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MR2 Spyder US Sales Figures + Philosophical Question

4.4K views 42 replies 26 participants last post by  SpyderJuice  
#1 ·
I bet this is already here, but I remembered a thread saying that the numbers got lost somehow? (southerneditor maybe?) So I thought I'd just put them back on here:

I got this from a spreadsheet I found on Google somewhere, but I think it's pretty accurate:

MR2 Spyder
2000: 7,233
2001: 6,254
2002: 4,705
2003: 2,934
2004: 2,621
2005: 780

I think it's sad that the numbers dropped off like that. While searching just now I even saw a thread that said, according to automotive news, the sales for December of 2005 were 0...dunno how accurate that is but if it is...

So I pose this question: Would you buy/still buy the mr2 new today?
 
#2 ·
It's pretty clear that Toyota was going to be partnering with Lotus to bring the Elise to the US and abroad. Having the MR2 around would draw too many comparisons between the two cars and likely lessen the Elise appeal. The MR2 needed to not exist, so what better way than to let it whither and die while the Elise marketing fuse was lit. It should come as no surprise to see the MR2 "die" the same year the Elise is introduced into the US. If the Elise didn't happen, the MR2 might have garnered a little more advertising from Toyota and would have likely offered the 2zz motor as at least an option for the 2006 model year to go along with a facelift to the car for the same year.

So, would I buy an MR2 in '09 if they still made it? That would depend on what improvements were available for it. Mid-engine layout, 2zz motor, 6 speed transmission, stiffer chassis, still under 2300 lbs, and still sub 30K? Sure! Alas, it is currently called the Elise and it is $58K new for the supercharged version.
 
#3 · (Edited)
I don't think there's too much sadness in it. It seemed like Toyota had never really planned for the MR2 to make a massive splash in the US market. Only 7000 cars shipped in the initial year is enough to prove that. Soon after, the unprecedented booming success of their hybrid and fuel efficient efforts was enough to shift the company focus away from cars like the Spyder and Celica.

Far as we know, it was really intended to be more of an image car that would get the youngsters excited about Toyota once more. I forget what that program was called. At any rate, it was the early rumblings of what eventually became the Scion experiment. The Spyder itself probably failed to really hit that mark due to a combination of underwhelming performance figures, no practicality, relatively high price, and the Miata.

But of course I would buy it. I did. Despite the above list, it has some great qualities that no one could understand based on a list of 1/4 mile times and magazine articles. You gotta have driven this car to get excited about it.
 
#4 ·
the way all the press releases came across, it sounded to me as though toyota thought they could just release a car and people would flock to the dealers to buy them. how many advertisements can you remember for the spyder?
 
#7 ·
I bought my '04 in December '04. The dealership was so desperate to get rid of the car that as soon as I expressed interest to a salesman he ran to get his manager to pitch me. I bought the last Spyder at that dealership and I'm sure they were happy to never have to sell another one.

Let's face it, overall the MR2 Spyder was a dismal failure for Toyota, especially in the US. I will bet my Corky's Breastplate that the Spyder is the least profitable car Toyota made in the last 20 years. But I'm sure in the first half of the decade Toyota couldn't care less about the profitability of a low volume roadster. The mission statement was always rebuilding the brand and attracting youthful buyers with that Genesis thingy. Even in that, the Spyder failed. Young buyers bought Integras and Eclipses (or used MkIIs). The Spyder was seen as weird looking, cheap, impractical, and underpowered. Even a startling attribute as being midengined can't save a car with those 4 dings.

In '03 Toyota addressed the cheap image on the outside of the car. No more dimples and acres of black plastic and vacant headlights. But once the public gets it in their heads a car is made at a certain price point it's stuck in their heads. Toyota should have brought the '03 MR2 out in '00.

The weird looks, impracticality, and lack of grunt were never and could never have been fixed (the first two owing to the impossibility of a complete redesign and the third due to Toyota's engine commitment to Lotus). Ding ding ding.

Of course the MR2 was axed in only 5 years.

HOWEVER.... this examination is from the frame of a reasonable, practical individual.

I believe the drive is everything. I have a feeling a lot of you can relate. I'd buy another Spyder in a second.


