Toyota MR2 - Everything You Need to Know | Up to Speed
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The story of the iconic Toyota MR2, the mid engine masterpiece often referred to as the “poor man’s Ferrari.
Pulling heavy influence from Lotus in the first generation MR2, the smallest of the Toyota triplets has featured supercharged, turbocharged and naturally aspirated engines. At one point, the tiny MR2 was even faster than it’s legendary big brother the Toyota Supra. Also…pop up headlights and T-tops!!!
Thanks to vPerformance for use of their footage - go check them out here:
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Donut Media is at the center of digital media for the next generation of automotive and motorsports enthusiasts. We are drivers, drifters, and car enthusiasts who love to tell stories.
Toyota needs to bring back more sports cars
Blong Thao every company should go back to make affordable sports car for the masses
Luis Manuel Mejia Diaz yeah i don’t understand why all the japanese car companies that made insane, affordable cars that beat all the euro and US cars stopped. I mean mazda stopped because of the rotatry, subaru didn’t technically but they don’t have the same spark, toyota made some of the best and now they make one and it’s not powerful at all, mitsubishi stopped, hell even Nissan stopped making affordable performance cars and now only make the gtr (i don’t like the 370z)
Who’s going to buy them?
They have the 86/FRS and the upcoming Supra. If you include Lexus they have the RCF, GCF, and LC 500.
Jimmy Sanchez fuck Lexus!!! Bring back the mr2!!! And Celica already!!!!!!
These series are the only reason I subscribed
saaaaame
Same
TMT all their other content is great too!
Same
TheARJ15 but this is so much better
I drove a bunch of these MR2s in the 80s and in my 20s , working for a rental company. It had speed, fantastic maneuvering, acceleration, and felt almost as light as spider. What a glorious time it was. Thanks for the video.
I think you bringing this info to the younger generations really helps them respect and appreciate the iconic cars of past generations
My dad owned a first gen Mr2 from new, yes Im that old.
Not nessesarily, most new gen kids are ungrateful
Toyota just copied fiat x19
@@cromcruiser6716 nah id say its the other
I agree. I'm 20 and have a Mk2 MR2. Its a shame how few younger people appreciate brilliant older cars.
Daddy as fuck.
But papa slicc
He's so daddy
"He's 22 years old, Jessica!" - ofc he's daddy af, lol
I bought my beat and rapped mr2spyder off a kid on the cheap because he wanted a civic si. It already had the 2zz swapped in it which made things surprisingly fun and quick, but the plan was just to have a gas saving road warrior that I could beat on. Then my house and all my cars got flooded. Had to spend two years rebuilding my house. Lost all of my cars but that damn toyota...drained it, blew all the water out the cylinders, and it started right up and everything still worked properly on it...electrics computer everything. Now dubbed little bastard,fludd viktum, and martu, this car is sticking with me from now on
I got goosebumps reading this!!
This might be the best car ownership story of all time. *tears of joy*
This made me cry 🥺
Damn that's a sick story.
Mk3 MR2 is completely an underrated Toyota.
@Bolivar Sarria would you recommend this as a first car or should I go with a nc or nb
sad mk1 noises
@@dom2479 my dream car
I'm on the fences of its looks, looks a lot like a Porsche Boxter
Mk1 will always be the one for me
I came here cuz the MR2 has..............Pop up, up and down headliiiiiight! Pop up, up and down headlights uh. We want the song back!!
shakattakk this is an old ass video
shakattakk ditto
man the song was made in april and this video was made 3 years ago...
lol
make a video about Class B rally
romeo o.m they did, just not hosted by james
JazzNazz oh ok
That was how I found this channel! The killer B's!
*Group B
You think Toyota should bring back the MR2? I hope so.
Rumor has it they're working on it. Supposedly either the celica or the mr2 or possibly both are coming back. I just hope that the mr2 comes first. The celica wouldn't be able to offer anything substantial that the 86 does already since they're both FR.
SKDK the Celica was originally Rwd which went to fwd later. I honestly think that MR2 should return as a Lexus and gun for other luxury sports cars. The celica can a be a great viable competitor to the Civic SI.
Rumored that they might be. I just hope its not another collaboration build
@@YEABREAD it likely will be considering how much money the company saves by doing so. The Toyobaru would have been much more expensive had they done it alone. It's not a bad thing to colab but they should do a better job of having a say in design. The brz/86 didn't look bad but the "Supra" looks nothing like a supra and looks alot like a BMW as if Toyota had zero say on design.
