2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder - The Mid Engine Manual You Forgot (POV Binaural Audio)

[@frederickschulze8014]

Don't forget that the 2zz is basically a drop in swap for 190hp! You can basically drop in the engine, trans, and ECU from a Celica GTS without changing anything else. Then you have something akin to a boxster S in power/weight, but probably much cheaper to maintain!

[@SPLITTINIMAGE]

I need it hahaha

[@tjord]

I was gonna say this, and it's a great option. If more power is the goal, then in the long run, K swaps are relatively straightforward, and will net you a _much_ faster car.

[@hamsterbrigade]

​@@tjord yes but the k swap is much much much more expensive than the 2zz swap. Ask me how I know?

[@frederickschulze8014]

@@tjord Right, they are very good and it is worth it if you have the money, but the parts cost is about 2-3x as much ($2.5-4k vs $8-11k) and it's definitely more laborious as well. You need axles, wire harnesses, aftermarket ECU, engine mounts, exhaust/intake and some more mods. But after about $8k in parts to get 240hp with a k24, 400hp is only another $3k away with a turbo kit and that's the real advantage by far imo.

[@thumbtak]

​@@hamsterbrigade More K swap components are hitting the market and good 2ZZs are getting rarer and more expensive. The gap is narrowing

[@benjaminniemczyk]

MR2 gen 1 was such a pleasure to behold. A mini super car. The subsequent gens do not disappoint, but that first gen was so iconic.

[@ohpotatoesandmolasses]

"If Calvin and Hobbes built a car." - Mr. Regular

[@RetroMotiveAdventures]

Absolutely! I have a restored and modified supercharged 88 model with an LSD higher compression and every bolt on. It's a blast and a lot quicker than a lot of the cars of the era. Gives people a surprise for what it is.

[@zeriel0009]

I owned all 3, loved the first one it feels the most like a gokart but the 3rd gen is actually lighter and has better performance. The second gen is the fastest but I didnt like it as much because it feels more like a regular car.

[@r129r16pfl]

With 2zz swap and some chassis mod's, hard top, racing bucket seats, aero mods, etc. this thing becomes a serious track/backroad weapon. Definitely underrated car.

[@RavenRedwood]

The wind whistling is because he didn't raise the windbreaker glass behind the seats. It folds down for when you have the top up.

[@BryanHeitkotter]

I'm glad somebody else noticed this. Great drive video otherwise by Tedward. These cars are the most unpretentious, joyous little vehicles for connecting you with the environment, and yet they're comfortable.

[@enomeable]

My 2000 mr2 is at 265,000 miles and going up. Great car!

[@esc0rz]

Small heads up, you can flip up the wind deflector that's just below the soft top release lever. With that up and the top down, the whistling on highway speeds is gone

[@feeldontbelieve6577]

One of the top starter cars on Gran Turismo 3. Always liked it in yellow. Nostalgia is one hell of a drug.

[@wardog0086]

I had no idea you could use it as a starter car in GT3. Guess I know what I'm doing later lol.

[@johnct2012]

I've got an e85 z4, nd1 miata, and mr2 spyder. Of the 3, the mr2 is the slowest but it is hands down the favorite. It is just a joyful and light little car that loves to rip through tight corners.

[@louiearmstrong]

I can't fit in Miatas, but I do fit in these Spyders. They are so fun

[@UnitiveWILLIAM24]

You should do a 2zz 6sp 2000+ Toyota Celica GT-S. Those things were underrated imo, and there is still minimal to no coverage in the mainstream car community

[@kantina4765]

nah, take the engine out of the celica and put it in the mr2.

[@impreza0109]

lets keep it that way, don't want the price to be skyrocketing

[@JuanMorales-wx4pd]

@@impreza0109 they have the gts goes for nothing less than 5-6k nowadays

[@PasleyAviationPhotography]

Or just do my Vibe GT if it's a 2zz your after.

