The MR within the identify of at present’s Good Worth or No Cube MR2 Spyder stands for ‘Midship Runabout,’ denoting its engine placement and spry driving conduct. Let’s see if its vendor has named a superb value for it.
To say I used to be stunned by the response to yesterday’s 1968 Ford Nation Sedan wagon could be an understatement. I believed the automotive’s rebuilt engine, heavy-duty transmission, and fairly full and driveable situation had been seemingly definitely worth the $8,000 requested for it. Most of you disagreed, nonetheless, sending the Ford packing in a 73 p.c No Cube loss.
I assume we’ll all must conform to disagree each from time to time, and we’d have one other alternative to take action with at present’s 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder. We’ll must see the way it goes.
When Toyota launched the third technology of its mid-engine runabout, the brand new automotive proved a radical departure from the mannequin’s two prior editions. Certain, it nonetheless rocked a mid-engine format and simply two seats, but it surely adopted a full convertible roof and wide-eyed anime styling in distinction to the earlier generations’ extra conventional sports activities automotive seems to be.
Additionally gone was the two.0-liter engine and the choice of turbocharging provided by the Spyder’s quick predecessor. As an alternative, the one engine choice was the 1.8-liter all-ally 1ZZ-FE DOHC naturally-aspirated 4. That provides 138 horsepower and 126 lb-ft of torque, however drivers must go searching up the revs to achieve to both of these numbers.
As a first-year mannequin, this MR2 Spyder has a regular five-speed handbook, not the bizarre SMT auto-manual launched as an choice the next yr. Which means all of the ponies can be found on the driver’s whim. These automobiles didn’t have a whole lot of choices obtainable when new, and apart from a big-screen double DIN stereo, this one doesn’t seem to have been contaminated by aftermarket-itis both.
This Toyota is dealer-offered, promoted by the vendor as a two-owner automotive that’s been well-kept and maybe the most effective in California. It rolls on manufacturing unit alloys that look to be in fine condition, and people are wrapped in rubber which are stated to have about 75 p.c tread left.
Complementing that could be a silver metallic coat of paint and black vinyl convertible with a elaborate glass again window. None of that reveals any vital flaw within the photos. Of be aware, nonetheless, is that the headlamp and tail lamp lenses seem to have been coated in darkish movie of restricted attraction. That may most likely be only a morning’s work to take away.
The one notable flaw within the cabin is a big crack within the arduous plastic prime of the middle console. Was that owed to an errant elbow or too many aggressive yanks on the e-brake deal with? There’s no CSI for such issues, so we’ll by no means know.
One other challenge to contemplate concerning the MR2 Spyder’s cabin is how tight it’s. It is a Kewpie Doll-sized automotive, and two-up, it may make for an uncomfortable house for individuals with private boundary points.
One other tight house is the engine compartment. That’s anticipated of a mid-engine convertible, and to be truthful, Toyota’s packaging is among the many better of the breed. The truth is, it seems that this automotive’s bay has been accessed not less than as soon as, as there are lacking fasteners on the engine’s magnificence cowl.
That apart, there actually don’t appear to be any gotchas with this MR2. Per the vendor, it has a reasonable-for-a-Toyota 133,414 miles below its belt and has a clear title. The asking value is $11,495.
Now, right here’s the place it will get difficult. You see, that form of money will purchase a decently sorted Porsche Boxster of the identical period or any variety of Mazda Miatas. Both of these is a stable alternative, and I feel we are able to all agree that each have higher pedigrees than the Toyota. That stated, that is the much less seemingly alternative and, therefore, excellent for the person who likes to stay outdoors the mainstream.
What do you assume? Is that this MR2 price that $11,495 asking and a sensible expenditure in gentle of the competitors? Or is that this Spyder simply not too fly?
You resolve!
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