Toyota has had many impressive sports cars over the years, some of them sadly reserved only for the Japanese market and others marketed globally. The MR2 was and still is one of its biggest stars — and the one that fortunately reached different global markets.
This two-seat mid-engined sports car was built in Japan from 1984 to 2007 over three very successful generations. If you ask us, it was unjustifiably called the Ferrari for those short of money, considering the MR2 aimed to satisfy a completely different customer base than its Italian rival — though the resemblance in styling is unquestionable.
Small, economical, and sporty, the Toyota MR2 was actually the first mid-engined production car from Japan. Admittedly, it lagged behind the models developed by European automakers, but it had its fair share of unique features to compensate for that.
Today, we explore the second generation of this Japanese sports car or, better say, give our praises to one particular model from this generation. Here's why the 1991 Toyota MR2 should be on your shopping list.
The 1991 Toyota MR2 Draws On A Rich History You Can Brag About
First and foremost, buying a 1991 Toyota MR2 means much more than just getting a sports car. With this vehicle, you get to pride yourself on owning a Japanese-built unit with a rich and significant history.
Toyota had the MR2 as a project ready for production way back in 1976. However, due to the worldwide oil crisis, the automaker had to wait until 1983 to launch it. Still, that waiting paid off, as Toyota was able to perfect the project and deliver an affordable sports car that will wow the public for the years to come.
In 1983, the prototype of the Toyota MR2 finally hit the Tokyo motor show and drew the attention of the gathered car enthusiasts. This prompted Toyota to release the car a year later, naming it the MR2, which is short for Midship Runabout 2-seater.
Joining the sports car lineup, the first-generation Toyota MR2 was extremely lightweight. It featured two engine options in the Japanese domestic market, with the more potent one being a 1.6-liter DOHC inline-four that produced 128 ponies. In this configuration and with the light design, the MR2 could zoom from 0 to 60 mph in a swift 8.2 seconds.
Of course, this allowed the Toyota MR2 to join the motorsport arena, even more so after Toyota added a supercharged engine to the picture in 1986. The 4A-GZE produced 145 horsepower and 137 lb-ft of torque, although it's important to highlight that the car's weight increased due to the heavier supercharger's equipment.
The 1991 Toyota MR2 Is A Compact And Economical, Yet Sporty And Super Exciting Car
So, when you buy the 1991 Toyota MR2, you get to brag about its performance-oriented and motorsport history. But, of course, this is not the only reason for you to purchase this model year.
The second-generation Toyota MR2 (1989-1999) retained the previously introduced fun and capable character, but it got a refined design with enhanced ergonomics, especially inside, where the cabin got more luxurious. The new engines also came into the picture, alongside the new suspension, a sleeker profile, and a wider and longer wheelbase.
The power came from either a 2.0-liter base straight-four or a turbocharged straight-four engine, which made the output range from 163 horsepower to 218 horsepower. Therefore, Toyota made the entire generation, and the 1991 Toyota MR2 specifically, even more sporty in its spirit and soul.
Little has changed over the ten years of production, but it was not like anything needed an upgrade. For quite a while, the second-generation Toyota MR2 was highly competitive with its excellent power output, handling, and design (inside out).
It's good to mention that the North American market received these second-generation updates only for the 1991 production year. So, when buying the 1991 Toyota MR2, you actually get the first year in the second generation built for North America.
You Can Get The Rare 1991 Toyota MR2 At A Fairly Reasonable Price
Finally, checking out and buying the 1991 Toyota MR2 makes sense for the budget too. Sadly, this sports car lacks the appreciation it deserves, but at the same time, that makes it more affordable. You can find the 1991 Toyota MR2 for sale on various sites and dealerships for about $20,000 in top condition. That's a pretty good deal for a Japanese sports car that ticks all the boxes we highlighted above.
Therefore, if you're considering a rare sports car that won't break your budget but still has the sporty spirit and magnificent styling, the 1991 Toyota MR2 may be the right choice.
Sources: Toyota UK, Autotrader, Edmunds