Mister Two Toned: 1988 Toyota MR2

The mid engine car has been a dream for most buyers since the dawn of the modern automobile era and it was something that was strictly reserved for racing or the wealthy.  However, in 1984 Toyota introduced a low cost mid-engine car that used basic Corolla running gear wrapped with a Seiichi Yamauchi designed angular body. Today's example is covered in some sweet two-tone factory paint and looks ready to hit the 80s show car circuit. Find this 1988 Toyota MR2 offered for $7,500 in Chicago, IL via craigslist. 

Who Does Mr 2 Work For? 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder

If you are in the market for a cheap ($5k-$7k) late model (MY 2000+) sports car (two seats...rag top...etc) there are a few obvious choices.  The Boxster makes a good case -- but potential maintenance issues will be huge.  The MX-5 Miata is ubiquitous and not special enough.  The Audi TT suffers the same potential pocket robbing action as the Boxster but with more understeer...so what car could offer a reliable platform with a focus on handling and fun.  Find this 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder offered for $6000 in Los Altos, CA via craigslist.

Slightly Modified: 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo

I must be getting old...because I find myself turned off by heavily modified sports cars.  Doesn't matter if they are stanced or lifted or just Pepboys bolt-on stick-on pimped...I just feel an overwhelming sense of meh when I see something that was sporty from the factory and is now modified.  It is one thing to shove a V8 into the front of some slow old Volvo, but do you really expect some 20 year old Best Buy employee to make an MR2 better than the guys from the factory?  Seriously?  But, this next Mister Two might just have the guts to get a pass from the grizzled old man inside...and I might just enjoy driving it. Find this 1993 Toyota MR2 offered for $12,480 in Reno, NV via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Low Miles: 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder

The 3rd generation (W30) Toyota MR2 Spyder was the last version of Toyota's mid engine runabout to be sold anywhere in the world.  It was a decent handling little car and I recall driving one new at a dealer's lot back around the year 2000; it was light and superbly balanced.  Prices are cheap today on the used market, but you don't find many with only 27k miles on the odo...so this one is cool. Find this 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder offered for $8000 in San Diego, CA via craigslist.

Summer Isn't Here Yet: 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder

You might be know (based on the weather around these parts these days..sheesh) but summer is coming.  And tipper SecondMouse send us the following comment with this next car: Cheap, reliable, shift it yourself fun in the sun on the cheap:  Find this 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder offered for $3,900 in Houston, TX via craigslist.

OG Elise- 1986 Toyota MR2 2ZZ-GE Swap

First generation AW11 Toyota MR2's used to be a common sight on  the road, but in 2018 they are rarely seen (east coast observation).  The folded paper wedge styling is more distinctive now now that cars have window sills up to your ears.  Nothing says 1980's like a set of pop up headlights.  The original 4 cylinder 4A-GE was a hell of an engine back in the day as normal and most exotic cars from this era could not sniff a 7500 rpm redline.  Today's car has a resto-mod 2ZZ-GE 4 cylinder and 6 speed trans swap into it to liven things up.  This engine was fitted in the much lauded Lotus Elise and revs to a motorcycle like 8600 rpms while making the better part of 190 hp depending on the level of tune.  Find this 1986 Toyota MR2 for sale in Glens Falls, NY for $6,500 via craigslist.

Future Classic: 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo

The second generation Toyota MR2 is at the top of our list of depreciated modern classics and will be until prices jump to indicate they've become a collectors item.  The nimble rear drive chassis with excellent mid-engine handling works well and Toyota's turbo and naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engines are adequate in a straight line.  Find this 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo offered for $7000 in Pacifica, CA via craigslist. Tip from SafetyFast.

Topless Fun: 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder

The 3rd generation (W30) Toyota MR2 Spyder was the last version of Toyota's mid engine runabout to be sold anywhere in the world.  It was a great handling little car and I recall driving one new at a dealer's lot back around the year Y2K. It was light and superbly balanced, the only complain could have been that the 138 horsepower inline-4 was slightly underpowered, but it is more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow.  Find this 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder offered for $5750 in Pearland, TX via craigslist.  Tip from SecondMouse.