[@someawhole6578]

🤫​@@PasleyAviationPhotography

[@diablow1411]

This one is sorely underrated! I really liked its design when I was a kid.

[@a-hvlogs2046]

Love how every late 90s and early 00s toyota shared a steering wheel lol

[@Super_Richi]

The MrS remains the unsung hero of all time

[@HeyHeyHeyThats2EZ]

Hey this is the car I saw you with! Cool to meet you Tedward (formerly Tenjamin lmao!)

[@TedwardDrives]

😆 that made my day!

[@edalder2000]

Thank You Tedward!! I got a huge smile when I saw that thumbnail. I have not seen that gen MR2 in about 5 years. This car is a forgotten classic. Light as can be with "just enough power." Grippy and docile. Put this on an autocross or back road and let the fun begin!

[@lennartniehof7649]

always love it when i see one of these on the road

[@akka7556]

Proud owner of 05 k20 swapped mrs. This car is something special. Nothing on the road feels like it except lotus elise Ive driven 94 nsx, porsche cayman, boxter, honda s2000, 450whp c5z and nothing i mentioned handles like mrs. Mrs feels like you are driving a backpack thats right behind your back

[@Nickoboss29]

Does it really handle that well?

[@akka7556]

@@Nickoboss29 its quick response, lightness on steering wheel(even during hard driving, you are not loading the front tires much, rather you are trying to put more weight to front wheels by weight transfer when you drive one of these cuz front is light) I thought miatas were quick handling car until i drove the mrs, miatas initial turn in feels sluggish compare to mrs (miata feels better mid turn due to double a arms) Overall, mrs has slimmer window to get it “right” but when you do, it rewards you like no other imo. Forgot to mention how little steering wheel angle you have through the corner when you drive these right.

[@Nickoboss29]

@@akka7556 i see it now, thx for the head up, big statement here but could it be comparable to a go-kart handling ?

[@abelwickham345]

I own one of these that I did a DIY 2zz swap and it is a ton of fun. I've heard people complain about this generation not having enough power, but it's frankly not that hard to drop a 2zz in and the mid-engine feel along with the handling is unique among any of the other regular cars produced in the 2000s. Miatas may be fun, but they can't hold a candle to this!

[@CobraKyle]

I have an 03 Spyder and absolutely adore it. Glad you got to enjoy one!

[@plutonium5156]

Same. Mine is getting a refresh after 21 years of ownership.

[@Nazy101]

When Tedward posts and it’s a stick shift, I drop everything

[@GiGA-BOB]

even the clutch?

[@oleksiifilippov68]

@@GiGA-BOB and the jaw

[@Brancovtn65]

I hope your toe is okay.

[@AccentShmaccent]

Same

[@Nazy101]

You guys😂

[@RyanRoadReaper]

This is the best choice to buy if you can't swing the purchase/maintenance price of an early Boxster. Glad to see it on the channel.

[@klinkske]

Totally did not forget this. I have this car on my alert list for years once one comes up for sale… i just don’t t have a garage anymore 😢

[@grilledlettuce4028]

Spent my mid twenties in this! Never failed to give me joy! I miss it dearly😢

[@robertrishel3685]

I love mr2’s so much! When that first gen car came out it was so exotic looking!! I wanted one so bad!!

[@spicytuna62]

I have always loved this car. I thought they were gems when I was a kid. And I still think they are now.

[@spreilly71]

Was not expecting to see you review my car today! All the reviews of these seem dated or like a "you need to do..." list. You also sound pretty unbiased towards the mk3 which is refreshing. Also, I understand why not, but if you can find someone to let you drive their 2zz I highly recommend it for the intake noise alone (something missing from a stock 1zz). Cheers!

[@buckypeterson1018]

I bought a 1987 MR2 new off the lot. It was my first and only brand new car purchase and I loved it. SO much fun to drive and throw around the back roads. Looking back now I am kind of shocked at just how small it was.

