The Final MR2 - Toyota's Best Kept Secret

[@crowdingchief2235]

zzw30 owner here - honestly love the car to drive and is paired so well with my friends NB mx5 when we go out for drives. the zzw30 mr2's downside is the pre facelift models had an issue with lubrication within the engine which caused failure but this was fixed around 2005 I believe. the platform is a very capable car and has engine swaps available for it that are relatively easy to perform such as the k20 or 2zz-ge for if you feel like 140bhp isn't enough. I feel like it was seen as a failure due to its porsche boxter - esque looks and its low power economy engine but I always argue that's what Toyota set out to do in the first place when designing the first mr2; make a light economical and reliable affordable sports car. I feel like the sw20 is actually the outlier in the mr2 line up even though I do think they are amazing cars. anyway great video honestly thought this was coming from a bigger channel and would love to see more on other lineages of cars!

[@Seiyomedia]

@@crowdingchief2235 I’d agree, I’ve not driven one myself so this video was made based on the stats, facts and anecdotes alone. Great to hear from so many owners! Thank you very much I have another video in the working as we speak!

[@tenExcalibur]

WRONG, im just here to correct the mistake as i was rebuilding my own engine. There is no rule of "production year" or "facelift" about when were oiling problem fixed. Facelift process just happen to be there where they noticed something is wrong and 1zz pre and post facelift are literally the same. Only change that happened in engine is the pistons got a little bit bigger oil rings. Still faulty desing till 2008ish when avensis got aquired with newer version of 1zz. Toyota said there is "new block design" and warranty block swaps in early 2003 and 2004. But it was just a false title for newer piston rings. What spyderchats community figured out you need to drill bigger holes for oil directly in pistons to allow better lubrication. I did drill extra 2 holes per piston. Stock holes are 2mm and i did a 3mm with new rings. 10k kilometers later i can bang it to the limits and have 0 oil consumption at all. Great engines besides that and having open block. You can get with a little of 1 bar boost with closed block to achieve 300 horsepower and nothing will snap or brake.

[@crowdingchief2235]

@@tenExcalibur ahah yeah I had to rebuild mine for the oiling issue and used the newer pistons with much more and larger oiling holes. Got a 2zz ready for rebuild to drop in so can’t wait to do that. Thanks for the correction I didn’t know that

[@sierratango6574]

​@@Seiyomedia New subscriber here, great content, keep it up!

[@Seiyomedia]

@@sierratango6574 thank you! Plenty more to come :) 🫡

[@Booka3141]

People who think the 3rd gen is the one to avoid, are themselves ones to avoid. Its a gem of a car.

[@citrusjuicebox]

As with most things in the car community, the people dunking on the ZZW30 have almost never driven--much less owned--one before. The people who've spent any significant amount of time with one and disliked it are few and far between.

[@lto9773]

Never thought i’d see u here lol

[@citrusjuicebox]

@@lto9773 howdy!

[@TheSchnitzelable]

Woow what a professional video I thought you are on your 50th. I like this chilled style no shouting at the viewers

[@Seiyomedia]

@@TheSchnitzelable thank you! It was only my first so plenty of room for improvement. Glad your liked it and many more to come :)

[@paulmuscat3602]

I wanted an mx-5 but I bought an mr-S and i dont regret it its a fun car and very quick in the corners

[@Seiyomedia]

@@paulmuscat3602 both good choices :)

[@cmhidalgo]

I wanted a 93 mr2 so I bought one. I wanted a miata so I bought a 2004 mazdaspeed miata. Turbo is fun. I also like both the 1st and 3rd gen mr2. 3rd gen handles great

[@jaggu2703]

Thanks for shining a light on perhaps the most underrated JDM car.

[@tinuthomas531]

The first part of the video felt like you were reading me like a book 😭 I loved the video. I finally own an MR2 Spyder too after wanting one for 5 years. The prices overseas are crazy compared to the US where everyone wants $7k-$10k for one 😂

[@Seiyomedia]

@@tinuthomas531 thank you! Congrats :) prices do vary massively on some of the old jap cars

[@joshuawagar2600]

I absolutely adore my zzw30. Its the best driving car I've ever driving and the more and more I look at it it slowly becoming my favorite mr2 out of the three. Im considering putting a 1.8T in mine to give it that much need oomfph.

