Thinking of trying something Toyotaish.

They're terrific cars if you get a good one. As Bioshock has said, they are chronic for rusting almost anywhere but they are mechanically robust and very entertaining to drive. Economy is epic for what they are. I've had three and used them all as dailies for commuting and never managed less than 36mpg. If you weren't driving it in the rush hour you'd top40mpg easily

Rwd, legendary 4age engine, 7.5k+ redline and its all about a foot behind your ears! I'd steer clear of the targa top though. They ALL leak. People talk about dodgy gearboxes with fifth popping out under load but mk1b cars had an uprated box.. Avoid a rusty one (any rust at all on the arches or sills and I'd walk away) and you won't regret it.

£800 will get your half decent looker with test but which will dissolve before your eyes if you plan on keeping and using it everyday. £1500+ should get something which has had the arches done and is solid for a while yet.just make sure they've been done properly.

Front wings are easily changed; they just bolt on but can be hard to find. They're easy enough to check though. They'll usually go under the front spoiler on mk1b cars. For the rears, there are repair sections available on ebay for the arches and the triangular section from the sill to the front of the rear arch (if you know what I mean). It's a skilled job to do them right.

I don't want to put you off mate. As I say, if you can stretch the budget a bit you can find cars that will have had these repairs done to a good standard and you will have an epic little sports car to enjoy. My last one was £1600 and rust free. I only sold it on cos I couldn't make 2 seats work with kids etc.. Bought via the mr2 mk1 club club website. A guy on there called Gary restores 3 or 4 per year to sell on and knows every nut and bolt of them. He's based in Derbyshire near Buxton. Have a google - you might drop lucky.

www.mr2mk1club.com/showthread.php?15656-Mk1-mr2-for-sad-sale-(-taxed-and-tested

£900