Toyota MR2 wins out over Mazda MX-5

Toyota MR2 wins out over Mazda MX-5

Within a recent story in Classic Car Weekly from the 29th of October, many great things are said two of the mainstays of the emerging Japanese Classic Car market.

The two cars chosen for a comparison are the convertible Mazda MX-5 and a 1984 Toyota MR2 with the 1600 cc Twin Cam engine. The MR2 sold 166,104 units during it's production run, and was really seen as a Japanese version of the Fiat X1/9, which had such precise and safe handling. Not only did the MR2 had more power than the Fiat, as it also had loads more features as well as the legendary Toyota reliability.

The MX-5 on the other had offered wind-in-your-hair thrills as well as amazing handling, which came about courtesy of an overall weight of just 100 kgs coupled with a low and light engine and gearbox combination. Seen by many as the ultimate value for money small sports car, it also had a touch of the Lotus Elan about it, without the pedigree.

All in all though, the Classic Car Weekly crew came out slightly in favour of the Toyota MR2, only for the more interesting specifications, added rarity as well as the "living on the edge " handling that MR2's had due to the engine and transmission positioning, which is not truly mid-mounted (the units run East/West and not North/South).

Grab a Bargain now, as up they go in value !!. (Especially the later, SW20 MR2)