Car of the Week: W30 Toyota MR2

The 3rd generation MR2 debuted in 1997, becoming perhaps the least interesting generation visibly. This gen. is notable for the lack of t-tops or a sunroof in the U.S. as just the ‘Spyder’ convertible was offered. A 5 speed manual in the US, 6 speed manual in Europe, and 5 speed sequential manual transmission were offered. Engine output is rated at 138 hp @ 6400 rpm and 125 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm. Combined with a base price of 25k USD, this seemed like an enthusiasts car on paper, and if you can get past the odd looks and the stigma associated with the low output, it delivers.

Zero to 60 mph: 8.2 sec Zero to 100 mph: 23.0 sec Street start, 5-60 mph: 8.5 sec Standing ¼-mile: 16.2 sec @ 86 mph Top speed (drag limited): 123 mph Braking, 70-0 mph: 162 ft Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.88 g From Car and Driver

When the 2000’s broke open, Toyota flooded through. Despite having been a prescience in America for decades, Toyota became a serious player volume wise in 2000. Toyota began their modernization, adding the VVT-i system for their engines, which was introduced earlier on the 1998 MR2 in some markets. Unlike its predecessors, however, the engine was placed onto the car the other way round, with the exhaust manifold towards the rear of the car instead of towards the front. Europe and Japan had a hard top model optional, but the US was left out of the fun.

Changes by model year. (Via Wikipedia)
2002
5-speed Sequential Manual Transmission introduced in USA.

2003
New paint colors
New front and rear fascias, standard fog lights, power antennae, and color-matched side air intakes
16-inch rear wheels with larger tires
New seats, slight changes to the gauge cluster and interior
Sequential Manual Transmission now has six forward gears and faster shifting
New springs, dampers, and a new underbody brace

2004
Torsen (helical) limited-slip differential available as an option (C65-01B transmission)
Strengthened unibody for crash intrusion protection (resulting in 10 kg (22 lb) greater curb weight)[23]
Ride height increased approximately 1” in all markets

2005
6-disc in-dash CD player standard
Last year of sales in North America

2007
Last year of sales
Special “V-Edition” and “TF300” editions sold only in the United Kingdom.

In July 2004, Toyota announced that sales of the MR2 (as well as the Celica) would be discontinued in the US at the end of the 2005 model year because of increasing competition and lack of sales. The W30 sold 7,233 units in its debut year, falling to just 901 for the 2005 model, for a total of 27,941 through its six years of production in the US. While the MR2 Spyder was not sold after 2005 in the US, it was offered in Japan, Mexico, and Europe until 2007.

As a farewell to the MR2, Toyota produced 1000 limited-production V-Edition cars for Japan and the UK. They are distinguished by different color wheels, titanium interior accents, minor body changes, a helical limited slip differential, and different steering wheel trim.

Also for model year 2007, the United Kingdom received 300 models in a special numbered TF300 series. A special 182 bhp turbocharged variant called the TTE Turbo (TTE standing for Toyota Team Europe) was available as a dealer-installed package. This package was also available for fitting to customer MR2s.

As always, feel free to comment a car you’d like to see done up. Thanks Everyone.