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2000
Toyota MR2

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$23,098
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Expert 2000 Toyota MR2 review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

According to the industry publication Automotive News, there are 1,314 car and truck models on the market. It’s little wonder that few models truly stand out in this sea of sheetmetal.

The Toyota MR2 Spyder is one that does.

The MR2 Spyder was reintroduced to the American market for the 2000 model year after a five-year hiatus. That it is back in the market is news enough.

After all, there are few cars at any price with the MR2’s layout: a two-seat convertible with engine mounted mid-ship. By mounting the engine behind the seats, but ahead of the rear axle, the car’s weight is evenly split front-to-back. For the enthusiast driver, this perfect weight balance enhances the driving experience.

The only other cars to boast of such a layout are the Porsche Boxster, base price: $42,600, and Ferrari 360 Modena Spider, base price: $160,125. The Toyota starts at $23,735. Looking at those numbers, someone’s getting overcharged.

The MR2 is made for performance considerations only, just like its higher-priced competition. Weighing just about 2,200 pounds and measuring a scant 153 inches long, this is one small buggy. That’s why the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine is all that’s needed to motivate this Toyota tidbit to 60 mph in under 7 seconds.

The engine is rated at 138 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 125 foot-pounds of torque at 4,400 rpm.

This car moves smartly.

With this available power, a manual transmission is necessary. So you’d expect a five-speed manual transmission to be standard and it is. What makes this car really surprising is Toyota’s new 5-speed Sequential Manual Transmission (SMT).

Many race cars use a form of sequential manual transmission that allows the driver to maintain control of which gear the car is in while the car takes care of the clutch work. It permits instantaneous shifts without driver error.

Similarly, many cars today have automatic transmissions that allow the driver to shift through the gears manually, but they don’t allow for true manual control.

This drivetrain takes getting used to. There is no clutch pedal. The gear selector has four positions: reverse, neutral, upshift and downshift. There is no park position, just like a manual. Take your foot off the brake on an incline and the vehicle will roll backward.

The car starts in first gear. The driver tips the center console chrome lever rearward to upshift and forward to downshift. A driver also can shift using steering-wheel-mounted buttons. Unlike a manual, you can’t feel what gear you’re in by where the shifter actually is, so you must pay attention to the gear readout on the tachometer.

The only automatic function is when you come to a complete stop. The car downshifts to first gear.

If you do a rolling stop, the car holds its gear. This is where the driver needs to be aware that the car can be in the wrong gear and the e ngine will lug.

Also, by letting up on the throttle ever so slightly, the car shifts smoother. Again this is similar to a manual transmission. Once you get used to it, speed and shifting come quickly and smoothly. The only exception is when the engine is cold; the shifts seem a bit abrupt.

Starting the car will cause fits for a valet — the car must be in neutral and your foot must be on the brake.

The engine makes all the right noises and it’s enough to warm any enthusiast’s heart. Thankfully, unlike almost every other Toyota, there’s little serenity here. You feel like a part of the machine. The engineers have allowed just enough vibration to make its way through to the driver.

The steering is instantaneous and extremely sensitive. The brakes are strong. Cornering behavior is totally flat. There’s enough twitchiness to make any enthusiast happy, yet the ultimate grip is excellent.

There’s enough noise of the good sort to ren er the radio unnecessary, but the AM/FM/cassette/CD player has excellent sound. But fear not, weekend autocross enthusiasts, it’s been designed to be removed entirely for weight-savings.

Other amenities include a tilt wheel, air-conditioning, anti-lock brakes, 15-inch alloy wheels, power windows, power mirrors and cupholders. The seats are comfortable, supportive and covered in a durable cloth fabric.

The convertible top is manually operated from the driver’s seat. Toyota designers paid attention to the looks of the top when folded. Since most convertible owners never use a tonneau cover that comes with most tops, the MR2’s top is designed so it looks good without it. Losing the tonneau cover also saves weight.

A small flip-up wind blocker helps prevent wind buffeting. The top features a glass rear window with defroster.

The downside to the MR2 in some people’s eyes will be cargo space. A small slot by the spare tire up front is offered, but this cramped, hot space is less than ideal. The rest of the space consists of a pair of door-mounted map pockets, a dash top compartment and two small lockable compartments behind each seat. That’s good for a paltry 1.9 cubic feet of cargo room.

But this is a small price to pay for a car designed as a pure sports car. It’s a lovely little plaything at a price that no other carmaker can match.

It’s a testament to Toyota’s engineering prowess and a great buy in a sports car for under $25,000.

No wonder it sticks out in my mind.

2000 Toyota MR2 review: Our expert's take
By

According to the industry publication Automotive News, there are 1,314 car and truck models on the market. It’s little wonder that few models truly stand out in this sea of sheetmetal.

The Toyota MR2 Spyder is one that does.

The MR2 Spyder was reintroduced to the American market for the 2000 model year after a five-year hiatus. That it is back in the market is news enough.

