Why have Toyota Supra values remained so strong?
Discussion
Morning all,
I was just thinking today that it had been a while since I had seen a Toyota Supra on the roads. I decided to take a look at the classified ads for these, which got me to thinking about them.
They have always commanded 'high' prices for an ageing import performance car. The prices aren't entirely consistent though, as some can be had for relatively little money (non turbo autos and 5 speed manual N/A's seem the cheapest). Some, like the twin turbo RZ models, command big prices. It seems a high mileage manual twin turbo model can command an asking price of upwards of £10,000 in some places. Even automatic twin turbo RZ's can command an asking price of £7000-8000 with ease. I suppose they are selling at these prices too, as thats what the majority for sale seem to be pitched at.
How have the managed to maintain this appeal, which has lead to relatively strong residuals? Toyota's were on a roll at the time, making the stunningly fast MR2 Turbo. Yet a good MR2 Turbo can be had for a couple of grand. For not much more and you'll get a mint Celica GT4 of the era. So why is it the Supra commands such a premium?
Is it the stunning power the twin turbo models can be tuned to? Is it their appeal to the 'dr1ft boiz' who want to paint them pink and slide them round dark carparks and laybys with other men? What is it about them? By all accounts they were not the best drive of the time; seriously quick in a straight line down the right road but heavy and stodgy in the corners. The equivalent Skyline is no doubt quicker over most roads. Imprezas and Lancer Evolutions no doubt provide far better bang to buck and will blow a Supra into the weeds on any technical A road or B road.
What do I like about the Supra? The interior. I love that wraparound cockpit style, the same sort of vibe I got from my Volvo S60 with the console angled towarsd you. In the Supra it's even more extreme than in the Volvo. I love the look of them, especially from the back with a tall spoiler. I love the noise they make. I would never say never to grabbing a manual model if the right one came along.
Your thoughts?
I was just thinking today that it had been a while since I had seen a Toyota Supra on the roads. I decided to take a look at the classified ads for these, which got me to thinking about them.
They have always commanded 'high' prices for an ageing import performance car. The prices aren't entirely consistent though, as some can be had for relatively little money (non turbo autos and 5 speed manual N/A's seem the cheapest). Some, like the twin turbo RZ models, command big prices. It seems a high mileage manual twin turbo model can command an asking price of upwards of £10,000 in some places. Even automatic twin turbo RZ's can command an asking price of £7000-8000 with ease. I suppose they are selling at these prices too, as thats what the majority for sale seem to be pitched at.
How have the managed to maintain this appeal, which has lead to relatively strong residuals? Toyota's were on a roll at the time, making the stunningly fast MR2 Turbo. Yet a good MR2 Turbo can be had for a couple of grand. For not much more and you'll get a mint Celica GT4 of the era. So why is it the Supra commands such a premium?
Is it the stunning power the twin turbo models can be tuned to? Is it their appeal to the 'dr1ft boiz' who want to paint them pink and slide them round dark carparks and laybys with other men? What is it about them? By all accounts they were not the best drive of the time; seriously quick in a straight line down the right road but heavy and stodgy in the corners. The equivalent Skyline is no doubt quicker over most roads. Imprezas and Lancer Evolutions no doubt provide far better bang to buck and will blow a Supra into the weeds on any technical A road or B road.
What do I like about the Supra? The interior. I love that wraparound cockpit style, the same sort of vibe I got from my Volvo S60 with the console angled towarsd you. In the Supra it's even more extreme than in the Volvo. I love the look of them, especially from the back with a tall spoiler. I love the noise they make. I would never say never to grabbing a manual model if the right one came along.
Your thoughts?
Supply v's demand. High price when new. Sought after. Highly tuneable. Surprisingly good to drive.
Especially the turbo manual models, even more so if it's a genuine UK turbo manual, very rare thing to find, if you want one you have to pay a premium.
If you look at the people who tended to buy them new they were affluent and often older.
They are a very good car, I've only had one and was really impressed by the way it drove (it was a jdm twin turbo auto). Prices for good ones are now going up.
I was expecting it to be a big soft and lazy GT but it was in fact genuinely sporty, great engine and gearbox, sharp handling, good fun to drive quick. Only let down by overly light steering and usually plastic/old fashioned dash.
A lot of them seem to end up in the hands of barry-boy modifiers which is a shame as its a great car underneath.
Especially the turbo manual models, even more so if it's a genuine UK turbo manual, very rare thing to find, if you want one you have to pay a premium.
If you look at the people who tended to buy them new they were affluent and often older.
They are a very good car, I've only had one and was really impressed by the way it drove (it was a jdm twin turbo auto). Prices for good ones are now going up.
I was expecting it to be a big soft and lazy GT but it was in fact genuinely sporty, great engine and gearbox, sharp handling, good fun to drive quick. Only let down by overly light steering and usually plastic/old fashioned dash.
A lot of them seem to end up in the hands of barry-boy modifiers which is a shame as its a great car underneath.
Rallycross hit the nail on the head.
The only other thing to add is that they are actually very easy to work on. Any amateur spanner enthusiast will have no issues at all. That, and the fact there is a massive worldwide second hand performance parts scene for them that's accessable to anyone with the ability to work a computer, means that for the price of the car plus the cost of a fortnight in Ibiza in tuning parts, you can have something that you can work on yourself and goes like a bullet from a gun when you nail it.
They also still have that 'Fast and Furious' cool factor for certain people. Ironic, when you consider that film was out back when most of their girlfriends were still learining the two times table.
The only other thing to add is that they are actually very easy to work on. Any amateur spanner enthusiast will have no issues at all. That, and the fact there is a massive worldwide second hand performance parts scene for them that's accessable to anyone with the ability to work a computer, means that for the price of the car plus the cost of a fortnight in Ibiza in tuning parts, you can have something that you can work on yourself and goes like a bullet from a gun when you nail it.
They also still have that 'Fast and Furious' cool factor for certain people. Ironic, when you consider that film was out back when most of their girlfriends were still learining the two times table.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff