Last Minute Xmas Shopping - 20th December, 2018

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There’s an unwritten rule when buying gifts for the significant other in your life – anything that represents chores is off-limits. Ironing boards, hedge trimmers, vacuum cleaners, weed sprayers, just don’t go there. The same applies when buying them a car as a gift. Don’t get them something dreary to drive to work in, pick up kids from school in or take rubbish to the tip in. Get them something fun, like this Toyota MR-S.

Mazda’s MX-5 has long been the benchmark in small, fun, reliable ragtop sports cars but there is more than one way to skin a sports car and this little mid-engine Toyota MR-S has a different, but no less effective, take on things. It’s available to buy right now.

Toyota launched the first two generations of the MR2 in the 80s and they were really good cars, but not soft tops. The third generation was a true convertible and is like a mini Porsche Boxter.

Where the MX-5 has the classic ‘engine in the front driving the rear wheels’ layout, the MR-S has its engine mounted just behind the cockpit driving the rear wheels similar to many Ferraris and Lamborghinis. This gives balanced weight distribution and stability. The engine is a 1.8 twin cam and although it has less power than the previous model it’s also much lighter.

The overall effect is a fun and swift sports car that doesn’t cost the earth. And it’s the fun bit that counts here. There is nothing practical about the MR-S, the luggage space is comically small and there are only two seats. Nothing about it suggests work or chores, just wind in the hair weekend fun driving - a safe gift option.

This particular car is in good condition and is a prime future collectible, but right now it’s priced at a very reasonable $5950 which stacks up very well for a car that is known for holding its value. More details here.