Toyota brought back the MR2, which was discontinued after 1995, in the new 2000 MR2 Spyder. The 2000 Spyder looked nothing like its namesake. It was round and Porsche-like, as opposed to angular and Ferrari-like. Unlike the MR2, it came as a convertible. Its main competition was the Mazda Miata, but it also went up against the more expensive Honda S2000 and BMW Z3 series.
The 2000 MR2 Spyder came in only one trim level, with no available options. The only choice buyers got to make was the color. The engine, which was mounted in the middle of the car, was a 1.8-liter, 138 horsepower four-cylinder. The transmission was a five-speed manual, and it had rear-wheel drive. The top is designed to sit flush with the body of the car when down, so no cover is required. Fuel economy is about 25/32.
The 2000 MR2 Spyder was a big hit when it was first released; the fact that only 5,000 were produced increased the demand. Drivers found it to have excellent handling and an acceptable amount of power, despite the small engine. The new, expensive-looking styling was also very popular. Many drivers complain about the near-total lack of storage space. Some wish for a six-speed transmission.
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The new top is fabulous.
With all the miles I have put on I am totally amazed at the gas mileage.
It is a great car.Sep 26, 2022
by Justin F
Aug 05, 2021
Rare car, low cost mid-engine design. Toyota quality. It’s just a super fun ride!Aug 05, 2021
by Craig D
Oct 21, 2020
Like driving a street legal gocart. Will give a motorcycle its run for the money on the dragon tail road. Great gas mileage.Oct 21, 2020
User rating:
by Cliff R
Sep 26, 2022
The new top is fabulous.
With all the miles I have put on I am totally amazed at the gas mileage.
It is a great car.Sep 26, 2022
by Justin F
Aug 05, 2021
Rare car, low cost mid-engine design. Toyota quality. It’s just a super fun ride!Aug 05, 2021
by Craig D
Oct 21, 2020
Like driving a street legal gocart. Will give a motorcycle its run for the money on the dragon tail road. Great gas mileage.Oct 21, 2020
by James S
Jun 14, 2020
The MR2 Spyder is a fun collectible car the value is going up great gas mileage and longevity excellent investmentJun 14, 2020
by Parris B
Sep 08, 2013
This is a car for people who are into DRIVING. Mine has the manual tranny - I LOVE listening to the engine (located right behind ya) respond to the accelerator and gear changes, and the mid-engine configuration really shows its stuff. Such a SHAME that Toyota continues to stonewall about the pre-cat issue.Sep 08, 2013
by Anonymous
Feb 18, 2013
As an older guy now in my '60's, I've owned my fair share of sports cars. In high school my sister and I jointly purchased a 1961 Triumph TR3; our first real sports car. I've owned an MGB (unfortunately), a TR6-GT, a Saab Sonnet and a Datsun 2000 Roadster.
I purchased my MR2 Spyder 2 years ago and it now has a little over 70,000 miles on the odometer. The original owner took very good care of the car following the scheduled maintenance and changing oil every 3,000 miles. God bless this man.
I drove the car home from San Francisco to where we live on the Southern California coast- what a beautiful drive! Top down, awesome response and handling, great fuel economy and...people's reaction to the car was amazing. I actually bought the car because I knew it was a reliable Toyota product that was fun, fast and economical, but I never expected the reaction I received at almost every stop.
And I want to say this about the storage problem most people are concerned with. My wife and I traveled from Santa Barbara to Portland and back and never had a problem with storage- we even packed food for our picnics. It requires some forethought, but after living out of a Westfalia camper during our kid's surf careers; packing our MR2 was easy- we simply utilized the space available- problem solved!
This car is absolutely the very best car I've ever owed. After two years and many trips around the West Coast I still hear myself saying - God, I love this car... and I do!Feb 18, 2013
by Tina S
Nov 17, 2009
great acceleration and braking;v responsive,feels like its "glued" to the road! just dont be too hard on it!
looks great-both inside and out. very comfortable.
pretty good on the petrol, economica enough.
car is great fun to drive.Nov 17, 2009
by Anthony O
Jul 31, 2008
Where do I start... The mid engined convertible was purchased to recover from my mid-life crisis. I needed something outrageous but still affordable. The car had to sacrifice the trunk so that wheel base can be larger for balanced handling - great stuff, all the wrong reason to buy the car. The tiptronic gearbox was great until I thrash the hell out of it on race tracks, skidpans and winding mountain roads... so I sold it before major 80,000km service and replacing parts on the sequential gearbox. I've done everything that I needed to do with the car, including AFL parade, club runs and track days. I would buy another one if I have more room in the garage.Jul 31, 2008
by Nicky W
Jun 23, 2008
Never thought much of these cars before, regularly telling people not to touch them... I now feel guilty because the second I drove it, I thoroughly enjoyed it and made me want one immediately.
Jun 23, 2008
by Giles W
Mar 03, 2008
This car is always great fun to drive, with a responsive engine and great handling - it will humble many more expensive cars around the twisty bits. Hardtop does make winter in England more bearable, and stops damage to the soft top when used (mine has been slashed in the past).
It is also very good over speed bumps - no slowing down is needed - although even with really good suspension there is scuttle-shake when driving over London pot-holes.Mar 03, 2008
by Anonymous
Jan 17, 2008
This car is awesome for me, handling, reliable, tiny engine, 33mpg, fast. It is easy to slide around corners and still maintain control. The best part is that it is made for shorter drivers, and I am 5-7. Jan 17, 2008
I just put a new crate engine in my 2000 MR2 Spyder. The check engine light still comes on even though the car runs PERFECTLY. I heard about phantom engine codes especially when the RPMS go over 4000. I was told this sometimes causes a low coolant code plus the random misfire code. Has anyone had this happen and do you know of a way to solve this? I have spent way to much $$$$ to still have a check engine light on
I just upgraded/sized the wheels from 15" to 17" and put 215/40/17 on all 4 - now the car feels a bit squirly in handling - tires are general eclaim UHP - any suggestions - previously had falken soft rubber tire in 205/50/15 rear and 195/50/15front - any suggestions on how to "settle her down" and get rid of the rodents?
When going around a slight bend in the road my MR2 at higher speeds seem to kick out. Nothing to do with traction and over driving. It doesn't happen all the time this is why I'm confused what it could be. Anybody relate to this issue? Many thanks