Toyota MR2 mk1 AW11 - the ULTIMATE review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 พ.ย. 2019
- D4A Patreon: / d4a
Toyota Mr2 mk1 short buying guide.
-Thing number 1 is rust. The rocker panels and wheel arches are the first to go. Rust loves to hide under the side skirts right here too. But it can be in the front trunk, in the engine bay and in numerous other places. Look hard.
-If the engine is completely stock does it idle well when the engine is completely cold and when it warms up. The stock idle air control valve system is stupid and is dead on almost all cars.
-Does it maintain a stable idle. Bleeding the coolant properly on these can be tricky and when done incorrectly will result in a bouncy idle.
-Leaks from the radiator and coolant piping aren't uncommon. Oil leaks also aren't uncommon but are mostly easy to fix.
-Does it keep going straight when you let go of the steering wheel? Is the steering feel vague?
-Most of the transmissions have worn out synchros. Check if shifting in and out of all gears is smooth.
-The early ones had fifth gear pop out. Go out on the highway. Accelerate in fifth gear. Does the transmission stay in fifth gear?
-Does the engine pull hard and accelerate normally?
Today we're doing the ultimate review of a toyota mr2 mk1 (AW11 chassis code).
So let's start with first impressions. The exterior, because that's the first thing you'll see and likely the thing you fell in love with if you actually like the mr2. I personally love the exterior of this car. It's unique in a good sense and it's probably the most 80s design ever. This is what they imagined the future would look like back in the 80s, but they couldn't wait for the future, so they made it right away.
It kind of looks like the result of unprotected sex between a jet fighter and a car. Of course it has pop up headlights too. The absolute quintessential feature of every wedge car. So if you're into 80s retro stuff and small sporty compact two seaters this thing will hit bull's-eye like nothing else for you.
However, if we step inside the mr2 aw11 there is a pleasant surprise to be had. I'm 6 foot 2 and somehow i never feel even a tiny bit cramped in this car. my usual driving position even leaves room for the seat to be pushed back a bit more. I've sat in the mx-5 NA and my usual driving position ends up being a lot closer to the very end of the seat's adjustment range.
What's the Toyota MR2 m1 like to drive?
You probably already knew this, but the MR2 is mid-engined. This means the engine isn't in front of you like in almost every other car, but it's behind you for even more jet fighter points. I'm not gonna explain in this video why the engine behind you thing is superior for driving dynamics, but the fact that almost all of the greatest supercars ever have the engine behind the driver should provide enough of an argument to that statement.
So what's it like to drive? The mr2 mk1 is likely one of the most rewarding drives you will have. When it comes to pure driving joy it can stand toe to toe with practically any car.
Is the Toyota MR2 mk1 fast?
Well yes and no. 90% of the mr2s out there were delivered with a naturally aspirated 1.6 16 valve 4age engine with 116 or 124 hp. It gets destroyed by modern hot hatches on the straights. In the corners where power plays a less important road the mr2 is very difficult to embarrass and is a fast car. A supercharged mr2 mk1 with 145 hp and is noticeably quicker.
If you want more power you have several options. You can try tuning the stock 4age 16v in it's naturally aspirated form. This is fun, but making more than 170-180 horsepower is very hard and expensive. If you want bigger power you can turbo your 4age or you can do a swap. The most common swap is a 2.0 3SGTE engine from a Toyota MR2 mk2 S2W20 turbo. This turns the Toyota MR2 mk1 into an mk1.5 and a very capable and fast car. Make sure your suspension and brakes can keep up with the new power.
If you want to race the mr2 mk1 you should know that in the right hands it has great potential, but in the amateur racing world it is almost often outdone by cars like the NA mx5 or even a properly prepped Honda civic or CRX. Mostly, because these cars are easier to drive.
Is the Toyota MR2 mk1 aw11 reliable?
Well it's a Toyota so it's got to be reliable right? Well yes, it's a simple over engineered Toyota from the 80s which means it's much more reliable than a modern car. At least it was 10 or 20 years ago. Right now it's 30 years old and it will need love, care and money to run right.
Ok, so that's reliability done. But is the Toyota MR2 practical? Well, that's something that's super easy to answer. It's not.
Pappots garage: / @papotsgarage
Other videos you might be interested in
Snap oversteer: • SNAP OVERSTEER - how b...
