1989 Toyota MR2 – Today’s Tempter

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 18.09.2019

A standout model from a standout period in Toyota’s history

Toyota these days bears a bit of a reputation for white-goods on wheels. Walk through a  showroom today, and we think you’ll agree – it’s not the most riveting experience.

But the 80s were a different story!

Toyota at the time wasn’t scared to try new things, and had a healthy sports car portfolio channelling their famous "three-pronged" approach to its zenith in 1985.

Walking into a Toyota dealership back then; you would have had your choice of a Celica (front engine, front drive), a Supra (front engine, rear drive) – and new for ’85 was the wedge shaped, mid-ship rear-drive oddity that was the Toyota MR2.

A small two-seat sports car with a mid-mounted 1.6lt twin-cam 16v four-cylinder: the MR2 was an archetype for Toyota’s reputation as an innovative, advanced, high-tech and exciting car maker.

With rack and pinion steering and coil struts at the front and rear; the MR2 was a capable and simple bit of kit, dressed in the best bits of 80s styling. Today, they’ve only grown in nostalgic appeal, with sharp price rises observed over the past years – along with many Japanese sports cars of this era.

This final-year 1989 Toyota MR2 on sale here looks like a great candidate for anyone after one of these wedged-wonders, or anyone looking for an oddball Japanese classic.

With aftermarket wheels, and stereo head unit being the only identifiable modifications, the car presents in fantastic original specification throughout. The red paint is described as excellent and the interior is reported to be original and appears to be very well-kept.

The car includes original owner’s manual and warranty/service books, and has 243,100kms indicated on the odometer.

Based in Melbourne, the MR2 is listed for $15,490.

Check out the full listing here!

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