Films: The MR2 Connection
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Made To Drive | S03 E06

The MR2 Connection

For many, the "golden age" of motoring began in the late '60s and concluded in the very early '70s. It is easy to get caught up in the cars of that time period and overlook significant cars that came both earlier and later than this sweet spot of time that produced cars we all love. From time to time, we step outside of this realm to the explore the cars which stretch into as far as the early '90s—cars that will be talked about for years to come, like the Nissan Skyline and the BMW E30 M3. The MR2 is one of these cars.Starting in 1984, Toyota, created a recipe for success by building a two-seater, mid-engine, rear-wheel drive car that offered performance well beyond its affordable price tag. With the first generation and its hard angular lines, Toyota continued the success into the second generation starting in 1989. The second-generation MR2 morphed into a more rounded and sculpted body and drew many comparisons in publications of the time as the "poor-man's Ferrari".Many MR2 owners have a strong connection to their cars; for them, the MR2 isn't just a car to enjoy, it is a way of life. For the Texas MR2 Owners Club and especially for club member Masruque Murtoza Ali these words ring true. In this very active car community devoted to the MR2, it isn't unusual to see owners go out of their way to help each other in the repair of their cars or to promote their love for the MR2.Drive Tastefully®
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Felix Trzetrzelewska
Felix Trzetrzelewska
8 years ago

Always loved the 2nd gen Turbo MR2. Such a pretty car. Back when Toyota cared. Really a great car from, as other have said, a golden age of Japanese perfection: CRX. s2000. NSX. Supra. MR2. 2nd gen 300zx. Even a nice 2nd gen Eclipse Turbo Spyder (or the ultra-rare Starion!). Back when German was unobtainable and USA was unreliable. Wish we could see their kin again: reliable. Easily modified as much as your wallet can stand. Strong aftermarket. Row your own gears.

Clayton Haynes
Clayton Haynes
9 years ago

I owned a couple of SW20s. The first was my daily driver for five years, which I also used to compete in Australia’s biggest tarmac rally event, the Targa Tasmania. The second one was imported from Japan and converted to Australian specifications. I did two years of circuit racing in a national production car championship with that one. I’ve moved on since then. My next car road was a Porsche 968 Clubsport. If the 968 eats the MR2 in terms of performance, the MR2 wins the looks battle hands down. I look back very fondly on my MR2 years. I still stop and stare at any SW20s I see, and I have a feeling that I will own an SW20 again.

D.j. Hite
D.j. Hite
9 years ago

I’m late to the party on this one, but what an awesome video. I like mr2’s but they have never been that cool in my eyes. Watching this video truly conveys what it means to love cars and now I want an mr2! Damn you petrolicious!

Sherri Lorenz
Sherri Lorenz
10 years ago

I have a 1991 MR2 turbo and I love it. I bought it back in 1991 brand new and it has less than 100,00 miles on it. This is a great video and states exactly the way I feel about the MR2. Lots of people don’t even know what these cars are.

JanMichael Franklin
JanMichael Franklin
10 years ago

I owned a 1995 MR-2 Turbo a few years ago, the rarest of this type. He’s right, I wish I had never let it go.

Todd Cox
Todd Cox
10 years ago

I love this video. This is the kind of car owner that I’d love to have a brew with and discuss the merits of our cars. And maybe I can! I see TX plates in those photos; maybe a photoshoot is in order. Masruque, get in touch!

Masruque Murtoza Ali
Masruque Murtoza Ali
10 years ago
Reply to  Todd Cox

Hey Todd, Thanks a lot for the wonderful feedback ! Where in TX are you located ?

joseph n
joseph n
10 years ago

So many wonderful late model Japanese automobiles – MR2’s, S2000’s, supra’s etc… All destened to become classics! Thanks for stepping out of the box, Petrolicious.

motoring con brio
motoring con brio
10 years ago

Mister Two! One of the last cool cars that Toyota built. I remember loving these when they were new.

joe turner
joe turner
10 years ago

I bought an mr2 mk2 just because i was looking for a car for 500 pounds, it was that or a astra 1.4 🙁 the mr2 was cheaper on insurance so i opted for the mr2. That was 3 and half years ago and i still have it, never let me down. I since bought a gt4 celica, but still cant bring myself to sell the mr2 and watching this makes me miss driving it think i migh have to get her going again 🙂

Matthew Lange
10 years ago

As always a great video, and I must admit I did go and surf the classifieds for MR2’s after watching it, despite previously not being much of a fan of the Gen2 cars. All versions of the MR2 are ridiculously cheap here in the UK now.

Is that Josh’s MK 1 seen briefly in the video?

Josh Clason
Josh Clason
10 years ago
Reply to  Matthew Lange

Good eye. As much as I love the SW20, the AW11 is what captured my heart during the filming of this video.

Ae Neuman
Ae Neuman
10 years ago

the original aw10 was a little gem.
the early second generation aw20 was an evil handling car, later cars were much better.
toyota redeemed itself with the aw30, an under appreciated future classic.

Ryan Storzbach
Ryan Storzbach
10 years ago

Having had two first generation MR2s, I really appreciate this video. They are amazing vehicles, I hope one day Toyota brings back a proper MR2

JB21
JB21
10 years ago

An interesting choice!
Love those things a lot. Owned a couple of them myself, the original supercharged lunchbox was a fun and engaging car with really awesome DOHC engine (yes, twin cam really meant something once back in the days), funny handling (I still can’ think of a car that understeers so much while drifting) and rather amusing interior (really nasty steering wheel standard). Kind of slow though, CRX beat it on the track pretty much every time. The 2nd gen car was much faster and much more sophisticated though, and maybe lot a bit of lunacy… Doesn’t matter though, MR2 (along with the endearing French joke, Merde!) just is one of those cars that has certain odd charisma.

Dustin Rittle
Dustin Rittle
10 years ago

While i have never been a huge fan of the japanese car brands i have always had a soft spot for the MR2..good looks,midengine, decent performance and a price many can afford. NOW thats something we all can get behind

Future Doc
Future Doc
10 years ago

As a MR2 owner, thank you! And yes, an MR2 is a car you keep.

And Petrolicious, you are awesome. I posted a comment a few week ago about getting some 80s/90s representations and you deliver, with MR2s no less. Great video, great representation of the MR2 emotions.

Masruque Murtoza Ali
Masruque Murtoza Ali
10 years ago

I cant thank you enough for posting this video ! As Jim Valcarcel said – Petrolicious makes me smile every time I watch and re-watch their videos. This video just happens to make me smile just a little more !

Jim Valcarcel
Jim Valcarcel
10 years ago

Dear Masruque,

Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful car with us all to enjoy. To see the joy that the MR2 brings to you and your friends inspires all of us to value and enjoy our own cars that much more. Good on you and tell your friends thanks from all of us out here in the car world.

Jim Valcarcel
Jim Valcarcel
10 years ago

This is Petrolicious at it’s classic best. Taking a certain car. Then taking it’s owner. Putting the two together and making you glad that you are a car person. After watching this video you are happy to go out to your garage and look at whatever car you have and just smile. And that is what Petrolicious does, it makes you smile, every Tuesday.

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