You need this: Get your mid-engine thrills in this Toyota MR2 SC

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 bit rough,” and shows a check engine light for the O2 sensor.

Comments

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/9/23 2:46 p.m.

Super 2!

preach GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
10/9/23 2:50 p.m.

I need another mid-engined car like I need a hole in my head.

...

Anyone got a drill I can borrow?

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/9/23 3:18 p.m.

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.)

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/10/23 9:18 a.m.

Super bonus points for the white over blue, too. My brother’s 200SX wore the same colorway. Très ’80s.

Colin Wood Associate Editor
10/10/23 9:36 a.m.

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...

300zxfreak Reader
10/10/23 1:45 p.m.

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

crankwalk (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
10/11/23 9:48 p.m.

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.