After all, there are few cars at any price with the MR2’s layout: a two-seat convertible with engine mounted mid-ship. By mounting the engine behind the seats, but ahead of the rear axle, the car’s weight is evenly split front-to-back. For the enthusiast driver, this perfect weight balance enhances the driving experience.

The only other cars to boast of such a layout are the Porsche Boxster, base price: $42,600, and Ferrari 360 Modena Spider, base price: $160,125. The Toyota starts at $23,735. Looking at those numbers, someone’s getting overcharged.

The MR2 is made for performance considerations only, just like its higher-priced competition. Weighing just about 2,200 pounds and measuring a scant 153 inches long, this is one small buggy. That’s why the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine is all that’s needed to motivate this Toyota tidbit to 60 mph in under 7 seconds.

The engine is rated at 138 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 125 foot-pounds of torque at 4,400 rpm.

This car moves smartly.

With this available power, a manual transmission is necessary. So you’d expect a five-speed manual transmission to be standard and it is. What makes this car really surprising is Toyota’s new 5-speed Sequential Manual Transmission (SMT).

Many race cars use a form of sequential manual transmission that allows the driver to maintain control of which gear the car is in while the car takes care of the clutch work. It permits instantaneous shifts without driver error.

Similarly, many cars today have automatic transmissions that allow the driver to shift through the gears manually, but they don’t allow for true manual control.

This drivetrain takes getting used to. There is no clutch pedal. The gear selector has four positions: reverse, neutral, upshift and downshift. There is no park position, just like a manual. Take your foot off the brake on an incline and the vehicle will roll backward.

The car starts in first gear. The driver tips the center console chrome lever rearward to upshift and forward to downshift. A driver also can shift using steering-wheel-mounted buttons. Unlike a manual, you can’t feel what gear you’re in by where the shifter actually is, so you must pay attention to the gear readout on the tachometer.

The only automatic function is when you come to a complete stop. The car downshifts to first gear.

If you do a rolling stop, the car holds its gear. This is where the driver needs to be aware that the car can be in the wrong gear and the e ngine will lug.

Also, by letting up on the throttle ever so slightly, the car shifts smoother. Again this is similar to a manual transmission. Once you get used to it, speed and shifting come quickly and smoothly. The only exception is when the engine is cold; the shifts seem a bit abrupt.

Starting the car will cause fits for a valet — the car must be in neutral and your foot must be on the brake.

The engine makes all the right noises and it’s enough to warm any enthusiast’s heart. Thankfully, unlike almost every other Toyota, there’s little serenity here. You feel like a part of the machine. The engineers have allowed just enough vibration to make its way through to the driver.

The steering is instantaneous and extremely sensitive. The brakes are strong. Cornering behavior is totally flat. There’s enough twitchiness to make any enthusiast happy, yet the ultimate grip is excellent.

There’s enough noise of the good sort to ren er the radio unnecessary, but the AM/FM/cassette/CD player has excellent sound. But fear not, weekend autocross enthusiasts, it’s been designed to be removed entirely for weight-savings.

Other amenities include a tilt wheel, air-conditioning, anti-lock brakes, 15-inch alloy wheels, power windows, power mirrors and cupholders. The seats are comfortable, supportive and covered in a durable cloth fabric.

The convertible top is manually operated from the driver’s seat. Toyota designers paid attention to the looks of the top when folded. Since most convertible owners never use a tonneau cover that comes with most tops, the MR2’s top is designed so it looks good without it. Losing the tonneau cover also saves weight.

A small flip-up wind blocker helps prevent wind buffeting. The top features a glass rear window with defroster.

The downside to the MR2 in some people’s eyes will be cargo space. A small slot by the spare tire up front is offered, but this cramped, hot space is less than ideal. The rest of the space consists of a pair of door-mounted map pockets, a dash top compartment and two small lockable compartments behind each seat. That’s good for a paltry 1.9 cubic feet of cargo room.

But this is a small price to pay for a car designed as a pure sports car. It’s a lovely little plaything at a price that no other carmaker can match.

It’s a testament to Toyota’s engineering prowess and a great buy in a sports car for under $25,000.

No wonder it sticks out in my mind.

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
7 years / less than 85,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12, 000 miles
Dealer certification
160- or 174-point inspections

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Consumer reviews

4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.4
Interior 4.3
Performance 4.4
Value 4.7
Exterior 4.8
Reliability 4.8

Most recent

  • One of the MOST fun cars ever!

    Driving an MR2 is like floating down the road. Great rally car or just a cruise. Wonderful for summer nights & drive in burger joints
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • One of the MOST fun cars ever!

    One of the most fun, affordable, sports cars you could own. Great for weekend cruising. Often mistaken for a Porsche & always a head turner!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Reply to - Bozolady from Chicago, il review

    The car is equipped with drains in the storage area behind the seats. Once these get clogged, water will pool there. Toyota does not mention these drains or how to clear them in the Owners Manual. These are pretty easy to clear once you know how. Research this on Spyderchat.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    11 people out of 11 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Love toyota.

