Shifterati

Toyota MR2 · 3rd gen (2000–2005)

2005 Toyota MR2

Sold as MR2 Spyder

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

Learn

What changed

  • A six-disc CD changer replaces the cassette. The last year; Toyota ended production in January 2005.1,2,3

What it came with

Badges
  • MR2 Spyder4,2

  • 1.8L four (1ZZ-FED)5,3,6

    138 hp, with VVT-i variable valve timing

Transmissions
5-speed manual4,3, 6-speed sequential manual (SMT) (2003–2005)7,3,2
Drivetrains
Rear-wheel drive4
Trims
Base4,3
Packages
Leather upholstery (2002–2005)3,7,2, Limited-slip differential (2004–2005)8,3

Colors

  • Super White 9,10
  • Black 11,10
  • Absolutely Red 11,10
  • Solar Yellow 11,10
  • Spectra Blue Mica 11,10
  • Electric Green Mica 2001–2005 11,9,10
  • Silver Streak Mica 2003–2005 12,13,10
  • Paradise Blue Metallic 2003–2005 12,13,10
  • Phantom Gray Pearl 2004–2005 13,14,10

Interiors

Compare with another year

Buy

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

  • Pre-catalytic converter breaking up All years Walk away if found

    What to check: Ask whether the pre-cats were replaced or removed, and have a compression test done. Walk away from low compression or heavy oil burning that follows a pre-cat failure.

    The pre-cat in the exhaust manifold can crumble from heat and vibration, and the debris can be drawn back into the cylinders and score the bores. A 2000 owner writing in Design News lost his engine to it under 30,000 miles. Taking the pre-cats off is not legal on the street.

    $8,500 in repairs, in one owner's account in Design News

    Sources 3,6,15

  • Oil consumption All years

    What to check: Check the oil level and ask how often it is topped up.

    Grassroots Motorsports says some engines burn more than a quart every 1,000 miles, and Gear Patrol says it is more common on 2003 and older cars. On CarComplaints.com, two owners, of a 2000 and a 2001, report engines run low on oil and then knocking or failing.

    Sources 3,6,16,17

  • Worn soft top All years

    What to check: Inspect the vinyl top and the straps at its rear corners.

    Gear Patrol says the vinyl top deteriorates with age, and Grassroots Motorsports calls the rear corner straps fragile.

    Sources 6,3

  • Parking brake cables freezing All years One source so far

    The cables can freeze in winter, says Grassroots Motorsports, which advises leaving the parking brake off in cold weather.

    Sources 3

Recalls

No recalls are listed for this year.

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

  • Sought after: Over a non-turbo 2nd gen All years One source so far

    In one GRM thread on the 2nd gen, two members point to the 3rd gen instead. One calls it the best of the three for performance, and the other calls it the better buy than a non-turbo 2nd gen.18

  • Avoid: SMT gearbox All years Less sought after

    Grassroots Motorsports does not recommend the SMT, for its slow upshifts and doubtful lifespan, and Gear Patrol calls it more likely to fail than the manual.3,6

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.

Sources

  1. Edmunds 2005 Spyder review
  2. Consumer Guide (2005 flashback)
  3. Grassroots Motorsports (Spyder guide)
  4. Edmunds 2000 Spyder review
  5. Edmunds 2002 Spyder review
  6. Gear Patrol (used Spyder)
  7. Edmunds 2003 Spyder review
  8. Edmunds 2004 Spyder review
  9. Edmunds 2001 Spyder specs
  10. Edmunds 2005 Spyder specs
  11. Edmunds 2000 Spyder specs
  12. Edmunds 2002 Spyder specs
  13. Edmunds 2003 Spyder specs
  14. Edmunds 2004 Spyder specs
  15. Design News (pre-cat)
  16. CarComplaints 2000 oil consumption
  17. CarComplaints 2001 engine rattle
  18. GRM forum (Learn me SW20 MR2)