[@cowkl.mr2]

Great little cars, I’ve owned one as my first car since high school and have lover every bit of it

[@Haloruler64]

Really glad you recognize it for what it is! Never heard that whistle in the many MR2s I've driven, but mine sure rattles inside haha

[@chrisdeluca6577]

I had a 2001 MR2 Spyder, as well as a 1991 MR2 Turbo. Loved them both equally for different reasons. Never got to own the MK1

[@night7475]

ever since I got into cars the mr2 or mr2 spyder has always been my dream car to build, i like other cars more but i will for sure build an mr2 at some point in my life

[@tsriftsal3581]

Wasnt expecting to score one with a mint exterior and interior for cheap just because someone didnt want to gondown the road of fixing what was wrong. Loose maf, no air duct, and clogged air filter in less than 30 minutes to figure out seems to be quite a gift. Sometimes you have to draw the line i guess. What a blast but scary as eff on the highway before she was given some love again. So fun

[@maximus9401]

Really hope they bring back the MR2 with the GR corolla powertrain

[@theplaguedoctor142]

ted you are a wizard. I was just starting to look at getting one of these for a track toy once I came up on the money, and up comes this video lol. keep up the good work man

[@seanrmccoy]

My mother had an MR2 with the SMT. It was interesting for its time, because it didn’t have paddles, it had buttons on the wheel to shift (alongside the usual shift knob in the center).

[@willferland]

Drove mine that I used to own all the way from New England to the dragon and back, it can be done but you’ll need to pack advil

[@FrostTheGlaceon]

the look of surprise on my face when im eating dinner and see a new tedward video and hes driving my car

[@obeseperson]

the furry with the MR2

[@dafunkist]

Popping up the wind deflection flap behind the seats might have helped the whistling. It's good to see another good review of the mr2 spyder. The 2zz swap does make them a lot more fun.

[@TedwardDrives]

I didn’t see the wind deflector 🤷🏻‍♂️. Can you point to it where I’m showing the roof?

[@dafunkist]

@@TedwardDrives it's the dark tinted plastic that's just below the roof latch, you just need to move both seats forward a little bit to allow enough room for you to fold it up manually. I hope it helps 👍

[@TedwardDrives]

OHHHHHHHH now I see it. damn. genuinely did not know. thanks!

[@Agu_Ra]

Thanks for the video Tedward! Good old memories of my car before I crashed it (don't do stupid things in mid-engine cars in wet, kids), should get it back from a body shop soon though.

[@jaioncebollero1168]

I have a scion tc manual I keep as an extra car when I miss shifting. it’s just so anlong, simple and easy to drive around town in for what it is. The steering wheel in this reminded me of it. 😌 small manual Toyota or Honda’s love em

[@TheRedRocket]

My old girlfriend had one of these MR2 Spiders. It was light and fun, but it had no luggage space.

[@EpicLakitu]

Debating one of these versus a gen one BMW Z4 3.0 roadster, leaning towards the Z4 but boy do I love these little frog faced fellas

[@frederickschulze8014]

I know someone who's owned both mr-2 and Z4 and I've owned both an mr-2 and Porsche 986. I think our opinion is that the German cars are nicer to drive as a daily, cruise on the highway, accelerates nicer, etc., while the mr-2 can give you more of an adrenaline rush and is better at cornering. The steering feel is much better and the car is more nimble, but you need to know how to push a mid engine car safely. The mr-2 is a more fun secondary car for me (especially with an engine swap and handling mods) hence why I'm selling the Porsche, but the German cars are a nice jack of all trades.

[@cornercarver636]

Having driven both I much preferred the MR2’s driving experience. Much nimbler and grips even better than the Z4.

[@louiearmstrong]

Have you ever tried a Z3? I don't fit in Miatas, I love the Spyder, but still need to test drive a Z3

[@tsriftsal3581]

​@@frederickschulze80142014 VW CC manual is fun, sort of precise, and a blast when you are in the seat driving it but I keep picking the 2k Mr two each day. Hmmmm. No way I'm driving it in a torrential downpour though. Lol.

