Perfect: Toyota MR2 Built by Street Racing Legend

Stan's 1989 Toyota MR2 was tuned by street racing legend Rafael Estevez, who inspired the character of Dom Toretto in Fast & Furious. And that's not even the most special thing about it.
[CARISMA is The Drive's new series exploring the connection between enthusiasts and their cars. See the full playlist: • CARISMA ]
Stan Karr Yeung is the founder of Daikoku NYC, a car club in New York City inspired by the famous Daikoku meet in Yokohama, Japan. And his MR2 is a perfect encapsulation of his background as the child of immigrants from Hong Kong, his skills as a designer, and his passion for bringing people together over cars.
After an extended trip to Asia to get to know his roots, Stan came back to America wanting two things: a sweet car, and a place to hang out with like-minded enthusiasts. He ended up creating both.
"Most immigrant mindsets, it’s like, you don’t waste what you have, you gottta be thankful for what you do have, and make the best of what you have. If you can fix it, it’s not broken."
So his MR2 wasn't broken, but it was pretty close-rusted out, barely running, with its original paint shot when he found it in Pennsylvania. He trucked it back to NYC and got to work, bringing in Rafael to help complete his vision of a tuner MR2: classic looks hiding some wild mods underneath. Rebuilding the 4A-GZE engine with forged parts and boring it out to 1.8L, billet pulleys, HKS cam gears, a huge intercooler, a MaxECU Sport setup, adjustable BC coilovers, Techno Toy Tuning suspension parts, a set of Gram Lights, lightweight flywheel, custom exhaust... the list goes on. And it's not even done yet.
At the same time, he wanted to recreate the feeling he had visiting the famous Daikoku meet in Japan: chill vibes with incredible cars of all kinds and people from all walks of life. So Daikoku NYC was born.
"As you get older, it’s harder to make friends. But Daikoku ends up being a place you’re coming out to where it’s not focused on you directly. You have this kind of buffer with your car, and that ends up being a lot easier of a platform to talk and connect with each other.”
This month, in recognition of what Stan has built, Daikoku NYC was invited to be in the city's annual AAPI Month parade, with its cars running down the middle of midtown Manhattan in a celebration of the culture that inspired such a special club.
"It went from 'what happened to the meets? I want to see more variation,' to this bigger-than-me community that is inclusive of all and ends up being a really cool place for you to come and feel secure at with whatever build that you have. At the end of the day, that's all anyone is trying to do, just find a place to be with their car."
Follow Stan on Instagram: / daikokunyc
Produced, shot, and edited by / tomgorelik
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[@unhandleme]

Well that gave me all the feels. Once again, kudos to the whole team behind this series.

[@mattw362]

Remember it doesn't matter how, where or when a car will find you. You will most likely lose it but you will never forget how it made you feel and forever wish you find it again ❤️

[@devilishmode]

This man is pure good vibes

[@drive]

100000%. Some people just be like that.

[@YTFRCARS]

Stan has always been inspiring. When he told me his vision for nyc, I saw he truly loved cars and that he had hope in the community. I was on board with helping the team to make DaikokuNYC a home for enthusiasts in the beating heart of the city. After so much time, I see the vision is coming together nicely. One thing we realize is that when you surround yourself with real dream chasers, those "dreams" just turn into the next goal. Much love to the DaikokuNYC team, and thanks for Interviewing Stan!

[@Angrynood]

Gen 1 MR2s are such beautiful cars. Awesome feature!

[@drive]

thanks for watching!

[@Talex-td6xf]

Hell yea, some MR2 love, the almost forgotten child of the Toyota Trio.

[@foot2thefloor64christian5]

Bro gets the absolute vibe of MR2’s. I can’t wait to get mine back on the road. Such a clean build!

[@BrandonAilion]

I have an aw11 nicknamed the tank that has a crazy history in my local scene. I lucked out so much getting it, but it was missing a huge chunk of parts. I tried sourcing what I needed and had no luck, even if I could I wouldn't have been able to get it running alone. I luckily became friends with the organizer of the local ae86 group. Together we had enough spare parts and the connection to the most knowledgeable guy around on old Toyotas to go from long forgotten to driving out of the shop in one hard weekend. Once it moved, the previous owner reached out and I got all the missing pieces I needed... A couple more days of diagnosing and I have finally got it idling, a temporary exhaust, both side mirrors, and all the lights working to finally feel safe enough to street drive it. That literally happened yesterday and this comes out... What are the odds. Next I will be getting a rusty lightly wrecked gts hatch shell, a new chapter begins 😅

[@drive]

there’s your sign!