They already have q concept for an electric hybrid, like weird from the rear but the front doesn't look too bad
The 2nd gen MR2 is still a great looking car to this day. It's much better looking than the Supra.
Jameel Ja I’m about to buy one lmao
@@nuckingfutztv9719 With some modern wheels / rubber and lowered, it'll look great. congrats
Eh I'm saving up for an MR-S which is my dream car but I hate the mr2 personally
Lyx Bubba 🤦♂️
@@boostedtk7919 someones mad?
“He’s 22 years old, Jessica! “ lolz
I live for the day these videos come out
do the history of Group-B. I remember watching it on TV when I was very little and nagging my mum constantly for match box model of the Audi - which they didn't do!
That would be a great video.
WHY ISNT THIS COMMENT HIGHER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris Wouse yeah
ahh shit, my secrets out!
oooooh yes
one of the most underrated cars out there, cant wait to get one
Not too soon lolol
Man, I found your channel a few days ago and I have to say you're quickly becoming one of my favourites. I love your delivery and humour - right up my street!
Damn it internet, stop making mr2 increase in value before I buy one 😬
Hahaha so true XD
That's exactly why I bought one 6 weeks ago! :)
uhhhhh u rite
Kangwei Tan exactly
They were insanely priced before all this. I saw them over $10k for nice examples 3-4 years ago. Even mk1s were $2k beat up.
MR2 turbo owner here. I was begging for you guys to do this! Thanks!! What a great car.
Anderson Braun what year is it? 🤔
Anderson Braun Lucky as hell, they’re almost nonexistent in Illinois😔
91 mr2 turbo owner here, white T-tops with silver door molding :D
I had a 91 turbo. It was the least reliable car I ever owned and I still loved it. I may get another one some day.
nice, my mr2 turbo has 232k miles on it and still pulls hard, I was lucky though the previous owners were adults and took care of it haha.
SW20: Poor mans ferrari MR-S Spyder: Poor mans porsche
DriftTunerz JDM AW11: Poof mans spaceship
The irony
as a MR2 owner when people say that to me I respond 'nah the ferrari is a rich man's mr2' =)
AW11: poor man's lamborghini
@@geraldbenitez8245 yea, that's why it fits me SO MUCH
I owned a MK2 MR2 "92 plate" during the early 2000's Standard GT type but god damn, i loved it! it was a twitchy bastard on the ass end in corners, but that was all part of the cars personality. and it made me learn alot on how to handle cars in those corners lol. Wish i never sold it :( i still miss it to this day.
Do a video on the Celica.
João Pacheco kzhead.info/sun/et1tetKlj2t6Y6s/bejne.html
AE86!! Do the AE86 next!!!
**IROHAZAKA JUMP INTENSES**
What if Takumi drove an MR2
I had no idea it was that fast! You never see comparisons pitting the MR2 against the halo cars.
Hi James, can you do an episode for the iconic Toyota AE86? Cause my dad abandoned us for that car
XonarWave i don't blame him
your father was a smart man
I would of abandoned you for that as well
You probably deserved. It...sooo...yeah.
XonarWave when are you gonna learn that Get Up to Speed is about the whole history of a model and not just one specific chassis?
7:07 This man is making Gran Turismo look like Burnout over here.
I had an 89 Mk1 when I was 20. It was great fun. Loved the pop up lights. I blew a piston ring from oil surge starvation when cornering hard! Good times.
Love all of your stuff at donut media!!! Awesome! From Montreal, continue the good work!
Ironic that Toyota was making the MR2 faster than the Supra and Ferraris and now they make the 86 which is only as fast as a Camry....
true! the difference was that turbo, they dont want to put a turbo on the 86 :(
ITUBE they should have just put a turbo inline six in the 86 and called that the new supra
Pls , the new Camry V6 is faster than the GT86
ITUBE you don't know about cafe and emission standards they are getting more strict
do you mean the AE86 or the gt86,meh...... they both suck.
Hey what about a video about the celica.. I mean it's talked about a lot in a lot of the videos so let's make it happen
this car suspension is really high-quality product.. BEFORE THE PERSON NAMED KAI KOGASHIWA DRIVES IT.
33rd corner
Crazy for love intensifies
Irohazaka jump
Takumi - Uno Reverse card
I have a 3rd gen MR2 and I loved and continue to love, every second of it !
0:07 good job editor, that animation that probably took like 10 seconds make made me laugh for about 5 minutes
It is my favorite thing.
