Meet Your First Mid-Engine Love Story

Before Lotus started whispering sweet nothings into Toyota's ear about the S800, there was the original MR2. The '86 model hit that perfect mix of Toyota reliability and genuine mid-engine thrills - think baby Ferrari engineering with Japanese sensibility. That 4A-GE engine might only be 1.6 liters, but mounted right behind your ears, it sang to 7,500 rpm with an eagerness that made Fiero owners weep. Sharing DNA with the legendary AE86 Corolla GT-S, this twin-cam marvel pushed 112 hp through a 5-speed that felt like it was lifted from a Swiss watch factory.
What made the '86 special? The chassis was dialed in after two years of production - they'd sorted the snap-oversteer tendencies that caught early adopters off guard. The suspension geometry was pure race car stuff: MacPherson struts all around, with geometry that would make engineers smile. All this in a package weighing just over 2,300 pounds.
Inside, you got those perfectly '80s floating gauges and seats that actually held you in place. The T-tops? They didn't leak (much), and they transformed the cabin into an open-air experience that still feels special today.
Looking for one? Check those strut towers for rust - it's the Achilles' heel. The engine's timing belt service is crucial, but treat it right and these cars will run forever. Stock examples are getting rare - seems everyone added boost or swapped in a 20-valve back when these were cheap. Pro tip: The naturally aspirated cars might not have the Supercharged model's punch, but they're lighter, simpler, and more true to the original engineering vision. Plus, they're easier to find unmolested.