[@frederickschulze8014]

@@tsriftsal3581 yeah, I really don't like the mr-2 in the rain lol. But it's surprisingly good at autocross in the rain... (with the right tires)

[@rossm8231]

The poor man’s lotus!!!

[@Blinder24]

Met tedward at a meet at black falcon pier about a month ago. Awesome guy! also sweet video man!

[@cranefly7137]

I have one of these with a 2zz swapped into it. I absolutely love my little go-kart.

[@AccentShmaccent]

Those wheels looks great… simple and sharp!

[@Aisin911]

How a close ratio gearbox make everthing most fun!

[@ryanthefanguy9060]

My dad had one. it was very fun to drive if he still had it I would drive it and maybe learn manual on it

[@rootsmanuva82]

I can't believe how well the suspension absorbs bumps. So many cars have horrible suspension damping... they crash over bumps yet still wallow in corners.

[@TedwardDrives]

Same reaction when I drove it. It was really dialed in for a comfortable and sporty street drive more than expected

[@jeremyickes5699]

I love these cars. I wish I bought one of the 80s ones while they were still cheap and not all clapped out yet.

[@GMRobotBear12]

MK3 owner here. Love the CAR.

[@tkewrestler2662]

I own a 2000 Toyota MR2 in red. That is the first year for this model. It is my fun no rain no salt car. It is an absolute joy to drive.

[@00poopmonster]

First year in the states I think. I'm in Japan and own a year 99 in silver

[@Jag-leaper]

The pull from that vvt-i is addictive isnt it??? I know i get the same feeling from my 5spd corolla 😊

[@joran8940]

Can you make a video driving the Mr2 sw20 turbo? Love the videos!!

[@Adison0529]

Such a lovely car and in a really nice shape on top of that. I never really thought about that but you possibly found me a Miata alternative. Looks just as pleasing to drive but I like the interior much more. In fact, I think it looks fantastic, I actually really like how they arranged all the storage space, whereas one thing I don't like so much about Miatas is the interior. Same thoughts on shifter's looks but that's a minor issue and you can just always replace it if necessary.

[@SonNguyen-mk2wq]

I watch your vids and always joke to myself that you’ll do a MR2 Spyder one day. Just took mine out yesterday. Hard to find a cheaper fun mid engine car.

[@tyler9703]

Ive always really liked these things, as a kid I thought they looked like tiny Porsche Carrera GTs

[@clumsygarage1578]

Hey I own one of these! It’s my “super sensible daily driver”. It gets like 35 mpg on the highway, despite the short gears, and the storage space isn’t really an issue for me. Mine’s a facelift one, so fog lights and a couple other visual changes, and supposedly burns less oil and has less risk of pre-cat failure. And it hasn’t killed me even once! I think it sounds better than it has any right to, since the intake is right behind your head. Love the way it handles. I’ve allegedly gotten it sideways in the rain and it’s fun if you have quick hands. The steering is good, although I think it’s electric not hydraulic like you said. The clutch and shifter are kinda meh. Having a passenger, or the AC, or even just a bunch of water bottles in the passenger seat really affects acceleration lmao.

[@TedwardDrives]

I guess I was duped! I thought I saw power steering lines under the car when it was on the lift. Whoops

[@yeshwantdasari2075]

as someone with a spyder myself, its definitely hydraulic, i changed the power steering fluid recently. you can see the reservoir in the front of the car under the plastic padding. also as someone who drives a current gen Mazda3 and owned an NB MX-5, i actually love the shifter and its feel, maybe your clutch or gear linkage is on the way out as im currently experiencing myself. p.s the handbrake cables on these are awful

[@willferland]

@@TedwardDrives It’s electro hydraulic, the power steering pump is electric and powers the hydraulic rack

[@abelwickham345]

Correct, hydraulic but not driven by an engine belt. Steers like a go-kart😁

[@clumsygarage1578]

@@willferland Ah yeah. I’d heard it described as “electric” but I’m sure you’re right.

