INEXPENSIVE EXOTIC CAR THRILLS
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Published on Thu, Feb 12, 2004
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
Toyota MR2 Spyder
INEXPENSIVE
EXOTIC CAR THRILLS
This was the first time that I
have tested the Toyota MR2 sports car and I can't say enough about how much I
enjoyed the ride.
© All photos by Harvey Schwartz
I haven't really
paid that much attention to the smaller sports cars, only testing the newest
Mazda Miata because I see so many on the road.
I am 6ft.3in. and I like to feel comfortable behind the wheel.
After my test of the Miata, which is very tight for anyone over 6ft., I
stop testing compact 2-door cars. This
year I decided to change and go for a test in a new Toyota MR2 sports car
because I am now starting to see more of them on the roads of The MR2 is the only affordable
2-seat sports car that offers a real 6-speed sequential manual transmission (SMT).
Add to that a peppy, mid-engine mounted,1.8liter, 4-cyclinder engine that
makes 138hp, a 4-wheel MacPherson independent suspension, power-assisted rack
& pinion steering, 4-wheel vented disc brakes riding on 185/55R15in.
front/215/45R16in. rear tires, while sitting in a very well appointed and
comfortable interior. What you have
is a real honest-to-goodness sports car that weighs in at only 2,215lbs.
I said it was affordable with prices starting at just $24,645.00.
My fully loaded road test model stickered at $26,645.00. The MR2 Spyder is a pure sports
car based on a concept of low weight and a racecar-inspired mid-engine
configuration. It is also a
well-equipped roadster with true everyday usability and comfort.
It is a budget exotic! The model name is derived from
Mid-engine, Rear-wheel drive and 2-seats. The
MR2 is appealing to driving enthusiasts of all ages because it fulfills the
definition of a no-compromise sports car. The
MR2 Spyder delivers the performance and handling excitement of more expensive
sports cars yet with proven
© Harvey Schwartz
The look of the MR2 Spyder up
front is bold with big dual-bulb projector-style headlights behind clear lens
and integrated standard foglights at the sides of the wide-mouth front intake on
the lower bumper. The hood has a
good looking V-scalloped in the center from the low front end up to the raked
windshield. From the side is a
flat-running beltline with a nicely scalloped character line running from behind
the air-intake to the flared front fenders.
The side air intakes are color-keyed instead of black
The rear features a combination of lamps and with cylindrical turn
signals and reverse lights that mimic the dual-bulb look of the headlights.
The rear grille garnish combines body-color ribs and mesh, to emphasize
the midship engine design. The 2in.
oval chrome tailpipe accents the car's performance capability, and a
retractable power antenna contributes to the car's clean line.
© Harvey Schwartz
Inside, the instrument
cluster's white on black graphics use fine gradation in the gauges for a
sophisticated appearance. The triple
pod cluster consists of a centered 8,000rpm tachometer, 150mph speedo to the
left, and fuel/engine coolant temperature gauges to the right.
Bright LED readouts warn of system or safety failure.
The big Heater/AC control dials also feature similar fine gradations, as
well as chrome rings. Chrome also
accents the air vents. The newly
available 6-speed sequential transmission is also chromed with an easy to grip
ball-topped stick shifter. The big
door pulls are made of aluminum tubing while the handles and stereo speaker
bezels are chrome. All the buttons,
dials and levers are within easy reach. The
standard aluminum-faced pedals further adds to the neat, race inspired interior.
© Harvey Schwartz
The optional Toyota SMT is a
true clutchless manual transmission similar in concept and operation to those
offered in Ferrari, Maserati and some BMW models.
It is not an auto-matic transmission that merely offers a manual control
mode, as seen in performance cars like the Porsche Boxster.
With the Toyota SMT, you shift gears by moving the floor shift to the
"+"(upshift) or "-"(downshift) positions.
Computer-controlled actuators perform the clutch disengagement/engagement
and gearshifts as quickly as a highly experienced racecar driver.
