MR2 races to success (Toyota MR2 (2000 on))

Member Name: daddygratis

Product:	Toyota MR2 (2000 on)
Date:	11/06/01 (366 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great value for money, Great design and feel, Superb features

Disadvantages: Totally impracticle, Low fuel efficiency, Dos not handle well in tough conditions

I am not a car fanatic. I don't drool over body curves and engnies. I want a reliable car, that's safe and for the right price offers something a little different.

In chosing a car to buy, having no need for large space I decided to go for a sports car. I was looking to spend up to £20,000 althought I was hoping not to have to stretch to this.

In the end it came down to a choice of three. The Mazda MX5, the MG and the Toyota MR2.

The MR2 is the least practicle, there is no boot (that houses the engine) there is virtually no storage space (two little sections behind the driver and passengers seat allowing for two rucksacks at best) and the fuel efficiency is low. So if you want a practicle sports car go for the MX5. It is cheaper and bigger.

So why the MR2? First off it is virtually brand new. There are no plans yet to re-make it. Unlike the MX5 which is due for a make over soon and the MG which has been around for a long time. So if you want exclusivity then this is the best you can do right now for under £20k.

Secondly, there is the design itself. Like I said, I am not obsessed by looks, but it is a very striking car with a modern fresh feel. It has echoes of the Porsche on the front and as a convertable with the roof down looks superb. The other two feel a little dated against this.

Thirdly, the package. I am not fussed by what the car comes with but the MR2 deal is quite astonishing. As standard, the 1.8 offers, driver and passenger airbag, alarm, remote central locking, ABS, power steering, safety enhanced seat belts, alloy wheels, a CD and tape stereo with surround sound, leather steering wheel and gear stick and electric windows.

In comparison the MX5 starts with a virtual shell and if you were to go for all these otpions you would be paying well over the price of the MR2.

The MG is a more expensive car to begin with and these extras would tip you over the £20k mark.

Fu
rthermore, because there are a number of importers providing a quick service (I got mine in one month imported from Japan through Belgium) you are able to get the MR2 at a heavily discounted price. In the end I opted for metallic paint and leather seats and it still worked out cheaper than the basic MR2 price over here.

My car due to its weight to engine ratio is very very fast. I don't care about beating someoene at the lights but the speed is comforting if you do motorway driving. The interior feels like a mix between a cockpit and a racing car. It has proved to be most reliable althought don't expect much from it if it snows. It does NOT handle well in these conditions.

It remains in my eyes the best value for the money. I paid £17000, which for that market is in my eyes very very reasonable. I would like to offer the name of the dealer that I went to but I feel it may not be fair if the price has since changed.

All I will say is that it is a specialist imoprter of Japanese cars. There aren't many of them but they are infinitely better than the supposed imoprt discounters you see on the internet. And the realitvely quick waiting time is a big big bonus.

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