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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  Toys! Gotta havem - 2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By MR2oyota - July 19 - 10:00 am

  To date, a really inexpensive toy. Nice car for the money but look out when the Pontiac Solstice arrives!

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  Fun Car - 2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Casey Green - July 19 - 10:00 am

  If you are looking for a small convertible, this is the car to get. I test dove S2000 and Miata and overall, this is the best..

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  MR2 Spyder Toyota - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By mnacoste - July 11 - 10:00 am

  Excellent performance and road-handing

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  OPEN AIR FUN - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By angelord - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Very nicely build card. Fun and easy to drive w/ 6 speed SMT.

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  2000 MR-2 Spyder - 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Sonia Allen - May 21 - 5:10 pm

  My Spyder turns heads everywhere I go. It is so fun to drive and it handles like a go kart on rails. I have had many sports cars in the past but this one is my favorite.

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  Hoooaaahhhhh!!! - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By The Sargeant - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Wow, Iam very happy The Spyder is the Bomb,Sold my 01 Altima to my son gave my 01 Sentra SE to my wife (Very nice Street Tuned)and finally got the chance to buy me a car just for me HoooaaaHH!

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  Retirement gift - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By JimPrice - April 20 - 8:46 pm

  I bought my 2003 new and now have over 32,000 miles. Its been a great car. Eye catching and fun to drive. My wife and I drove it from St. Louis to Seattle and back this summer. It got attention wherever we went. It did great on the mountain curves. We are off to Virginia in it next week and look forward to the trip. You just have to mail your stuff to the hotel ahead of time.

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  What a blast!!! - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By bmerton - April 17 - 10:00 am

  This car has to be one of the most "fun to drive" cars EVER!!! My Spyder gets heads turning everywhere I go. Its not uncommon for me to come out of a building to have people milling about my car, checking it out...wondering what it is (Ive debadged it, except for the "Spyder" logo. :) Most common guess: Porsche.

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  MR2 - 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By dressed in yellow - April 11 - 10:00 am

  The MR2 has stopped my "must have a new car every 2yr itch!" It handles well, is excellent on gas and looks fabulous. Very limited cargo and passenger space will not limit the amount of time you will want to drive your Spyder, its never enough. If you want to have a least one person a day stop and ask "what kind of car is that?!", this is the car for you! With all that said, dont buy one because current owners enjoy the uniqueness of the MR2 Spyder!

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  I like it. - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By BLAiv - March 21 - 2:53 am

  I bought this car used with 90k miles on it, and havent had anything beyond normal wear and tear problems. I was only 17 when I got it and now am, partially because of this car, in love with sports cars. The handling is amazing, and Im not sure there could be a more fun car to drive for a brand-new price of $25,000. In my opinion the same year miata cannot touch this car in looks, and the stats show that goes for the preformance as well. I would recommend this car for any young sports-car-lover with a limited budget such as myself, or anyone who has ~15k to throw into a fun used car.