Supra Twin-Turbo running costs + experiences?

[Variel]

Hi all,

I'm interested in upgrading my car after a little windfall and was looking at a Supra Twin-Turbo, however one thing that is putting me off is the running costs.

I was just wondering what real world running costs would be like on a very low mileage 13 year old Jap Import doing around 5k a year.

I've heard 20-25 mpg combined is about average which wouldn't put me off so much as the servicing costs etc.

The car I'm interested in is completely standard so no expensive modifications to increase running costs.

In addition to this what are people general experiences with Supra ownership?

I'm considering the Supra for the next 5 years or so as my daily driver and getting the missus something like a Jazz for her commute and when we need more room in the car.

Cheers for all the replies

[AJI]

If you get a 6-speed manual then you can achieve higher mpg than with auto.
I can get around 32-33 mpg on a steady motorway run.
Or 7-8 mpg on the nurburgring.

So this gives you the 'extremeties' if you like.


If you are looking at buying then head over to the MkIVsupra.net and check out the member's cars for sale.
Here you can check the recent history of the car by searching the user name, it can bring up any recent issues/fixes the car may have had. Also if the user has been 'active' on the forum you can get an idea as to how its been treated/looked after.

Generally speaking an un-modified or slightly modified (BPU) Supra is very reliable. Assuming its been well looked after and serviced regularly as with any other car.

I have had my twin turbo Supra for around 10 years and nothing major has gone wrong with it.
(well, not counting the immobiliser that packed in when the battery went flat - my own fault really for not keeping the battery charged over winter)

[AJI]

just wanted to add..... very low milage on a 13 year old car should be around 52,000 miles.....(assuming 4,000 miles per year)
Anything lower than that will be very suspicious or indicate a car that has been sat around doing nothing for long periods of time.

Edited by AJI on Sunday 9th May 17:10

[4leks]

Had mine UK TT for over 2 years, was Auto with full BPU running circa 380bhp.
Pure pleasure & absolute bullet proof car with no faults. I serviced it regularly & had no expence spared though.
A little bit "boy racers looking car though" despite I had no bodikit etc, 19" wheels only
With regards to running costs - fairy cheap especially in comparison with Ferrari 360 & Cayenne Turbo I'm running now.
I think service costs shouldn't exceed £1k per annum for moderate mileage (under 10K) unless something goes terribly wrong.

Edited by 4leks on Monday 10th May 11:20

Edited by 4leks on Monday 10th May 11:22

[AJI]

4leks said:

I think service costs shouldn't exceed £1k per annum for moderate mileage (under 10K) unless something goes terribly wrong.

Blimey! £1K per annum would mean you have a dodgey old snotter of a Supra.

Servicing for a Supra each year should never cost that much.
Oil change is easy and simple....don't need a dealer to do this as they will charge way over the odds.
Cost of oil and normal garage labour approx. £60-80 for engine oil change.

MOT each year £55 (is that the current price?)

Diff oil isn't every year, neither is gearbox oil (based on average milage and usage).
Tyres should be every 3 years (normal driviing).
Brake pads / discs every 3 years (normal driving).

So braking this down to a yearly cost should only see £200-500 on BASIC servicing.

[Variel]

Thanks for all the replies.

The running costs don't appear to be as high as I feared then.

I've been looking at the mkiv Supra Owners Club for the last week or so, so starting to get a feel, but wanted a more unbiased view of running costs.

I'm looking at getting a Supra from JM Imports, so would be feeling very confident about the quality of car I was getting.

[Variel]

That's really interesting Gaz.

Just been to have a look at a Supra and the guy was really helpful. He also said that the running costs are a lot lower than other cars.

I must say my heart is now set on a Supra. Only thing left is to decide which one to get.

[AJI]

You'll have to bear in mind that a lot of the running and maintenance costs really depend on how you drive it and how much use it gets.
This can vary a lot between each driver's owning experience.

[Martin F]

AJI said:

4leks said:

I think service costs shouldn't exceed £1k per annum for moderate mileage (under 10K) unless something goes terribly wrong.

Blimey! £1K per annum would mean you have a dodgey old snotter of a Supra.

Agreed

I'd be suprised if average annual costs were more than £500 - £600

[MrHanky]

Just to say that myself and my brother both bought our TT Supra's from Jurgen at JM Imports and found the cars and service to be great. As for running costs, they really aren't too bad. The main costs I incurred were from modifications . Servicing wise I found prices pretty competitive and only had one problem during my ownership (wheel bearing).

Mark

[Variel]

Well after all the advice I've decided to buy the Supra from Jurgen! Excited to get it now!

[Variel]

Here you go Gaz.:

http://www.jm-imports.co.uk/cardetails/toyota/2010...

[SBDJ]

AJI said:

Tyres should be every 3 years (normal driviing).

Really?! I get under 10k out of my rears and thats with no abuse :/

[AJI]

SBDJ said:

AJI said:

Tyres should be every 3 years (normal driviing).

