My Toyota MR2 Roadster

For those of you not in the know, the Toyota MR2 Roadster is a sporty little two seater, that essentialy goes quite fast and above all looks cool.  For those of you in the know, mine is a pre-face lift, non modded silver with red cloth interior MK3 ( this would all make sense to those not in the know, IF you had ever read the following forum MR2 Owners Club ).

I like this rear view (ooooer) 'coz she, and yes I have actually personified this car, because she looks all mean and moody. Reason there are grills in the back, is 'coz that is where the engine is. Until I joined the above Owner's Club, I also didn't realise that a number plate ending in JDM is also pretty cool, as it stands for Japanese Domestic Market - and apparently anyone who is seriously into these car will insist on "Japanese Domestic Market" parts. So now you know another totally useless and unimportant fact.

And this is her from the front/side

Call it a midlife crises but about 2 years ago, I decided I really NEEDED and not just wanted a sportscar. Initially I had my heart set on an Alfa GTV, but at a budget of 1k, the ones I saw were complete turkeys, plus Alfas are well known for being unreliable.

In April after a rather traumatic event in my life, which I may talk about in another blog, I decided that life was literally too short and to finally go for it and buy a sports car.  A typical midlife crises reaction in other words, for a 41 year old married woman with a small child ! As I pointed out to my husband, it was either that or having an affair..... So, I upped my budget to 2k, looked for other sportscars, really liked the look of the MR2, and that same weekend, bid and won the above beauty for a mere £2,100. I am now the stereotypical big boobed blonde in her toy sportscar.

I now finally understand why people actively enjoy driving - because I just love being out and about in her. Mostly with the top down, I am embracing the windswept look. She is fast, handles like a dream and people look at me ( hey it's that vanity again). Only downside, mid engined, rwd (rear wheel drive, again for the uninitiated) can be a bit of a handful in slippery or wet conditions - and with no traction control you really do have to watch what you do. It's a rough ride ( again with the ooer ) compared to my 'normal' car but I prefer her in every way. I even like the fact that her interior, what with her being 10 years old, is a little ratty and worn. So what if the CD skips when I go over bumps ?

I have become so obsessive I actually wash her and wax her, something I have never ever done in my 24 years of driving a car. I go to owner's meets , where we all meet at an agreed spot, stand around, admire each others cars and then look at each other's engines..... in short I HAVE BECOME A  CAR GEEK. I regularly visit the various owner's forums to chat about my car and their cars. I wave and flash my lights at other MR2s as I encounter them - which is not that often as they are quite a rare breed, unlike the common as muck Honda MX5 which as a true MR2 owner I obviously don't like. Compare and contrast the stats.

This is how many MR2s there are left
This is how many MX5s there are left

Initially I was going to have a few months of fun with her ( hang on I sound like a bloke ), but am now looking for a garage to keep her in over winter. It seems my midlife crises will go on a little longer yet ! If you want to join me and acquire your own Mister, beware of the oval bore, pre cat failure and the death rattle......