Overview & Reviews

Let's break out the old automotive etymology textbook for a fun and fascinating exposé on the Toyota MR2 Spyder. The 1,345-word biography of Kiichiro Toyoda and his company's origins in making electric looms has been removed for reasons of brevity. The middle bit regarding the car's name is more conveniently straight to the point, referring to the fact that it's a Midengine, Rear-drive, 2-seat sports car.

The Spyder part of the name has nothing to do with arachnids, and is instead a common alternate word for a convertible sports car. Ferrari and Fiat have used the more conventionally spelled Spider name in the past and Toyota clearly wanted to tap into this high pedigree of sporting vehicles for its new-for-2000 roadster. As the old saying goes, the name says it all.

Except in French etymology, which reveals that "MR2" pronounced phonetically en francais sounds like the word for…excrement. Therefore, Toyota called this car simply "MR" in France. In the English-speaking world, it was nicknamed "Mister Two." Ah, isn't etymology fun?

Past MR2s were offered with T-top roofs, but the Spyder served as Toyota's first real attempt to take on the Mazda Miata's monopoly in the low-priced roadster segment. Featuring a 1.8-liter four-cylinder mounted directly behind the driver, and a low curb weight, the MR2 succeeded as a fun-to-drive drop top.

But in the all-important cute category, it missed the grade. It had the profile of a squared-off Boxster, the face of a frog and a tail that resembled a Pokemon (especially when painted yellow). Also, the interior looked extremely dated before it was even introduced and its trunk made the Miata's look like a B-52's bomb bay. Although it was initially a hot commodity, the Toyota MR2 Spyder was a low-volume niche vehicle like its predecessors until the ax fell on it in 2005.

Most Recent Toyota MR2 Spyder

The Toyota MR2 Spyder was introduced for 2000 in only one well-equipped trim level. Antilock brakes, 15-inch wheels, air-conditioning, a glass rear window, power windows and locks, and a CD stereo were standard equipment. The mid-mounted 1.8-liter inline-4 was rated at 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. The only transmission available was a five-speed manual.

In 2002, Toyota introduced the five-speed Sequential Manual Transmission or SMT for the MR2, making it the cheapest car at the time (by a long shot) to offer a true automated clutch manual. We found this option easy to use and liked the way it matched revs on downshifts, even though it sapped some acceleration from the engine. Without a fully automatic mode, however, the SMT's value was questionable. Given this, along with potential durability concerns, we suggest that used MR2 Spyder buyers stick with the regular five-speed manual.

For 2003, the MR2 Spyder underwent its midlife freshening with minor changes to the front and rear fascias and instrument panel. The SMT was upgraded to six speeds, while the rear tires grew to 16 inches.

In reviews, we found the Toyota MR2 Spyder very enjoyable to drive. In a roadster comparison test in 2000, it finished higher than the Miata by being more fun and tossable at the track. Its midengine layout meant it could lose its composure at the limit, but generally it went through turns quite nicely. The steering was quick and responsive, although the electrically assisted rack didn't provide as much road feel as other cars in this class.

We also never got used to the styling or interior design, and found its storage capacity laughable. The front-mounted "trunk" was taken up by the spare tire and the storage compartment behind the seats was very small and difficult to access.

Past Toyota MR2 Spyder models

The Toyota MR2 Spyder technically lasted for just one generation: from 2000-'05. From 1985-'95, there were two generations of the MR2: a midengine, two-seat coupe. A T-top was available, but there was no full convertible.

User Reviews:

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  mr2 spyder rocks - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By sexys - April 1 - 10:00 am

  mr2s have awesome handlin and comfort they are aforrdable and sexy. treat yourself to a test drive at thousand oaks toyota

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  great toy - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Mia Andrews - March 27 - 11:30 am

  Its a great car. so much fun. the only thing i would change on it is the suspension. needs to be tighter. i guess it would be a lot more fun too if it had a little more ponies in the "trunk" if you will.

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  great car - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By brett huff - March 18 - 10:00 am

  the car is grat at high speed handeling and cornering. its verry fast and nimble. the accelarition is ungodly fast for the size of the motor. the enjind setup is verry unique and has alot of advantiges mainly traction on take off from a stop. the car gets awesome gas millage for a sports car around 32 m.p.g. the cars interior is small at first but in about a week you adapt to it verry comfortably. the best thing is the wind in your hair at 140mph.

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  spyder man! - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By kapper1965 - March 18 - 10:00 am

  this car has to be the most fun one can have for under $30,000. its fast, its agile, it just feels great. you ride so low on the ground that you feel as a part of the vehicle. the looks you get are amazing. someone comments on the car every day, and the design is in its 3rd model year now! toyota outdid themselves on this car. great job guys!

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  Fun Little Roadster - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Arthur - March 7 - 12:13 am

  Great car, tried Miata too but MR2 is a way better car mid-engine handling, turns flat, very predictable, great shifter, awesome brakes, stiff chassis, and lightweight, the guys at Toyota sure know what they are doing. Sure its not as quiet as my Camry, but it is a sports car, this car is a good therapy on a bad day, this car makes one smile. If you can live without the trunk I strongly recomend this car.

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  Time Machine - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By dickiedenn - February 23 - 10:00 am

  You wont go wrong with this car. Looked at other sports cars in the MS2 class to feed my midlife crisis, nothing touches it for spirited driving and ease of ownership. Cant keep the rest of the family away from the car. Still get looks wherever I go.

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  An Absolute Blast to Drive - 2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By WHWilson - February 20 - 6:43 pm

  This is my daily commute car and is pure fun to drive. Top is easily raised and lowered in a single motion from the drivers seat. Handling is so precise and agile, I sometimes think this car reads my mind. I really wish Houston had more twisty roads. Gets approximately 28 mpg even though my normal freeway speeds are 85 mph+. Car is absolutely rock solid all the way up to top speed of 130 mph.

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  What a gas! - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By bill - January 4 - 10:10 am

  Driving this car is as much fun as you can have with your clothes on. Ive owned two Miatas and while theyre nice little cars, compared to the Spyder theyre roadkill. Handling is phenomenal, the SMT is responsive and ideal in traffic, and the styling makes people pull up next to me on the highway and say, "Great car!" Sure, theres little storage space, but cruising around the Florida Keys where I live with the top down and the sun shining and the Bay and ocean around you... well, who needs storage?

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  Add a luggage rack to allow longer trips - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Arts Luggage Rack - December 24 - 7:00 am

  As a long time owner of a TR-6, I became familiar with luggage racks. Therefore, when I purchased my 2005 MR- 2 I had the dealer install a luggage rack I obtained from my local British car parts dealer. This rack leaves plenty of room for engine ventillation and holds two (2) twenty eight (28) inch suitcases which can be secured with bungee cords. My wife and I can take 2 week trips in our MR-2 and enjoy Calilfornia and Oregon coast roads as well as mountain roads for which the MR-2 was built.

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  a blast, but watch the rain - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By BoBo - December 23 - 10:00 am

  I had longed to have the new MR-2 Sypder ever since I spied my first one. It is a blast to drive, and very economical. I have yet to get less than 30 mpg, and have gotten as high as 35 mpg. However, it rains a lot in my area and the tire hold is marginal in the wet. It needs 225s in the back.