My entire build in 10min: • Toyota MR2 car BUILD i...
5 min bie carbs guide: • How to install BIKE CA...
Fix a loose steering on the aw11: • How to fix steering wh... - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
D4A Patreon: www.patreon.com/d4a
Discounted tools on amazon: amzn.to/2rZwqCr
Is the AW11 too much to handle? How about a model instead :) : amzn.to/2BPp1aE
A great book on MR2 performance and tuning: amzn.to/31OlRyb
AW11 Haynes: amzn.to/2Pqz0Ls
How do you only get 7 seconds in 0-60 on a supercharged that is? I have the stock MR2 AW11 from 1987 and can go 0-60 in 6.0 seconds. I can also see you have the 1989 AW11.
"You get to look at pop up headlights all the time. And that is actually a proven cure against sadness." Immediately liked the video for that
Having one of these, an st165, having had an at180 and also a porsche 924, you would think I'd agree with this statement and adore pop-ups.
No. I actually don't like them at all, and think the cars look way worse with them popped up. I love these toyotas unconditionally, even considering they come with two ugly frontal aerobrakes that have lightbulbs in, aka pop-ups.
I still think the aw11 MR1 is one of the coolest and best looking toyotas ever, and I'll hold on to mine till the day my back stops my sasquatch self from being able to get in the car.
After owning 3 mk1's and an mk2 I 100000% agree
i have a t185 Celica and yes it is true
🤣🤣🤣🤣
I mean. I was already sold. But now I'm extra sold?
"Let's do the ultimate MR2 review!"
One sec later:
"There's a lot of sheep poop here"
Sheepa poopa
I've been a AW11 owner and enthusiast for 25 years, I still own the same one I bought back in April 1995. I had 5 3/4 AW11's at one time, unfortunately I only have 2 left. I love them, they are a true drivers car.
I've had 3 AW11 - MK1bs (Supercharger first then 2 NA/s I converted to SC) over the past 20 years, agree... absolutely beautiful car to drive, own and look at.
Who's the messed up hoarder who's buying every aw11 within a 150 mile radius of me.
Bro I feel that
150 miles is amateur numbers, you gotta bump that up
@@jcorkable *painfully moves slider to 500+ miles away*
I remember not to long ago there were plenty of good condition ones with 90-140k mileage for around $4-6k....sadly not anymore.
I just bought one from 2750 miles away. But it was exactly what I was looking for so well worth it.
Man you're da business!
I've owned 4 Mk1s back in the 80's and early 90's, most new or nearly new. They were my commute cars and i clocked up around 240,000 miles in them in total.
The AW11 made going to work a pleasure and coming home even more fun on my 90-mile daily commute. Back then it just owned the country roads I drove on.
I think the AW11 is probably the most underrated fun car ever made. If it had had a Ferrari badge on it and had been their entry level model you'd be looking at $30k rather than $3k for one of these today.
Your review is superb because it is very informative, you cover every relevant area and deliver all that info with irreverent humour. You explained why none of the cars that I test drove 5 years back (when they really were cheap as chips!) never felt as good to drive as I remembered from back in the day.
I'm on the the hunt for one to work on as of right now.
Thank you!
Thank you for that truly awesome comment. Made my day!
I bet you wish you hang on to them huh as the prices for used ones these days has gone throw the roof,
You can get one of these for 3 k?
@@hershellumiere That was 3 years ago when I found mine. And it needed lots of work. Now you're looking at twice that for a good-ish example. Sorry.
The P.T. Cruiser part made me crap my shorts 😂
"I f'ed Ted"
I have to be honest: we need more reviews like this, not some sort of quick drive around the BS talking about how a car feels to someone's socialmedia-driven enthusiasm. I've always found it to be much more rewarding by hearing a guy who not only knows a specific car, but also the brilliant history around it.
I don’t t know anything about cars but now suddenly I’m so intrigued and I want to learn more
I owned a red 89 MR2 and it's still my favorite car in the world. It offers the highest fun factor of any car. You can park it in the tightest parking spaces. It drives like a ski mobile in snow. It floats across deep puddles. And the pop up headlights do cure depression.
Really enjoy your perspective in all of your videos. Is really refreshing to have this practical, in depth but fun kind of content around cars like this.
