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

[uspspro]

I've owned nothing but MR2s (until adding my Cressida wagon a couple year ago) before getting the BRZ. I have been driving MR2s for around 13 years.

I'm actually selling my 2GRFE (3.5L v6) swapped MR2 Spyder tomorrow.

I will miss her lots, but the BRZ is a nice successor.

I've also owned the following mk1 MR2s: 85NA (my first car), 88SC, 88SC (#2), 89SC->T

My dad has a 1995 MR2 turbo... however I am a mk1, mk3 guy.

Now that I have the BRZ, I can pick up an ultra-clean mk1 (one day, down the road) as a toy.

[xantonin]

It's more of a successor to the Celica, not the MR2.

How do they see it as a successor from a 2 seater mid-engine vehicle over a lightweight 4 seater RWD front engine vehicle?

Sure the newer Celica's were FWD, but they said spiritual.

[GuySmily]

I think I added that "dozen more" to the list, lol

[ST185RC]

I honestly think that the 86 stands in it's own right and is the spiritual successor of toyota and subaru itself. Putting elements of the celica, boxer, imprezza, supra, mr2, and corolla into one car. I don't think it's any one particular successor at all.

There is no specific spiritual successor to the MR2 until another midship car pops out of the oven from Toyota or combination of Toyota's partners and/or subsidiaries.

[GuySmily]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

I just can't get into the styling of the last gen MR. The first was sharp and nice and the second gen was the most exotic looking(Ferrari)one of the bunch and the third looked like a uglier boxster and the boxster was already ugly to begin with IMO.

Third gen needs at least a hardtop, and a lip kit helps a lot too. I used to think the zzw30 was an ugly porsche copy until I saw one fixed up. I never even wanted a convertible, so I told myself I'd 100% definitely be getting a hardtop. My soft top is removed now, and I'm looking into permanently bolting down the hardtop (insurance discount!).

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by xantonin

It's more of a successor to the Celica, not the MR2.

How do they see it as a successor from a 2 seater mid-engine vehicle over a lightweight 4 seater RWD front engine vehicle?

Sure the newer Celica's were FWD, but they said spiritual.

I guess they meant in "feel"? But I agree with you and wish the car was called Celica regardless off the FWD models.

[Frost]

Haven't driven the FR-S / BRZ yet myself but I've definitely sat in the FR-S and it does remind me a little bit of the MKI MR2 though the user interface is definitely a lot curvier than the MKI. Heck, that was a box with boxes around it.

I had an 87 MR2 for about 2 years before having to sell it and "grow up". Couldn't bear to drive it in the snow having practically redone the body and got rid of all the rust so I wound up borrowing my parent's car in the winter. Not quite fair to them so I wound up selling the MR2 and got an IS300.

The IS was a good car but I was smitten by the MR2's fun factor so I sold the IS and got myself a shitbox (Echo Hatchback) so I wouldn't even think of RWD delight.

Now I'm just saving up money for the BRZ / FR-S next year.

Ah, I miss the MR2.

[ryude]

The "real" reason why I loved the MR2 was because of it's lack of interruption between you and the car. There was no drive-by-wire to mess with your throttle response, there was no electric steering to mess with your steering feel, there were no luxuries to up the cost and the weight, it was just a car with one purpose: To make you smile.

I think the GT86 got it 80% right, but in this day you really can't get around adding luxuries and safety. The DBW and electric steering is part of borrowing parts to keep costs low so and to meet regulations. Still, imo the best cars were made before 2000.

Edit: Also if you've never driven a mid-engine car you don't know what you're missing. The raw sound of the engine roaring as you press down the accelerator is just bliss. It was literally 6" from your head and seperated by about 1" of sound dampening.

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by n7011n

My newly acquired '85 MR2 reminded me of the pure driving enjoyment I missed since selling my original, family owned since new, '85 MR2 7 years ago. The BRZ is my new daily driver and the pure stock, rust free MR2 will only see dry roads for the rest of my life. I've already started educating my 11 year old son on the proper operation of a manual transmission.

That is a clean looking MR2 bro!

PIMP!

[tripjammer]

OMG! Toyota bring back the MR2!!!!! Not the MR-S but the MR2!!!!!

Just think a mid engine flat 4 MR2! Turbo 270HP and non turbo 200 HP versions....

Oh and a targa roof....

[Touge Monster]

Originally Posted by GuySmily

All you have to do is look at how many MR2 owners are on this board.

edit: Let's see... Just a few names I recognize/noticed
CozmoNz
Dadhawk
deucethemoose
GuySmily (me)
Itsjustjoe
K2
Kurenai
Laika
LordTakuban
Mr. Mcoupe
n7011n
PMok
RaceR
Rampage
switchlanez
Turbowned
uspspro
ydooby

Must be at least a dozen more. (edit: added names)

Yeah you forgot me lol. But yes i agree completely with you a truc successor to the mk1 mr2 & the ae86 it just has that same playful tossable feeling not to metion great turn in

[Fox]

checked in

6 years of ownership -> it wont stop!

[Mr. Mcoupe]

Now I want to find and buy another MR2.

[ST185RC]

I owned a car with an upgraded heart of the MR2, does that count?