I had a fire-engine red MR2 in '85. I put 150,000 on it the next 15 years. The seats hugged you in like a cockpit and there was a built-in roll-bar/cage. If you were sitting in the driver's seat you could put your arm out the window and touch the ground. And it had some nice gitty-up pep. Handled like a dream and the steering was very responsive and quick. In the curves it hugged the road and was exciting to drive with a nice moonroof. It was a real pleasure just to stretch it out through the 5-speed gears and then revving the RPMs to match your downshifting instead of leaning on the brakes. Mine had a nice spoiler on the rear and a great exhaust system which purred and/or roared. And loved those flip-up headlights. One of my favorite cars I've ever owned. Gave it to my son when he turned 18 and he wrecked it doggone it. They could get away from you. That thing would still be running. A very reliable car and I've had four Toyotas since all high quality.
@scootx39462 жыл бұрын
First car I ever purchased myself. Quick, fun, holds onto the road. Topped it out at 121. It was a sweet ride, like no other at the time.
@LaurenCortez519 Жыл бұрын
Give it to me
@Supercarfan20135 ай бұрын
It was the second best investment vehicle in 2023
@lonewolf0712 Жыл бұрын
I convinced my grandpa to let me work on his 1985 MR2 (looks just like the light blue one shown on the track) so I can have it as a temporary car (it'd be my first). When I get enough money working I will try to buy it from him so I have reassurance it stays in good hands instead of being sold for spare money.
@westtexas.22382 жыл бұрын
I had a 85, 89, and 91 MR2. Awesome cars
@thestyle19713 жыл бұрын
Well done Vid!! I went with my buddy back in 1991, to pick up his 1987 MR2 5-speed, in NJ. One owner, 55k, for 5 grand.. It was a red/dark grey interior, base model,silver steel wheels, but had t-tops, with an added factory sperler, Great car & memories too 🤔😎
@wholespeed Жыл бұрын
You couldn’t possibly have driven a worst example. Too bad because those cars well sorted are unforgettable to drive and in the best way possible. Nice review.
@GeekyNerd543 жыл бұрын
2 days after I get an aw11 as my first car he posts this video, good timing!
@djpollo24743 жыл бұрын
Did you get a mint one or one that needs a bit of work? I just bought one today but I need to do some things
@djpollo24743 жыл бұрын
Also how's it been?
@oldmercedesdiesel Жыл бұрын
Nice to see someone getting a fairly worn example back on the road. I would love to see if all the rough edges have now been smoothed out.
@midnightjazzgroup Жыл бұрын
I wouldn't put a full-size Jack in front of the MR2 aw11 drunk like that it will ruin the balance of the car I would rather take the spare tire out keep the car light as possible upgrade parts like a k&n air filter a nice custom stainless steel exhaust. If the carpet is really bad I would just remove it completely. Try to get rid of weight and make it look like a clean project car even get rid of the stock heavy glass headlights and replace them with some Ray Briggs and I would definitely send and spray the car a nice color
@mitchelllee-cusack12743 жыл бұрын
God I want a factory supercharged model of these 😩
@ModMINI2 жыл бұрын
I resolved the item in the "cons" column... I was only (supposedly) window shopping for cars and a 9/10 red 1989 one pops up only an hour away from home... Don't need another car but had to buy it. I was actually selling a BMW the same day I picked up the MR2 and the buyer/seller were less than 20 minutes away from each other. It was meant to be! Worth every penny and an underpriced/underappreciated gem. It's slow, but fast at the same time. It teaches you all the correct car control habits. I have a much faster performance BMW in the garage, but this is as much if not more enjoyable and I could buy 7 or 8 of them for the same price as the BMW! #1 for smiles per dollar! If you can find a clean one, get it!
@bdogg99832 жыл бұрын
I had one 5-6 years ago that I got for $2500. Regret selling it to this day, can’t wait to have one again
@eliwilson39023 жыл бұрын
I know the owner of this car and I sat in it. You feel like you're in the future and the 80s simultaneously. I love it
@louiei.15522 жыл бұрын
This is what it's come to hasn't it
@robertleone7965 Жыл бұрын
I own an 86 5 speed with the wing that I'm rebuilding. Had 85,000 before the motor blew in the 90's. I keep getting told to sell that car and i refuse to. i love the look the feel. I love that it came with a rollcage when i bought it last year and had the moonroof (cracked) but it's a dream come true
@nolahahnshouse33893 жыл бұрын
Anyone ever notice that the na miata is used a lot for a reference or a comparison to other car's! It's crazy.
@ModMINI2 жыл бұрын
I drove my buddy's NA Miata. I just got a bone stock MR2 and it rotates better than his Miata. Really rewarding to drive fast with the right skills. Trail brake into the corner and transition to throttle and it's almost driftable. Stock. Bone Stock. Color me impressed.
@stacywilliams69653 жыл бұрын
I have a 85 Celica GTS and I love that car old Toyotas are the goat
@bryflyguytry9 ай бұрын
Loved my silver 1985 Mister 2. Financed my high mileage two seater in 1990. Paid a whooping 5k. Too much I know.
@Newo488 ай бұрын
what a steal
@hoover25012 жыл бұрын
My favorite MR2 hands down. I would love to own one. The interior is even better than I thought. This is a car that should be valued as much as the Supra Mark 4
@mk2mister22 жыл бұрын
Well, let's not get too carried away. Lol. They are great cars and my close second favorite MR2 (SW20 is my favorite), but no way should they be valued as a MK4 Supra (which IMO is already way overvalued). But the AW11s are shooting up in value as of late. I would love to own a stock SC MR2 with t-tops.
