`Man, I gotta get me one of these!` (Toyota MR2 (2000 on))

Member Name: Scoobyroo

Product:	Toyota MR2 (2000 on)
Date:	05/03/02 (2955 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Not many around, Speed/handling, Gets you noticed

Disadvantages: Quiet alarm, Very scratchable, Not being in it

In the words of the great Will Smith, `Man.. I gotta get me one of these!`.

I`ve always wanted an MR2, even from the days of the old Mk1 but never thought I would get one. Then, as luck would have it, my old Rover gave up the ghost and my Girlfriend persuaded me to splash the cash and get the car of my dreams (with the added benefit that kids would have to go on hold for a few more years! <lol>).

To ensure I would make an unbiased decision (and to ease that nagging doubt you always get when buying something expensive), I forced myself into test driving the MGF Trophy, the Mazda MX5, the MR2 Mk3 and the BMW Z3 (in that order)

First the MGF. It had a massive boot (in comparison to the other roadsters), had a fantastic chrome gear knob but other than that failed to live up to expectation. The cockpit was OK space wise but it was practically impossible for me to get my legs under the steering wheel due to the MGF`s lack of up/down seat adjustment. Perhaps the fact that I had to straddle the steering wheel to testdrive the thing was a fly in the ointment, but I felt the car lacked the power I expected and I didn?t much like the plastic rear window either.

The Mazda came next. Unfortunately a quick glimpse at the style of the car put me off so much; I just walked away without even sitting in it (naughty I know). I`ve heard many good things about the MX5, but if it looks like it belongs in the 90`s then perhaps that`s where it should stay.

The came the MR2 and that`s where it ended! I am loathe to admit it, but I fell in love with it on the first test drive and just had to have one. As I pulled out of the garage and drove the first few meters down the road, a smile spread over my face and hasn`t disappeared since. So that was it, after much test driving and viewing of some tatty imports (most of the ones I saw had not been built as per UK specs and seemed curiously `lived in, though I`m sure that was just my experie
nce and not indicative of the import market as a whole) I ended up buying a four month old, Silver Roadster with 4K on the clock for 17K from a garage in Brentford. Not bad considering it came with the optional Hardtop and A/C which would generally bring the forecourt price up to the 20k mark.

It looks the business, like many have said it`s like a poor/sensible man`s Boxster? and boy does it get you noticed. I find myself constantly gazing in the rear view mirror to watch people`s heads turn as we go by. So far I have had one girl trip over her friend whilst walking backwards to look, one guy run out of KFC shouting at me as I went through the drive-thru (scary at the time, he was a big lad!) just to say how much he liked the car and to take a look inside, and I have on many occasions returned to the car to find people looking through the windows (not always a good thing I guess, especially if they have a coat hanger and a screwdriver in their hand :o)).

Take the top off/down and you can increase the looks you get tenfold. There is virtually no wind noise or shake and with such a good heating system it?s just like cruising the Miami strip, even in winter! Believe me, anytime a solitary ray of sun shines through the good old British cloud band, you will want to take the roof down. Incidentally, this is very quick and easy, and the roof folds nicely into the body of the car with no need for any cover. Even the hardtop is a doddle to remove and replace, being held on with four quick release clips, though don?t try doing it alone (it hurts!).

The handling is spot on, with the car cornering like it`s on rails in the dry, though I have scared myself in the wet a few times with the back end skipping out (Tip: ease of the accelerator when cornering in the wet <lol>).

The performance is amazing, I`ve saw many quoting 0-60 in 7.9secs but believe me, you can easily take a second off of that. I do feel that 1st gear is a little sh
ort though but when you pop it into second, you`ll feel the G`s kick in and before you know it you`ve hit 70! Also, the exhaust is a little weak at low revs but growls far more the more you push it.

Fuel economy is good, though the petrol tank is tiny (£25 to fill up I kid you not) which I suppose is to keep the weight down. As a rule I get around 250 miles out of a tank, though I?m sure the more conservative driver would get a few more.

Storage space is, er, none existent! Though there is a very small boot at the front (currently holds one of those horrible yellow thin spare wheels and crazily enough the alarm!) and two medium sized glove boxes behind the seats (think golf club size).

Security is good, Thatcham1 alarm/immobiliser, coded windows, locking petrol cap, electric ariel that retracts into body (so no snapping incidents) and locking wheel nuts. Though whatever possessed Toyota to place the alarm within the spare wheel, which is covered with a leather sleeve, the plastic boot cover and finally the boot lid is beyond me. Fear not though, I`m sure that any dogs in the area will be able to let you know if someone is breaking into your precious car (yes, it is THAT quiet).

But there is one thing that I just love about this car more than anything else? hardly anyone has one and that turns heads! I`m serious, I have had mine now since October and have only seen 4 others on the road. When I compare that figure to the amount of Z3`s, MX5`s and (especially) MGF`s I see on a DAILY basis, I know I`ve made the right choice? Why don`t you!

If you can handle anymore (shut up already I hear you cry!), give me a shout on the address provided.

`Scoob`

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