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 forÂ…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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  Fun in the sun - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By usapoolshark - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Its not a Corvette but it is an absolute delight and a blast to drive.

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  Fun little Car - 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By rpanjabi - April 2 - 5:00 am

  Ive bought my vehicle when it was not available in the market to see easily. Since then every stop light I stop at I get compliments about my car.

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  My MR2 - 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By MR2 10990 - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Best value roadster on the market! Nothing but praise for the dealership and the car itself.

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  Im still alive! - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Johnman - March 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought my MR2 at the end of July 2003. August 14 2003 an individual ran a red light "at a high rate of speed" sais the police report and tore the front of my new car off. I walked away. Bruise on my knee, some pain in my chest and my left wrist hurts a bit but I walked away. Ive ordered another one. Hopefully that one will see more than 912 miles.

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  CRUIZIN 4 2 - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Arthur - March 6 - 10:50 am

  This is not my daily car, I have a Camry. The MR2 is awesome, great handling, stopping, & gas mileage. Even with spirited driving it still gets an average of 31 mpg. I have problems when I drive because wife or 6 year old son always want to ride in it, do they make one with 3 seats? Just kidding. Also seals great - even in the torrential florida rain this car does not leak, have 2 other relatives who own Miatas. They both said all convertibles leak til I proved them wrong with my Toyota, plus the MR2 has much stiffer chassis less twitching & no rattles, again better that Miatas.

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  Snow machine - YES - 2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By atoyotguy - March 4 - 12:05 pm

  My summer-only Potenzas had to go, so I put a set of Michelin X-Ice tires on my 04 MR2 and voila! An unlikely snow machine! Before X-Ice I got stuck in a quarter-inch of snow. With the X-Ice tires installed I went to a level parking lot right after a 6-inch snow, before any plowing had been done. Much to my surprise, and delight, my 2200 pound, less than 6 inch ground clearance car thought it was a snow plow! I could start, stop, back up, and park - all without any problem. Sure, the tires slipped some, after all, it was slick snow. But I doubt that the engine revved over 2000 rpm at any time. Ice performance was just as good. Summer fun, winter fun; you cant beat it!

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  mr2 review - 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By j h stancell - February 10 - 9:23 pm

  Superb handling on curvy hwy 129 in TN and NC plenty of pep in all gears. Good stability when making quick turns off hwy to another road. Responsive braking system.

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  Wow!! I love this little car!! - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Ricky Reed - February 1 - 6:13 am

  Ive now owned this little car for four years now, and I have to say its the best Ive ever owned. Gas mileage - wow! I average 32-36 mpg around town. No repairs, just oil changes. Everybody is still asking me what it is... they think its a Porsche! Hangs curves really well with rear engine. Dont complain about the storage space, cuz its not made for 10 hour vacation trips. Great for touring the countryside, relieving stress, enjoying the scenery. Always turns heads, even a six year old car. Would I sell it? Never!!

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  Ill die in this car - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Rodney - January 4 - 7:40 am

  Purchased a new MR2 a few weeks ago when I heard they were going out of production. Have wanted one for several years and finally bit. I drove HW20 across northern WA last week and it was heaven. 6 hours of twisted mountain roads with the top down. Car has adequate power for what I want, and does it turn. Its just perfect: predictable when pushed in corners, rock solid cruising at 100mph, settled over uneven pavement, fun to drive to work, looks great with the adorable blonde beside me. This is a special type of sports car to me: mid-engine, rear drive, lightweight, modestly priced. I love X1-9s, 914s, 1st generation MR2s. Its sad no ones making one now.

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  2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By John - December 25 - 5:10 pm

  This little roadster defines the word "Value". It is very well built, very comfortable and a lot of fun to drive. On top of that our experience has been that fuel economy beats estimates at 38-40 mpg avaerage!