Is imitation the sincerest form of flattery? Toyota could have been accused of that when it introduced the MR2 in 1984 as a response to the Pontiac Fiero 2M4. While the Fiero was eventually discontinued, Toyota evolved the MR2 into a baby thoroughbred sports car of sorts. In its third incarnation, the MR2 returned to its roots. Our Pick of the Day is a third-generation example of this lightweight mid-engined car. This 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Though it may appear that Toyota was inspired by the Fiero, this was not quite the case as the MR2 hit the streets about 10 months after the Fiero. Much to the chagrin of Poncho fans, the original 1985 MR2 (code-named W10) was a better Fiero than what Pontiac developed. Of course, Pontiac sorted it out and then killed it—typical for the corporation at the time (and arguably true even today). The W10 was produced through 1989, a year after the Pontiac was unceremoniously killed.
After the Fiero was put to rest, Toyota introduced a second-generation MR2 for 1990. Appearing as a more evolved mid-engine sports car, the new “W20” MR2 featured slick styling for the time, almost like a smaller, mid-engine Ford Probe (feel free to rage in the Comments section below). Horsepower was 130 with the 2.0-liter inline-four, with a hot turbo version adding 70 more horsepower. The W20 was produced through 1999.
For the 2000 model year, Toyota brought the MR2 back to its tidy two-seater roots, though as a convertible. Called “Spyder,” the “W30” MR2 eschewed hidden headlamps for a more Austin-Healey Sprite-esque look. Throughout its six-year lifecycle (for North America; two more years elsewhere), the MR2 Spyder was powered by a 138-horsepower DOHC 1.8-liter inline-four, which could be paired with a five-speed manual or automated manual. Later, a six-speed automated manual became available, as did a six-speed manual for the European market. Unfortunately, after it built 27,941 MR2 Spyders for the North American market, Toyota decided to throw in the towel two years later.
This Solar Yellow 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder has an impressively low 12,300 miles. It also features the five-speed manual transmission, so you can cry a sigh of relief. “The car feels tight, responsive, and nearly as fresh as the day it left the factory,” says the seller. “The sleek black top is in excellent condition … and it still includes the highly sought-after carbon-fiber dash.”
The original window sticker, manuals, and accompanying books go with the sale. Considering you won’t find many affordable mid-engine cars today (the C8 Corvette is the cheapest and the only attainable example), why not go for this reasonably priced ($21,500) “Mister Two”?
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com