Second-hand Sense: Back in the 1990s it seemed the sports car had reached the end of the road and none of the major manufacturers were developing new ones.
Then along came the Mazda MX5 roadster and its instant success forced car companies to recognise that some people at least were prepared to spend money on fun motoring.
The MX5 is an all-time personal favourite and to this day it is hard to beat for general appeal, but one car that did manage to give it a run for its money was the Toyota MR2, the MR2 bit being code for "midship runabout for two" - the midship being a reference to the positioning of the engine just behind the occupants but not at the rear.
The MR2 is no longer on the market here but there are quite a few around, many of them imports and one should really appreciate the distinction. They were bought by people who wanted a sports-car feel and Toyota's build quality - its looks being modern but undistinguished. The car has a long wheelbase and short overhangs and is marked by wide air intakes behind the doors.
The model that has been around since 2000 has a 1.8 VVTi engine, also used in other Toyota models, with a 138 horse power output. It is not a distinctly impressive engine but is fine for a car this size.
It takes a bit of winding up with the gears and then comes into its own - but isn't that what sports car motoring is all about ?
The positioning of the engine gives a 42:58 balance between the front and rear and the car has a very smooth ride indeed. One might expect a car such as this to be a tad tail happy but it's not, unless you really push the car to its limits and that is not what sports car motoring is all about. This is about being low and close to the road with sufficient power and feedback. The bucket-style seats help to re-inforce the involvement in the driving.
The top folds down reasonably quickly but this car is now quite outdated when one considers the new coupés that will turn into a convertible at the flick of a switch and also keep you well protected with a solid roof in the winter. But the MR2 does have a certain class in the open-top league.
This is not a car for any more than two and Toyota deserves credit going all out with the engine layout and the design for two only. A little protective rear glass will prevent your hair getting too tousled and it is a fun car to drive on a sunny day.
Storage, however, is a problem. You can get a few odds and ends in the front (where the engine might be but is actually the area where the spare wheel is kept) and in small compartments behind the seats but forget about a set of matching luggage.
The MR 2 has not been tested in the EuroNCAP crash test programme and only a small number of cars have been recalled for a seal problem with the brake master cylinder.
Otherwise, it is Toyota's usual reliability all the way.
The MR 2 does not come cheap: A 2004 version with only 7,000 miles on the clock and with twin airbags, metallic paint, A/C, CD player and sports suspension is on offer at €27,950. A 2000 version with 59,000 miles and more basic equipment costs about €16,000.
FOR: Good, fun motoring with excellent engineering.
AGAINST: Only for two people who don't own matching luggage sets.