@hoover25012 жыл бұрын
@@mk2mister2 I agree. When I said valued I meant emotionally valued not monetarily. I have my own Jay Leno's garage in my head and many of the cars I would put in it or not monetarily valuable. For example, a Honda Element, a Mazda 323 all wheel drive, a Toyota Corolla all-wheel drive wagon, a Suzuki samurai, and Isuzu vehicross.. I like a lot of the odd duck Japanese cars as well as some of these really neat mid engine cars that Toyota came out with. How about a Subaru brat? I own a 95 Mazda Miata 5 speed and a 1995 totally mint Toyota Camry.
@dylank43533 жыл бұрын
I will get one of these eventually. I already have a fiero and a fiat x1/9. I need to finish the mid engine trifecta.
@Newo488 ай бұрын
you get one yet? :)
@dylank43538 ай бұрын
@@Newo48 I still gotta finish the fiero 😭 only a bit left on that, then my rx7. Maybe after that I'll take the MR2 lol
@My85653 жыл бұрын
The 1st gen MR2 is my all time favorite car. One day I'll be able to buy one
@lomeas3 жыл бұрын
It is also my dream car, i can't stop thinking about it. One day we'll be able to own one I'm sure!
@nacl28582 жыл бұрын
@@lomeas i’m in this club now. one day!
@mk2mister22 жыл бұрын
Fortunately you can still find them at a reasonable price if you look hard enough.
@ModMINI2 жыл бұрын
I'm 53 and finally got one! Not clapped out even!
@Newo488 ай бұрын
@@ModMINIhow has it been?
@emersonjaten29203 жыл бұрын
Just bought one of the same year this week!
@solomongreen94683 жыл бұрын
Dad had a 85 it was a silver/gray with black trim. Got pics of him standing by it. VERY KOOL ride. He ended up selling it because my sister was born and needed back seats. He tells me stories of it. And I love it
@piepp8747 Жыл бұрын
Watching this video before I purchase my dream car on Sunday
@_jawsh_488 Жыл бұрын
how did it go? i’m literally messaging a seller rn
@piepp8747 Жыл бұрын
@@_jawsh_488 I got it, it's Hella fun to drive but I'm making some repairs cause a lot of gasket and seals are on their way out. just old car things really
@lucascady4992 Жыл бұрын
Saw one of these today, 86' MR2 5 Speed!
@unowen-nh9ovАй бұрын
Friend had 1, super fun - small, videogame dash, pistol grip stick. Next 1 was Japanese Dino.
@ethimself50642 жыл бұрын
I had an 86 and it had a factory installed Sub Woofer under the driver's seat. It was not wired although would be east to do. Did you find it yet?
@MrRockwood98043 жыл бұрын
I’ve had my aw11 for almost 3 years and I’ve never even driven it before :(
@Juanyanez1872 жыл бұрын
I wish to be done with my 86 and drive it again around town. Cool and fun car I can say.
@shantarenee8373 Жыл бұрын
#lovemyMR2
@kwasia48823 жыл бұрын
I loved this car so much, I would give up a my car in a second for MR2
@grimreaper55213 жыл бұрын
My brother had a 1st gen but blue mostly stock just a few suspension upgrades and a tune up for more power but it was a fun little car
@roadmasterthugmaster27383 жыл бұрын
Man your kicking lifes ass Zach! I love you bro
@scoobiedude3 жыл бұрын
Great video man! Cool car, The style reminds me of my first gen 4runner
@jonwatkins43063 жыл бұрын
Lets goooo this is my buddies car!
@davrulesdawurld3 жыл бұрын
Thanks again for reviewing it! Hopefully by winter I'll be rebuilding the bottom end, my Ranger should be rebuilt and on the road soon if you'd like to check that one out
@jonwatkins43063 жыл бұрын
What up dave
@davrulesdawurld3 жыл бұрын
@@jonwatkins4306 ah shiit, did you like Zacks tour of my car?
@jonwatkins43063 жыл бұрын
Yeah it was fantastic, it's cool seeing it in this video, you still gotta let me drive it sometime
@davrulesdawurld3 жыл бұрын
@@jonwatkins4306 I definitely do
@jonwatkins43063 жыл бұрын
@@davrulesdawurld big ol bet
@jimmysong134711 ай бұрын
80's Japanese wannabe ferrari
@irishewok41243 жыл бұрын
Things I learned from this video: Zack wears cool socks 2:46
@Manny221443 жыл бұрын
Can you do a pontiac solstice?
@damilolaakanni3 жыл бұрын
Not the best looking MR2 (that's the second generation), but that's a cool car nonetheless. It a pity that there was no market for cars like this. Mid-engine, rear wheel drive and affordable sports cars.
@stephenbello10813 жыл бұрын
There was always a Corolla or Celica with a near identical weight, engine and gearbox for each generation of MR2. In most markets, the MR2's were priced 30% more expensive than these cars that were the parts donors. "Affordable" only came later as they became forgotten in the 2nd hand market.
@dave116863 жыл бұрын
Someday I will have one
@roadmasterthugmaster27383 жыл бұрын
Have you done a Z31??? I have 1
@04dram042 жыл бұрын
I owned one of these. Incredible how fun they are. And the engine is also incredible. The higher rmps are its happy place
@bladeiii51732 жыл бұрын
The deadswitch is for ect also the climate control is not base, mine is base missing the auto feature and the two buttons replaced with a blank plug
@ModMINI2 жыл бұрын
With the facelift they went back to manual climate control and used the extra space for a double DIN stereo.
@bladeiii5173 Жыл бұрын
@Mod MINI well I guess it was more of a transition then because I didn't have ac nor did I get a double din. My aw11 is so weird bro 😂