Highlights
- In superb condition with just 15,132 miles from new
- Long MoT to June 2023
- No expense spared on maintenance
- Colour-coded hardtop
The Appeal
For most driving enthusiasts, the real defining point of a car’s appeal is the drive…how it feels at the steering wheel, how it handles underneath you and how it behaves on the road. The third-generation Toyota MR2 Roadster delivers in all those areas – and more.
If it’s cute, inexpensive, open-topped motoring you’re after, then it is difficult to pick a better companion.
In urban surroundings, the diminutive Roadster is very pleasant to drive in a ‘point-and-squirt’ kind of way, is comfy and offers excellent all-round visibility.
In urban surroundings, the diminutive Roadster is very pleasant to drive in a ‘point-and-squirt’ kind of way, is comfy and offers excellent all-round visibility.
History and Paperwork
- Just 2 former keepers (the first a Toyota retailer)
- Dry-driven and garaged when not in use
- Enjoyed as a second fun car
- Full Toyota service history
- V5 certificate present and in keeper’s name
The MR2’s data plate tells us that GV06 MVS left the production line at Toyota’s Aichi-Ken production facility during the first week of January, 2006. After making its way to the UK, it received its first registration to Gordon Lamb Toyota in Chesterfield.
Its second keeper was a resident of Nottingham, from whom the current keeper acquired the car in June 2020.
The vendor advises that he has driven less than 700 miles in the car since its acquisition. This is due largely to the impact of Covid and an increasingly debilitating medical condition. As a result, significantly less enjoyment has been had in the car than originally intended.
As a second car driven for pleasure, the MR2 has been mostly dry driven and garaged when not in use.
The Interior
- Fully original interior (Code FA20)
- Elegant black and grey cloth upholstery
- Tidy and unblemished throughout the interior
Commensurate with the car’s mileage more than its age, the original interior presents in excellent condition with no blemishes evident anywhere.
The comfortable seats are clad in an elegant blend of black and grey cloth (Code FA20) which are much more practical than leather as one tends to not slide around as much through the twisty bits.
The comfortable seats are clad in an elegant blend of black and grey cloth (Code FA20) which are much more practical than leather as one tends to not slide around as much through the twisty bits.
The centre console, steering wheel, carpets and door cards are pristine and all the switchgear and electrics work as new. The ‘quick-lift’ manual soft-top also presents in as-new condition.
Accompanying the sale of the car will be the optional hard-top, the cloth headlining of which is in immaculate condition.
Accompanying the sale of the car will be the optional hard-top, the cloth headlining of which is in immaculate condition.
Slide into the driver’s seat, grip the dinky steering wheel and wiggle the gear lever. Suddenly, you’re transported back to the mid-Noughties and if Lilly Allen’s ‘Smile’ was to become your earworm, our understanding would be complete!
The Exterior
- Original Blue Mica (Code 8M6) paint finish
- Optional colour matched hard-top roof available
- Brightwork is in exceptional order
Presented in its striking Blue Mica (Code 8M6) finish, the unblemished paintwork gleams in the sunlight. The brightwork around the car shines as brightly as the day it was fitted.
The optional hard-top was removed for the purposes of taking the accompany gallery of images and presents in impeccable condition. The vendor advised that this was the first time it had been removed and the soft-top raised and lowered during his tenure.
The smart alloy wheels are shod with a pair of new Hankook Ventus Prime3 tyres on the front drive wheels and a healthy pair of Yokohama A-043s across the trailing rear axle.
At the front, the headlight lenses are crystal clear as are the rear light clusters. Cursory glances down each flank reveal no evidence of any damage and all apertures around the car open and close as perfectly as the day it was built.
Overall, the exterior condition of this little Japanese sports car is indicative of the love and care afforded to it by its keepers since it left the showroom – where, to be very fair, it could reside again in an instant.
The Mechanics
- Two original keys
- Fully maintained, no expense spared
- Impressive MoT record
- An 11-month MoT awaits the new keeper
At the photo location, the MR2 was occasionally repositioned to obtain the best of the changeable summer light.
Somewhat naturally, the car started first and every time and the sweet 1.8-litre engine settled into an appreciative and steady burble.
Somewhat naturally, the car started first and every time and the sweet 1.8-litre engine settled into an appreciative and steady burble.
The six-speed manual gearbox connected smoothly – including reverse – and the clutch engaged with no drama, requiring a light feathering of the revs to get underway.
The custodian reports the car to be in excellent mechanical condition with steering, brakes, engine, drivetrain and running gear performing as well as their respective Japanese engineers intended.
The custodian reports the car to be in excellent mechanical condition with steering, brakes, engine, drivetrain and running gear performing as well as their respective Japanese engineers intended.
Like the immediately visible parts of this car, the lower side sills present in excellent order with the underside exhibiting little or no natural oxidation sometimes evident from our salty winter roads.
Summary
True, open-top aficionados know there are many reasons for having a convertible in your Lifetime Garage of Ten.
Most are sensory, exposed as you are to nature’s elements, there is a the heightened sense of motion, the rush of passing scenery, the fragrance of fresh open air as dappled shade flickers over your Ray-Bans!
Most are sensory, exposed as you are to nature’s elements, there is a the heightened sense of motion, the rush of passing scenery, the fragrance of fresh open air as dappled shade flickers over your Ray-Bans!
Couple that full-on sensory assault with a peppy MR2 and you begin to fully appreciate the appeal.
If your budget can’t run to an Elise, here's where the sensible money goes.
If your budget can’t run to an Elise, here's where the sensible money goes.
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.
