zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
At $5,800, Does This 1985 Toyota MR2 Deserve a Formal Offer?
At $5,800, Does This 1985 Toyota MR2 Deserve a Formal Offer?-August 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:16

Nice Price or Mo Dice 1985 Toyota MR2

Today’s Toyota MR2 is a bit rough around the edges but seems reasonably solid in the center. Let’s see if it’s priced to make a solid sale.

If Siegfried & Roy’s flamboyant nightclub act taught us anything it’s that people who keep tigers as pets are vastly more likely to be maimed or killed in a tiger-related incident than the average individual. Many auto enthusiasts consider owning BMWs of a certain age to be akin to keeping a tiger as a pet in it too will eventually bite you in the ass, right where you saddle your wallet.

Yesterday’s didn’t seem to have any issues, either aesthetic or mechanical, but that’s just how such cars like to trick us. A six-speed stick made it a standout, and it came with relatively low miles. That wasn’t enough, however, to account for spending the $11,900 asked to take it on, as evidenced by the 58 percent No Dice loss it endured.

Image for article titled At $5,800, Does This 1985 Toyota MR2 Deserve a Formal Offer?

Toyota, in direct contrast to BMW, has a reputation for reliability no matter what the age. That’s what makes the current Supra, which is a collaborative effort between the brands such an interesting car. What path will it take in the future?

The Supra is just one of two sports cars that Toyota offers and both of those are collaborative efforts with other automakers. That Wonder-Twinning really shouldn’t be necessary since Toyota has proven on more than one occasion to be fully capable of designing, engineering, and selling some pretty fine home brew sports cars.

Image for article titled At $5,800, Does This 1985 Toyota MR2 Deserve a Formal Offer?

Today’s is just such an example of that. Considering it came from a company that was better known at the time for sensible, frugal cars, it’s all the more notable a vehicle.

Image for article titled At $5,800, Does This 1985 Toyota MR2 Deserve a Formal Offer?

This one looks to have had its share of adventures, having racked up an impressive 190,000 miles and a few road scars here and there. According to the seller, though, the car made most of those miles while residing in Arkansas so rust isn’t an issue.

The paint seems decent if dull. Accentuating the white bodywork is a collection of black decals across the nose and flanks. Those, as well as the pinstripe, are fading and broken in places. Other than that, it all looks like it’s in usable shape. While a set of aftermarket alloys from DOTZ Wheels are shown on the car, the sale will also include the original factory wheels mounted with Hankook tires. The roof spoiler also hitches a ride.

Per the ad, the interior has been cleaned up and detailed. Unsurprisingly, as a result, it looks to be in much better condition than the exterior. The upholstery is all intact and both carpet and door cards look clean and un-marred. An Ae86 steering wheel and TRD shift knob spruce things up a bit.

Image for article titled At $5,800, Does This 1985 Toyota MR2 Deserve a Formal Offer?

Mechanically… well, it’s a Toyota. The seller says that the engine is “running good but there are some oil leaks from valve cover.” The 1.6-liter 4A-GE motor offers up 112 horsepower and is matched in this car with a five-speed stick. Disc brakes do the stopping at each of the four corners.

A clean title and the advocacy for the car’s restoration wrap up the car’s bona fides. A $5,800 asking price closes the ad.

Image for article titled At $5,800, Does This 1985 Toyota MR2 Deserve a Formal Offer?

What do you think about that price for this MR2? Does $5,800 seem like a fair deal for the car even with its wear and mileage? Or, does that price make this purebred Toyota sports car a bit of a mutt?

You decide!

Minneapolis, Minnesota, , or go if the ad disappears.

H/T to Tom Brenner for the hookup!

Help me out with NPOND. Hit me up at and send me a fixed-price tip. Remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
2018 Hyundai Ioniq Is a Car to Get if You Love Money
2018 Hyundai Ioniq Is a Car to Get if You Love Money
“Not much to this thing,” I thought as I plopped into the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq’s firm driver’s seat and gripped its rock-hard plastic steering wheel. Then I found the price tag: just over $23,000. Then I found the fuel range: just over... holy crap, 600 miles? As far as new...
Aug 27, 2025
My Mom Is 79 and Wants a Cool Ride! What Car Should She Buy?
My Mom Is 79 and Wants a Cool Ride! What Car Should She Buy?
Dean is trying to help a 79-year-old mother out. She’s a cool lady who was rocking a 1994 Nissan 300ZX until disaster struck. Dean wants to find her a cool car that still has style and speed, but is maybe a little easier to manage. What car should she buy?...
Aug 27, 2025
At $32,500, Might You Aspire to This 2002 Panoz Esperante?
At $32,500, Might You Aspire to This 2002 Panoz Esperante?
Don Panoz made his money in pharmaceuticals, but the family name was made amongst auto enthusiasts by building cars like today’s Esperante. Let’s see if this Mustang-based special comes with a price that you think is a deal, or paying through the nose. What scares you? For me, it’s clowns,...
Aug 27, 2025
At $5,000, Could This Supercharged 1993 VW Passat be Your Bag?
At $5,000, Could This Supercharged 1993 VW Passat be Your Bag?
Bagged suspensions are an acquired taste, one that seems to have been favored by the seller of today’s Passat. Let’s see if this modded wagon’s price is so sweet that you can almost taste it. You know, some of you say that you could tidy up any car, slap a...
Aug 27, 2025
Autotrader Bot Writes a Kind of Poetic Ford Focus RS Ad
Autotrader Bot Writes a Kind of Poetic Ford Focus RS Ad
To us humans, the Most already know it’s one of the most powerful and enjoyable hot hatchbacks on the market. Apparently our future electronic overlords disagree, and now a bot for Autotrader has penned an overview of the RS for an Idaho dealership which is, honestly, kind of lyrical. A...
Aug 27, 2025
At $3,000, Is This 1990 Nissan Maxima SE 4DSC Totally 2G2BT?
At $3,000, Is This 1990 Nissan Maxima SE 4DSC Totally 2G2BT?
Today’s Maxima is a car once described by maker as a 4-door sports car, or ‘4DSC.’ Let’s see if the price tag on this rare manual-equipped edition’s has you LOL’ing. Breaking into the car market with an untested brand is a daunting task, just ask Elon Musk. Of course Musk...
Aug 27, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved