actually bang for buck there are a lot of other cars that are better choices than this one.  the MX-5 / Miata, the RX-8, the Altezza etc.  all of them offers better value than the MR-S although there are some little drawbacks such as rarity for the mazda (u can get old gen for less than 70k but newer one for around 110k, MR-S is priced in between), RX-8 is a fuel guzzler (but it's a whole lot more practical than the toyota), the Altezza isn't considered lightweight, but it's got huge potential in the engine bay (u can fit in any kind of engine u can think of, RB26dett or 1jz or SR20 or even 2jz if u got the $) and it's a 4 door sedan, not to mention the fun factor of FR (yes, i'll take it any day over MR platform because u can do silly things with it and it will reward you, not punish you like the MR if you are a noob)

oh, and i forgot, since u r considering a 2nd hand car, THE MR-2 is a 100 times better than the MR-S

did u say "I guess mrs is the most fun car"? 

if u think i'm not qualified to poke fun at your comments, firstly, look at what i'm driving.  I know this is the internet and i can pretend that i'm driving a ferrari or a lambo, but i'm not, i'm driving a 30 year old hunk of junk that has 2 doors and a 1jz engine in it.  i'm more than qualified to poke fun at u.

where's the popcorn? 

yup, i dont understand the 'hate'. usually calling mr-s as 'underpowered', really???

why??
i dont understand misinformation or boys claiming it's a girly/hairdresser's car.
First & foremost, back then the mr-s or mr2 spyder was created to re-enter to small sportscar market that the very first generation MR2 AW11 sparked a whole new interest in it. sure the Mazda (Miata) then swoop it up with its brilliant back to basics MX5 (using similar cues &  template as a yardstick from the early 60s lotus élan)

They (mazda) virtually swept the small sports car segment & rightfully claimed the world's best selling roadster! there is no shame in that!!

Toyota while had the second generation SW20 (more powerful since they also had turbo over the NA) certainly wowed the enthusiast! Claims of chalking 400hp, 500 hp from the 3SSGTE was normal.

but the SW20 certainly had added too much weight on its rear, esp the turbos, its quite tricky driving with so much power & you don't want spooling it at mid corner. hairy experience. only those who attempt will understand. (sorry not for those who "claims" or hear say). It's still a fine car. the testimony is a couple of them are still driving it from day one. 

Now, i digress. toyota felt the SW20 was getting too hard to sell in the global scenario. back it the early-mid 90s, i believe there is a report that showed only 30-35 SW20 was sold in the whole of USA on its last year there, whereas the mazda was laughing its way to the bank. While the SW20 was suppose to be a step up category over the AW11, it was painful to see what toyota sparked, was swoop by another car maker in penetrating that segment. 

IN truth,Toyota wanted to chalk back some numbers, so back to the drawing board, to see what made the AW11 so popular in its single largest market & sparked the small sports car segment up.

Is it in the same class as the S2k?    no, of course not. the STook is a category up & more expensive. WHY can't people understand this simple classification???

If i'm not mistaken koolspyda is the owner of a kool Gulf themed MRS.