TOYOTA MR2Timing chain or Belt?

The Toyota MR2 is a two-seat sports car manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota. It was commercially available from 1984 to 2007. During its three generations, the MR2 car had a transverse mid-engine and rear-wheel drive. It is considered Japan’s first production car with a rear-mid engine.

The Toyota MR2 was an affordable sports car. MR2 stands for “mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-seater”. However, the car had to drop the 2 in French-speaking markets, since the acronym sounded like a swearword.

The MR2 took part in competitions, just like the Toyota Celica. The real success came with the arrival of its second generation to the United States. This generation also bears a certain resemblance to the Ferraris of the time, which made it quickly become popular as “poor man’s Ferrari”. Some of its owners went even further. With body kits and a few hours in the bodyshop, they converted their MR2s into what would later become nicknamed as “Fakerraris”.

Despite its short lifespan, the Toyota MR2 had multiple versions and special redesigns. There were few alternative options to the MR2. The Mazda MX-5 Miata was the main rival in that category.