe of it. White! Quick, and a blast to drive! Use to fly down the Garden State parkway !
Great review, Nick! It's such a shame that cars like this aren't made anymore.
Gone are the days but I guess we are a lot safer now!
Your enthusiasm for this car is addictive.
I drive a mark 2 mr2 turbo and have owned four. Even so, every time I see or drive a mark 1 i instantly want one. They're so zingy, so well put together. A bonafide future classic. Nice review.
Loved my Mk 1 with a T Bar. So much fun and bang for the buck. Love the vids Nick and your un-bridled enthusiasm.
This makes me miss my '87 MR-2. I loved that car. If I can ever find one in good condition I'd be very tempted.
Hi Nick,
I bought a 1987 model new with the restyled body and alloy wheels. It had black leather seats and the T-Bar sunroof. Loved it to bits. Had to sell it when I left the UK for work.
Love your review! Just picked up an '85 beater. Starting to clean it up. The gear box is so smooth, really love when it goes into gear - buttery smooth!
i had a grey 1985. super fun to drive.
Im a Honda lover, but this was one of my first cars, and my favorite memories were with this. Loved this car. Drove cross country in this car. I miss my 86 MR-2
I just love your reviews and vlogs. Keep up the awesomeness and thank you for helping my toliet time not be so shitty.
Entertainment on the throne is 90% of my viewership.
Haha! great.
I had the same car. Loved it. Truly an awesome gearbox and a pistol on the roads
I enjoyed your enthusiasm describing this car. I have an ‘87 with t tops and I agree the shifting is effortless. I especially love entering the interstate highways and the tickling the red line. Once I stretched the speed to 115 but got scared as the front end started to sway. In 2012, I put antique plates on and I don’t see many others. Also, I took it to Hershey, PA and received their HPOV award (historic preservation of original features). Requirements are original paint and no modifications. My car is totally rust free and not driven in winter. We’ve owned it since 1988, as we purchased it used with 3200 miles and now around 123 thousand. Spring is just around the corner 🤓
I own a 89 MR2 and I absolutely love it! great video!
Had one of these back in the early 2000's. It was the last of the 1st gen MR2's 1990 in blue with the tear drop alloys. Bought it for $900 in the UK. Exterior styling may not have that much kerb appeal these days but to drive it was bags of fun. I fully understand Nick's excitement driving the car.
Do it Nick! It's a bright red, 80s, pop-up headlights having, mid engined classic sportscar. It must be great having a classic car for weekend blasts, wouldn't take up too much space in garage too!
Well, MR2 added to "want it" list for me
I love reviews like this, loved the NSX review too. Nick, you should do a series of videos of you waiting for your Porsche to arrive. They could be titled "Waiting", "Still Waiting", "The Waiting Continues", etc.
Good review, that 2' is in great shape. The AW11 definitely weighs more than 2000 lbs. It's more like 2300 lbs.
I owned this car for 13 years. I loved it!!
The first gen mr2 was a fun little door stop of a sports car. Thanks for the review Nick
I love the buzzer! It sounds like a Cessna stall horn from the same era ;)
I just bought a 1985! Red too! I've always wanted one! So excited to have it for my channel. I also got it for a super low price. May need engine work, or even a swap, but I'm so down. I love the dash and the crazy aero inspire controls and mine has the awesome ribbed orange and blue velvet like seats that are so badass. Anyways, yeah your video got me excited to get working on it this summer.
Wait I'm sorry did you say $10,000? Which country?
Looking into an 85 mr2 right now! Super cool video
A buddy of mine had an MR2. Where I learned how to drive stick in one of these beauties. It was so much fun. I would love to own one of these little bad boys some day.
Awesome Nick. I too wanted one of those in high school!
I think you did an excellent review on this car. It was rather comprehensive...well done.
I owned a Targa when I was 22 and had the most funniest a car I can remember.... The whole package was brilliant, and overtook everything like a go-kart.
I had purchased a used ‘86 in 1993 and enjoyed it immensely for the year I owned it.
I bought one of these in the early 90's. It was white with a rare black graphics package and in perfect condition for $5k. I can confirm the top speed listed on the video is a little low. This thing was a bit of a dog at low rpms but you could smoke the tires off doing donuts on a dime. Best driving, most reliable and most comfortable car I have ever owned. I loved the big steering wheel, lack of power steering, easy clutch, awesome cockpit and great sight lines. It felt much faster than it was. Nice video.