[@millll111lllI]

W30 is lighter than the Miata despite having a longer wheelbase than the S2000, and it much easier to live with due to cargo room and fitting tall drivers.

[@Bailtronix]

As a modified ZZW30 owner and previous mx5 fanboy. ZZW30 BEST CAR

[@MaxKieser-b3j]

Hey man, I live just down the road from you and see ur Subaru everyday. Love the vids man can’t wait to see more.

[@Seiyomedia]

@@MaxKieser-b3j thank you! Glad you like it, will be more to come very soon

[@apostolis633]

As a W30 owner, i loved the video

[@Seiyomedia]

@@apostolis633 thank you I’m glad to hear it. More to come soon!

[@Ottobon]

The AW11 and SW20 are both under-rated in that the potential is there they just require a bit more care, ideally math, and some actual adjustments namely to the rear geometry to be as great as they should be. Some guys figured it out and exact settings sometimes with fab is ideal, but apparently most of it can be achieved by simply running a bit of a rake and having rear lowered about 1 inch more than the front. That with some more conventional spring rates (a bit stiffer front comparatively) and snap oversteer snaps out of existence. Ridden in one that competed nationally and it was one of the first cars i've been in that naturally "fast drifted" if required, as in got around hairpins with a bit of tail out but did it as naturally and confidently, comfortably as any other driver friendly car i've ever been in. In regards to 3:22 i somewhat push back on this, your statement is correct about many of the best drivers cars being setup this way but its related to geometry compromises, stuff i'm mentioning above, and done specifically for street cars by manufacturers as a measure to combine best ride with best potential cornering ability, but at cost of stability. They share that quality but they aren't bound to it, and in competitive form it's something that gets dialed out because ride quality isn't a concern and there is more mechanical grip to be had by doing away with that trait, doing away with the twitchyness. Regarding ZZW30, the Miata comparison is interesting because at entry level you don't see them as highly celebrated (Save the Spirit MR-S that made a splash on Best Motoring), however if you look up rather extreme time trail and hill climb cars there are far more insane ZZW30s going for very real records then you see with the Miata. The Miata i'd argue can still claim the domain of humble street car, but when it comes to supercar killing the ZZW30 is a hidden legend. Finally i think with all these generation, the 2GR V6 revival that has happened, turn key kits for all generations is awesome.

[@Seiyomedia]

@@Ottobon you sound like you know you’re stuff. I definitely found it to be an interesting rivalry to research. Thanks for the input!🫡🏁

[@Kacpa2]

Older MX-5s are so weeded out by years of abuse and it being cheaper that good examples are following in adter clean Stock S13s. It will not be cheap to get NA or NB anymore.

[@roland9367]

I have an AW11 for many years now, and as far as I'm concerned there is no snap oversteer. There are plenty of warnings when you know the car. I think certain versions of the SW20 have that but I haven't driven them hard. Anyway, it is still a great car and I took it into the Alps recently it just doesn't get any better. Even though there are faster cars, this is just pure driving.

[@trwhelp-q5d]

great video very well delivered

[@thedroll]

MR2 Spyder owner. After seeing the Best Motoring DVDs back in 2003, I always wanted one with a 2zz with ITBs......21yrs later that dream became a reality. Such a great car and being small, great for working on in a limited space garage

[@SicSemperBeats]

Here in the states, all three generations are very hard to find

[@panicwire]

zzw30 is the best toyota imo. I love touge and for that it's a superweapon. they kinda fucked up not offering the 2zz but it's whatever. The car itself is a perfect tuning base.

[@junitoortega8656]

Former w30 owner here! It makes for an amazing 2nd car. I miss mine and somewhat regret selling it.

[@nicberry3603]

Or an only car for some of us!

