My neighbor's Toyota MR2 has been a faithful companion of our cars for seventeen years. The Japanese athlete often stands in the adjacent driveway, and has kept many of our cars company for years. I've been driving it regularly lately. The Toyota doesn't get around to driving much anymore, my neighbor doesn't actually use the car anymore. She decided a while ago to sell the MR2, and I give her a little help with that.
The MR2 is a car with a nice history, which is not confirmed by the number of kilometers. In other words: the almost virgin distance of 67.000 kilometers arouses disbelief. But this is correct, and it is demonstrable. The Toyota was delivered new in Germany, the wallet with the supplier in Dortmund hangs on one of the three keys. And the other key, I will use it on Saturday, August 3, 2024 for the very last ride from Leeuwarden-Camminghaburen to Wolvega vice versa. The Last Dance is coming up, there is a suspicion that I will sell the car for my neighbor the same day. And that happens. The day goes smoothly.
Retrospectively, the ride with the Toyota is the last, and the most ultimate, that I make with the MR2. The 1.8 16V 1ZZ-FE engine - naturally aspirated, 140 hp, 170 Nm at 4400 rpm - and the five-speed gearbox that shifts with great feeling and wonderful counter pressure are perfectly matched. It is incredibly challenging to make mincemeat of everything you encounter with this sturdy-feeling Toyota. The empty weight of 950 kg makes a nice contribution. The funny thing: I'm never really into competition on the road, but the MR2 unleashes something rebellious in me. Also now.
A gentleman in a fast and hip SUV wants to impress his girl, and you see him looking at the traffic light. Then you know what happens. And he knows it a minute later too. It is completely lost in no time, but it responds in a very sporty manner with a thumbs up. Later that day, after another (intermediate) acceleration, I think: “Huh? Is that interior mirror that small? Oh no?” In other words: where have the people who want to chase me gone? Sorry, dear reader. Mea Culpa in plural. I'm way too old for these kinds of jokes, pranks and rants. But that knowledge just doesn't outweigh the fun I have in the MR2. What power it has, what wonderful, firm grip this Toyota offers in a straight line, and what phenomenally coordinated mechanics it has on board. Anyone who realizes that knows what you can get out of this MR2. And that's a lot. A lot.
The Toyota is clearly an outdoor sleeper, you can see that seventeen years of outside air means that serious attention is needed to get the car back into top condition. Still, the MR2 is admired. A Golf Variant driver approaches me at the OK Gas Station. He is enthusiastic and also tells me what the letters MR stand for. “Mid engine, rear wheel drive”. I tell him that the name is wrong, because in my opinion the engine is too far back for qualifying here mid engine to hang on. A nice conversation ensues, and the man concludes with the verse 'it's that I have a family, but different……' He does mention that the MR2 is a typical ladies' car. To which I say that is correct, because the Toyota belongs to my neighbor. We say goodbye with a smile. Nice nice.
The high-mounted engine - together with the chassis that now requires some maintenance - provides an extra challenge. The interplay with the suspension means that you have to be careful at speed in sharp detours. It's wonderful to meander on back roads, but especially at acceptably low(er) speeds. At pace, she is more than a bit vicious during sharper course changes. It's like you're dancing the tango at a high tempo, and suddenly she mischievously trips you up. And after she warns you with her erupting voluptuous backside. Only to then tell you that you should have been more careful.
But if you do that, you feel the balance perfectly, and push the edge in the way Mrs. MR2 likes, then you will dance the most beautiful tango at the highest tempo. She challenges you, tells you that she doesn't want an inexperienced dance partner on board, and rewards you. And so the last dance with the MR2 on Saturday, August 3, 2024, culminates in a fantastic farewell ride, as it turns out. A ride where the destination (for the time being) is Leeuwarden for the last time.
The Last Dance with the MR2 thus becomes a wonderful car memory, which further fuels my respect and love for the older branch of the Toyota brand. Beautiful moments can also bring pain. Because as of last Monday, the familiar image of the MR2 parked next to us is a thing of the past. Fortunately, the car is in the hands of enthusiasts. And that softens the lack of a car, which was a familiar sight in the adjacent driveway for years. And on Saturday, August 3, 2024, gives me the most beautiful Last Dance that you could wish for as a driver.