I took my foot off the throttle for just a second after up-shifting and
got fantastic response. It reminded
me more like real shifting but with no clutch pedal push. The electronic throttle control
even reduces torque during upshifts and 'blips' the throttle to match engine
speed during downshifts. You can
also shift gears via steering wheel-mounted buttons-downshift front and upshift
in the rear. When you slow down the
SMT automatically takes the gears down to second when under 10mph, and first
when you are stopped. The SMT
provides you with great interaction and performance just like a manual
transmission, while the absence of a clutch pedal makes the car more convenient
and comfortable to drive in traffic. The MR2 Spyder is powered by a
1.8 liter twin-cam, 16-valve, four-cylinder engine that produces 138hp at
6,400rpm and 125lb.ft. of torque at 4,400rpm.
Toyota Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-I) continuously
varies intake valve operation to optimize torque at all speeds.
As a result the MR2 provides very responsive everyday performance without
requiring high rpm to enjoy sporty and exciting driving.
An aluminum engine block with an aluminum-alloy cylinder head helps keep
powertrain weight low. The MR2
Spyder gets an estimated EPA fuel mileage of 26mpg/city and 32mpg highway with
the standard 5-speed and 25mpg/city and 33mpg/highway with the 6-speed SMT.
That's excellent for so much fun getting to where you want to go.
© Harvey Schwartz
The mid-engine layout gives the
MR2 Spyder quick, precise steering response because it concentrates the car's
largest mass-the powertrain-as close to the car's center as possible.
The configuration gives the MR2 Spyder what engineers refer to as a
'low polar moment of inertia'. That
means the MR2 Spyder is less resistant to changes in direction and therefore
very responsive to steering input. Just
a flick of your wrist will turn the car left or right.
Just like when you are piloting a real racecar. The exceptionally stiff
unitized body structure, including a rear strut tower brace, and a MacPherson
strut based four-wheel independent suspension with front/rear stabilizer bars,
give the MR2 Spyder both high-performance cornering ability and a very compliant
ride over rough pavement. The rack
& pinion steering system uses an electric-powered hydraulic pump, which
saves weight and reduces parasitic drag on the engine.
This system provides excellent responsiveness and feedback with just 2.7
turns lock-to-lock. The
'staggered' wheel and tire setup further enhances balance and response.
The 15X6in. front alloy wheels have 185/55R15in. tires, with 16X7in.
alloy wheels and 215/4516in. tires in the rear.
Big, power-assisted four-wheel vented disc brakes help to ensure
confident braking and fade resistance. Low vehicle weight does not
necessarily mean sacrificing comfort in the MR2 Spyder. The combination of bolstered,
high-backed sport bucket seats and a generous 42.2in. of legroom ensure comfort
for spirited, fun jaunts and longer trips. The
leather wrapped steering wheel and leather shift knob on the 5-speed manual
shifter are traditional sports car touches and impart a quality feel to the
interior. The manually operated
convertible soft-top quickly folds completely out of sight yet has a glass rear
window with defroster. A standard
wind deflector is deployed behind the seats helping to reduce air buffeting in
the cockpit. There are storage
compartments under the front hood and behind the seatbacks giving adequate
storage space. The extensive
standard equipment includes a powerful 3-in-1 AM-MF/cassette/CD audio system
with 4-speakers, A/C, power windows/door locks, electronic cruise-control, dual
exterior mirrors, tilt wheel, keyless entry and security system with
immobilizer. Safety is important at My loaded MR2 Spyder came with
a limited-slip differential, power side mirrors, side airbags, electrochromic
rearview mirror, tan leather trimmed seats/door trim, and a tan color top. I was very impressed with the
MR2 Spyder and it is one of the best performing and affordable compact 2-seat
sport roadster's on the road today. You
don't have to 'break-the-bank' to own and drive a near exotic sports car. © 2004
Harvey Schwartz For more on Toyota products, go to www.toyota.com.
To see more of Harvey's photos, go to www.autofotos.com.
© Harvey Schwartz
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