[@Omar_ZX]

As someone who has driven many mr2's, the 3rd generation is the most fun to drive especially on mountain roads

[@PaddyMcMe]

Man, this video is AMAZING! SO glad I found this channel. You got a sub from me. Excited to see what you do in the future. I'd love to see you cover the Celica, Soarer/SC300/SC400 (Seriously underrated luxury GT that I think looks like a Japanese Jaguar), and maybe a LS400/LS430/LS460 comparison piece. Oh and 2000GT video would be cool.

[@Seiyomedia]

@@PaddyMcMe thank you! There is a little bit on the history of the LS400 in my latest video that may interest you :) these are the sort of messages that keep us going!

[@notmerricks]

Zzw30 lover here🐸

[@ambergris5705]

It was called a baby Boxster, not only for its looks, but for its mature handling too! And if that's not great praise, I don't know what is

[@Zi.Zenior]

Love this video. The intro was funny and accurate af. Little known fact that the MR2 turbo was faster than the Supra of the time.

[@Seiyomedia]

Thank you bro, love your content too 🫡 oh really? That’s pretty cool too, MR2s are cool machines

[@Zi.Zenior]

@@Seiyomedia do you own one?

[@Seiyomedia]

@@Zi.Zenior no, always been on my list but not had one yet. I’ve got in import hawkeye STI currently. I believe the Hawkeye is in one of my shorts

[@0shintei0]

The MX5 is also mid engine, front-mid to be more specific. The engine is placed behind the front axle. Other front-mid engine examples are the S2000 and AMG GT.

[@sluphwoohoon7451]

I got me a 2end gen gs, well more like got me a gs, totaled the gs, bought 2 more gs cars now that’s where all my money goes and I haven’t even been able to start working on the third one because of the sevens one needing maintenance, life’s good.

[@luisdvg8432]

SW20 is longer body to body(bumper to bumper) length to MRS but the MRS wheel base are longer than SW20, Miata, S2000 or even RX7. It looks small/short but its longer than the other. Luggage space and leg room in MRS is way better than Miata and if you're tall guy u may fit on MRS than a Miata. MR-S should just be called an Mid Engine Trueno(AE86).

[@Seiyomedia]

Interesting, I didn't notice that when reserching, thanks!

[@millll111lllI]

And it's still lighter than all of them

[@luisdvg8432]

@@millll111lllI correct!

[@jeffarcher400]

What luggage space? It's got nothing in the back and not much except the spare tire in front?

[@luisdvg8432]

@@jeffarcher400 behind the seats.

[@guylambrechts2303]

In Belgium the 3th gen MR2 goes as cheap Elise but no one seems to want one. I would fancy one if it had a roof and kit like the one in the illumaesthetic video. I like your video, keep going!

[@Seiyomedia]

@@guylambrechts2303 thank you! There is more to come soon :)

[@druscanam]

Toyota missed a huge opportunity with the 3rd generation MR2. In Australia we only received the crappy single clutch automated gearbox. So that was the first problem. A 6 speed manual would of made for a much better drivers car. Second of all I'm not sure why Toyota didn't offer a version with the 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i version of the 1.8L engine they fitted. It was honestly a no brainer as well as a popular engine swap for these. A 190hp 6 speed manual MR2 would of been an awesome peice of kit which no doubt would no doubt would of stolen alot of sales from more prestigious sports cars of the time. Having driven both a gen 2 MX-5 and a gen 3 MR2 I can confirm the 3rd gen MR2 definitely handels better, just a shame Toyota messed that one up

[@btownballer27]

Purchased over a NA because it's better lol😂. In all seriousness I purchased this after owning my RX8 that was rotten and I still lust for the handling of the 8. It was the best handling car I've ever sat in. Now that being said the MR2 spyder I own is stock atm besides a new stereo and a catless manifold, it's much more sharp off center and I know I can make it an absolute menace. Something about all elements of the car makes it more special than others. You don't get distracted by needing to pack more than necessary or by gas mileage. You can toss the top down and enjoy the night sky on the back twisties whilst listening to the little snarl of the 1zz behind you. It's truly a great all-around experience.

