Toyota Supra, advice from owners
Discussion
Can anyone who either owns or has owned a Supra mark IV tell me about the experience? Was it good/bad? Things to be aware of or look out for? MPG? Running cost's and insurance etc? How hard is it to find an unmolested example? Worth getting an import do you think?
Either for the turbo or non turbo.
Many thanks guys, I quite fancy one of these bad boys...
Either for the turbo or non turbo.
Many thanks guys, I quite fancy one of these bad boys...
My UK-spec 6 speed twin turbo has been a great solid car. I take it to the Nurburgring every year and still hasn't missed a beat.
The UK-spec versions have the history which can be checked.... the imports ... well, you just take your chances. Things could have been added then removed for example... giving the impression of a standard looking car, but which may have been a drift monster. (Just a heads up for you)
MPG all depends on how you drive it... as with any car. Mine on the motorway in 6th gear can cruise at 70 doing about 32mpg.
On the track then it is down to about 7 or 8 mpg. But then mine is also modified slightly so it is sucking in a bit more air and a bit more fuel on full chatt.
The twin turbo engines are renowned for their over engineered block and transmission. Toyota originally had planned to have a much more powerful BHP output, but then decided to stick with 326bhp. So you have a block and transmission capable of well over 600bhp (for the 6 speed manual that is).
The auto transmission will give up before the manual by the way.
I have never been a fan of any automatic gearbox.... I have tried the Supra auto box and find it just the same as most auto boxes..... basically a pain in the ar$e and leaves you with a feeling of not being in full control of the car. But that is because I am more of a purist with driving and cars... a lot of people say the auto box on the supra is very good.
I have driven many many different sports cars and I rate the 6 speed twin turbo very highly.
The UK-spec versions have the history which can be checked.... the imports ... well, you just take your chances. Things could have been added then removed for example... giving the impression of a standard looking car, but which may have been a drift monster. (Just a heads up for you)
MPG all depends on how you drive it... as with any car. Mine on the motorway in 6th gear can cruise at 70 doing about 32mpg.
On the track then it is down to about 7 or 8 mpg. But then mine is also modified slightly so it is sucking in a bit more air and a bit more fuel on full chatt.
The twin turbo engines are renowned for their over engineered block and transmission. Toyota originally had planned to have a much more powerful BHP output, but then decided to stick with 326bhp. So you have a block and transmission capable of well over 600bhp (for the 6 speed manual that is).
The auto transmission will give up before the manual by the way.
I have never been a fan of any automatic gearbox.... I have tried the Supra auto box and find it just the same as most auto boxes..... basically a pain in the ar$e and leaves you with a feeling of not being in full control of the car. But that is because I am more of a purist with driving and cars... a lot of people say the auto box on the supra is very good.
I have driven many many different sports cars and I rate the 6 speed twin turbo very highly.
Take a look on the owners website or pistonhead's classifieds or autotrader with rgards to prices. This should give you a ball park figure of top and bottom of the range.
Some people over value their cars.... some are on the market price.... some may even be a bargain... so it is very hard to put definite price ranges on 2nd hand sports cars... depending on modifications etc.
I tend to look at the car history and have a good check round and a good test drive before making my own mind on its value to me.... after doing this I make an offer regardless of the asking price.
Some people over value their cars.... some are on the market price.... some may even be a bargain... so it is very hard to put definite price ranges on 2nd hand sports cars... depending on modifications etc.
I tend to look at the car history and have a good check round and a good test drive before making my own mind on its value to me.... after doing this I make an offer regardless of the asking price.
Great, will do. Are there any known mechanical issues to look out for, any common problems that I should be aware of?
As an aside, tell me a bit about your experience of running a Supra, has it been fun, have you enjoyed it, what's it been like to live on a daily basis? etc etc. I'd like to hear about your experience of running one of these cars, your opinion....
I always find peoples personal experiences much more useful a tool when reseaching something than the rubbbish being spouted by certain magazines (in between the adverts, of course!) .
As an aside, tell me a bit about your experience of running a Supra, has it been fun, have you enjoyed it, what's it been like to live on a daily basis? etc etc. I'd like to hear about your experience of running one of these cars, your opinion....
I always find peoples personal experiences much more useful a tool when reseaching something than the rubbbish being spouted by certain magazines (in between the adverts, of course!) .
