The 1st-gen (AW11) MR2 is a lightweight, 1.6-liter thing. It's more similar in character to the current MR2 spyder than the 2nd-gen (SW21) MR2. The SW21 turbo is pretty quick. It has some issues with overheating on road courses due to not enough air intake but it's not got any major problems. The '91-'92 have smaller brakes, no ABS, and some assorted other things missing. '93-'95 have larger brakes, ABS optional, LSD optional. Ideally if you can find a '93-'95 with ABS and LSD that would be the way to go.

Just for comparison, all FC TII and FD RX-7's have 4-piston front calipers, LSD standard (viscous coupling on FC, Torsen on FD). '87-'88 had optional ABS and everything from '89-'95 both FC and FD have standard ABS.