[@Seiyomedia]

@@btownballer27 great to hear an owners opinion. I’ve not owned a 3rd gen MR2 but have owned and spent a lot of time driving mx5s on and off track. My s2000 was far more capable but less “fun” as it required much more antagonising to break traction, but it’s all down to preference and purpose. MX5s are definitely great cars but can’t argue with the fact the MR2 shares most of the good bits of the recipe, adding more good bits in some respects! Thanks :)

[@btownballer27]

@Seiyomedia after reading lots on all in this realm of cars, the miata is the pack leader for dollars per smiles but that what makes the others interesting. The s2k is allegedly nerve wracking at the edge, especially ap1s the ap2s are allegedly more forgiving, hence the numver of ap1s that are rebuilt. The mr2 spyder also has the rear end heavy issue when you get on the edge but it's better than the previous gen with the whole spinning issue. That's my 2c on what I've read/heard from other owners.

[@Seiyomedia]

@@btownballer27 mine was an AP1, they’re not as bad as people make out but you do have to be awake to drive them on the limit

[@dephataznboi]

Lol I also was between an NA8 vs MR-S before ultimately going with Toyota. The ZZW30 just made better sense. The only thing I wish was different was the aftermarket support the MX5 has, they got sooo many options while we have like one choice.

[@Seiyomedia]

@@dephataznboihow did you find the mr2 for reliability?

[@Darkslugs]

Been wanting a zzw30 for a while now but they’re already getting expensive 😅

[@Fitforacting]

Love your voice and editing. Reminds me of Cold fusion. I am subscribed. Please do a video on how Rally influences helped design performance econo cars like wrx, evo, fiesta st, focus rs, etc

[@Seiyomedia]

Thank you, comparison to cold fusion is definitely a compliment! Thanks for the idea too, I’ll definitely consider it :)

[@ootoriazumi1349]

Damn, i guess we all missed the sw10 generation

[@willmetcalfe3528]

i drive a 2zz swapped one and it isnt perfect. the front steering geometry doesnt lend itself to bigger wheels and lowering like the mx5 does. that being said, its still an amazing car and couldnt really be any cheaper to own! i love it

[@Seiyomedia]

They are definitely a good alternative! Thanks for them comment :)

[@kevinjones3900]

2zz swapped and love it.

[@Bailtronix]

15 inch and 16inch stagger is best for the chassis. Set of anti roll bars and decent coilovers and some good tyres and you have an absolute weapon

[@christopherjohnston6343]

MR-S better stock/close to stock compared to NA/NB Miata IMO. The problem with MR-S where I am is that they're competing with the NC on price.

[@0DarkAsNight0]

Great video, would love to see more!!

[@Seiyomedia]

More to come :)

[@psychogobetween]

Nice vid

[@MrMan1NG]

GATEKEEPE IT DUDE NOOO I NEED ONE WEHN IM OLDER!!

[@chloedeschamps8918]

MR2 Fanclub here 🤚🏼

[@ianel5048]

SW20 owner. 😁😁😁.

[@arixant]

the zzw30 was actually meant to compete directly against the mg-f of all cars. they even outlined an entire spec racing series to compete the mg-f one make race in japan. its issue with naming is because the car is effectively a sequel to the sports 800 and not the mr2.

[@s.w.6977]

The ZZW30 was a perfect return to form. Lightweight, agile, minimalistic, it's exactly what the W10 defined the MR2 to be before the SW20 tried to be a GT car.

[@Richnineteenseventyone]

I own a G plater MK1B... I wouldn't swap it for its successors.

[@zurawskimotorsport]

pretty nice video I came across by chance, and funny enough I build engine swap kits for mr-s making it a true supercar slayer, 1.8 20v turbo, rv5 turbo and vr6 turbo all bolt on transforming the awesosme mr-s into what should be from factory.

[@Seiyomedia]

That’s so cool, sounds like a dream! Thanks man

[@K0Y0I_sis]

The poor man's exige.