Really?! I get under 10k out of my rears and thats with no abuse :/

Maybe you need a 4-wheel alignment check?

I have Eagle F1s on mine and they have lasted 3 years. And I do the odd bit of 'enthusiastic' driving so to speak.

[SBDJ]

Maybe I'm just over enthusiastic then

I've had the alignment checked a few times, although I'm saving a full decent check until I've done a suspension refresh. She's done 230000 miles now and I'm getting some knocking from the front offside when turning left so I definitely need to get on with it!

[4leks]

AJI said:

4leks said:

I think service costs shouldn't exceed £1k per annum for moderate mileage (under 10K) unless something goes terribly wrong.

Blimey! £1K per annum would mean you have a dodgey old snotter of a Supra.

Servicing for a Supra each year should never cost that much.
Oil change is easy and simple....don't need a dealer to do this as they will charge way over the odds.
Cost of oil and normal garage labour approx. £60-80 for engine oil change.

MOT each year £55 (is that the current price?)

Diff oil isn't every year, neither is gearbox oil (based on average milage and usage).
Tyres should be every 3 years (normal driviing).
Brake pads / discs every 3 years (normal driving).

So braking this down to a yearly cost should only see £200-500 on BASIC servicing.

Sorry, matey, but I'm not used to save money on my cars
My cars were always run no expenses spared basis
Thats why I never ever experienced any problems with my cars despite running Nurburgring few times a year etc
With my Supra I've done 26 laps on Nurburgring one day and didn't have any single failure...just because I looked after it
I had upgraded discs & race pads which I changed at least once a year (pads)
Tyres once a year (I had Eagle F1 on 19" wheels)
Oils, liquids etc normally once a year but I've done it twice.
Done cambelt service when I bought it.
However if you need Supra just to show off you can obviously keep it within £300 per annum...but I would rather say get yourself Focus, you don't need 350+ bhp beast
If you really want to drive & enjoy it then you need more than £500 per annum, my friend
My car was perfect in any way, I could rely on it to do 2000 miles trip over the weekend

Edited by 4leks on Friday 21st May 23:59

[4leks]

Martin F said:

AJI said:

4leks said:

I think service costs shouldn't exceed £1k per annum for moderate mileage (under 10K) unless something goes terribly wrong.

Blimey! £1K per annum would mean you have a dodgey old snotter of a Supra.

Agreed

I'd be suprised if average annual costs were more than £500 - £600

It means you've never driven one properly

Edited by 4leks on Friday 21st May 23:58

[4leks]

Gaz. said:

4leks said:

AJI said:

4leks said:

I think service costs shouldn't exceed £1k per annum for moderate mileage (under 10K) unless something goes terribly wrong.

Blimey! £1K per annum would mean you have a dodgey old snotter of a Supra.

Servicing for a Supra each year should never cost that much.
Oil change is easy and simple....don't need a dealer to do this as they will charge way over the odds.
Cost of oil and normal garage labour approx. £60-80 for engine oil change.

MOT each year £55 (is that the current price?)

Diff oil isn't every year, neither is gearbox oil (based on average milage and usage).
Tyres should be every 3 years (normal driviing).
Brake pads / discs every 3 years (normal driving).

So braking this down to a yearly cost should only see £200-500 on BASIC servicing.

Sorry, matey, but I'm not used to save money on my cars
My cars were always run no expenses spared basis
Thats why I never ever experienced any problems with my cars despite running Nurburgring few times a year etc
With my Supra I've done 26 laps on Nurburgring one day and didn't have any single failure...just because I looked after it
I had upgraded discs & race pads which I changed at least once a year (pads)
Tyres once a year (I had Eagle F1 on 19" wheels)
Oils, liquids etc normally once a year but I've done it twice.
Done cambelt service when I bought it.
However if you need Supra just to show off you can obviously keep it within £300 per annum...but I would rather say get yourself Focus, you don't need 350+ bhp beast
If you really want to drive & enjoy it then you need more than £500 per annum, my friend
My car was perfect in any way, I could rely on it to do 2000 miles trip over the weekend

Edited by 4leks on Friday 21st May 23:59

oooohhhh..... this is going to get interesting.....

why? I just want to see how you can keep your maintenance costs down to £200 per annum if you do circa 10k miles not on UK motorways but proper driving
let me know if you know how
my tyres never lasted for 10k miles despite I've done alignment check at least 3 times a year

[chriis]

Variel said:

Here you go Gaz.:

http://www.jm-imports.co.uk/cardetails/toyota/2010...

Thats nice , best colour too

[4leks]

Gaz. said:

Mainly because I don't think you know who you're talking to and your attitude is very condescending. AJ is no stranger to the N'ring nor trackdays & has had his car for ten years.

Made me laugh Yeap, of course I don't know what I'm talking about after 2+ years of Supra ownership. Only you know
Funny one.
£200 per annum to run Supra...Yeap, you can keep one in the garage for this sort of money but not run it properly

Edited by 4leks on Sunday 23 May 23:49