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Toyota MR2 ZZW30

Spyder (final)1999–2007

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

14 reviewers · 18 videos · 4 hours watched

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

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

across 14 reviewers

// where reviewers split
Daily drivability
3 say · liveable

"The damping is fantastic because I can go over real New England roads that are not curated for sports cars and I'm really not bothered."

Tedward · ▶ 12:45
7 say · critical

"Space is Limited in that mid set"

Dutch_Fake_Ferrari · ▶ 3:17
// the categories
// 01

Performance

3.5/514 of 14 reviewersstrong consensus

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

positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 6:59

“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

“The power delivery insane.”

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 7:02
// 02

Handling

4.5/514 of 14 reviewersstrong consensus

“this car literally feels like it's on wheels like handling left right oh it's so good”

positive · The Golden Drive · ▶ 5:24

“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
// 03

Fun to drive

4.5/514 of 14 reviewersconsensus

“I have not had this much fun in the car and I don't even know”

positive · The Golden Drive · ▶ 7:14

“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

3.0/513 of 14 reviewerssplit

“Space is Limited in that mid set”

critical · Dutch_Fake_Ferrari · ▶ 3:17

“the mr2 s biggest drawback is storage space”

critical · WiggleCarHire · ▶ 3:53

“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
// 05

Value

4.5/514 of 14 reviewersconsensus

“If you've got £5,000 to spend on a sports car, this is your buy.”

positive · Driven+ · ▶ 11:56

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

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 3:55

“for $5000, they are I think, the best value for money, and so much fun to drive.”

positive · The Golden Drive · ▶ 0:00

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

ShootingCars
Posted May 28, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Driven+
Posted Jun 20, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Tedward
Posted Apr 30, 2024Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
More Toyota MR2 reviews
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