[@2legit2quitatl]

The AW11 is such an underrated little car, it was the car that made me fall in love with cars as a teen when I owned a 86 Sunroof car. Ultimately it’s why I decided to get another and even though my current AW11 is heavily modified, it still reminds me of those exciting feelings my first one gave me every time I drive it.👍🏽👊🏽🙂

[@TheNuggetProject]

As someone who is building one of these from scratch watching someone enjoying there's gets me pumped to finish mine :)

[@drive]

you got this 🫡

[@elfatherae86]

Absolutely amazing feature of an incredible individual and very cool build. Keep on driving the hell out of that ride Stan. And thank you for everything you do for the East Coast car scene.

[@SigmAnalog]

I had a much-less-sorted AW11 as my first car, I'm still absolutely in love with 'em, and I honestly geeked out a bit (...okay, a lot) when I saw this in my Subscriptions queue. I've been enjoying the Carisma series so far, but seeing my honest-to-god favorite car in the world featured--and being owned by a legitimately good dude, no less? Man, the only way I could be happier is if I could look out in my driveway and see one parked there again. Someday.

[@drive]

Glad to be of service. Someday is right-you'll get that car.

[@GuyFawkesWitChu]

I'm glad that the channel is back, and you guys are absolutely killing it, crushing it straight out of the gate. Good shit.

[@drive]

thanks for watching, we really appreciate the support 🙏

[@megamastah]

Great footage, great editing, good vibes. Glad to have you guys back, one of a kind.

[@nateopotatoe8742]

Man, this is the best one yet

[@RDEnduro]

My friend had a NA red just like that (red was different). that front end you made looks so much better than I remember MR2 looking. Excellent stance and wheels so cool, really well done.

[@yaroslavburmaka1449]

Great Content! Nice to see some AW11s

[@JimCraig_riced]

Mmm reminds me I need another MR2.:)

[@danabuch324]

Bought one of the first new 87 MR2s, black on black. Took it to a friend who had a detailing business and had all the stick-on pin-striping and lettering removed. He wet-sanded the whole car and buffed it until it looked perfect and wet all the time. The early MR2s had many, many surfaces and angles but they all seemed to blend and disappear in that shiny black paint. Drove to Southern California to TRD to fit some Hyashi 3-piece 5-spoke wheels with gold spokes and polished outer rims and Yokohama 008 tires and a suspension kit. The suspension pickup points had changed for 87 so TRD had no suspension kits for them yet. Luckily Toyota had many engineers from Japan there as they were doing development work for their entry into Formula Atlantic racing. They asked me if I could hang around for the day and they would build me a prototype suspension kit at no cost. It was an offer I couldn't refuse. I got to listen to them dyno test the 230-250 HP 9,500 RPM racing version of the MR2 engine. The 1,600cc engine in the MR2 were built by Yamaha. When that car was done, with no markings, wet looking black paint, and down low stance, no one knew what it was. Closest thing to a race car on the street and so much fun to drive. Sold it when I ran a pro SCCA series. Wish I still had it.

[@SteveLowtwait]

The first gen MR2 is one of my favorite cars of all time. This dude has earned the wonderful one he has. What an inspiring individual. It's great seeing car culture thrive in a city like NYC.

[@gamby16a]

That scene is the vibe I'm looking for. Positivity and no fear of your car getting scouted to be stolen. That MR2 is beautiful in how understated it is. Cool dude. He has great vision and vibes.

[@chrissmith4713]

The Mk1... chef's kiss! Wish I could have kept mine!

[@milnez]

Still regret selling my 88 MR2

[@SF_Native]

I had an 89 MR2 as my first car. Loved it and blew the damn motor street racing. Years later I ended up with a 91 MR2 Turbo, fully done up- HKS exhaust, intake, BOV and Racing Hart wheels. Unfortunately it was totaled when a huge truck smashed into me and crushed it (I was lucky to survive that crash). I still want an MR2 to this day.

[@tosinn364]

This is cool

[@rockymtnsquid4537]

The first generation AW11 is the purest rendition of all MR2's, the way Akio Yoshida originally intended and envisioned them to be. Properly set up and tuned AW11SC's are the ultimate examples of these cars. Kudos to the owner of this car.

[@terraf0rm]

this is rad

[@drive]

you're rad

[@DailyOwnSupercars]

One of NYC’s own great pick🔥 @DAIKOKUNYC

[@rodsalvador3608]

i remember bringing my AW11 to Radwood. haven't driven her much in a few years. i need to, again. nothing like a screaming 4A-GE behind you.

[@xOurStoryy]

What an amazing story!

[@chrmartube]

This is my dream car.

[@kenc356]

Great video, beautiful ADub. Thank you for sharing the passion.

[@simonmenzies3142]

Mk1 MR2 are so cool. Just wish they were 20% bigger

[@drive]

well then it wouldn’t be an MR2

[@Dooblecaine]

An MR2.4 would be nice

[@Zbally_]

Amazing video. Thanks for coming out to the events and showcasing Stan and DaikokuNYC!

