Car: Why the GT86 is the spiritual successor to Toyota MR2

[Mr. Mcoupe]

selling?

[FRSCoupe]

I thought this car is the successor of AE86
wait.. true AE86 enthusiasts are still driving the AE86

[arbnpx]

I caught onto the MR2 similarity on the first autocross:

[K2]

I had two MR2s ('87 & '93). Do I get my name on the list twice?

[NESW20]

another MR2 owner here...

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

1994 Turbo T-top Super Red II

This one seriously looks like a Ferrari F355. Especially with that tan leather. Super hot.

[Turbowned]

Yeah, I wish I never sold it. They only imported 908 MR2's to the U.S. in 1994, and I'm guessing significantly less than half were Turbo. At the time though, going from a 2350lb car to a 2900lb car just didn't feel right. Even though it was faster than the MKI I still preferred the handling of the smaller, lighter car. I think that's why the author of this article doesn't consider the MKII to be a true spiritual successor to the MKI, although on paper the stats are very similar. The MKII weighs about 100lbs more than the FR-S but makes 200lb/ft rather than 151lb/ft. MR2 Turbo's 0-60 was slightly lower.

[driftartist]

I regret every day selling my 93

[Abflug]

YAY! MR2die4 or what was it again...

[noAE86]

Originally Posted by FRSCoupe

I thought this car is the successor of AE86
wait.. true AE86 enthusiasts are still driving the AE86

haha i was thinking this the whole time reading this thread,


its close to the mr2 apart from one major problem its FR not FF
unless toyota engineering made the chassis behave like a FF then i must of driven it wrong on my last test drive,
owned plenty of mr2's but i cant say the gt86/brz/ft86 is any closer to a mr2 then say the s2k,

there is even slight hints in interior to the AE86 that straight away i noticed when i sat in it,
the clock is straight out of 1980's AE86
the knee rest/lower center console surrounding is AE86,
stripped-out back seat area looks very ae86 (notch back)
im sure there where more small hints but i was too busy flicking her around,

[midenginebias]

Previous MR2 owner here. I'm not surprised the Fr-S is considered a spiritual successor to the MR2.

[silversprint]

I don't think the FR-S is a successor to the MR2. I think the FR-S is more like the GTS corolla and what the last generation celica should have been.

I have owned every generation of the MR2. The MR-2 is all aout not having compromises like 4 seats and trunk. There is something rare and exotic about the Mid-engine layout that makes the MR2 unique and different.

[atledreier]

Well, you can add me to the list.

I agree the last true enthusiast car from Toyota was the mr-2, and as such this is the new enthusiast car from Toyota. Not a successor, a new chapter.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by midenginebias

Previous MR2 owner here. I'm not surprised the Fr-S is considered a spiritual successor to the MR2.

Originally Posted by silversprint

I don't think the FR-S is a successor to the MR2. I think the FR-S is more like the GTS corolla and what the last generation celica should have been.

I have owned every generation of the MR2. The MR-2 is all aout not having compromises like 4 seats and trunk. There is something rare and exotic about the Mid-engine layout that makes the MR2 unique and different.

Originally Posted by atledreier

...I agree the last true enthusiast car from Toyota was the mr-2, and as such this is the new enthusiast car from Toyota. Not a successor, a new chapter.

Like midenginebias, I think it's a spiritual, not technical. successor to the MR2. Obviously from a pure technical standpoint it is not an actual successor.

I will say though, the driving experience, for me, is very similar because of the great engineering in the 86.

If Toyota does come out with a true, mid-engine, coupe (not convertible) sports car I will be one of the first in line for it. I might, and I emphasize might, even sell the FR-S to get it if I had to, and it lives up to its legacy.

Fortunately, that is probably 3 or more years down the road, if at all, and if so, I'll be adding it to the garage, not replacing something already there.

[sevenmgte]

Add another one to the list, although my 89SC is currently for sale to fund a down payment for a BRZ.

I think the author got this spot on. The first time I test drove the FRS I felt completely at home. I'd say it is the closest thing to to the mr2 i have ever driven.

[Turbowned]

Originally Posted by noAE86

its close to the mr2 apart from one major problem its FR not FF
unless toyota engineering made the chassis behave like a FF then i must of driven it wrong on my last test drive,
owned plenty of mr2's but i cant say the gt86/brz/ft86 is any closer to a mr2 then say the s2k,

Ummm, you know that the MR2, AE86, and FR-S/BRZ are all rear wheel drive, right? What is this FF nonsense you speak of?

[GuySmily]

I'm sure that was supposed to say MR =p

After driving the FRS again (benefit to being the DD for the night) I have to say it really does feel like it wraps around you just like the mk1.

(List updated)

[sw20kosh]

You can add me to the list!

91 MR2 turbo hardtop (lighter) which got a built engine and put down 340 whp on CA gas. =)

Boy was that little machine FUN. I will never forget my HPDE instructor taking me out onto the track for the first time in it. He got to turn 1 and spun the car 180 degrees. Huge boost + tail happy rear-heavy car = crazyness if you don't baby sit the powerband with your foot.

[noAE86]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

Ummm, you know that the MR2, AE86, and FR-S/BRZ are all rear wheel drive, right? What is this FF nonsense you speak of?

lol my bad corrected (MR)
i was in the middle of a email about the Ferrari FF and had FF on my mind all day,
bloody ugly Ferrari,

[mo8ius]

Former 93 MR2 Turbo owner here. I do consider this my MR2 replacement car, since I got several "family" cars after I lost the deuce. The MR2 was so fun!

[ryude]

Here are a couple pics of the MR2 I used to have, behind it is the turbo civic si I had as well.

[Surok]

SW20 owner here :p