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Toyota MR2 SW20 For Sale — Import From Japan

The original MR2 was a "sporty commuter." For the SW20, the second generation, Toyota made it larger and more of a sports car. It was built from October 1989 to August 1999, with a transverse 2.0-liter four behind the seats and either a fixed roof or a glass T-bar roof. The G and G-Limited run the naturally aspirated 3S-GE, 165 PS at launch. The GT and GT-S get the 3S-GTE turbo, rated at 225 PS at launch and 245 PS from the November 1993 update. Toyota revised the car in stages known as Types I to V. Type II reworked the suspension and fitted 15-inch wheels to tame its snap-oversteer reputation, and Type III brought the 245 PS turbo engine. ABS and airbags became standard with Type IV, and Type V, from late 1997, added the 200 PS BEAMS 3S-GE. Most buyers want a Type III or later turbo with a dry T-bar roof and solid rear sills.

82available now
1990–1999model years
$8,342–$35,862approx. USD in Japan
45–60 daystypical delivery

Toyota MR2 SW20 market snapshot

$14,275median price in Japan
$11,946–$20,025middle half of prices
from $11,692shipped to a US port
66 of 82manual transmission
822000 or older and legal to import now
13price on request

These numbers come from our live Japan dealer stock today. Shipped prices include ocean freight to your nearest US port plus export fees.

Toyota MR2 SW20 variants

VariantEngineDriveNotes
GT-S3S-GTE 2.0L turbo I4, 225 PS (245 PS from November 1993)RWD (mid-engine)Added in December 1991 as a lighter turbo grade with less standard equipment than the GT; five-speed manual
GT3S-GTE 2.0L turbo I4, 225 PS (245 PS from November 1993)RWD (mid-engine)The turbo grade with more equipment, fitted with the E153 five-speed manual
G-Limited3S-GE 2.0L I4, 165 PS at launch (170 to 180 PS from November 1993)RWD (mid-engine)Naturally aspirated grade with more equipment
G3S-GE 2.0L I4, 165 PS at launch (170 to 180 PS from November 1993)RWD (mid-engine)The base grade, naturally aspirated
Type V G / G-Limited3S-GE BEAMS 2.0L I4, 200 PSRWD (mid-engine)Sold from December 1997, with VVT-i

Toyota MR2 SW20 available now

Showing 1–24 of 82 MR2 SW20 listings in stock, priced cars first.

What to check on a MR2 SW20

What it costs to import a MR2 SW20

The card prices above are what each car costs in Japan. The shipped price on a card is that car delivered to your nearest US port, with ocean freight and export fees included. We then clear it through US customs as your importer of record and handle the title, so there's no customs broker for you to hire. The full cost breakdown has the details.

Is the MR2 SW20 legal to import?

Any vehicle 25 years or older is legal to import into the USA without meeting modern FMVSS safety or EPA emissions standards. Eligibility runs on the month and year of manufacture, not just the model year. If the exact SW20 you want is not yet eligible, we can buy it and store it in Japan until it is. See the 25-year rule explained.

How buying one from us works

We bid at Japanese auctions and buy from dealer stock on your behalf. Before any money moves, the car is physically inspected in Japan, with photos, video, and a condition report, not just an auction sheet grade. After purchase we handle export, ocean freight to your nearest US port, customs clearance, import duty, and US title, so the car arrives ready to register. Typical timeline is 45–60 days from purchase to delivery.

Toyota MR2 SW20 FAQ

How much does a Toyota MR2 SW20 cost?

In our Japan stock, the 69 Toyota MR2 SW20 with a listed price run from about $8,342 to $35,862 before import costs. The median is $14,275, and the middle half sits between $11,946 and $20,025. Shipped to your nearest US port, with ocean freight and export fees included, prices start at about $11,692 and a median car comes to about $17,625. After that we handle US customs as your importer of record and title the car for you.

How many Toyota MR2 SW20 are for sale right now?

82 in Japanese dealer stock today (69 with a listed price, 13 price on request). It changes every day as cars sell and new ones get listed.

How many Toyota MR2 SW20 for sale are manual?

Counting the 82 that list a transmission, 66 are manual and 16 are automatic.

Can I import a Toyota MR2 SW20 to the USA?

Of the cars in stock, 82 are from 2000 or earlier and qualify under the 25-year rule now. Month and year of manufacture are what count, and we check the exact build date before you commit.

How long does it take to get a Toyota MR2 SW20 from Japan?

Plan on about 45–60 days from purchase. The car is inspected and exported in Japan, spends 3–5 weeks at sea to your nearest US port (East Coast, West Coast, Gulf and Honolulu), and then goes through US customs, duty and title. We handle every step as your importer of record.

What do you check before buying a Toyota MR2 SW20?

Every car is inspected in person in Japan before any money moves. On this chassis we look hardest at: Rust in the rear sills and arches. The sound-deadening foam in the rear quarters holds water and rots the sills from the inside. Lift the trunk carpet as well; The radiator is up front and the engine in the middle, so the cooling system must be bled properly or air gets trapped and it overheats. The temperature should stay steady and the heater should run hot. Look for cracked heater pipes and a damaged radiator too; T-bar roof seals leak as they age, staining the seats and feeding the sill rust. Feel the carpets for damp; Look for oil leaking at the cam cover, distributor O-rings and head gasket, because oil that reaches the alternator kills it.

Which SW20 revision should I buy?

For a turbo, the usual recommendation is Type III or later. Type II (December 1991) brought the suspension changes and 15-inch wheels that address the early cars' handling. In November 1993, Type III raised the turbo to 245 PS and the naturally aspirated engine to 170 to 180 PS. Type IV (June 1996) made ABS and airbags standard, and Type V (December 1997) added the 200 PS BEAMS 3S-GE.

Does the SW20 really snap oversteer?

The early cars did, if the driver lifted mid-corner. They'd switch abruptly from understeer to oversteer, which is how the reputation started. The Type II update brought revised suspension and wheel sizes. Whatever the year, matched tires and a correct alignment make the biggest difference.

Other Toyota MR2 generations

MR2 AW11 (27)

Toyota MR2 SW20 grades & special editions

MR2 G Limited (28 SW20) · MR2 GT (13 SW20) · MR2 GT-S (8 SW20) · MR2 G Limited T-Bar (3 SW20)

All Toyota MR2 for sale ›

Want a specific MR2 SW20?

Send us the year, transmission and spec you want, and we'll find one at auction and quote it shipped to your US port or imported and titled.

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