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Toyota MR2

ZZW30 · Spyder (final)1999–2007

Mid-engine on a Corolla budget. Three takes, all worth it.

7 reviewers · 11 videos

Generations
AW111984–1989SW201989–1999ZZW301999–2007
// 00 the verdict

Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on daily drivability.

across 7 reviewers

// where reviewers split
Daily drivability
2 say · liveable

"This is so raw and yet it doesn't beat you up. The suspension is compliant."

Zygrene · ▶ 9:05
4 say · critical

"the zzw30 is useless notice how i don't even fit in a driver's seat because an aftermarket subwoofer prevents the seat from moving back that last crucial inch"

Regular Car Reviews · ▶ 4:53
// the categories
// 01

Performance

3.5/57 of 7 reviewersstrong consensus

The power delivery insane.

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 7:02

138 horsepower may not sound like much because it isn't, but it's only having to pull the 2200 lb of this car

Tedward · ▶ 12:06

It really livens up the whole chassis of the car. Everything feels happier. Everything feels more lively.

positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 6:59
// 02

Handling

5.0/57 of 7 reviewersstrong consensus

It's so light and nimble. Oh, it's so lovely and it feels balanced as well. Snap oversteer isn't really a concern in this generation.

positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 3:23

It's just that how quick it can rotate and how balanced it is, how fast it just reacts. Wow.

positive · Realistick · ▶ 13:53

the chassis is amazing driver controls the steering's all like about as good as you can ask from a freaking $2,000 car

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 10:06
// 03

Fun to drive

5.0/57 of 7 reviewersstrong consensus

out of the eight or nine cars I drove that day... this was the most fun car I drove that day.

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 0:39

This car just kind of frolics along and it's so joyous. It's so nimble and light.

positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 5:37

I have not had fun like this in a long time. I have class coming up soon and I'm pretty much just missing it for this. This is so much better than class.

positive · Realistick · ▶ 14:27
// 04

Daily drivability

3.0/57 of 7 reviewerssplit

the zzw30 is useless notice how i don't even fit in a driver's seat because an aftermarket subwoofer prevents the seat from moving back that last crucial inch

critical · Regular Car Reviews · ▶ 4:53

The downside of this is that it actually has no trunk. They gave you like a compartment for your spare tire. Uh, but this one literally it it looks like somebody just yanked the engine out.

critical · Realistick · ▶ 1:24

This is so raw and yet it doesn't beat you up. The suspension is compliant.

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 9:05
// 05

Value

4.5/57 of 7 reviewersconsensus

You can pick up, I think, an MR2 Spider nowadays, clean condition, for around $8 to $10,000.

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 3:55

It is also the cheapest of the three, isn't it? You can get into one of these for as little as a grand.

positive · Car Throttle · ▶ 20:51

For 10 grand, an MR2 feels good. At 15 or 20 grand, I start to lose interest.

mixed · Realistick · ▶ 15:45

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

ShootingCars
Posted May 28, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Tedward
Posted Apr 30, 2024Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
The Car Care Nut
Posted Oct 12, 2022Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
More Toyota MR2 reviews
▶ play all (6)
Head to head
▶ play all (2)
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