Joe Howerton it was always surprising how comfortable the aw11 and sw20 is!! Passengers would always fall asleep easily on road trips.
I just saw a teal colored one of these for sale about 10 miles from my house today. I would love to have it if only for a couple of summers.
I had three 1987 MR2s. The first one a tree fell on it and crushed it. But I kept it and drove it for a while. Owned all of them in the early to mid 90s. Great cars for sure.
Had one of these and loved it. Mine actually had power windows, locks and leather seats. I don't remember the packages but I think they all had sunroofs, ya?
my first car; awesome handling and i used to get 45 mpg on the highway.
I had one, same exact year, model and color. Drove it for 5 years, had a blast! Pull up next to a buss, and all you see is the lug nuts! Still wish I never sold it:-(
I owned one of these for a decade in the 80/90's still the most fun car I ever owned. If I ever get rich I will get one restored
I had the 85 and 86 back in the day. Both red with tinted windows and a bra, it looked sweet. It was bullet proof and never a problem, it handled really well being so light and small and you could wind it like a sewing machine. I got it up to 130 mph once. Good memories for sure.
That was a fantastic review on the MR2
I been asking for an MX5 Miata Review, but couldn't wait any longer. I purchased a 2012 Grand Touring, modded for Autocross. I live in CA, but if you would like to do a review in CA let me know!!!
Great Channel, can't wait for your new car videos.
this was my 3rd car. after my Porsche 924...I loved this car...still do...was a pleasant experience for the price...
Just grab it nick , it's so clean and well kept . Would be a great buy and the market for these is just going up
Great video Neck. Pity it has no room for William.
Oh - I nearly forgot. I love the comments on things to look out for if buying a classic MR2 - "Spend a little more up front for a model with a great body." Yesssssssss Neck - everyone wants a model with a great body!!!!!
you know it
Ha!! Nick, after thanking you for your videos when it came to choosing and spec'ing my Porsche 911 Carrera, I came across this. Many moons ago, before I became a wheelchair user, before I moved from the U.K. to South Africa, I had a Toyota MR2. What a fun little car that was: I did a few track days, and managed to really embarrass several much larger, much more powerful cars. Yes, the transmission and engine are little gems. Perfectly matched. The fact that you can pop out the sunroof and clamp it in the front boot was great fun. Good to know I am not alone in my (slightly odd) choice of cars. It was never sold in France because of the name. Midship Runabout 2 seater which gives MR2. In French MR2 sounds a bit like Merde. And that car was anything but merde.
Nick, you should review that Lancia 5-door!!!
That was my favorite car back then when I was 16, and at that age, there was no way I could afford it.
I owed a 1989 red T-Bar back in the early 90s. Had it 5 years and put 50k miles on it. Still the best and most enjoyable car I have ever owned, and yes I remember the gearbox was just sublime. The engine is also a peach, revs to 7700rpm redline, for a car designed over 30 years ago. Would seriously consider buying another if circumstances allowed, just so much fun. Also owned a SW20, but the AW11 was better IMO. Cheers Nick
the thing about the stick shift is that your arm rests behind it on the padded console. so when you shift, you are not throwing your whole arm into the shift, rather you are just flicking your wrist. add in the handling, the hi rev engine, & when you look out the windshield you see no hood...its like a small spaceship feeling.
very nice review! i could definetly learnt from you
Yes, I bought a forest green 1986 MR2 new for $13.5K USD. Loved the car and drove it for 17 years. Economical, reliable, fun. Shift at 5000 RPM which would be child abuse in any other car, but is perfectly natural in this car. Bought it for the engine.
I want one so badly! I regret not getting one when i could back in 2012
I owned a 1984 MR2 exactly like this back in NZ (same colour, same wheels). It was incredibly fun to drive, beautifully lightweight, no power steering etc. I still miss it!
84? First year model was 1985. I had one.
@@alextaylor8776 Maybe in the US. In NZ and Japan they were out in 84. They were such fun little cars. I also had a 93 model. Never got to drive the supercharged Mk1 though.