-Jerry
 
#8 ·
sir, you owe me a breastplate, first gen priuses were sold at a loss for the company, add in the R&D on hybrid synergy drive and its clearly the big loser, too bad the next gen was a massive winner. Even with R&D the Spyders parts bin approach to things (celica/corolla components, the 1zz had even been around a bit) surely didnt cost what HySG cost them. I'll wait for your concession speech before PMing my mailing address.:p

Yeah Id still buy one, theyd probably have HIDs, heated n cooled seats, and cruise control now. Not that those things matter, but theyre more likely than the 2zz/6spd.
 
#9 ·
Hahaha... I didn't know the first gen Prius was sold at a loss. Sorry, I didn't keep track of them back in the day, wasn't very interested. I'll have to claim that R&D into the hybrid system was amortized through following generations of Prius's and in future platforms so no points there. Let's compromise; you can borrow my breastplate for a week, just come uninstall it. I'll be on the porch cleaning my guns.


-Jerry
 
#10 ·
I bet this is already here, but I remembered a thread saying that the numbers got lost somehow? (southerneditor maybe?) So I thought I'd just put them back on here:

I got this from a spreadsheet I found on Google somewhere, but I think it's pretty accurate:

MR2 Spyder
2000: 7,233
2001: 6,254
2002: 4,705
2003: 2,934
2004: 2,621
2005: 780

I think it's sad that the numbers dropped off like that. While searching just now I even saw a thread that said, according to automotive news, the sales for December of 2005 were 0...dunno how accurate that is but if it is...

So I pose this question: Would you buy/still buy the mr2 new today?
December 05 would have been the time to sell a Model-Year '06 spyder if they existed. It is no surprise that they didn't sell any in December 05.

Not sure if I would buy one new, it would be a stretch for me to do so.
 
#23 ·
Man that looks like crap, surrounded by more crap.
 
#14 ·
I, for one, am actually somewhat happy that our platform was dropped. I feel special for being a part of such an obscure vehicle made by a not-so-obscure maker. I will have this car years from now, when my kids are grown, and people will still gawk at it. Young punks will still rev their engines beside me at stoplights and passers-by will squint at my front badge.

The aura and sentimentality of this special roadster is now forever cemented in our hearts due to the fact that this vehicle was only produced for 5 years. Years that will never be duplicated in the annals of future history, but only in the cavities of our minds, hearts, memories and permagrins.
 
#16 ·
I think the "cult of MR2 S" will be healthy for some time to come. Value? I'm thinking they'll achieve TR4/3000 Mk II cult status, although probably not the prices.

My Porsche was 1 of 400, actually one of 200 if you count colors, and they're coming up in value, now around $30K in good shape.

Image


It takes something really special to hit the big numbers, it'll be interesting to see where these (MR2 S AND Weissach) cars are in 10-15 years.
 
#17 ·
Yea anyone got a low production number? I got 464 which I think is a pretty cool number. and its pretty low for an 01. But I don't have the book that came with the car so its going to lower the value I'm going to guess but who cares. I think the car will be worth alot more in 20 years. Look at 86 corollas... They go for 5k in terrible condition on the drifter forums.
 
#18 ·
Devils,

yes, please tell me where to find the P nombre'.
 
#20 ·
Mine says, "No. 201." Yowza. What's especially cool is when you're deep inside the coachwork, and you find the inside of a panel with some hiragana written on it, like the letter "sa."
 
#26 ·
I guess I'm a little confused. Tamago claimed the final number were the production sequence number of the car and that somewhere in there you could tell the model year - both are accurate statements.

Using the chart (VIN decoder) that I linked to above and using my VIN, we can tell my car: JTDFR320410032658

J - Built in Japan
T - Is a Toyota
D - Passenger Car
F - 2dr Convertible
R - 1ZZ-FE Engine
3 - Series = 3 (Gen3)
2 - Manual Belts w/2 Airbags
0 - MR2 Spyder
4 - Check digit
1 - year 2001
0 - Japan Plant
032658 - Plant Production Sequence

All of our VIN's start: JTDFR320
 
#27 ·
does this mean what i think it means?

Image
I always thought this was how many were made. Because you know the obvious No. which someone told me stands for what number my car was in the production line. I guess maybe not. But 000 is still ridiculously sick. Def going to be worth millions in like 50 years! If that means your car was the first of the production line. Well see.
 
#28 ·
I was detailing my car the other day in preparation for the Deals Gap trip. When I do this, I always get reconnected to this car. There are many subtle styling details that make this car very unique. That's what I like most about the car. Yes, I'd by the car again, in its purist stock form, today. Absolutely.
 
#30 ·
#32 ·
I don't see his last digits....

Al I see is no. 000, which could mean anything.