[@briansmythe352]

The military truck was some sort of HEMTT

[@johnsheetz6639]

Sometimes it's not all about horsepower that thing has some fun power. Light, rear engine. Reliable Ferdinand Porsche would approve.

[@goatsplitter]

I remember around that time when cars started to go to white gauges instead of the black that were so common. I remember seeing this and copying it in my first car... changing it to white gauges... its funny the little things like that which influenced mods. On that same car, i remember seeing a lexus with LED interior in a concept car and so I ordered a bunch of LED's from china and took my interior all apart dremeling little holes for the small LED's and wired it up. this all in like 2003 before that was a thing in cars. From concept to mod :) What a time it was back then! Thanks for the memory triggered by the white gauges!

[@hduncan2587]

Not only are the tires staggered, the wheels are as well. Fronts on these pre-facelift cars are a 15x6, while the rear is a 15x6.5" wheel. Facelifted rears went up to a 16x7. A few more fun facts, if you look up the front control arms of the MR2 Spyder, they are cross compatible with the Scion xA and first generation xB, and I believe the front disks and calipers are as well (not to mention, the later Echoes, which only weighed 2,050lbs or so, though claims of 2,020lbs seem extreme). I think the only reason the Echo control arms aren't an exact match might be bushings might be softer (Toyota really held the Echo back in North America versus the overseas Vitz RS it essentially is).

[@kecikmiao0711]

the whistling noise i think its because he didnt put up the defusal at the back when he put the top down

[@ThePilotGear]

yeah I love this thing, and the fact that it didn't sell well coupled to its mid-engine'ness, I was cross-shopping this with NB2 Miatas. I ended up going the Miata route and I'm ecstatic about my choice, but the whole low-power/extra-low weight sports car solution hits all the right notes with me. Of course I'd love a Porsche, but the MRS/NB2 Miata at the time were just so good, so well engineered, I feel like there wasn't much point to more power, so long as the weight was in the 1,000 kg relm. That 1ZZ sounds a bit better than my BPZ3, but I'm happy I have a 6-speed Aisin because at 110 km/h, I'm near 3,000 rpm...

[@viveklego]

I used to have a 1zz Celica. Not the same car but similar drivetrain I think. Was lots of fun.

[@danmurphy1994]

Tedwards an average sized dude and his hands look gigantic when operating the glovebox and switchgear 😂😂😂 love these fun little Japanese sports cars from this era.

[@marial8235]

That drive looked like a lot of fun. I test drove one of these once bitd but ended up with a Z3 because it had more storage. But the Mr2 seemed more fun.

[@TedwardDrives]

Makes a lot of sense. There’s nowhere to put stuff!

[@kantina4765]

all time favourite (road) car. drop in a 2zz and give it a roof and it is simply perfect.

[@spoekles]

Drove behind one a few days ago, suprisingly nippy. Did have a dual exhaust so might've been a sleeper.

[@houseking9211]

I prefer the previous generation, but these do seem fun

[@acalthu]

Driving slow cars fast is always fun!

[@j0nesy363]

Just sold my 90k mile facelift in the UK for £3k. Prices for these in the USA are insane

[@77Chester77]

Had one for two years as a side car. It was super fun to drive, I miss it sometimes.

[@angry_german_kid]

thats a cool early 2000s toyota

[@fe2nq]

Lightweight, simple easy to maintain, and I think better looking than the Porsche Boxster. it’s not the poor man’s Porsche. It’s the smart man’s Porsche.

[@turdferguson1021]

I didn't forget. I have 3.

[@J.Wick.]

So wish these would've come with the 2ZZ..They'd have sold alot better I think. Or a small turbo on the 1ZZ. Always wanted to try one of these. I adored the previous gen MR2s. These have beome pretty tough to find especially in good nick. They've also become pretty legendary AutoXers. What an era, mid engine sporty cars for under 30k. What a time to be alive lol.