@@mercyvictoria670 I specifically watch these series with James for just that
This is awesome, I just recently bought myself an SW20 and love it!
NelKel JDM waiting for the supercharger to come...
What year?
Congrats brother! Would kill for one of these
Guilherme Medeiros not necessary XD a half decent one stock or lightly modded will run you around 3-5k, at least in the midwest-ish
Ahmed, nooo.. Honey Badger it's a 1991 spec, you can find it on my channel along with the rest of my JDM cars :)
my friend had an MR2. it was an absolute joy to drive. so much fun for short term road trips. way more economical than my Ls 430 .
I just got one and super excited ton3sgte swap mine!
Posting to remind the people, we love you James and we're glad you're still here with us!! The difference between this James and the new, improved jmJame6is crazy. You're an inspiration!
Reliable Turbocharged T-top Pop up headlights RWD How much are this things? I think I found the perfect car to daily
León I just picked up an 89 for 2500. The turbo one can probably be found for around 7k
Just found a 1988 for 4k (no turbo) seems a bit much doesnt it?
i paid 20k for my 91 with 22k
I brought mine, 92 GLimited manual non turbo, t top, with a 3sge for 2k nzd, had no major issues and had money to get back to standard, but they still rip hard
I’m looking to get one from somebody for $2,200. It’s a 91 MR2 Automatic
Love that E46 m3 in the background.
I loved this video i have mkiv supra sc300 and mr2 just got my mr2 and super excited about it 3sgte swapping it on my channel now. Ty again for great content i subbed.
Always loved the 2nd Gen MR2. Great looking car. I had an Eclipse but the MR2 was (and still is) my secret love affair.
Please do Mitsubishi 3000GT
YES
i messaged them lol they said "its on our list "lol
There just isn't really much story behind it. They were produced for less than a decade
Cover the dodge stealth at the same time
+Derek Harville Plymouth acclaim too. same motor, great sleeper body. used to race and beat a co-workers 3000gt all the time
Jesus that first car sounds like a goddamn spaceship. That's the best sound I've ever heard.
Funny because its honda motor swapped 😂
It's like a laserblaster
@@jeremyhare9515 Where's the clip from? And who's the owner? How do you know, that it's Honda swapped?
@@guennipunkt literally one of the most viewed k swapped cars on 1320 video. Think he's from where I live south louisiana
I used to own a SW20. One of the best cars I've ever driven. What a beast. I miss that thing every day
Same here bro(.../sis?)(/non binary individual?...fuck its tough these days). Every day. And now prices are going up because ARSEHOLES like this are telling everyone how good they are and I'm like shut up man, don't tell them, then they'll god dammit! They'll know! Just joking about the arsehole thing, I really enjoyed this vid...
@@jellis2306 this comment was way ahead of its time :o
This video was seriously cool! Got a mk3 MR2 spyder 2 weeks ago. I’m in love 😍
S2000🙏🏻please!!
Venom Illusions like is he even listening ? 😭😭
Yes! S2k!!
also add s600 etc too in with the s2000
Once upon a time it had a record for highest rev (9k rpm) then got beaten... By Ferrari. The end.
Yea!
At this point, i just watch for his jokes and puns. Replace him and ill downvote every video on this damn channel
indeed.
Seconded!
Thirded.
Fourthed
Forthed
I love how I live between willow springs and angels crest highway. Makes me feel like I’m right in the middle of this cars journey❤️
I love my 91 MR2. Such an amazing car!
Hey mate! I’m in to buy one down here in NZ, is a 91 automatic twin cam belt (no turbo) mr2c, the price is 5k and it has 196km done on the clock. What do you think? Would you have any advice? (It’s a red one, I’m in love)
@@Marcelo101BFS get it
I own a Spyder and I'm so glad he didn't rip on it and appreciated the handling over the bubbly looks 🙏🙏🙏 i love u
I wish it wasnt so bloody ugly. I would have every reason to love the car if I wasnt actually able-sighted.
I respect any straight man who has the balls to own a Spyder or a Miata, I love the cars to bits but I'd never own one I couldn't be seen in that every day
Fellow ZZW30 owner here. Honestly one of the most underrated affordable sports cars out there in my opinion
But are you guys actually liking the looks of it, or are you being all substance over style business about the love to your car? Nothing wrong with that, I am just curious if anyone actually loves the looks of the ZZW30. Like imagine the car was actual horseshite to drive would you still like it for its looks atleast? Because I could say that for the AW11 and the SW20.
