1994 Toyota MR2 brings the spring chicken yellowness

Antti Kautonen

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1994_toyota_mr2_2

I spotted this 1994 Toyota MR2 on the parking lot of a local hardware store. Yellow cars aren’t too common here, and anything yellow is sure to stand out like an exclamation mark… in yellow.

It’s only the base 152-horse 2.0GT SW20 model, but seems useable enough for targa topless summer driving.

1994_toyota_mr2

It’s not too clean, and it seems like the summer alloys have gone through the winter without the brake dust getting washed off. But I didn’t see any rust. The plates hint it’s a second-hand import, and my money’s on it being from Germany originally.

The Toyota also appears to have less-than fetching velour seat covers on, which I would personally burn on the nearest pyre.

1994_toyota_mr2_9

The rear deck slats are pretty much my favourite thing on the car.

1994_toyota_mr2_7

Again, there are worse things in which to scoot around town than this thing. It’s not the 2.2, it’s not the turbo, and due to not being the latter it’s not cursed by the existence of the Hose From Hell. All the better, if you like your Toyota to behave like a Corolla in terms of maintenance.

[Images: Copyright 2013 Hooniverse/Antti Kautonen]

About

Antti Kautonen

Antti Kautonen

The resident Finn of Hooniverse. Owns old Peugeots and whatnot, writes long thinkpieces on unloved cars. These two facts might be related.

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7 responses to “1994 Toyota MR2 brings the spring chicken yellowness”

  1. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    I like fly yellow. Thinking about refinishing the Alfa in that color.

    Reply
  2. Kogashiwa Avatar
    Kogashiwa

    "Usable" is the understatement of the day. I had one just like this, in the Japanese version of this same trim ("G Limited"), with the 3S-GE. To this day among all the cars I've owned that is my favourite. Brilliantly balanced, not ridiculously fast but definitely quick enough, very comfortable, engine begged for revs, and in this rural backwater it got attention from everyone (well, everything that isn't an F-150 or minivan does, in fairness). Oh, I didn't have the t-tops. The hardtop looks better and is lighter and stiffer. Also considerably rarer.
    You don't want the 2.2, that's a Camry engine, low revving and sucks the life right out of these cars.

    Reply
  3. Conor Avatar
    Conor

    That's actually a 1990-91 or 91-92 (depending on how your country classifies model years). Has the early style tail lights and wing (1991-1993) and the first revision front lip spoiler (1991-1992).
    It's also a repaint. Yellow 2nd generation Mr2s were much lighter than that. It looks good, though, and it's always nice to see MR2s out on the road! They're far too rare these days 🙁

    Reply
    1. julkinen Avatar
      julkinen

      It's possible it's coming from a country where it sat before being first registered. DSM:s in Europe are examples of this, you can buy one registered as a 1996 car and it's still a 1Ga.

      Reply
  4. wunno sev Avatar
    wunno sev

    i have one of these in my garage!
    it's a 5SFE camry engine non turbo. when i'm done fixing it i'll be selling it. can't have two cars, unfortunately.
    it's too squidgy and slow to really consider as a proper sports car. that's not to say it hasn't got potential – i think with a turbo engine or a 3SGE and some stiffer suspension it would be a real joy. but from the factory, nothing to write home about. it does look great, and this yellow color looks real good on it. i also like that it's not so common as a miata. everyone who wants a small sports car wants a miata. the mr2 stands out. (granted, the aforementioned qualms are the reason everyone wants a miata, but you have to sacrifice somethings to be as cool as me.)
    now that it's nearly summer i'm really going to have a hard time passing it on, but i know the price will be better selling in may than in august.

    Reply
    1. Conor Avatar
      Conor

      I used to chase down MR2 turbos in my 2.2L car in the canyons of southern California and a few times on legit race tracks. It's a driver's car, for sure. Complex tastes and fashions. I put a 3.0L V6 in mine and it's the same "feel," just with MORE.. It's visceral. it's a sports car, 115hp, 155hp, 180hp or 200hp. 🙂

      Reply
      1. wunno sev Avatar
        wunno sev

        awesome!
        yeah i've heard drivers better than I can really exploit and control that lift oversteer in the 5SFE model. i took it autocrossing once but tbh i have little interest in motorsport, mostly just bought it 'cause it's cute.
        i always thought a V6 swap would be fun but not worth it on a slightly rusty 220,000mi car. if the engine went, it would be a hard choice between a 3SGE swap and the scrapyard. i love how the V6 swaps sound.

        Reply