![]() Top-up design is par for the mini-roadster class, with large blind spots, but including a heated rear glass window as standard equipment. ![]() ![]() But we also prefer the slightly taut ride to its softer roadster rivals. When we took to regular roads, we discovered a fair bit of body flex. The ABS-equipped discs bit hard, while the chassis remained straight as an arrow. That goes for braking too, where the lightweight MR2 is clearly superior to the Miata, stopping from 60 in an amazingly short average of 94-feet. But the quick, crisp electric-hydraulic power steering allows you to easily bring it back into line, so the fun quotient is high. The powertrain’s rearward weight bias does allow the car to unhook when pushed hard. Though the MR2 Spyder is not quite the Mazda’s equal when it comes to balanced handling. Still, it’s a lot more exciting off the line than its main soft-top rival, the Mazda Miata. But we felt a rather tall 4th gear slowed our 1/4 mile runs. #Toyota mr2 spyder manualWith a true sports car manual shifter in hand, we launched the MR2 to 60 in a spirited 7.1 seconds, and through the 1/4 mile in 15.3-seconds at a respectable 90 miles-per-hour. Which is then fed through a firm-but-accurate 5-speed manual shifter. In the MR2, it sits above the rear axle and makes a slightly reduced 138 horsepower and the same 125 pound-feet of torque. This tiny, 2,200-pound package is propelled by the same 1.8-liter, twin cam, 16-valve 4- cylinder engine with variable valve timing, found in the Celica GT. The MR2’s look is almost unbearably cute, but auto trivia buffs will note that it bears a strong resemblance to the English-built Midas Gold Cabriolet of the 1980s, not to mention a variety of auto show concept cars since, and sits on a comparably short wheelbase of 96.5-inches. But opts to go the ragtop route this time around. Designed from the ground up to appeal to younger buyers, the 2001 MR2 maintains the 2-seat, mid-engine, rear-drive layout of its predecessors. Because this 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder was conceived purely with youthful fun in mind. ![]() It certainly could be, if you’re the sort of person that wants driving to be pure fun. Now, Toyota’s two-seater has been completely rethought, and it looks like the new Spyder’s timing is perfect. The latest offering from this convertible cornucopia being the 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder. It’s the roadster, and buyers wanting to join the coup d’tat will find a surprising number of attractive choices. But with summer driving just around the corner, you may start to notice the emergence of a new, smaller road ruler. Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past couple of years, it’s no news that SUVs are practically ruling the roads. ![]()
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