Looking for mid-engine thrills without breaking the bank? How about this 1989 Toyota MR2 SC?
Currently fitted with a C56 transmission in place of the stock E51 unit, the AW11 is billed as a rust-free example with an engine that was rebuilt by the seller “a few years back.”
The seller does note that the MR2 “runs and drives a …
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I need another mid-engined car like I need a hole in my head.
...
Anyone got a drill I can borrow?
For some reason, I always loved the little rubber accordions on the MR2’s headrests.
Jerry
PowerDork
10/10/23 8:33 a.m.
Here I am with this 944 thinking I should have bought another MR2. Hmm. (Whew, too far.)
Super bonus points for the white over blue, too. My brother’s 200SX wore the same colorway. Très ’80s.
I always thought the SC would be fun, even if it's just making fun noises behind my head.
kb58
UltraDork
10/10/23 10:52 a.m.
Colin Wood said:
I always thought the SC would be fun, even if it's just making fun noises behind my head.
Playing cards in the spokes always worked for me as a kid...
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Maybe a Lawrence Welk fetish ??
te72
HalfDork
10/10/23 10:37 p.m.
I just picked up an original owner 1988 NA AW11 that has been garage kept its whole life and literally driven by a school teacher who was the proverbial "little old lady" haha. Car needs a bit of basic maintenance, but nothing I can't handle. Bone stock, apart from dealer installed cruise control that will probably never get used. The RPF1's came off my NB, I think they found a new home. Still have the original wheels in the basement.
As much as the Initial D lover in me really has an itch to scratch with ITB's, big cams, and all the good noises behind my head... I'm resisting the urge.
The weird part is, I thought there would be a lot of overlap with my NB Miata, but... they are very different cars. Transmission on the Miata can't be beat in this segment, but the MR2 has a way of handling that is just very interesting. Something tells me that some HKS coilovers (if they exist for this model) would make this car sublime. =)
It's a keeper.
Quick edit: Just noticed the license plate on the ebay car at the subject of the post. Older plate design, I think they switched to their newer style sometime around 2000 or so. I always liked the old red ones though, kinda California "black plate" simple. Anyway, the plate starts with "AGZ" which I thought was amusing, considering the 4A-GZE engine powering it. =P
S/C whine behind your head is a fantastic noise in these. I'd guess $9500 is pretty good for factory supercharged ones in 2023. I haven't seen a factory s/c car in a decade in person.
If anyone buys this I have a grunt box that is needed on the USDM versions of this car as they run lean below 3500 rpm.
I'd almost forgotten how funky the interiors are. Fun thing to drive though