1987 Toyota MR2 AW11 - POV test drive

Harvey's 1987 Mk1 MR2 (chassis code AW11) represents the first mass-produced Japanese car to offer an exotic engine/drivetrain layout at an affordable price. But do the benefits of the "MR" layout justify the extra complexity over "FR" cars with similar specs? Watch the full video to find out.
Quicker driving begins at 8:57.
I'm always on the lookout for more cars to review, so please reach out if you have something fun!

[@54321alonzo]

For about 4 months I couldn't decide whether to get a miata or a mr2 but this video definitely helped me decide!! I've now had my 86 mr2 for about 2 months and I don't regret my decision one bit. I'm really glad I found your videos and keep up the good work!

[@Zygrene]

Glad I could help, and enjoy your MR2!

[@matthewgallant3622]

I also bought one, was considering a Miata also and still am, but why would I go from mid-engine to front engine? Lol Plus these look way more stylish.

[@alucard376]

Look up the jimi throttle bracket for the aw11. Must have

[@Newo48]

please tell me you still have it LOL

[@martintramil8084]

Also I recommend driving it by yourself, the 175lbs make a huge difference, especially with the "low power."

[@802Garage]

So true.

[@lol-st1wf]

What would the weight limit be around

[@ToyotaGuy1971]

Mileage also make a big difference. It's an old car.

[@MylesHSG]

picking my AW11 up next Saturday. can't wait!

[@donttrip2366]

Nice!!

[@Nikkohector]

Glad I have my 1987 sitting in my garage right now, weekend car, going into 15 years of ownership, will drive it until I can't drive no more.

[@rileyharker8193]

When you can't drive it anymore, I may know a guy that would be honored to make a deal........

[@tradingsgmail]

I just purchased one 1987 MR2. Love it so much as I don’t think I still have chance to bring back my childhood!

[@vapor4den]

This is a really good in depth review, thanks for all the info ! Can Wait to get mine this Friday !

[@DIYDanCars]

I'm missing my MR2 (in storage) so trying to watch some youtube videos to get me by until its warm. Nice review of the car.

[@Zygrene]

+DIY Dan Thanks. If you haven't already, check out my review of the Twincharged MR2!

[@krw8461]

Hehe i drive my mr2 in the winter. I also have a death wish

[@aldrchase]

That's hilarious, I'm dealing with the same thing x)

[@johndoh3031]

I LOVE my 89 MR2 with t tops!!! Super fun to drive and consistently gets 35 mpg!

[@Newo48]

do you still have it?

[@pavsingh2221]

Nice video and review. Keep up the good work 👍

[@MR2G4SW11]

Great Review, I just watched your MK2 review and had to watch the MK1 Reveiw. Love the MR2's extremely fun and driver rewarding cars for not alot $$. I cant wait for your Twincharged AW11 review. I have a 85 AW11 Trubo (MK1.5) & it's a blast to drive. Keep the reviews coming

[@Zygrene]

+MR2G4SW11 Thanks! Haven't scheduled the Twincharged AW11 video yet but should happen some time.

[@recordman555]

Nice review. I've owned two 1987 MR2s. My first one - red, Targa tops, was a surprise find - I wasn't looking for an MR2, but found it on a used lot. I took the opportunity to obtain a vehicle I had had my eye on since it was first released. You cannot beat these cars in regard to balance and agility. At 5' 5", I've always been small car-friendly, but this Toyota is just about at Go-Kart status. Today, I drive a 2002 MR2 Spyder. I wish that snug cockpit would have made its way to the gen 3. All said, I'm pretty-much sold on these mid-engine sweeties. I hope, someday, Toyota will release their latest MR2-type automobile - if they don't, I don't know WHAT I'll be driving.

[@jt2aw15]

I really can't wait to see a new MR2. While I'd be ecstatic if it came out at all, if it decided to go back to the roots hardcore, it would be amazing.

[@lachlangill1960]

I have a 1987 Toyota Mr2 supercharged I love her gonna keep her till the day I die

[@funnyane]

Can't wait for other generation of the MR2 reviews!