Thanks for this im 6'3" and i was afraid i would be too tall for the mr2 and never get to drive one
haha i am in the same boat, now i have the knowledge to not be afraid to buy one.... if one ever comes on sale....
6'-3"...and it was never a problem
Been looking for an inexpensive one to restore for years. Been loving the look and idea of this car since it came out.
The AHA song is perfect!
My 17year old son has just bought one, been his dream car since he was 14 and until he passes his test I'm driving it and I adore it its a wonderful car to drive and at 33years old it puts my modern car to shame, your knowledge is invaluable, great vid thank you 😎😎😎
I still have mine (from when I was much younger - 27 omg) i'm now 59 !! But I just love it so much, always, always, always makes me smile when I drive it, at any speed. Thats the sign of a great car imho ........... it will be with me until I die thats for sure. Thank you for your great reviews/ channel and love for the what is (as you said a very, still under rated) superb car indeed, thanks once again :)
I have 8 years using my mr2 as my daily car. Sometimes I even go to the supermarket to buy groceries and almost everything fits in the trunk and frunk 😜
How does it do in the winter?
@@aw4516 probably not too good since it's mid engine and rwd I've heard the back slips more during the rain do snow would probably be bad and idk about how the engine handles the cold
@@aw4516 I drive my MR2 Supercharger for 20+ years through all seasons in the UK, INC SNOW! It's fine if you know what you're doing. The MK2 is a bit more leery in the wet, the mk1 is fine.
I’ve driven a 1987 MR2 in the winter and through snow storms. I feel it did as well as front wheel drive cars. My main concern in the snow was being seen by big vehicles and eighteen wheelers.
I actually owned one of the cars back in the late 80s and it got me some great attention. I was active duty in the Navy at the time and all of my friends absolutely loved the car. They would ask me if they could drive it around the base at Great Lakes Naval Training Grounds! I still love the cars and I would absolutely buy a new one right now. These have a loving place in my heart for sure since it was so much fun to drive and I enjoyed it so much!
The seats are comfortable?!
They are NOT just comfortable! They are so damn comfortable, modern car buyers wouldn't believe!
They are comfortable enough, to be dangerous! Seriously! In my Celica (mk4 has thesame seats) I'm so snug like a bug in a rug, that it's dangerous to drive it when I'm tyred... XD
At least the engine sound keeps me save... ;)
I remember sitting in my friend's MR2 on the way to a car show (My GC8 had decided to snap a CV joint before the show), the seat didn't feel that comfortable. Not even three minutes into the drive, I fall asleep on my friend's shoulder and it feels like I'm in a bed. 😂
@@n-nani8973 f, driver's shoulder
Im 22 and brought an old battered mk1. I FINALLY got it running after months of work. I cannot wait to learn more and understand how this classic car drives.
Just bought mine sight unseen, super charged and targa top. Scored an 8/10 on self assessment. Awesome video.
Owned my 87 since 93. Love it. I do not know a 10th that you do about the MR2. Thanks for sharing.
great car, had one for ten years.
konis and stock springs.
never repaired the bad brake bias with the 94 supercharged rear caliphers. good mileage, and weight was good at 2380 lbs. had the same colors red and grey
1989 SC with 253K miles. I drive it every day. I don't go to Ikea anymore and no kids to haul around. If it doesn't fit in the 2, I probably don't need it. Like you, I basically rebuilt everything, mostly on my own but I had some help from a trusted mechanic for the heavy lifting. My one additional entry to your list of what to look for is to find a seller who can tell you whats been done to the car, especially the suspension. Springs, struts, and bushings all are shot on a 30+ yr old car, have they been replaced and what was put in. Love your videos, keep up the good work. Long live the screaming chicken.
I have had my 1987 Red MR2 since March 29, 2006! 15 years and still happy!! :)
BTW I think i have vid of mine driving around in my videos haha
Bought my 86 in 2005. Daily drove it for 12years with the love you mentioned. Saved it from the crusher! Even hauled 800#s of quickcret in it once,talk about heavy steering. Just watched to share the love. Still own it and if I ever sell it God help the buyer from my check list assessment profile. No love,can't have! My will may have me buried in it🤗
Loved both of my Mk1's. Agree with every word of this review. I rebuilt the suspension on my first one and it transformed the car. Same for the brakes. Sadly....it got written off three weeks after being finished. Absolutely devastated. Mine was an early red "hex" wheel version. My second was a revised ice blue t-bar and I loved it in stock form as was so well sorted. Put 50,000 miles on it until the dreaded A pillar for made its appearance. I sold it to A friend and bought a NiKKI and that was an entirelgndifferent beast and outside of the Lotus Elise I owned after, it's the best car I have ever owned. All three MR2's I have owned have given me so so much joy. I adore them!