[@Petrospect]

Just in time as I see these go for 3-4k and I'm cross-shopping em with NBs! Most interesting car Toyota made during that era

[@bearclaw5115]

U.S.? More like 10-15k.

[@millll111lllI]

@@bearclaw5115I’m in the US and mine was $4k last year.

[@Paco_Gaepedores]

Lovely adorable car ❤️ Goodnight from San Francisco, California 🇺🇲 🌴 ❤️

[@1974kenm]

I just taught my 17 year old son to drive manual in my 2003 MR2 Spyder.

[@ryzen397]

reminds me of my 01 celica gt 5 spd. it was a great little car

[@Doggy_]

I would really like to see a review on the 7th gen Celica you mentioned, i think it would be really cool !!

[@Jeffrey_Wong]

Been seeing your channel pop up in my feed for a bit and only just realized you're in my area! I remember seeing an Audi R8 and a Huracan fly by me last fall, think it was I-95 in Woburn. Any chance one of them was you?

[@rays2023]

Need to review a k-swapped one man

[@Sayu2x]

Ah the good old Mister 2

[@markmatrahegyi639]

Thank you for making a video if this beautiful MR2. This was one of the very first cars that I've driven. The MR2 is so special to me. My dad is a car mechanic, and once someone asked my dad to do the regular maintenance on an MR2 like this, but with hardtop and the "Yamaha" engine. I had my brand new, fresh driving license and I wanted to try it out so badly. The owner went on a vacation, and picked up the car only 2 weeks later, and told us to use it whenever we want. My time has come :D I immediately felt in love with this MR2, and I've "accidentaly" put 550-600 kms in it. One of the best cars I've ever driven. I miss these cars. It was incredibly fun to drive, agile, tacktile, had a sporty suspension and so easy to get used to. Only getting in was a bit tricky (I'm not a big guy though), but I didn't care because I never wanted to get out anyways :D Thank you Tedward

[@iHaveTheDocuments]

They really dropped the ball with this thing after the first 2 great generations

[@Denistone]

What a beauty.

[@shadshad741]

These are amazing

[@joe653]

legit just bought one 2 weeks ago

[@B_-.-]

In the UK, the value for money on these is insane. Similar prices to NB MX5s. 2-4K.

[@Marscommander1]

9:36 That highway whistling noise is the radio antenna! So annoying, they switched to a retractable antenna in 2003

[@yeshwantdasari2075]

i thought it was because he mustve forgot to put the wind deflector up?

[@zadekharbat]

I have the same antenna and don't get the noise?

[@TedwardDrives]

Honestly didn’t see a wind deflector. Can you point it out in the section where I showed the roof?

[@zadekharbat]

@TedwardDrives its around the pull latch to unlatch the roof. It's there in the vid, just gotta flip it up. It helps alot with the back draft but im not sure about the whistle, never heard that before.

[@vipermoon_]

5:05 in '02 the miata had glass there as well

[@DJL78]

What a great little car. ❤

[@corollavirus4age]

oh yes thats hot mid engine miat

[@louiearmstrong]

Cheap Man's Boxster and I mean that in the best way

[@rootsmanuva82]

To this day I don't understand why Toyota never offered the 180 hp (or so) 2ZZ-GE engine in the MR2 Spyder. Its almost as if they didn't want it to reach its full potential.

[@arcanevoid9199]

had a deal with lotus not to, wouldve also raised the price

[@bilokenneth]

I own one exactly like this, same color and year! btw, please avoid lowering your soft top like that, it's painful to see :( :( :(

[@bearclaw5115]

What did he do wrong?

[@Kairupractor]

He owned a 2000 Celica GTS? Goated individual

[@emmanuelrodriguez1043]

Let’s keep this car secret in between US. 🤫 😆 amazing car. Underrated.

[@RandomlnternetGuy]

I made the mistake of thinking i could make one of these into a formidable track car.. i was very mistaken. Took lots of money to do what a NB miata vould do out of the box