Stock #6559
A midship roadster that's innovative, durable, and pleasing to drive, the MR-S is a Japanese Classic for the modern age.
Exterior Overview
In the 90’s, the folks at Toyota were true masters of their craft. No matter the vehicle segment, the manufacturer consistently earned top marks, cut no corners, and created a product that was innovative, durable, and pleasing to drive. In a market where a Japanese mid-engined two seater was by no means a necessity, the brand went in guns blazing for its final generation, yielding the ZW30 MR-S. Our 1999 is a great example of the chassis, boasting a mere 89k miles on the clock, and the factory optional equipment that midship enthusiasts yearn for. Finished in Malbec Black (GAC), this MR-S is set off by an aftermarket red canvas top, a TRIAL front bumper, TRD side skirts, and a TRD rear bumper lip. Save for a few swirls, scuffs, and dings, the custom paintwork shows well, and we wanted to note a prior replacement of the left front fender and core support from Japan. Still, that seemed to be only a flesh wound as this roadster looks great and has the driving charisma to back it up! Cool, capable, and collectible, this is a true Japanese Classic for the modern age.
Interior Overview
You may notice the design language shifted in the interior as well, and this MRS is far more spacious and feature oriented than the SW20 that preceded it. Standard for ’99, dual SRS airbags were added to keep anxious passengers at bay, and the seating position was lowered slightly for driver enjoyment. The bucket seats were trimmed in a lightweight sport mesh, and have held up well over the past 25 years of road use, save for some minor bolster wear and pilling on the driver’s side. The center stack is easy to navigate, and keeps controls for the automatic climate control and touchscreen clarion audio close by. The HVAC pumps in cold A/C and hot heat upon request, if you choose to keep the manual soft top latched shut. Power windows and mirrors also work like a charm and assist daily use tremendously. Overall, this cabin condition impresses and it’s nice to see Toyota knows how to design a product that holds up. There’s some minor wear to the touch points, and a small tear on the inner lining of the top, that does not affect structural integrity. To protect your investment, we even held on to the factory carpet mats, owner’s manuals, and maintenance booklets too!
Mechanical Overview
Perhaps the best part about the 3rd generation MRS is its mechanical simplicity. Doing away with the complicated turbocharged and supercharged powerplants of previous variants, Toyota opted to utilize the humble 1ZZ-FE, a high revving 4 pot that was offered in a bevy of domestic models. This makes parts and servicing a snap, and our trained technicians have already knocked out some preventative maintenance to get you on track for the road ahead. We flushed out the old oil and performed an oil and filter service, and exchanged the transmission fluid with new gear oil. While the gearbox shifts smoothly through the tree, we did want to note a minor grind when downshifting into 3rd gear. With the maintenance performed, the 1ZZ has no issues jetting up to highway speeds, and the 5 speed manual gearbox is light, direct, and easy to operate. The stock suspension feels composed through tighter twists and turns, and also does a fine job at insulating the cabin against road noise. A fresh alignment was performed on the rack here, and this MR-S steers and stops on command thanks to ABS. Lastly, we wrapped the factory alloys in fresh Falken rubber, giving this mid-engine marvel plenty of traction for the road ahead!
*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB compliant first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.