Nissan has slipped behind Subaru ... now ranking fifth behind Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, and Subaru

But then, days or weeks later, you realize you are driving around in a 12 year old Chevy Cobalt BY CHOICE and you have an existential breakdown.

I see them a couple times a week in the DC Metro area.  They are lovely in red.

And yet the MKII MR2 not only has a trunk with very usable volume, but also:

Yep.  I’ve looked at the later MR2's from time to time, but no matter the layout and the flingable fun, couldn’t get past the unfortunate looks.

It was ugly too. Like, really ugly.

The hairspray was made illegal. That haircut literally kills the planet.

They’re just afraid that it might re-create the conditions that led to those awful 80s styles, like this hair cut. 

That attitude is why you should be riding a motorcycle, if that is the purist level of performance you are looking for.

From what a few people I’ve known who owned an MR2 Spyder tell me, it’s a great fifth or sixth car.

The reason I did not buy a third gen MR2, and had a Miata for 15 years instead, is that you couldn’t bring along a ham sandwich and a passenger at the same time.

Toyota totally has the guts to bring back the MR2. The problem is that BMW and Subaru don’t have a mid-engine car to build it from.

I love the red! It looks like a baby Ferrari.

At least it was a 2nd gen MR2 you reviewed. That 1st gen MR2...such an ugly, ugly car. Basically a pie wedge not worth eating. But those 2nd gens still look terrific today—styling at its finest.

Another great article, Kristen. These 90s Japanese sports cars hit the sweet spot for me every time - analog yet have the only features you need (to this day, the only features I want are power windows, locks, moonroof), bullet proof reliability, quick enough, revvy fun, cheap, and look good to my eye. What more do…

At the time you could also get the Geo Metro with the 3-cylinder XFi trim, a four-seater delivering up to 51 miles per gallon.

This MR2 has antique plates. I feel soooooo old.

1000% This. I’ve driven the N/A version a few times but recently drove a Turbo. When that boost comes on it’s addicting. I came home to look at my Miata in the garage and thought... MR2 Turbo is the real answer.

I’ve had mine 3 weeks and I’m fully in love with it. So quick! And it feels so good to drive. Handling is tight, feels stable at speed, and the seats are fantastic.

Is this one of those “it’s funny because it’s true” things? Because it is true. You should not be asking for full power immediately after startup or before shutdown. That applies to all engines really, but especially turbocharged ones.