Year: | 1990 |
Make: | Toyota |
Model: | MR2 TURBO SW20 |
Mileage: | 84,404km |
Transmission: | 5-Speed Manual |
Fuel Type: | Gasoline |
Drivetrain: | RWD |
Engine: | Turbocharged 2.0L Straight Four |
Exterior Color: | Yellow |
VIN Number: | SW20-0020*** |
I’m crying. I’m crying over this nice, clean, beautiful MR2 GT Turbo with T-bar roof (SW20 type chassis) that we recently shipped from Japan to a customer in the USA. Now, I’m not crying sad tears because I don’t get to have this mid-ship sports car myself. O.K., maybe I’m moaning a bit about that, too. But I’m mostly crying happy tears because I’m happy that I had an MR2 myself for many years. I’m happy that I had that car, that well-built affordable super car that is perhaps Toyota’s greatest contribution to the world of pure sports cars.
When the MR2 SW20 came out in late 1989, it marked a new quality standard for reasonably priced sporting machinery; and when I picked up my 1990 MR2 in 2003, it was definitely a cheap second hand car. In fact, when I compared it with what a used SW20 cost back in the UK, I thought that my secondhand MR2 was a positive steal, especially considering the good condition and low miles on the car. (89,000 kilometers on the clock when I bought it.)
What was true back then about the quality of secondhand MR2s from Japan is still true about these cars here today: They are well cared for and in good shape. (Mostly. There are some units out there that have had a hard life, and so, as with all used high-performance and sporting machinery, here at Japan Car Direct we strongly recommend an engineer’s pre-purchase inspection. We’ll arrange this inspection for you.) But these days I would not say that MR2s are cheap, cheap, dirt cheap. No. Prices are beginning to go up as sports car buyers and mid-ship enthusiasts around the world (especially in some of the countries we ship Japanese performance cars to, like the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada, and France) have figured out that the best place to buy a good used MR2, “Japan’s Ferrari,” is directly in Japan itself, whether from the Japanese used car auctions or from private dealers. (And we source from both for the cars that we export from Japan.)
But for what you are getting, prices for a used MR2 SW20 are still very reasonable. Being so well built, these are long lasting cars. They have a high long term survival rate. I’ve never seen a crappy looking MR2 on the roads here in Japan. Although there is a red one in my neighbourhood that I often see driving in the opposite direction to me as I go to work, and the paint on that one is fading. This is a known problem with red paint due to the different molecular chemistry required to make the red colour. You do not find this problem so much with the yellow ones, like this beauty here that we shipped recently, or with that gorgeous white one Japan Car Direct also sent to the USA a few months back. I have not written about that SW20 turbo yet, but I’ll put it up here on our site so all you guys wanting to buy an MR2 Turbo direct from Japan can just look at our photos of that lovely machine and weep tears of joy.
Because under the rules for secondhand cars imported to the USA or to Australia, it’s no problem to buy an MR2 SW20 yourself and ship it directly from Japan. And, of course, it’s straightforward to ship one of these dream machines to the UK.
And since we at Japan Car Direct are a Japan based used car exporter, we will guide you every step of the way, sourcing and exporting your Toyota MR2. I had one for five years. I drove all over Japan in it, from Honshu to Hokkaido, and from Hokkaido to Kyushu and Shikoku. I loved every minute with that car. You’ll love every minute with yours.
Turn that frown upside down!
-
It was my first time buying a car online, let alone overseas. These guys are legit!!!
Yoshi has been very patient, transparent and prompt with all queries. The car was exactly... read moreIt was my first time buying a car online, let alone overseas. These guys are legit!!!
Yoshi has been very patient, transparent and prompt with all queries. The car was exactly what was expect. The time of arrival was accurate.
Just look at all the 5 star reviews they got
Great job guys. read less
FIRST TIME BUYER
So…. I have just ordered my second car from Yoshiro Nakajima at Japan Car Direct. Keep in mind my first car has only just gotten to the port,... read moreFIRST TIME BUYER
So…. I have just ordered my second car from Yoshiro Nakajima at Japan Car Direct. Keep in mind my first car has only just gotten to the port, I think that alone speaks volumes. So far it has been an awesome and painless experience. I did not go the advised route of auctions. Not because I could not have save a bunch of money but because I have no patience. Not only was Yoshi understanding and responsive to my constant questions, He accommodated nearly all of my requests(some were just crazy I admit). Even so we found a car at a local to Japan used car dealer and he helped me obtain the car, get it fully serviced and delivered to the port. I will update this review once the car is here and I can let you know how smooth the import process was and how my paperwork came. Trust, I have full faith in Yoshi, and Japan Car Direct that this will go painlessly as well. I will do a follow up review so people can get a full review of all process points. One last thing I want to add is that my budget was extremely low and he never made me feel it was not important or a priority for him. He never made me feel like this was a petty or small job. I feel this too speaks volumes about character. Thus far nothing but five stars. read less
Great service. This was my first time importing a car from Japan. Everything was well explained and the whole process went very smooth. Would highly recommend!! Thank you Yoshi!
