2nd gen Toyota MR2 1991–1995

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

Bigger, heavier and rounder, with T-tops, a 2.2L four or a 200 hp turbo, and a reputation for snap oversteer that the 1993 changes eased.

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 ¹

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.¹
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.²
Sought after: 1993 and later 1993–1995 One source so far

In Hagerty's guide, tuner Justin Burnash picks the 1994 and 1995 for the best shifting, interior and handling, and Aaron Bunch names the 1993 Turbo, though both say condition counts for more than the year.¹
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.^1,3

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