[@Zygrene]

+Vanessa Liu :D

[@zraptr2199]

Just bought an 89 red t-top NA. Cannot WAIT to get it

[@scootx3946]

The first car I ever bought was an 86 Mr2. Was looking for a Supra but they were on backorder. Loved the MR2

[@JaycubL]

I test drove a 1985 with a crapped out engine and gearbox and I was really impressed with it, the way it feels when driving is just great in my opinion. I want one now but may get a zzw30 instead depending on what deal I can find.

[@hellojobenp]

"...this thing has a lot more creature comforts like the um, power windows, and uh....."

[@lordtj63]

I live in the UK and am aching to buy one of these.. trying to find a white one like this (in mint condition) is a bit of a rarity here. So my search goes on. Love watching these reviews and informational videos.

[@Zygrene]

Not easy to find mint AW11's in the US either! Good luck!

[@davisonthomas4697]

In 1999, I had an 86 MR2, great ride. It almost caught on fire in the back of a fire station. Oh well

[@Kickinnecks]

I have 205/45ZR16’s on mine and it handles fantastic with no scrape.

[@stophersrawr]

Ugggguuu I want this car so bad.. Also the owner seems like the coolest guy ever!!

[@hoboemperor]

Calaveras, I drove my 89 mr2 there once.

[@CoffeeMadeMeSay]

use to have a red supercharged one, i miss it so.

[@badmofo350]

TvIS is actually supposed to help low end torque by having a smaller intake plenum. Similar to using a smaller tube on a vacuum cleaner to get better suction. It does make a cool sound at 4450 rpm when the secondary plenums open up. I miss my mr2, damnit.

[@Nemoticon]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the T-Vis is usually matched to the larger intake plenum variant to help regulate for the size. When fully the T-Vis is fully open, it makes the most of the larger intake. I think it's the red top. I can never remember the differences, I could be wrong, but that's what I remember. My '87 and '88 were basically identical, so I never really needed to know.

[@ethownzbh]

Nice review and I like the camera car view. Shame they couldn't keep up haha

[@Zygrene]

+Ethanmeister Thanks. Chase car didn't quite keep up, but I wanted to include the footage anyways.

[@williamlambrecht916]

i’m 16 and i want one so badly

[@denisIoI]

Same bro haha

[@Navi0690]

i know the bay area when i see it is this sierra vista? 😅

[@yitznewton]

How is the steering response on center?

[@Zygrene]

+yitznewton Surprisingly precise for a 28 year old car. I haven't driven a car with manual steering that hasn't been precise on center, yet.

[@RUSSIAN7MAFIA]

how much would something like cost me today (end of 2016) ? similar/exact condition

[@Zygrene]

A good condition 1st gen MR2 with over 100k miles should fetch around 3-5k

[@RUSSIAN7MAFIA]

Zygrene that's great.. i have a car with a loan but this is so tempting :(

[@emilyarnold9449]

Had the identical csr except mine had a t-bar roof

[@Al3xth3snip3r]

was this filmed up by briones?

[@Zygrene]

+Alex is cha boi Nope, this is directly east of Milpitas

[@Al3xth3snip3r]

ah, okay. also i have a question. im looking at a 1987 NA aw11 for 2500 as my first car. would you recommend it?

[@Zygrene]

Alex is cha boi If it's in good condition and not overly modified, then yes absolutely. Start with something stock and work your way up with mods as you become a better driver.

[@Al3xth3snip3r]

okay, thanks!

[@julianrencock]

I wish I could see his throttle mod.

[@scottmoody7052]

My Brother is trying to sell me his for 2600 with 20k on the engine rebuild. What's the market go for on these cars

[@aronmoss]

Scott Moody still for sale?

[@jahaziel2912]

Dream car

[@josemanuelchavez1885]

Alguno save donde puedo comprar uno de estos mr2 xfa

[@bushtailrazorback9797]

nice review, you were dead on in a lot of things including the nature of the mr layout. snap oversteer is a phrase tat needs to die tho, lol. he did ruin the livliness with the taller final drive as even with the bt it doesn't like low rpm. that is good info for when i do the 7a bottm end swap. the rear rotation rocks when you utilize it. you are right about the miata being a better buy. such a better usa aftermarket for the miata. the mr2 chassis (mk1 and 2)have a really sturdy chassis making them heavier for their size. compare the mk1 with to an ef but then compare the ef with all the bracing it needs to match the stiffness of the mr2. It's best to do all service in the mr2 in a batch and pull the engine. just aquired a better condition 88 so if things work out you will be able to see a nicely toned one in the spring :)

[@Zygrene]

+Bushtail Razorback Yes, I do think the gearing was too tall for the 4age's power band. But since the owner doesn't drive it that hard it makes sense to having taller gears. Looking forward to your 20v mk1. I assume you're swapping the 20v into the new chassis?

