1991 Toyota MR2

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• Worn gearbox synchros 1991–1992 One source so far

  What to check: Shift through every gear, hot, listening for crunching.

  Hagerty names crunchy shifts from weak synchros as the one common fault beyond neglect, fixed with uprated synchros for 1993.

  Sources ²

Recalls

• 91V223000 1991–1992

  In NHTSA's crash tests the steering wheel and driver's airbag let too much force reach the chest. The steering wheel is replaced with one that absorbs more energy.^5,6,7

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

• Sought after: Turbo All years One source so far

  Hagerty calls the 200 hp turbo the more desirable engine.²

• Sought after: The non-turbo, as a fun car All years One source so far

  In one GRM thread, four members speak up for the non-turbo. One calls its engine torquey, one says it is less slow than its name, one calls the engine indestructible with cheap parts, and an owner of both says neither is a bad choice. One member disagrees and would buy a 3rd gen instead.⁸

• Avoid: Lift-off oversteer on early cars 1991–1992 Less sought after

  Hagerty's tuner says the snap oversteer reputation was deserved and that the 1993 suspension and wheel changes helped a lot. Gear Patrol also calls the first two MR2s prone to snap oversteer.^2,9

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.