Well before I bought mine 9 years ago I test drove a lot of different cars from BMWs through to Elise.
I found that my criteria was for an affordable fun RWD sports/GT car.... I found the Supra fitted the bill nicely.
I preferred the Supra over other sports/gt cars due to the GT car looks, the renowned reliability of the toyota twin turbo engine, the stock performance figures and the interior that is all driver orientated.
The price for these cars due to the badge snobbery (which I am really glad is a reality as it brings less desired brand names cheaper), I found the cost for the amount of BHP and performance in the Supra was second to none at the time.
To live with everyday the Supra is great. I find it to be great fun. 'A' road driving is the Supra's forte. But as it is GT car it is also very comfortable on the motorways.... but motorways are straight and boring... I like to take the 'A' roads where possible on shorter drives.
It is obviously not as practible as a range rover if you are using it as a shopping car, but it does have decent boot space and 'rear passenger seat' storage if you decide to go travelling around Eruope for example.
What are the negative sides? Well, driving in the snow is a nightmare due to the large width tyres and subsequently they ride on top of the snow instead of cuting through it.
If you are not always concentrating when driving then too much accelerator too quickly can see you facing the wrong way.... although this is part of my liking of the challenge of RWD driving. For me this keeps me alert and fully conentrating when I drive this car. But it has caught a few people out on the MKivSupra.net owners forum.
Fuel cost as mentioned ranges from 7 to 32 mpg depending on how you drive.
Everything else is just like a normal car. Service costs are not too bad... engine oil change every 9000miles (as stated in the owners manual).
If you want the proper Supra driving experience then go for the top of the range UK-spec or the import GZ spec. This way you will have all the 'toys' and the all important LSD.
And IMO go for a 6-speed manual.
What are the issue I have had with my car? ... not many to tell the trueth. In all the previous 9 years of ownership the only main problem was the stock alarm/immobiliser system. It failed one wintertime when the battery went dead. The uk-spec Supras were fitted with a Scorpion system and they were notirous for failing on dead batteries.
(If you decide for an import then beware that often they do not come with any security systems - make sure your importer has had one fitted).
I found that my criteria was for an affordable fun RWD sports/GT car.... I found the Supra fitted the bill nicely.
I preferred the Supra over other sports/gt cars due to the GT car looks, the renowned reliability of the toyota twin turbo engine, the stock performance figures and the interior that is all driver orientated.
The price for these cars due to the badge snobbery (which I am really glad is a reality as it brings less desired brand names cheaper), I found the cost for the amount of BHP and performance in the Supra was second to none at the time.
To live with everyday the Supra is great. I find it to be great fun. 'A' road driving is the Supra's forte. But as it is GT car it is also very comfortable on the motorways.... but motorways are straight and boring... I like to take the 'A' roads where possible on shorter drives.
It is obviously not as practible as a range rover if you are using it as a shopping car, but it does have decent boot space and 'rear passenger seat' storage if you decide to go travelling around Eruope for example.
What are the negative sides? Well, driving in the snow is a nightmare due to the large width tyres and subsequently they ride on top of the snow instead of cuting through it.
If you are not always concentrating when driving then too much accelerator too quickly can see you facing the wrong way.... although this is part of my liking of the challenge of RWD driving. For me this keeps me alert and fully conentrating when I drive this car. But it has caught a few people out on the MKivSupra.net owners forum.
Fuel cost as mentioned ranges from 7 to 32 mpg depending on how you drive.
Everything else is just like a normal car. Service costs are not too bad... engine oil change every 9000miles (as stated in the owners manual).
If you want the proper Supra driving experience then go for the top of the range UK-spec or the import GZ spec. This way you will have all the 'toys' and the all important LSD.
And IMO go for a 6-speed manual.
What are the issue I have had with my car? ... not many to tell the trueth. In all the previous 9 years of ownership the only main problem was the stock alarm/immobiliser system. It failed one wintertime when the battery went dead. The uk-spec Supras were fitted with a Scorpion system and they were notirous for failing on dead batteries.
(If you decide for an import then beware that often they do not come with any security systems - make sure your importer has had one fitted).
Edited by AJI on Sunday 23 November 01:53
Just wanted to add that I run two cars, and I usually change one of them after a year or two as I tend to get bored.
