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2004 Toyota MR2, a Simple, Mid-Engine Roadster, Is Our Auction Pick
• Not the usual choice for an affordable sports car, the Toyota MR2 Spyder answers the question, “What if Toyota built a Boxster?” • This example has low miles and an attractive appearance package. • The auction runs through April 17. Car and Driver These days, affordable sportscars are thin on the ground, but in the mid-2000s, life was good. Then, if shopping for a wallet-friendly roadster, you could stroll right past the Mazda dealer and over to Toyota, where Miata Isn’t Always The Answer. Up for auction this week at Bring A Trailer—which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos—is this low-mileage Toyota MR2 Spyder, a dependable…
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10 Worst Mid-Engine Design Sports Cars Ever
The mid-engine car emerged in the 1960s when Lamborghini unveiled the Miura – which then obliterated every car rivaling it. The Miura showed that, by putting the engine in the middle, the vehicle’s weight distribution is more balanced and the handling got better because of it. As a result, most high-end sports cars and supercars employ the mid-engine layout to remain relevant and offer the best chance of success when racing around a track. While there are some pretty amazing mid-engine supercars in history, there are also some that really didn’t work out at all, with automakers simply using the layout to make the car more attractive or appealing. These…
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The Next-Gen Toyota MR2 Will Inspire The Cheapest Mid-Engine Sports Car
The Toyota MR2 was a mid-engined sports car that was a lot of fun for a low price tag. It hasn’t been produced since 2007, and the MR2 name has sat dormant for more than 15 years, waiting for its chance to rise again. With the Supra being revived a few years ago, rumors are beginning to swirl around Toyota that the MR2 will soon rise from the grave as well. According to the Japanese auto publication Best Car, a turbo three-cylinder is being developed with the help of Suzuki to bring the MR2 back to life. And supposedly, the new MR2-inspired hoot will be the cheapest mid-engined sports car…
