MR2 Spyder introducing my new car

[libertyfrancis1]

Recenly got an 2001 MR2 Spyder
Previously had a 99' civic lx 5 speed which i got as much as 42mpg city

Currently the mr2 spyder is impressive on fuel economy, if you dont know much about them it comes with the 1zz vvti motor simular to the corolla with a bit more hp. What makes this car great for economy is the small size and the ultra low curb weight of around 2100 lbs.

I have not done any special driving habbits or mods yet but am consistantly getting 28mpg while doing very spirited driving (some drifting)
What is supprising is how good it runs having 258k miles!

Loving this car so far!

[botsapper]

Great project. Someone had the same project base car...http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post343609

[jeff88]

Nice! Do you have the black plastic intake manifold?

Watch out for oil burning. I would recommend checking it every fuel up until you know for sure you have it or don't.

[quietmpg]

I have been seeing these go for 2-3K on Craigslist and I am tempted to buy one.

[libertyfrancis1]

sorry been offline for a long time, you would love it.... they do have some concerns the pre-cats need to be eliminated due to the poor construction and the way vvt works on this engine destroys compression and valve seals.

mine happens to be taken care of well enough...
erope got a 6 speed which aids in fuel economy greatly.

[ecomodded]

I must of slept threw the mr2 Spider's release ,as I was unaware of its existence.

I found this old top gear review of the mr2 Spider - seems the interior is lacking "Sparkle" (ahem) and storage space, otherwise its a favorable review.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83RCDFg67zQ

[elhigh]

I was working at a Toyota dealership in Northern VA when the first-gen Mister Two came out, they were THE hot ride to take on errands. Crikey were they ever fun. But I never drove any of the follow-on models, so I don't know how the breed developed after that first iteration.

I do remember that at the time, even though I was about 5'11 and only 145 pounds, I thought that the car was on the verge of being tight even for my unreasonably lean and limber frame, and that normal-sized people would find it downright uncomfortable. How has it been for you?