Haveing a aw11, your videos are informative and clear, keep them coming my Freind
My 1993 MR2 has 73000 miles and I drive it once or twice per week. It is in mint condition. I did repaint it in 2011! Looks and drives brand new!
I owned this car for 10 years. I loved it!
Always love your videos
I just purchased a 86 mr2.
I almost half expected the headlights to pop up by themselves when you mentioned them lol, would have been a cool edited shot 🥹🥹😇
Been watchin you for a long time and i love youre vids. Your love for the mk1 is what pulls me in even more. You have exquisite taste. Thanks for the iconic engine series as well.
This deserves way more views
Svaka čast na trudu i odličnim videima, pratim te već duže vrijeme i tek sam sad po tablicama skuzio da si domaci, rijetkost je ovako kvalitetan kanal sa nasih prostora zivio
Hvala 😊
my brother and I's computer chairs are made from my old 1986 mr2's seats that I ownedin highschool lol dont have the car but saved the seats casue i loved the car so muc lol
Great video!! You should do a suspension upgrades tech talk video! I love your stuff, man. You give me the courage to start tinkering with my car.
This guy is great I rebuilt this and this and this I love car TH-camrs that work on their cars and drive them hard and all the time
Man, you impressed me so much with your content. Very unique and valid points throughout the whole video!
I just recently found out about your channel and I am actually in love with all the generations of the MR2 and I honestly don't know which one of them would be the best one for me to buy in the future but anyway, I just wanted to say that I really really appreciate the time you take to work on your videos and the knowledge that you pass on to other people... I was so proud of myself for liking mr2s because if somebody like yourself likes and owns an mr2 then it means that I am somewhat able to make good decisions about which cars I like.... For your little quiz at the end I scored a 7 but I cannot get this car or any other mr2 generation just yet because I want to get a house with a garage first because I choose a permanent home for my son over a project car but dude I honestly am so happy that someone like you is making videos about cars on TH-cam and I personally really really hope you keep on doing it and maybe one day I'll show you pictures of my own mr2 that is slightly inspired by your own channel
I used to own a 1973 914 with the 2000 cc eng. It was the 70s mid engine , pop up headlight, wedge sports car .it was a fun car to drive. I always liked the MR2 ,great engine in those cars .
I finally got a 86 mr2 I love mine its Awsome pop up headlights 5 speed mid engine the best three things in automobiles
Very good review of the AW11! Glad to hear you were able to have a blast with it throughout the Summer =D
That montage at 23:11 made me feel so sad for those poor MR2s that were abused that way ='(
Nice dash cover at 4:45 by the way ;-)
I explained the dash cover in great detail and how I got it in my walkaround video :) people that I meet also ask about it often, as they don't exist here, but there seems to be demand. Then I tell them about my US connections and be all cool and stuck up lol
I have owned 2 MK1 MR2s when i was younger, a 1988 was my first car. The interior on both of them needed some help due to previous owners with bad habits, the first car had a flawless dash though. The exterior definitely needed restoring. The cars were the most fun to drive that I ever owned. And this is coming from someone who owns a 2018 Subaru STI Type RA that for a modern car gives a lot of feedback, especially through the steering wheel. But there is something about completely analog cars that really speaks to me. Modern cars that aren't a lotus just lack feeling in comparison to the classic MR2.
One day I will do a full restomod of a MK1 tin top (no moon roof or t-tops) if I can find one. just need the money and time.
Awesome. Just fully refreshed my 86 hardtop and completed the 2zz swap.
supra1722 Nice. I have a 86 that i picked up a few months ago and that swap looks interesting. Did you use mk2 axels?