-
Importing through Japan Car Direct has been a great experience through and through. Their assistance in the auction and bidding process and arranging shipping is top notch. More importantly their... read moreImporting through Japan Car Direct has been a great experience through and through. Their assistance in the auction and bidding process and arranging shipping is top notch. More importantly their knowledge of the Japanese car market and auction process was extremely helpful as a first time importer. I have my van now, and it’s been great. You get a dedicated agent, and my agent Mason has been incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. I had a million questions, and he had a million helpful answers. I can’t recommend them enough! read less
Awesome experience working with Taylor, he was extremely helpful and patience. It was my first time exporting a vehicle and he walked me through step by step and didn't... read moreAwesome experience working with Taylor, he was extremely helpful and patience. It was my first time exporting a vehicle and he walked me through step by step and didn't mind answering all my millions of questions. I probably looked at 100+ different trucks and Taylor was instrumental in helping me make informed decisions on which trucks I should try to bit on and which ones I should probably avoid. I ended up purchasing three mini-trucks, one for myself and two other family members. We love them!!!! Great for working around the farm or yard, hunting, taking to the mountains and cruising the back mountain roads or just a daily commuter as I use mine for. If you are looking to import any vehicle from Japan, I would highly recommend the friendly and knowledgeable staff at JCD. read less
Eric Southerland
9/06/2022
Japan Car Direct made buying a car from Japan dangerously easy. 🙂 Yoshiro was a great help. He was responsive and supportive through the whole process. They have... read moreJapan Car Direct made buying a car from Japan dangerously easy. 🙂 Yoshiro was a great help. He was responsive and supportive through the whole process. They have the export processes well smoothed out and the car arrived and I was able to register it without any problems. No issues or complaints about Japan Car Direct. I'll be back for my next unique and interesting vehicle. read less
-
I had an excellent experience working with Matthew at Japan Car Direct. I was a first time auction buyer and importer to the United States. Mathew walked me through... read moreI had an excellent experience working with Matthew at Japan Car Direct. I was a first time auction buyer and importer to the United States. Mathew walked me through every step and pointed me to all the right resources both online and here in the United States to complete the import process successfully. Communication wise prompt and helpful, as well as convenient. his insight into the auction process including the vehicle inspection was especially helpful. I ultimately ended up with exactly what I was looking for within budget. I would work with Japan Car Direct again and recommend them to anyone. read less
A great experience for my first time importing a car from Japan. Mike’s customer service was second to none and all the paperwork was in order.
Matthew at JCD is the man. I’ve now imported three of my own cars through him. JCD was able to accommodate my unique needs, everything from short turn around inspections,... read moreMatthew at JCD is the man. I’ve now imported three of my own cars through him. JCD was able to accommodate my unique needs, everything from short turn around inspections, expert opinions on bidding, arranging quick turn shipping, and handling of docs. I have no reservations sending more tens of thousands of dollars for future imports. At the end of the day, they really wanted to make me a happy customer. read less
-
I highly recommend Japan Car Direct. They help you find exactly what you are looking for and are with you throughout the entire process. Import was seamless. Mike was great... read moreI highly recommend Japan Car Direct. They help you find exactly what you are looking for and are with you throughout the entire process. Import was seamless. Mike was great to work with. Highly recommend the team at JCD. read less
Before this I have never imported any vehicles to NZ let alone one from Japan! I decided to give these guys a shot and bought a JDM Tesla into the... read moreBefore this I have never imported any vehicles to NZ let alone one from Japan! I decided to give these guys a shot and bought a JDM Tesla into the country in the midst of the oil price hikes.
The process is painless end to end and I was well looked after by Mike. Definitely recommend Japan Car Direct for the auction and shipping service. read less
Great experience. Extremely easy process and Kept me well informed. Highly recommend them if looking to purchase a vehicle from Japan.
-
It's hard to say anything that hasn't been said from other reviewers! This was my first experience importing a vehicle. Mike Nguyen was super patient with me and my indecisiveness.... read moreIt's hard to say anything that hasn't been said from other reviewers! This was my first experience importing a vehicle. Mike Nguyen was super patient with me and my indecisiveness. He was very quick to respond, and very informative on all my questions. He helped my sort through options until landing a 1kz-te Land Cruiser Prado. It ended up being in better condition than I was anticipating, and was able to drive it 5 hours home from port without a single issue. Cannot recommend Japan Car Direct enough! read less
I used Japan Car Direct's services to import a Nissan Silvia from Japan to Australia. Mike was very helpful from start to finish and definitely made the process stress free.
The... read moreI used Japan Car Direct's services to import a Nissan Silvia from Japan to Australia. Mike was very helpful from start to finish and definitely made the process stress free.
The detailed videos where Mike would translate and explain the Japanese auction sheets and inspections provided great clarification so I knew exactly what I was getting with my car. I have to also commend Mike's swiftness when it came to replying to emails and phone calls, he would always reply near on instantly and even outside of normal business hours just to ensure I was never left in the dark through the bidding and shipping preparation processes.
I could not recommend JCD enough for any potential self importers! read less
Just picked up my car that I bought through JCD. I was a complete newbie about buying a car overseas and Mathew was kind enough to basically hold my... read moreJust picked up my car that I bought through JCD. I was a complete newbie about buying a car overseas and Mathew was kind enough to basically hold my hand and help me through the process. It seems pretty daunting at first but if I can do it anybody can. Highly recommend JCD! read less
We accept refundable deposits by PayPal to (pay@japancardirect.com). Log into your account, and lets start working together today! 
- There are no features available