Classic JDM car rentals in East Tennessee

The 1994 Toyota MR2 GTS and the 1995 Mazda Miata are not random. They represent the high and the accessible of the same Japanese sports car moment — the 1990s, when Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and Nissan competed to build the most interesting driver's cars in the world within real-person budgets.

The MR2 GTS is the high. Mid-engine 3S-GTE turbo, 200 hp behind the driver's head, 5-speed manual, pop-up headlights. In the early 1990s, the MR2 Turbo competed directly with Porsche's 944 Turbo on driving dynamics while costing a fraction as much. It's a time machine for a driver who grew up reading car magazines.

The Miata is the accessible. About 2,200 pounds, 1.8L boxer, 5-speed manual, true soft top. The NA Miata defined what a sports car's purpose is — not straight-line speed, but the joy of connection between driver, car, and road. Every person who has rented the Miata has come back wanting to own one.

The MR2 GTS is for the driver who wants the full analog sports car experience — including the demands. The 3S-GTE's turbo delivery is abrupt, the mid-engine balance amplifies every throttle input in corners, and the car requires respect and experience. It's not a car that forgives mistakes easily. It is the most memorable car in our fleet for a driver who's ready for it.

The Miata is for every driver. Its lightest weight, most forgiving balance, and most joyful character make it the most rewarding car per horsepower in the fleet. Beginners can drive it confidently; experienced drivers find new lines every lap. It's also the only convertible — the top-down experience on the Foothills Parkway and Cades Cove is the Miata's singular gift.

Both are manual-only in our fleet. If you want a classic JDM experience without a manual transmission, the WRX GT is the closest thing we have to modern-era JDM in an automatic.

Tail of the Dragon is both cars' natural environment — but in different ways. The MR2 on the Dragon is the most memorable car for an experienced driver: the mid-engine balance and turbo delivery make every corner an event. The Miata on the Dragon is the most rewarding car for any driver: its transparency and lightness make you feel faster than you are.

The Foothills Parkway top-down at golden hour is the Miata's definitive experience. The MR2's fixed glass and louver-blocked rear view don't have the same relationship with a scenic drive; the Miata's open cockpit puts the landscape overhead.

Both cars on Cherohala Skyway are excellent. The MR2's mid-engine balance suits the Cherohala's higher-speed sweepers; the Miata's lightness makes the technical summit sections feel effortless.