AW11Some: 1985 Toyota MR2

The AW11 Toyota MR2 offers a fantastic combination of mid-engine handling, manual gearbox, and Japanese wedge 80s wedge styling to make it a car that is much cooler than you'd expect given the performance numbers and asking price.  Find this 1985 Toyota MR2 here on eBay bidding for $1481 reserve-not-met with $4000 buy-it-now located in Walnut, CA with 1 day to go.  Seller submission from Rod S.

Turbo Trio: 1998 Eclipse GST, 1992 MR2, 1985 Dodge K-Car 600 Ragtop

Who doesn't want a turbocharged car that is a few decades old and dirt cheap?  Modern cars might get better fuel economy and last longer between rebuilds...but nothing beats a simple boosted 4-banger for cheap fun and today, tipper Matt C sent in the following trio of turbocharged terrors.  

Clean, High-Mile Mister Two: 1986 Toyota MR2

So your friends have told you repeatedly to buy a Miata already, but you can't get over the old cute-car stigma. Or perhaps you don't want a shuddery convertible, and don't look forward to paying an extra $1k for a Miata hardtop to make it more of a real car. Great news! For about the same price as a tatty NA Miata, you could have a sweet-looking, survivor-grade AW11 MR2. Find this 1986 Toyota MR2 for sale in San Diego, CA for $2,500 via craigslist.

That's Mr Silvertop To You: 1985 Toyota MR2

The first generation Toyota MR2 was an game changer of an automobile.  It introduced the world an affordable mid-engine car that wouldn't rust into the earth or break down weekly (ahem...Fiat X1/9...cough) and it was fabulous. Find this 1985 Toyota MR2 offered for $3,300 in Phoenix, AZ via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Poor Man's Elise: 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder 2ZZ Swap

The W30 generation MR2 Spyder (1999-2007) was the last of the line for Toyota's mid-engine runabout that had started life way back in 1984.  Unfortunately, this latest version was available without a fixed roof or any manner of forced induction like previous versions-- and stranger still was the fact that Toyota never put the more powerful Celica GTS engine under the rear deck.  Find this 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder 2ZZ Swap here on eBay bidding for $4,050 reserve-not-met with 2 days to go, located in Asheville, NC.

Persona Non Turbo: 1991 Toyota MR2

The 2nd generation Toyota MR2 (1989-1999) is best known for its turbocharged headliner, a beast of a thing that could hit 60mph in 6 seconds before you started cranking up the boost, but sellers demand a premium for the turbo version and it does add some weight and complexity.  If you want to save a few bucks and a few lbs, get the nicest version of the non-turbo one you can find.  Like this 1991 Toyota MR2 offered for $6,300 in Bergen County, NJ via craigslist.

Low Mile Classic: 1986 Toyota MR2 AW11

The first generation (AW11) Toyota MR2 was introduced in 1984 with a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine mounted amidships.  It wasn't the first reasonably priced mid-engine car to be offered for sale, but it was the first from a Japanese manufacturer to be tuned on Willow Springs Raceway by former Formula One driver Dan Gurney.  Find this 1986 Toyota MR2 AW11 with only 30k miles on the odometer offered for $9,500 in Milpitas, CA via craigslist. Tip from KBZ.

Auction Watch: 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder

Check out this 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder here on eBay bidding for $3,175 with auction ending today (Tuesday) at 6:40PM PST.

Mid Engine Madness: 1988 Toyota MR2 Supercharged

Words and Tip by Andy L: Let me extol the virtues of this rare 1988 Supercharged MR2.  Finding this much awesome in such a small package for such a low price is highly unusual, as many of you already know. For us mortals, a good mid-engined sports car is difficult to obtain.  Sure, you can get your hands on a Fiero pretty easily, but they never really lived up to their performance potential.  The balancing wasn't right until their final production year and they weren't really fast, even by the standards of the day.  The Fiat X1/9 was a little porky and really under-powered. Enter the MR2.  Find this 1988 Toyota MR2 Supercharged offered for $4,000 in Omaha, NE via craigslist.