Cottsify r u really that insecure about your sexuality that your biggest fear about owning an mr2 (not so much the miata) is looking girly and not all the mechanical issues your gonna run into and how long it takes to pull ypur engine.
Great content! Binging your vids! Thanks! 84’ mr2 my first car!
James you are the absolute best Love you my guy keep making the awesome videos
You've done the Mr2 and the Supra. Do the Celica!
*banging on table* CE-LI-CA! CE-LI-CA!
Celicas rule !!!
GT-FOUR! GT-FOUR!
Gives us up to speed celica!!!
it was already Uploaded! it got taken down for and i quote, "being too gay" by youtube, and it had 90% dislikes
This guy, man I love his videos so much.
My grandfather had 2 a 85 and a 87 and I LOVED MR2s since. It's part of my cars to by when I get the chance XD
If I'm right, that MR2 video after his watch rep is the 1320 video of the K20 swapped MR2
That thing is so sick! Maybe best swap to date.
Genuinely feel love for "up to speed" would love to see an S2000 up to speed
Adam Hanson The problem is that there's only one s2000, it's not a series...
MagicPutty shows that you need educating on Honda "s series" as there has been loads i.e s600 s800 etc
I don't need a beautiful woman I just need a t-top and pop up head lights.
I got It and trust me you also Need a beautiful woman lol
My buddy got the first one in Ga. that was the fastest go cart I’ve ever driven. Lol. It was amazing at the the time. I love that car. Great video
i have doubt before buy an mr2, and after listen this episode its literally the reason why i buy one. Thank James and Donut to make such good episodes about car. Damn 90s car are the best.
Dude, you are the funniest f**kin’ car guy on KZhead. Awesome vids man, keep doing it. I think I wAnt a Gen2 MR2 now. Dammit.
good luck getting a clean title, non molested one for a reasonable price :)
airtec87 I've got one. Don't know about reasonable price though lol.
I paid 4700$ for a 91 mr2 NA 5spd with 120k miles and completely stock. One owner, garage kept, when i saw the ad i fuckin nutted.
Please don't. God the community doesn't need more fuckbois buying a car because this douche made a video. You will crash
Lucas Tekkan , I'm a guy that made a decision not based on what some fuckboi said on KZhead. Mid engine cars are spiteful machines. Group think is what's wrong with idiots like him.
MR2 is always the answer.
What year ?
if you take out each front letter it spells MIATA, so no
Nate Thalhuber what’s a shitty car? MR2!
Anthony Stark -_-
2ZZ "Toyota VTEC, yo" swapped in my MR2 Spyder. LOVE IT
Man I used to love MR2s(W20). There used to be about 4 or 5 where I live and man those things were beautiful. Not sure what the owners did with them though. The only one I've seen recently is a red one that seems to be out of commission.
They should really make another MR2... i really hope they make it look like the generation from the 90’s, that one looks hella BRUTAL!
Great video, probably first time he didn't talk about his dad
DavGamer 1234 yep but he advertises watches suitable for dads 😁
This channel is THE BEST car channel IN THE FREAKING UNIVERSE (doing your voice) Can you guys make a CLK-GTR everything you need to know?! Pretty please?? Thanks, you're awesome, love ya
So cool. Always been a fan of the MR2. Definite sleeper
I own a 92 sw20 myself and i just want to give you guys a big thanks for making the video. Keep these cars alive and make the car community aware of these cars, really appreciate the video.
Do Prius on April fools day
Sambhav Arora whatch it be the best episode lol
please do one on the Nissan Pathfinder. I love your show. I just discovered it about a week ago and I've almost watched all of them. You're doing awesome.
And it also had... @2:15 POP POP POP UP, UP AND DOWN HEADLIGHTS!!!
You are by far the most entertaining Car Guy in history 👍💯
Yes
My dad had a mr2 so story time On my dads first date he took his other car an old rusty dodge ram things didn't really work out on his second date with a different girl he used the mr2 now they have 6 kids
Joseph Poisson Thats a beautiful story
Soooooo your dad is probably wishing he kept the ram... I KID
Joseph Poisson so its a baby maker?