@@TrueDiaboli yes I did. Used NA SW20 axles. They say non ABS ones only, but both NA ones work. I rebuilt them, they're a plug n play solution.
but if you want to buy new axles, get the short side from an SW20 (passenger side) and the long side with carrier bearing from a late ZZW30 spyder. The carrier bearing provides more clearance for the header and is probably more robust.
You won't have any issues with the SW20 NA ones, though.
Join the ZZW11 MR2 group on Facebook, all the information is present there and a few of Us have completed the swap.
I adore the wheels you choose. Vintage race wheels look awesome on these
2:30 in and I can honestly say he has completely done justice to this car
Well I was going to get a mk2 but with all this talk of the 80's and me being massive fan of 80's retro stuff, I do believe you've just convinced me to buy a mk1 instead. Thank you for painting it in a new light for me!
Great content. I can tell from the information you provide you care and are passionate providing what to look for and self assessments, and for that I will subscribe!
Agree, I love my red, 5-speed, '86.
Its surprisingly roomy. Drove cross country (USA) in it, no problem, comfort wise. Boy do I miss this car, it had an issue that I didn't want (couldnt afford) to fix - I was young and dumb, wish I kept it. My dream is to own one of these again someday, and restore it. So much fun to drive, handled like a motorcycle.
As soon as the Mustang Mach E popped up like that I gave this a big fat like 🤣👍 Good video man
Amazing video, everything you said is on point, I'm a fellow W10 MR2 owner and I love the car too, but I'd like to point out that they didn't necessarily design it like that because they thought the future would look like that, but rather because of the low powered computers only being able to process complex geometry, so they had to resort to low poly count shapes and these flat angled sides
I `am 6"5 big ( 1,98 meter ) and it fits very well in this car, drive a T-top model here in germany. at the moment iam rebuilding the engine so that in april i can drive. sry or bad english. greetings from germany
Grusse aus Bosnien :)
That info is reassuring, thnx. I think I'm gonna buy one next year, it will probably be from Germany.
I'm 6'4, and i somehow dont fit in my T top too well (ive been told my torso is where most of my height id from though) Mine currently needs a windshield (thanks to german laws), but ill be driving soon. Hope to see you on the road in april, wherever you are in Germany
Nice review. That's my art work at 2:58 with the blue MR2. Also my artwork at the end where I put the MR2 in the future looking scene. Glad to see they are getting put to good use :D
If you have a link I can put it up in the description?
@@d4a here are a few AW11 artwork I've done. Use them all you want.
i.imgur.com/h4coQ2f.png
i.imgur.com/gxNquN4.jpg
i.imgur.com/mAeBZqS.jpg
i.imgur.com/PkrFKhk.jpg
I've got two of these babies. I love them.
Awesome review dude! Love your offbeat review and sheep poop observations. Keep the content coming.
you are by far the best brother.
I bought an '86...it replaced my VW Scirocco. Keep in mind the '86 Corvette was 0-to-60 in 6 seconds and did the 1/4 mile in 14.5@95. I didn't consider a Corvette but did consider a Mustang GT. That was the last year it had a carburetor and was a bit slower than the Corvette.
Bro, I love your episode! your lovely AW11 have some JDM features...front and rear signal lamps despite left hand drive.
As a SW20 owner, really want to try one!
winter project ! door card reupholstery haha. An excellent review of your mr2 man, also respect for the buying guide that you made for future potential enthusiasts. I suspect some of those UK cars were from the 'max power' era of tuning lol..
Max power era. Had a good laugh there
Druze, ubih se dok skontam odakle si, jer vidim da imas akcenat, da nisi native english speaker :D Svaka cast i sve pohvale za tvoje klipove, cist profesionalizam i jako je zanimljivo gledati te i slusati. veliko pozdrav za tebe iz Srbije i samo tako nastavi! Pozz
Id love to have one as daily because its light and small engine sized, so its fuel efficent and because of the MR layout fun also without tons of power.
I'm hoping to buy one soon! Time to subscribe and find all the know how on how to maintain this beauty, I found one for $6,000 in very good condition and am desperately saving to buy it soon
Awesome video. I love the style of a mk1 mr2, but I'm not ready to own this car. I'm happy mk3 mr2 owner and some day i would love to own mk1 too. Also I love watching your videos, you know how to explain things in interesting and fun way :D
Glad to see another video as always. 😁
I have an MR2, engine doesn’t work, belonged to my mom a long time ago and no I’m feeling ready and mature enough to make it a project car. Still debating if I want a 4age or 3sgte though! Great video!
