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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  Proven over 50,000 miles - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By cpl - May 31 - 10:00 am

  The most fun car weve ever owned. Its a quick and nimble ride, excellent in the SoCal canyons and amid the SUVs on the freeways. With the car so short and the wheelbase so long, its easy to park in in otherwise impossible spots, a real plus at the beach. The best of all worlds, its efficient around the city, romantic on a date, and fun on the open road.

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  8Legger is awesome!! - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Jess Materne - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive driven pickups all of my driving life and my fiance owns a Miata MX5 and I must say that this vehicle is unbelievable. Every time I get behind the wheel of my Spyder I think Im a Formula Racer. The Miata aint no slouch, though. That little tiger will tangle with the best of them but the Toyota MR2 Spyder is just a step above, in my opinion. With a limited production of only 5000 per year youll have the entire neighborhood asking you what the hell youre driving. Its a rocket that handles like a go-cart but gets the attention of a Ferrari. Need I say more?

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  Best car ever!!! - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By angela45 - May 4 - 10:04 pm

  I had a 2004 MR2 with the SMT that I totaled in 2013 and went shopping for another car. With everything else out there, I finally settled on a 2005 MR2 with the five-speed transmission, and had it shipped it from New Jersey to California. I bought the 2005 because I had never loved driving before I drove the MR2 Spyder! Every Saturday and Sunday, I get in the car and do 60-mile loops just do drive it. Its really that much fun. My husband and kids dont even question it anymore. And Ive owned these for 10 years now! Driving it never gets old!

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  Great car, know the limits... - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Ook - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a MR-2 Spyder about 10 months ago. Its a great car, as long as you know the limits and know what you are doing. Handling is TOP notch, very very fun car to drive - you always feel quite connected to the road. Breaking/manuverability excellent. Accelleration good but not spectacular. Storage space is really really small. Great car for weekends and commuting/errand running - but not a good choice for large grocery runs...

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  Most fun ever, even wife agrees - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Dick - May 1 - 7:43 pm

  I bought this car because of style and price. The Miata is severly under powered and too bland. The MR-2 looks like its bad-assed brother, and runs circles around it. I bought the green model because it was different and the compliments are amazing. Talk about fun, 0 to 60 in a heart beat without wheel chirp, handles like a dream, like its on a rail. Even my wife admits that its way too much fun NOT to take anywhere. The only problem is storage space, there isnt any, so you make do.

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  MR2 - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Rick - April 5 - 2:40 pm

  I live in NH and this is my commuting car. With four Pirelli snow tires it is acceptable except when there are more than 4 inches on the road. But in the summer, what a blast, screams around corners, turns heads and gets 31 mpg. Who could ask for more - well maybe a bit more storage space.

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  It,s a Sports Car!!! - 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By kfoley - March 17 - 2:00 am

  Great sports car. Not boring as a Miata has become. Could use 6th gear for hwy crusing. If you want tire wear buy a Chevy Malibu sports cars need soft sticky tires. Clutch a little soft, up- grade, easy fix. Dont see many great for resale. Takes another 7 to 10 grand more to get this much fun and its good for the ego when people ask "What is that? Its neat".

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  spirited ride - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By tb9er - March 17 - 2:00 am

  much fun to drive. handles like on rails. very nimble with ample acceleration. very little back-wind when top down and deflector up. could use better speakers (maybe some behind seats)and more cargo space. but, for the price, i dont think theres a match.

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  2000 MR-S - 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Mark Cookson - January 29 - 10:00 am

  These cars are excellent. The performance is great, the handling is even better, and youll never get more looks from people with another car. One thing I do need to warn you about is the pre-catalytic converters for pre- 02s. They are known to go bad and will ruin the engine. The easiest remedy is to simply gut the pre-cats. Its most likely illegal to do but techincally wouldnt make the car fail emissions. It only takes away its LEV rating. Id much rather lose that than my engine. Another route is to have an engine from 2002 up put in there as they dont seem to be affected. (disclaimer, I assume no liabilty if you gut the pre-cats. its easy to do but requires a bit of work.)

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  Hard to Beat - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Spyder Man - January 4 - 1:53 pm

  Purchased my green/tan Spyder in Texas when I worked at Texas Tech. Would of course have purchased the Phantom if available (black and red). Learned early on from a friend I could flip the top back without getting out and have it lock in most instances - no apparent damage. This made me want to put the top down whenever possible. Handle - goes where you point it. Great acceleration leaving cars behind at lights without many RPM. Criticized for storage but drove it to Maine with enough clothes packed in to work indefinitely. Really enjoyed running 80 much of the time. OE Bridgestones being replaced at 18k under a warranty that came with the car. Pondering adding sports muffler.