    I love this car. Dependable with no major problems for 19 years... has had problem with leakage into back storage area but overall, this car has been wonderful.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • what a great summer car i love it !

    this car has low miles and will be with me forever! i love the color and the style. it is a car i have wanted forever!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Smiles per Miles!

    The third generation MR2 has stood the test of time. Even after 18yrs it still looks great with it's classic proportions and design. Sports car thrills with Toyota reliability!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Fun, fun, fun!

    I love driving this car with the top down, it's so much fun! It hugs the road and it's super responsive. I hate to have to let it go...
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Which way is it going?

    So for style it is just average IMO.. But the drive is a blast.. it handles like it is on rails, is low to the ground, the top is not only easy to use, but is easy to replace. The driving experience is amazing, it's a light weight toy.. the manual transmission is the only way to buy one, you could get the automated clutch version, but that wrecks the experience. Build quality is late 90's toyota solid. The 1zzfed under the hood is a JDM import of the corolla motor, the difference being forged internals, bigger and stronger bottom end, and some other electronic tweaks, this while it shares some parts with the corolla motor, is NOT the corolla motor.. In N/A form, it is fast enough for most, but mine had a small turbo kit installed, which made it crazy fast.. it weighs nearly nothing.. All that said here is what to look out for.. The frame is pretty tight on them, so any rattles or squeaks should be investigates, as they are typically an indication that it has been wrecked. The exhaust manifold on N/A 2000-2002 models had a catastrophic failure where they would create vacuum and suck the shrapnel of the catalytic converter back into the engine, which would cause major internal damage, cars with the stock manifold for this reason should be avoided, unless it is a very low mileage car. The front strut mounts used cheap nylon bushings, which over time deteriorate, this can and will likely cause noise in the front end over bumps, and in tight steering. You will need new struts, and all the hardware to resolve this issue, which installed expect the 2k dollar range of cost to have fixed.. Totally mint, top of the line cars will run you 7-9K dollars with all options, they IMO are the one's to buy, 3-5K dollar cars typically have high mileage, and while not a big deal in a 2 seater Toyota, the cost for some repairs can get expensive, and honestly in the long run it's cheaper to buy the nicer car. This car is the only small sports car i fit in, the miata, even in new trim, i am just too tall to drive, but the MR2 in all forms has always been a underdog champ of space for tall enthusiasts. Down sides; No storage space, and at highway speed it's not geared to do 70+mph for a long period of time. But it is a back-road champ!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Wonder weekender..

    Finally found a fun car. This was a find that is very rare, but it can happen to find a older car with low miles and in excellent condition.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • 2000 MR2 Spyder

    Parts VERY difficult to get in Canada. Dealers don't carry and auto shops don't carry a lot of the parts either. Poor reliability on parts - replacing Fuel pump and passneger side window motor. OEM parts are $500 and $800. Great little car bu expensive to keep up
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Half price boxster

    My wife said no motorcycle, so i got the next best thing, a go cart. The handling and brakes are superb. I never get bored with it's looks. The interior is a bit dated and shows some cost cutting. I've had the car since 11/04 and ALWAYS enjoy starting it up and hitting the road. Other then the check engine light being on for about 5 yrs. for an O2 sensor, nothing has gone wrong. I've never been under 30mpg for a tankful and thats running regular fuel. I plan on keeping it as long as possible for my weekend guilty pleasure.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great bang for the buck

    I purchased my spyder for the sole purpose of reworking the engine to make it a true performer. All reviews that I read about it were extremely favorable as a roadster. The only negative was that Toyota designed it to just barely surpass the Miata in perfomance. Its weight, braking, comfort is excellent for any price range. I had mine professionally tuned to 400 bhp and all I can say is WOW! Its breaking, handling, and now exceleration is excellent. For bigger individuals, getting in and out of the vehicle could be difficult, especially if one is not very flexible, but the car is very comfortable once in place. It is not a utility vehicle. If you are looking for a nice looking, excellent handling roadster, at least test drive this car. I'm sure you will like it. You might even love it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2000 Toyota MR2?

The 2000 Toyota MR2 is available in 1 trim level:

  • (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2000 Toyota MR2?

The 2000 Toyota MR2 offers up to 25 MPG in city driving and 30 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2000 Toyota MR2?

The 2000 Toyota MR2 compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2000 Toyota MR2 reliable?

The 2000 Toyota MR2 has an average reliability rating of 4.8 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2000 Toyota MR2 owners.

Is the 2000 Toyota MR2 a good Convertible?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2000 Toyota MR2. 100.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.4
  • Interior: 4.3
  • Performance: 4.4
  • Value: 4.7
  • Exterior: 4.8
  • Reliability: 4.8
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