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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  Just bought it today - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By KKlintKC - November 24 - 5:26 am

  Ive had it for 6 hours. Though its still early to rate everything, what a spectacular and fun car. Im trading down on horsepower, cargo space, and creature comforts and have no regrets. The performance of this little economic engine is surprisingly peppy.

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  sports car - 2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Mojobabee7 - October 26 - 10:00 am

  I think this is a great car especially for students becuase it does not take much gas and you get alot of mph..great for traveling

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  LOVE MR2 - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By tom boyd - October 15 - 8:00 pm

  Never less than 30 MPG. Sorry they quit making them. Fun weekend drives for wife and I. Not much for storage.

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  MR2 SPYDER - 2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By horsemom45 - September 19 - 10:00 am

  Great car! Its my second one. Handles great and economical.

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  Turns Heads - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By The doctor - September 19 - 10:00 am

  A great little convertible , that is fun to drive and responds well. Unique styling and limited availability which means you dont see many on the road. Great gas mileage averaging 32 MPG. Only drawback: very limited storage space.

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  Still Crazy After All These Years - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Trapper-cat - September 10 - 2:00 am

  Ladies - this car remains an ultimate guy magnet. Make sure you know whats under the hood (and that it is in the rear) because no matter where Ive parked my bright yellow MR2 Ive been approached by guys. I even had a guy ask me if he could sit in it for a minute to recall his old days before he had kids.

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  Fun and Practical - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Mike W - September 10 - 1:23 am

  I bought my Spyder with 8,666 miles on it in December 2007. I had first looked at a Spyder several years earlier. I almost couldnt believe my ears when the Carmax salesman told me it had no trunk; I had never heard of a car without a trunk. I passed on it at that time because I thought having a trunk was important. But Im still single, so I figured what the heck, I have no one I need to please -- Ill buy what I want and put the groceries in the passenger seat. Obviously, the car is fun. Its also more economical than a Miata because it uses regular unleaded gas, and I average about 28.5 mpg in the summer, about 27 in the winter. This car is fine in the snow with snow tires.

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  I love this car!! - 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By aj769 - August 16 - 10:00 am

  While the car has limited storage, it is a great weekend/summer car. I love how it handles and did not purchase it to haul things, I have a 4Runner for that. It is a great second car.

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  2000 MR2 - 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By aires965 - July 19 - 10:00 am

  This is a FUN car to drive, provided you do not have to take much w/ you! The only problem I have had is w/ the "check engine" light. It has been back to Toyota dealer some 18 times for this. Finally, Toyota replaced the computer & hopefully this will stop that pesky light. Great in the rain but terrible on ice & in the snow!

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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.