The MRS is a very good car in terms of performance, not in the 0-100 sprint, but the handling around the bend. It is much like Elise in this sense, but of course the Elise is a true sports car while the MRS is a little more domesticated.
The MR2/MRS club is very active and vibrant, I personally drives an MR2 and would welcome you to join us if you do plan to get an MRS, perhaps you can even come to one of our mamak sessions and talk to MRS owners directly.
You can check out the following link, pictures I took during one of our convoys, with a few MRS and MR2s.
http://www.kydrives.net/gallery/v/MR2Convoyon2006NewYear/
Good luck.