Its packing arguably the worst motor Toyota ever made.  The boat anchor 3.slow. If you live in a state where you can do the 3.4 swap, go for it. As much as I love the first gens I'm sticking to those with the 22RE

I agree, I semi daily a MR2 as well. If it was sold in the US you can find it here. It just maybe seriously overpriced.

Guess I’m contributing to the stereotype? Not LA area but the I.E.

I hear you, LA area traffic can drain any desire to drive out of a person. I try to make a special trip somewhete once in awhile to regain interest. Ive yet to hit the canyons, that my be my next one