[@Seiyomedia]

I’d consider that a compliment!

[@spicyham5394]

ZZW30 THE GOAT, I've been dailying one for a year and a half and it's always a blast driving it... Except for busy highways

[@Seiyomedia]

@@spicyham5394 I’d quite like to own one at some point. Very interesting little cars

[@Agu_Ra]

I'm kinda okay driving it on a highway. But maybe because mine is long-geared euro 6-speed. It lacks power on fast highways, but having to rev-match downshift to go faster only makes it more fun, especially if you've got a good-sounding exhaust (mine is TTE / Remus, it sounds really nice without being obnoxious). Wind buffeting isn't too bad until you're going 130+ km/h, but with the top on even 160 is completely bearable

[@dercook]

You should make a video about the Nissan Silvia next.

[@Seiyomedia]

Appreciate the suggestion! What exactly about the Silvia would you like to see?

[@TheXXDude]

​@@Seiyomedia it's the s14 model not the popular one but the first s14 cause that's very underrated for how great of car it is for an non turbo inline 4 it is a car I use daily and it's the same car I used to take down an r32 and rx7 in the rain

[@jackfisher3727]

Thanks Charlie

[@martinmendiolamm]

Love the mr2s but they're lacking in power. Early spyders grenaded themselves due to cat issues and if you went with the smt transmission it would be a nightmare to fix. Stating that its a supercar killer for a fraction of a price may be true but you'd be throwing tens of thousands into it for performance when you could've just gone with something else. MR2 spyder died out for lots of good reasons

[@digonderongedonga]

give credit to gears and gasoline! love the analysis, just cite footage sources

[@Seiyomedia]

Check the description :) thanks I actually meant to do this and completely forgot! Glad you enjoyed it ❤️‍🔥

[@digonderongedonga]

@@Seiyomedia people really do sleep on the MR2, its a car ive always wanted to get but was too intimidated by its driving characteristics at 10/10s

[@Seiyomedia]

@@digonderongedonga in my own experience they’re rarely as bad as people make out as long as you’re competent behind the wheel and respect the car. AP1 S2000s have a similar reputation, they are pretty evil on the limit but you get used to it quick, tricky cars improve your driving immensely too

[@mattocolypse]

The truth is the SW20 is the odd member of the MR2 family. The 1st and 3rd Gen MR2s were both super lightweight sports cars with modest power, focussed on their handling characteristics. The SW20 - comparatively - is a heavy boat, with a great deal more power (even in the NA version) but also all this unnecessary weight from the size and luxuries like sound deadening and even steering fog lights. Now... On a tight track or twisty country roads, the lighter cars are simply better drivers cars. But... in almost every other arena including just daily driving, the luxuries and power of the 2nd Gen is more enjoyable. I owned several MR2s but was never interested in the MR-S because it was ugly in stock form, had a super utilitarian interior, compared to something like a Honda S2000, and had not quite enough power to be fun on the major roads.

[@xRBOGx]

You keep sayong SW10 - that isnnot the 2nd gen designation. The turbo was SW20 and the NA was SW21

[@Avatar711Wizard]

Mk 1 escort ? UK Ford?

[@IceTypes]

love it

[@Seiyomedia]

Thanks :)

[@micahfoley9572]

obvious choice used to be the S2000

[@Seiyomedia]

I used to have one, brilliant cars but they weren’t cheap new!

[@micahfoley9572]

@@Seiyomedia me too! i had a 2000. that thing was freakin telepathic

[@Seiyomedia]

@ loved mine to bits. I had a major love or hate relationship with the exhaust though - hks single exit. Sounded incredible at WOT but so so droney for daily use. Great cars though

[@micahfoley9572]

@@Seiyomedia same. kept mine stock tho. i loved that moment when it would hit around 6000rpm and the noise would just go all chainsaw as the second cam kicked it. it was like it had two totally different personalities, everything about it changed from happy little roadster to angry little track car. it was such a fun car.

[@slimeplayz164]

Zzw30 is the best

[@mattadams6641]

Mx5 massively over rated.