[@-DC-]

Great Car, Great Dude 👊

[@okteri]

I own an MR2. Such fun to drive 😊

[@KN-jw7ts]

Seems like a really cool guy. I’m enjoying theses vids.

[@jamesgilboy519]

This guy's so much cooler than most MR2 owners I've met, and I say that as someone who owns both an AW and an SW.

[@arthspidey666]

omg that 0:23 editing is hot af

[@eldoradomanchuria]

This guy is awesome I love his whole vibe

[@lamboferruccio]

This dude has a great attitude I love it!

[@jimsakai]

Nice to see a little more East Coast car culture

[@Keithmeister9]

Awesome vid, proud owner of a 93 Turbo SW20 here 👍

[@yanmustand]

i've been saving this video for the past week, finally i can watch it, so cool

[@florider_hd]

the mr2 is such nice looking cars

[@Hublot1]

Absolutely banger of an episode! #daikokunyc

[@preemadrid]

i remember when this car first came out. i was 19 and selling toyotas my dealer sent us to pleasanton to preview this car and wow my first thought was its was a legalized racing go cart. so fun to drive and with that high redline whooo

[@StephenMcFadden]

Very cool!

[@StArLioN_]

Dope 🔥

[@NotiFawkes]

I started driving in 1999. Imports were king. In 2024 I am tasked with finding a car in the $15k range. I am so lost on what is what anymore. I miss the civic, the integra, the prelude, 300zx, supra days!

[@Felixmfox]

Tremendous. My memory of the mk1 MR2 is a remote control one back in the late 80’s. So 80’s it had a power cable. Not radio controlled. It was red and I still remember it now as a 40yo.

[@aggonzalezdc]

If only all car communities could be so chill and welcoming! Great car, looks and sounds amazing, bet it drives amazing, and looks like a great scene. I really hope everyone can find that. Sadly many car scenes are so interested with pissing matches and gatekeeping they forgot about the cars entirely. Like you mentioned, that used to be less true, especially in the import scene. Now even Civic clubs can be full of pricks when we used to be the whipping boy of car culture. Some of them literally dont care about cars, they just want to be the manliest ichest\whatever. They know nothing about their own car except the HP figure, thats all they seem to be able to remember. They just need it to be bigger than yours. (I bought my Evo from a guy who told me he didnt know what SAWC meant, or what the button in the car did, or how an Evo works. He sold it to me to buy an 800 hp car. Thats how he described it, thats all it was, a hp number).

[@PaulEubanks]

Racer X was a guitar shred band back in the 80’s with Paul Gilbert and Bruce Bouillet.

[@VivariumSnake]

Sick yoo..

[@SimonTrent8000]

@5:37 I think he ment to say they built him a 7agze stroker, also beautiful aw11. Own a black one myself with itbs.

[@mrjackbagginz]

Ah if you wouldve have seen the toms mr2,. Ahh i miss it,. That arguably is in the top ten jdm ever

[@VivariumSnake]

I use to have an 88 prelude 4ws pop up lights it was beautiful ❤😢, but now I have a 98 accord I'm gonna build 😅. Big ups to the car culture. It started with hot wheels as a kid die-cast models then gran turismo ❤.

[@rodneybryant1326]

I miss my aw11, wound up junking it after it threw the passenger side axle and I couldn't find a replacement that didn't require months of shipping in 07

[@normp3273]

Life! 👍

[@redsunsmr284]

Love my sw20 to death! Proud owner of 20 years.

[@thatlilmr2]

Aw11 4life!!!!

[@mastercruss]

More cars less life story! Charisma shows these amazing cars then proceeds to tell you nothing about them!

[@drive]

perhaps you missed the section from 4:00 to 6:30?

[@ktaeoh]

what's the song at 2:15

[@notesonwheels]

I think the meets were more interesting than the car. Probably if this had a larry chen meet vibe it would do better. As for the car, would make sense for a workshop visit to the racerx guy more than how this ended up. Suggestions for the future. The car story format still seems outdated to me in 2024.

[@highcountrypioneer3025]

These are great cars but getting parts that are no longer made is why I sold mine 14 years ago.

[@markchapman2585]

I used to love going to car meets I haven't gone in about 10 years. Nowadays people hang out of the car with a AK in their hand. I don't know why the cops show up. Kids today are clowns.

[@jackdaniels2905]

Id rather have MR2 than Gr86.

[@korymanuel8682]

First

[@drive]

You sure are.

[@AdhirSingh_SA_1995]

If only they made the GR86 half as cool as this, and the 86 is already a great car, it would be one of the all time greats🥹