[@bushtailrazorback9797]

+Zygrene ,yes it's an 88 to an 88, so after pulling the dents, it's getting stripped seam welded and repainted. he was lucky he got a true 87 mk1b, cuz so many are a hodgepodge of mk1a and b parts/electronics

[@RandySmores]

I'm 6'2 would this be uncomfortable ride?

[@thomascocks9136]

yea 6' you might get away with it, but i dont think at 6'2

[@thomascocks9136]

Welcome to another episode of "things you could just type in google"

[@RandySmores]

***** i have a bmw e30 325es and i have very little space in that.

[@RandySmores]

i guess so, i can never get the cars taht i like ;_;

[@Raevenswood]

Jakten my dad had an 87 and a 93 and he's 6'2 on the dot and never has any problems with leg room. He loved those cars!

[@ShepherdOfMoths]

I got 3 years till I can legally drive a car which gives me time to decide to get a subaru wrx impreza from 2002 or this the toyota mr2 mk1 of course I gotta save up money but I have been saving for a jdm car for 6 years now and still dont know what I want

[@04dram04]

This car would become perfect with some slightly bigger retro wheels. Like classic ferrari star style.

[@802Garage]

The 5 star wheels look great and mesh wheels like the Enkei 92 look awesome too.

[@weeb121]

Is it anything Like driving a miata?

[@Zygrene]

Doesn't feel as nimble as a Miata to me, but definitely more unique

[@weeb121]

@@Zygrene oh right on yeah looks fun tho 😊 also wondering i mean i bet there Expensive to maintain Since it's a rear mounted engine not a front

[@randomtoyotadude8952]

Unless he changed the wing, this is late 87, cuz this is 88wing(i could be wrong)

[@yitznewton]

In the cheap MR category, don't forget the Fiero

[@Zygrene]

+yitznewton I'd love to review a Fiero if someone wants to bring me one. :)

[@recordman555]

+yitznewton - The Fiero could not compare. The first release, a 4-cylinder, was so under-powered to its weight. Pontiac really pushed that "plastic body panels" thing. The problem was it was very heavy plastic. The 2M6, was better, but, in the long run, Fieros just weren't made to last - even when brand new, the construction quality showed itself as poorly designed and cheaply made.

[@jeffpolaras9273]

Fiero was a junk car..made MR2 look like a Lambo

[@bladerunner1b]

Mid engine Rear wheel drive Two seater = MR2 It didn't become a "Midship Runabout" until the Spyder. (Which is another underrated car tbh)

[@josevillegas9618]

so does this real fast i used to have a friend and man that thing was fast

[@Zygrene]

This stock MR2 is not fast, it barely has over 100hp. Watch my video on the twincharged MR2 to see a fast one.

[@josevillegas9618]

ok so i think my friends mr2 also was a twin charged then jejeje

[@jerridabblett2082]

Use to be a place in Modesto that could build the shit outta that motor....

[@user-fd6ur3rp7c]

I have a 1987 mr2 with 123k miles,,nothing wrong with it

[@YorumiTech]

I got one today with much rust waiting for fix, costed me 1 k cad

[@The7r00p3R]

have you fixed it? if so, what plans did you have for the rust?

[@shenzhong2942]

I have one, but it needs a lot of work. Rip

[@shenzhong2942]

Also it's an '85

[@802Garage]

Same! I have an '85 that unfortunately seems to have a bad engine. Tried to start it on livestream, but never got it running. Have a swap planned.

[@jeffpolaras9273]

Miata kind of a feminine car compared to Miata and way more reliable with better handing.....

[@denniswafula5157]

suppab...soo cute

[@williamsteele1498]

When the F%#k is he finding 1st generation clean MR2s for 5 grand at???