京都アンソニー basically
Huhm... family friendly. Who'd have thunk it
I love this guys car channel absolutely comedic and information up the wahzoo
Awesome video, miss my 91 mr2. Had a lot of fun through mountain roads, drifting empty parking lots and showing up more expensive/modern cars. If you have them setup right, good tires, brakes and know how to drive it you will be surprised at how well these cars handle. Sadly mine had some bad wiring and had corroded from the inside out (electrolysis). Coolant leaks/issues and overheating ultimately caused me to get rid of it. I hope to get another but am happy with my 88 pickup/overland vehicle for now.
(sw20)
I love my 87 MR2(AW11), have had it for the better half of a decade. Thanks for making these videos. They are a blast to watch.
Nsx!!!!
i had a 94 imported MR2 Turbo with T-bar, i loved it
Always loved the look of this car.
I had an MR2 once. It literally killed me, but only for 2 minutes :^) Huehuehue~
Do RUF Automobiles.
Chase Magersupp someone watches vinwiki
someones a real car guy*
I had a 1991 mr2 N/A after a year i blew up the motor and did a turbo swap. Sooooo much fun. I NEED another
❤yo,.!love 🍩 media n love the way ya'all giving out information 'bout cars,!!!!n the way u doing it is super funny n dope,,,,,,,,we learn bout cars while loughin😅😅😅😅😅
I would like to be gotten up to speed on the PT Cruiser. I feel like that would be a wonderfully silly video.
TheDJEON And the Prowler, which was supposed to be indicative of where Plymouth was going design-wise, before they company got the ax altogether.
Do Mclaren, this british company as a pretty unknown story
LOL pls don't
daniel sandoval y tho
*cough NewZealand founded *cough
logan taylor: yeah dude, i forgot, its true Thanks for reminding me
Aston Martin, Lotus, Jaguar, Mini and Bentley
I love your way of talking about all the cars…you add the extra spice lol
Yaaay after many times watching this video I finally bough my first sw20!!!! Its a rust bucket ready to get welded and rebuild the hell out of! 😍
Honda s2k next plz
Project Touge isn't there only like one model?
The S2000 had two kinda different models (AP1 and the AP2) while still being the same. But the History of Honda S-Cars is kinda interesting. You got the S360, S500, S600, S800 and finally the S2000 so there is more to its history :)
Should be Honda S series, which includes S2000 Since S2000's history is a bit too short
Jack N/A agreed
Jack N/A it’s still a bad ass car tho
The first gen is how I fell in love with Toyota. I finally was able to buy a Spyder but sold it about a year ago. To say "I miss driving it" is an understatement.
I’ve owned 3 sw20’s and I’ll definitely buy another one, it’s an amazing car. Fun to drive and absolutely beautiful still to this day
Did he say $38k....I think he meant to say $3,800
In today's money. If you bought one new back in the 80s it would cost 38k if you adjust for inflation.
I think a used one can go for under 6k
@@averyw6482 pretty bad ass competing with Ferrari that was 60 K at the time compared to the 20k mr2
@@burnhags2572 hell yeah its one of my dream cars, i have a fiero and a crx but i plan on buying a 1992 gts in the future
No, hun. Biden is president. 38,000
Do one of these on the s2000
Please don't stop until every car ever has been covered k thanks. Also any Saab, the Volvo T5-R's or the Alfa Giulia would make for great stories
a friend of me got a mr2 and i immediately fell in love with it its FRICKING BEAUTIFUL ANDIT HAS A LOT OF POWA BABE
here cause I saw my first 80s mr2 at the gym. and im deeply intrigued
MR2 turbo is the most fun to drive car I've ever owned!!
flat earth
If I hadn't bought a S2000 six years later I would have seconded that notion =)
You should definitely do a celica or the honda prelude
That's my celica at 3:37!
Brandon Peppers cool man, it's really clean
snore fest. Actually the celica GT4/Alltrac are interesting but Honda prelude? what interesting about that car? this is coming from somone who actually wanted one in high school but came to realize its just a Honda accord.
airtec87 you can make a good amount of power with a prelude, but yeah not many people think they're cool
Yes, and there are rumors that a new Celica could come in 2020 as well as the MR2 in 2021
i like how mr2 w30 looks, espacially the racing desings with huge arrow epic bodykits and this god damn paintjobs! i wish they would start making it again.
I had an 84 Supra with the 6mge engine (Japan used motor) and my friend had the second gen mr2 non turbo. Both fun cars. I’d take the mr2 like his any day. So much fun and easy to slide. The short shifter with great gate feel. Toyota nailed it with those cars. Today the toyotas look too funky for me and don’t have much passion as they used too.
such a good series, love it. Please keep doing this