The MR2’s mid-engined rear-wheel-drive layout suited a sports car aesthetic and it's fair to say that Arima pulled it off beautifully, creating one of the best-looking cars of the 1990s, if not of all time.
The world’s motoring media thought so, too, and the SW20 received a rapturous reception when it made its debut at the end of 1989.
It evolved over the years to become progressively quicker, while turbocharged variants were especially lively, but in many ways it's the pure, unspoilt original models that are very much the best. And that's what we have here: a 1992 G-Limited model that began its life in Japan but has lived in the UK for over a decade. It is preserved in more or less original condition, and is an absolute stunner.
Supplied with the MR2 is a Toyota service wallet containing all of the model-relevant handbooks, booklets and documents, as well as receipts and invoices for most of the work that the car has carried out had carried out on it during its time in the UK.
It arrived here in 2005, but in 2011 the odometer was recalibrated and the reading changed from Km/h to mph. There’s a certificate included that shows the mileage adjustment to reflect the new units.
It has a UK V5C in the name of the vendor and an MOT valid until June 2023.
The cabin of the MR2 is a fairly sober affair, with grey cloth trim and a typically 1990s Japanese dashboard, though it's low-slung driving position, steeply raked windscreen and bucket seats give it a strong semblance of sportiness.
With the exception of some very minor rubbing to the driver’s side seat bolster, the cabin is very well presented with no immediately noticeable flaws, and it's very clean and fresh-smelling. All of the dials and controls appear to work properly.
Finished in by far the best colour of red, the MR2 looks every inch a miniature Ferrari. It's completely standard, too. No additional wings, body kits or oversized alloys - just a lovely factory-spec SW20 that looks pretty much perfect as it is.
When he bought the car last year, the current owner treated it to some minor body repairs to deal with some rust blisters on the rear arches and a few scuffs and scrapes on the paint work which have all been rectified. As a result, it looks absolutely stunning and the paint finish is excellent.
All of the trim is present and correct and the pop-up headlights still work as Toyota intended.
The mid-mounted twin-cam engine is a tuneful unit and has covered just over 91,000 miles, the odometer having been changed from km/h to mph by a previous keeper.
It fires up on the button and settles to a steady idle, whilst all of the gears engage as they should. The vendor has been using the MR2 as his daily transport for the past few months and reports that it drives extremely well indeed, with no untoward noises from the suspension or brakes and lively performance.
The car has also recently been treated to a full service, carried out by the vendor himself, who is a complete petrolhead and has a very cool car collection alongside the Toyota.
This is a really lovely example of a standard, unmessed-with SW20 MR2 - a refreshing alternative to the hundreds of modified cars that there are on the market right now. It looks exactly as its designer intended it to. In other words, absolutely gorgeous. Plus, it's a truly lovely condition. An absolute gem of a car that deserves to be preserved and enjoyed exactly as it is.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Please see our FAQs
here
and our Terms & Conditions
here
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1992 Toyota MR2 G-Limited
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
Bid Amount
Increment
£0 to £9,999
£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999
£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.