20:15 this is why is on of the best touge cars out there
Very good and proper info. Well done.
Sold on the fact that he rebuilt some components. True love for what he owns
Thank you very much for this video
Tremendous work
*Aim for the top!*
me and my friend are freshmen and hes gonna get an aw11 so this is gonna be great :)
I'm running Eibach Pro springs and Tociko Illumina 5 Way adjustable shocks on my 89 SC and it's way better than the crappy coilover setup the previous owner had in it. I bet Koni yellows are a bit better than the Illuminas but I'm satisfied.
That car has the late 1980's styling. The late 1980's car styling was very good, with cars like the 1987 Toyota Supra which was one of the nicest looking Toyota cars ever made. The 1986 Celica looked very nice. Toyota did really good in the 1980's with most of their more high end cars.
Man i love it, i would love to repair stuff on my car that nice ... on my car my timing belt just ripped yesterday :3 hope i get that fixed again ..
I have 2 reasons why i want buy a mr2 ... First: The car by his self . and the Second one is ....YOU , dude your vids are amazing its nice to look at it
My dream car!
Looking forward to watch u in 2020
Cheers
You have gained a subscriber my friend. You are hilarious! The PT Cruiser part made me laugh hahaha
I have 2 integras, DC4 and a DB sedan, an Acura EL and an 04 civic SiR I’m really interested in grabbing an AW11 and a SW20 that’d be a sick collection I think. Probably just do what you did with yours and completely refresh and build it for a decent NA build 11:1 comp. and then k swap the SW20 and boost the tiddies out of it for tracking.
Edit: I feel a slightly modified aw11 would be an awesome daily driver. And man your car is such a nice example 😍
And my heater switches have the same problems on my 90s Honda’s snapped my integras heat adjuster off because there’s a stupid little bar that fatigues then binds after slightly losing its shape.
Nice Gunbuster music at the start.
Love this car, I always like 80s and 90s cars, and this is one of the best one out there, yeh it might be abit outdated and few things broken or damaged, but that can be fixed, but alot better then todays crap cars with crap technology and tv screens and all the fancy tech which people have in cars to entertain and that because the cars of today are so boring they have put technology to entertain, sad, but real fun is in cars like these, sound, speed, and desighn. Nice review love the car and drive.
Love the video! Thank you!
love this
this is a car to DRIVE FAST not to GO FAST!! I love it!
Beautiful car, great review!
The review is the best
La roux- in for the kill. Features this car!
Yes, but do you know Mary Popkids and night drive?
Great review! Sorry for being late, too. I've been busy fixing my cars. Still am. It never ends. :D
No worries mate, there's no attendance list :) working on cars is always more productive anyway. Keep at it!
I enjoyed your video. Thanks.👍
Simply the best
great upload thank you
Dear D4A, I love your passion for this car and for your videos. I'm about to rebuild a MR2 myself. I bought it from some absolutely clueless guy who drove it until the engine broke (the pulley broke lose and tore a hole in the side of the engine block). After that he bought a replacement engineblock, paid someone to remove the engine from the chassis, tore the old engine halfway apart but then the job never got finished. So I'm currently sitting on a lot of parts an lose screws which I'm not sure about if they are complete. Thats why I'd like to ask you: Could you do a... let me call it "walkaround", of the engine bay? It always helps me to see the live thing and I could see see how most of the parts are supposed to be arranged. I also have the original Toyotas Repair Manual so the engine itself won't be a problem, but the assembly of the enginebay might be.
I'm going to share something that helped me out at least a million times. Look through all the galleries. They are incredibly useful. pbase.com/aw11mr2/root
@@d4a Thanks a lot. Thats rrrrreally rreally helpful!
Love your review! Just picked up a beater, which was horrendously neglected. I have a Mk3, but I'm enjoying this underpowered beater Mk1 in it's own way. - the gift shifts are so SMOOTH. But the acceleration lags badly.
Quick question, where did you get your dash cover cuz my dash is broken in multiple pieces from being abandoned in the elements.
awesome vid
I love boxy cars but somehow ended up falling in love with mx-5s.
Man people in the past would be so disappointed if they could’ve already seen future cars
Thank you.