Toyota MR2 Spyder: When Miata Isn’t the Answer

There’s a reason why it’s the best-selling sports car in history. Its simple formula rekindled the roadster genre and spawned decades of imitators, including the Toyota MR2 Spyder, like the one for sale now on eBay.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

That’s Mister Two to You

There are several reasons to consider an MR2 Spyder instead of a Miata. For one, Mazda sold over one million Miatas over four generations while Toyota’s droptop MR2 existed in the US for only a brief window from 2000 to 2005. For the right buyer, uniqueness matters.

The MR2 Spyder and the Miata are similar in weight and power. But, while the Mazda uses a traditional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, Toyota uses an exotic mid-engine format for the MR2 Spyder, mounting the 138-horsepower 1.8-liter inline-four twin-cam over the rear wheels.

MR2 stands for Midship Runabout two-seater. Spyder is a term for lightweight open-top vehicles, orginating from the days of horse-drawn carriages.

There are pros and cons to both designs, depending on your preference. Be warned, however, that it takes a skilled driver to extract every drop of performance potential from a mid-engined car. And there’s a special romance to the experience of having a rev-happy engine singing from behind you as you drive through scenic roads with the top down.

Because there are more Miatas, the aftermarket is flush with hop-up parts for them. They exist for the Toyota too, but you’ll have to search harder. That might be a consideration if you were buying a high-mileage project car. But the example in the listing is a showroom-fresh example with around 48,000 miles on the clock. That’s barely broken in for a Toyota.

Concours Quality

The new owner can enjoy the stunning originality of this 2000 MR2 Spyder, which was kept in the same family for 22 years. The second owner says the MR2’s been garaged and has never been in an accident.

The paint, interior, and convertible top look to be in excellent condition. What’s not mentioned in the auction is that the car is wearing a TRD Stage I front spoiler, side skirts, and rear wing. Toyota Racing Development is Toyota’s in-house performance arm, and these parts are hard to find nowadays.

The $19,995 or Best Offer asking price is steep for an MR2 Spyder. But it’s difficult to find one that hasn’t been abused or doesn’t have sky-high mileage these days. The rare parts make it rarer still.