[@SicSemperBeats]

You said the generation names wrong a few times. My guy said SW10 and AW1 at a few points

[@Seiyomedia]

@@SicSemperBeats you’re correct, check the description, made a bit of an error from a bad source during research. Thanks though 🫡

[@SicSemperBeats]

@@Seiyomedia no problem, barely anyone talks about these cars, so no one is offended. I wanna sw20 really bad!

[@Seiyomedia]

@SicSemperBeats thanks man! Yeah I think we can all admit the turbo SW20 is the one we would want, but the 3rd gen is definitely overlooked by many

[@SicSemperBeats]

@@Seiyomedia Yep agreed, not that easy to find a manual third gen either. I was contemplating on buying one but ended up spending much more on a 981 Boxster (was also supposed to be an older 987.2)

[@ChristopherHallett]

Yep, the third gen was easily the worst MR2. Anyone who claims otherwise has never driven all three gens in pristine stock condition.

[@MarkoDowdeswell]

It's ugly as sin. Even just a headlight change might of helped, but no.

[@383mazda]

Agreed - the 2nd gen looked like a mini Ferrari, the 3rd gen looked like a mini Hyundai

[@vltruan]

They look completely different in person, especially with the hardtop, and lowered with a nice set of wheels. Most people just see it a picture in stock form, and judge it off of that. I used to hate it too, lol.

[@Azordazor]

Eunos is Brand not model, just for the information.

[@None-vg1qw]

It’s a cool car but imo it’s just kind of always been made irrelevant by the existence of the 986 Boxster S which outclasses it in every way expect maybe reliability (but honestly I’ve found them to be quite reliable) assuming you’re able to spend just a little bit more

[@Vtertdfgwrth5ybdfasgagadfg]

I can't believe you said the mr2's nasty hard plastic interior is better than the mx5nb's soft touch vinyl, The mr2's upright seating position is lame af compared to the sporty, low seat, feet up, feel of the mx5. The mr2 doesn't even have dual wishbones, its freaking strut suspension all round🤮 😘

[@leighwright8609]

Seeing as there still handling fine with a few over 600bhp I think they were right...

[@vltruan]

BMW e30 m3 was also McPherson strut suspension up front. By your logic, that car is crap too, right? Lol😅

[@Vtertdfgwrth5ybdfasgagadfg]

@@vltruan Yeah cheapo shit design on a sports tourer, yuk 😝

[@jamesburge1983]

The third gen MR2 may well be a better car........but damn it is one fugly ride.

[@vltruan]

That’s probably because most people just see them in pictures in stock form. In person, lowered with wheels, and hardtop, the car looks completely different.

[@SupraSav]

The car looked weird. The lights and body shape were just blobs. If it was a little sharper looking and marketed better it would have sold. I barely knew that car existed and I am a car nut.

[@vltruan]

Than you must pretty young then. The car scene is much bigger than the Supra, Skyline, or whatever.

[@GuagoFruit]

Well shit, I just got a racing licence in Japan and was looking for a car that I can track until it explodes. The mr-s is surprisingly cheap and looks like a suitable victim.

[@Seiyomedia]

@@GuagoFruit you should make a youtube series on that, I would love to see it!

[@justin3131ify]

Da fuck is a w10??? It's aw11

[@Seiyomedia]

They went by both, AW10 being the lower spec 1.5 model and AW11 being the 1.6

[@Hypersquid98]

I don't necessarily care if I have a rwd car to build on. The LS swapped rwd converted 86 accord has inspired me (link in comment) to wanna do the same some day to my 7th gen accord. Would be tons of work and fabrication but dammit I see the potential 😂 the mr2 though has always been a dream to own. Just kind of hard to find. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6CQZ5Vofrp6f6ssi=gq7cyS1D-EnSQjBL

[@Seiyomedia]

@@Hypersquid98 that’s a very cool build! LS swaps are a bit trickier for the Brits

[@Seiyomedia]

@@Hypersquid98 that’s a very cool build! LS swaps are a bit trickier for the Brits