When discussing iconic Japanese sports cars of the 90s, the Mk4 Supra probably features on any list below the Honda NSX and any Skyline GT-R. It lacked the Honda's stunning looks (and engine) or the Nissan's devastating all-weather ability, a point now reflected in used values; the £26K is required for the cheapest
NSX
on PH, an R33 at the same money as the Supra is a
modified import
UK R34s
are more than twice the money (admittedly at fewer miles).
Actually 100 per cent standard. Really
But the Supra is just as fast and just as rare as those cars. It was hardly a shabby drive either. So what held the Supra back in the UK? Why did it fail to meet even Toyota's low sales expectations for it back in the early 90s?
Image could be a big part of it. There was almost a confused identity about the last Supra, a sports car aimed at Europe's finest and more than capable enough to take them on but still hamstrung to many by a Japanese badge. Then because it was a different kind of Japanese sports car, quite heavy and luxurious, it perhaps didn't quite appeal to traditional buyers of those. The £40K+ price tag can't have helped, placing it directly against rivals like the Porsche 928 and Lotus Esprit Turbo.
All that combines to make UK Supras very rare indeed. There are always numerous Japanese imports populating the classifieds but the real deal surfaces very seldom. This car could well be perfect if a Supra tickles your fancy; a manual owned by a husband and wife since new, it has covered 80,000 miles and appears to be in superb condition . Best of all, there's not a single modification to it.
Here's what a standard Supra engine looks like
With a low but realistic mileage, it's not unfeasible to use this Supra occasionally as a fun car. Toyota claimed a 0-60mph time of less than five seconds for the Supra and this wonderfully OTT
Top Gear review
says the Supra's handling was one of its strongest points. So there. If all that's not enough to convince you of a Supra, this manual
928 GT
is a worthy alternative at £1,000 more.
Finally, if the FT-1 does make some kind of production reality, will Supras become more covetable? Maybe, maybe not, but a rise in value for this Supra could make a brilliant sports car experience even better still.
TOYOTA SUPRA
Engine: 2,997cc twin-turbo straight-six
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 330@5,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 325@4,800rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1993
Recorded mileage: 80,000
Price new: £41,999
Yours for: £16,995
See the original advert here.
[Source: Autocar]