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Toyota MR2

ZZW30 · Spyder (final)1999–2007

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

5 reviewers · 10 videos

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

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

across 5 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
3 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

3.5/55 of 5 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 doesn't make a whole lot of power and yes, they do have oil burning issues... but it's still a Toyota at the end of the day. So, you can beat the snot out of this thing and it ain't going to really care.

positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 2:22
// 02

Handling

5.0/55 of 5 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

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

This is definitely the sharpest one to drive.

positive · Car Throttle · ▶ 22:05
// 03

Fun to drive

5.0/55 of 5 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

This is the bang for the buck option. This is the one that you go for if you just want to drive it.

positive · Car Throttle · ▶ 21:17
// 04

Daily drivability

3.0/55 of 5 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

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

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 9:05

The build quality in here, let's be honest, it's crap.

critical · Car Throttle · ▶ 22:57
// 05

Value

4.5/55 of 5 reviewersstrong consensus

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

if you want a second car or or if you're already thinking about an mr2 buy the third gen

positive · Regular Car Reviews · ▶ 6:36

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
Zygrene
Posted Oct 6, 2017Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
More Toyota MR2 reviews
▶ play all (4)
Head to head
▶ play all (3)
From the press · 0 articles

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