The MR2 Spyder is
Toyota's attempt to return to the lightweight, reasonably priced roots of the original sports car market. The MR2 Spyder represents a fun, comfortable roadster for a decent price.
The beauty of Toyota's strategy with the MR2 Spyder is apparent in its model lineup: one car, no options, for $23,098. Toyota calls this "mono-spec," which is perhaps a suspect word. Regardless, this single-model strategy makes the MR2 less costly to build and distribute. Customers need only choose colors. Dealers provide wheel locks and an unnecessary cover that can be used when the convertible top is folded.
MR2 styling is a current interpretation of the classic mid-engined proportions with a very short hood and a stretched tail. The MR2 rides on a wheelbase that is 7 inches longer than the
Mazda Miata wheelbase. It is even an inch or so longer than the
Porsche Boxster and
Honda S2000 wheelbase. Despite the obviously different nose, the MR2 Spyder looks a little like a Boxster, especially in black, because the dark color camouflages the surface differences.
The manual convertible top works easily, and can be lowered from the driver's seat. A nice detail is that the roof collapses into the boot as a parallelogram, instead of the usual flip-over and collapse setup. That means that, like the Boxster, the roof settles into place exposing only the top section, which rests flush with the body so no boot is needed to cover it. Unlike the Boxster and the S2000, the MR2 features a glass rear window with an embedded defroster, so the car should be easier to live with in the winter.
An unusual aspect of the MR2 Spyder is Toyota's use of a space frame with bolt-on fenders. The design is similar to that of the Pontiac Fiero; it lets customers easily replace damaged components. It also lends itself to customization by the companies providing parts for the import drag racing scene.