I have owned my Supra for over 9 years... this shows how much I have enjoyed it and how good I think it is.
(Although to be fair, each year I put some money aside to add something to it.... it is now running at just over 400bhp... but I did keep it stock for about 3 or 4 years of ownership).
I have owned my Supra for over 9 years... this shows how much I have enjoyed it and how good I think it is.
(Although to be fair, each year I put some money aside to add something to it.... it is now running at just over 400bhp... but I did keep it stock for about 3 or 4 years of ownership).
The guy I bought my Supra from was from Guilford and (I think) he told me that he was the best friend of the then editor of AutoCAR magazine. (Which explained the large advert in one of the classified pages).
I did a LOT of searching around up and down the country and it is best to test drive a good few of these cars so you can get a feel of them. Then you can start to tell a good one from a bad one.
Take a look on the MKivSupra.net and ask if there are any local guys near to you that would be willing to come along and check over a potential purchase. We are a friendly bunch on that BBS and someone will be happy to help.
If you are new to RWD cars and Supras then I would say it is best to try and get a standard car... one that has not had a big turbo slapped on it... or one that has been modified beyond recognition.
As for the Auto vs Manual debate... it has been done a lot of times on the MKivSupra.net.... but in the end it all comes down to your personal driving choice.
Yes the Auto box in the MKiv is very good.... but as with most auto boxes they take away a big part of the driving experience. And there maybe times when the box changes gear unexpectidly... and it has caught one or two out on corners.
But if you like to simply cruise through town and only drive at town speeds and not want to worry about having to change gear then the auto would be your natural choice.
If you want the full sports/gt car experience and want to be in full control of the car then the 6-speed is what you need.
Hope this helps.
I did a LOT of searching around up and down the country and it is best to test drive a good few of these cars so you can get a feel of them. Then you can start to tell a good one from a bad one.
Take a look on the MKivSupra.net and ask if there are any local guys near to you that would be willing to come along and check over a potential purchase. We are a friendly bunch on that BBS and someone will be happy to help.
If you are new to RWD cars and Supras then I would say it is best to try and get a standard car... one that has not had a big turbo slapped on it... or one that has been modified beyond recognition.
As for the Auto vs Manual debate... it has been done a lot of times on the MKivSupra.net.... but in the end it all comes down to your personal driving choice.
Yes the Auto box in the MKiv is very good.... but as with most auto boxes they take away a big part of the driving experience. And there maybe times when the box changes gear unexpectidly... and it has caught one or two out on corners.
But if you like to simply cruise through town and only drive at town speeds and not want to worry about having to change gear then the auto would be your natural choice.
If you want the full sports/gt car experience and want to be in full control of the car then the 6-speed is what you need.
Hope this helps.
Great, thanks AJ.
I wii head on to the other forum for a gander, and someone to look over potentials would certinly help! How difficult is it to find a stock one these days, gather Fast-and-the-Bloody-Furious might have hampered my chances somewhat?!
I guess the manual/auto issue needs a few test drives to resolve. Is there anywhere you could recommend looking for Supras or just the usuals; eBay, PH, Supra forums etc?
Thanks again for your help
I wii head on to the other forum for a gander, and someone to look over potentials would certinly help! How difficult is it to find a stock one these days, gather Fast-and-the-Bloody-Furious might have hampered my chances somewhat?!
I guess the manual/auto issue needs a few test drives to resolve. Is there anywhere you could recommend looking for Supras or just the usuals; eBay, PH, Supra forums etc?
Thanks again for your help
If looked after and STANDARD then yes they are pretty much bullet proof.
When modified then who knows if it has been done correctly (and for how long), and depending on the modifications how much extra stress it has put on certain parts.
Modification parts are all explained on the mkivSupra.net... it would be a little silly for me to write them out again here. Just take a look on the BBS.
Try a search for "BPU".... this is a combination of basic upgrade parts required to take your car 'to the next level' as it were.
When modified then who knows if it has been done correctly (and for how long), and depending on the modifications how much extra stress it has put on certain parts.
Modification parts are all explained on the mkivSupra.net... it would be a little silly for me to write them out again here. Just take a look on the BBS.
Try a search for "BPU".... this is a combination of basic upgrade parts required to take your car 'to the next level' as it were.
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