@@cmarnold78 ok,I see. I had the 85/86 model but always wanted the 89 SC in white. My 85 was red but had the black rear half bumper and black side strip on the door panels with the a dark window tint and a nose bra in front it was pretty sweet back in those days.
That exact same !!exact!! Car has been sitting in the back for around 13 years still got its wheels and red paint job👍👍 took out the engine for a rebuild never put it back lmaooo
The stock rims look sick
I was wondering if you were gonna get your hands on this car from classic car gallery. Great stuff
Jeff- I have a AUTO also with a rebuilt engine, love it.
Nick - you should've bought that MR2 - what a minter. Drive mine everyday with a grin from ear to ear.
Nick Murray words to live by... "spend alittle more up front for a model with a great body." In all seriousness. As a 1980's kid. For somewhere north of 10k. I agree 110%. This would be a very, very tempting car to purchase. Love. It. Thanks for sharing!
Great little car, don't let it go Nick! I bet these might go up in value... Cars like this would probably never be made again...:(
Great review! I love the MR2 Mk I... I own a Fiat X1/9 from 1982 and I love it. :D
I've had 3 of these MR2. All fun cars.
I had two 1986 and one 1987 MR2's. I now have a 1986 pristine Bertone X1/9 . I am currently searching for my 4th MR2.
that's the first car I learned to drive a stick on. fun car. low power, but really fun.
I learned on a Second Gen
A fantastic review. Think I need to own a Toyota!
What kind of camera you use for the exterior/ interior?
I had a 1985 and a 1988 first gen mr2 1 of the best sports cars ever made and I am a stock holder in Roadamerica and had the privilege of driving it around the track and it is not fast but entertaining to drive
I'd love to own one of these someday
MR-2 takes the cake, but how fun it was growing up and being able to drive a Fiero, X-19 and MR-2. I owned the Pontiac, but loved all three. What a great time for novel engineering. Now autos are not that unique, and I guess that's why many looking at those from the past seem to get hung up on there differences.
I 100% honestly think i would have gone for the MR2 too, given the choice of what to drive first. I've always loved them, and if i had the money to spend on an extra car, they would be high on my list. Such a cool little car, and agreed.. that engine isn't bad at all. Had a mate who owned a AE86 back in the day. What a fun car :)
Hey Nick,
Yea Agreed Toyota used to make interesting looking cars.
I used to love the Celica GTs from the mid 70's.
I had a red '82 Celica GT Liftback although it was very underpowered it was fun to drive w 5 speed and when the Supra came out I considered getting one.
I sold my Celica after it was sitting in my driveway for awhile back in '01, in hindsight I should ve kept it.
They should bring back Celica it was a fun terrific car all the way back to late '60's
Owned an 86 5sp two tone (jade/beige) with leather seats & the ground effects pkg. Miss that car😥
I have a supercharged MR2 that I’m working on
Nick- please drive the RS6 they have on their lot. I would love to see your review on that.
I had an 85. Loved loved loved that car.
Until it rained or snowed. Holy crap, light weight, wide tires, and the engine in the back made it spin like a dervish if the rear wheels broke loose or hydroplaned. In the dry it was like a slot car, totally on rails, but when the weather got bad it was lethal.
Also, don't try to pick up a friend from the airport in one. There is no place to put a suitcase.
All that said, if I could have one again, I would.
LOL..I bought a mint 85 MR2 in 87 for 11 grand..only 11k miles.....drove it all Winter in Cleveland...one time I started fish tailing on icy Highway...literally took me half a mile to get it back under control...scared the crap out of me!!
Nick, as I am still waiting for delivery of my new Porsche 911, I have been looking at some of your older videos. This video brings back fond memories; I had a blue 1986 MR2 (Midship Runabout 2 seater). Two facts you overlooked: 1. The glass sunroof pops out and can be fitted in little brackets in the front trunk. 2. It was never sold in France, because of the name...it sounds like Merde (and after enjoying this car for 5 years it is anything but merde!!!)
Nice review, although the gauge is for oil pressure and not temperature. Also you didn't touch on one of the coolest features, the bolstering on the seats are adjustable! They're great seats and really hold up well. When I had my 85 with ~160k miles the seats were flawless.