RE: Toyota Supra: Spotted

[Atomic12C]

amoeba said:

Can you not import these from Japan for 6-10k? Then pay 5k for the paint job, and have exactly the same car as above?

Also - are they dynamically not a bit pants? I.e. brakes and handling

You're probably right, you could import and modify to get nearly the same car for a whole lot cheaper.
But still, the asking prices of these old cars are hugely optimistic. I'm only guessing that buyers of such cars are not aware of value for money.
Higher asking price doesn't not equate to better value for money.

Same could be said for a lot of high priced motors on the market at the moment, with many saying that the bubble is already slowly 'bursting'.

[neil1jnr]

s m said:

SonicShadow said:

ruprechtmonkeyboy said:

SonicShadow said:

Those seats are actually an upgrade option - Recaro SR's (not sure if SR2 or SR3) in the rather desirable Le Mans/Confetti pattern.

Might of been desirable back then but not today!

Disagree, and those seats in excellent condition sell for pretty much the same price as brand new ones (that pattern is long discontinued), but we're all entitled to our own opinions.

They had similar cloth patterns on a lot of the hot hatches of the time ( 306, Saxo ) and stuff like the Primera GT - I quite like it

Never wanted one really but I like this shape of Supra
Featured in a few head to heads with the E36 M3 in the mags

I can completely understand why they fetch big money

Lovely Supra.

I personally love the strange seat patterns on 90's cars.

[LasseV]

amoeba said:

Can you not import these from Japan for 6-10k? Then pay 5k for the paint job, and have exactly the same car as above?

Also - are they dynamically not a bit pants? I.e. brakes and handling

Nope mate, they are more expensive in Japan than they are in UK.


US/Euro spec brakes are good and they handles very well.

[J-Tuner]

Atomic12C said:

You're probably right, you could import and modify to get nearly the same car for a whole lot cheaper.
But still, the asking prices of these old cars are hugely optimistic. I'm only guessing that buyers of such cars are not aware of value for money.
Higher asking price doesn't not equate to better value for money.

Same could be said for a lot of high priced motors on the market at the moment, with many saying that the bubble is already slowly 'bursting'.

I think as long as you buy any classic car as an enthusiast and driver rather than an investor (and therefore have genuine love for the marque/model) if there is a supposed bubble and it bursts i doubt you would give a st! I've got an R32 GTR on the way in from japan. I'm paying strong money for a Grade 4B example, but i don't care - the car is on my Bucket list and thats all that matters to me. You only live once. I'd expect if i ever sell on it'll then be worth far more than what i am paying - even if a bubble pops and reinflates again years down the line.

My friend had a MK4 TT - UK car with the Getrag and the massive stock rims etc - the perfect spec. He sold it for 13k years ago. He regrets is massively not only because because they are slipping out of his reach, but that it was a a real drivers car and had its own sense of occasion. Few new cars provide this.

Edited by J-Tuner on Thursday 18th October 11:28

[Scootersp]

They are obviously not cutting edge handling wise but neither is an E type, but they have good road manners, are brisk enough to be fun as standard. Tough mechanicals, well rust proofed (obviously nothing steel is immune) and were always excellent value for money just overlooked!?

Now they are certainly expensive, but if you believe the hype/market then they won't collapse, so perhaps still a better financial proposition than a new anything?

[Atomic12C]

J-Tuner said:

I think as long as you buy any classic car as an enthusiast and driver rather than an investor (and therefore have genuine love for the marque/model) if there is a supposed bubble and it bursts i doubt you would give a st! I've got an R32 GTR on the way in from japan. I'm paying strong money for a Grade 4B example, but i don't care - the car is on my Bucket list and thats all that matters to me. You only live once. I'd expect if i ever sell on it'll then be worth far more than what i am paying - even if a bubble pops and reinflates again years down the line.

My friend had a MK4 TT - UK car with the Getrag and the massive stock rims etc - the perfect spec. He sold it for 13k years ago. He regrets is massively not only because because they are slipping out of his reach, but that it was a a real drivers can and had its own sense of occasion. Few new cars provide this.

Sure, I agree with what you're saying. Although at the root of any purchase there should be the simple question "am I getting value for money?"... on many enthusiastic asking prices for motors these days, one simply isn't.
But of course, as you say, this is down to the individual.

Personally I see much better value for money in something a bit more modern, where OEM parts can still be bought from the manufacturer, where I'd not be thinking if the turbo is about to blow or especially in the case of the Supra MkIV if the 6-speed gearbox is about to give up the ghost....as many of these cars are high mileage and have been treated to a hard life. (The MkIV's getrag gearbox , I'm lead to believe is no longer available)

Everyone looks for different things in where they put their money, I guess I'm one that prefers things a little more modern..... not too modern mind you, as I am no fan of battery powered cars. (No real fan of the new MkV Supra either to be honest - it doesn't seem to follow the same ethos of the MkIV).

[J-Tuner]

Atomic12C said:

Sure, I agree with what you're saying. Although at the root of any purchase there should be the simple question "am I getting value for money?"... on many enthusiastic asking prices for motors these days, one simply isn't.
But of course, as you say, this is down to the individual.

Personally I see much better value for money in something a bit more modern, where OEM parts can still be bought from the manufacturer, where I'd not be thinking if the turbo is about to blow or especially in the case of the Supra MkIV if the 6-speed gearbox is about to give up the ghost....as many of these cars are high mileage and have been treated to a hard life. (The MkIV's getrag gearbox , I'm lead to believe is no longer available)

Everyone looks for different things in where they put their money, I guess I'm one that prefers things a little more modern..... not too modern mind you, as I am no fan of battery powered cars. (No real fan of the new MkV Supra either to be honest - it doesn't seem to follow the same ethos of the MkIV).

Yeah i think everyone has their appetite levels when it comes to owning and maintaining cars. I'm happy to be deep into classic territory and its where i feel safest actually - well away from Dealerships. You generally have more scope for solutions and maintenance that way providing you are happy to accept that you need to invest more TLC into the upkeep. That said i have a mix, of a 1997 Turbo MX5, 1993 R32 GTR coming and i have 2015 Clio 220 Trophy. The Clio has been a complete pleasure to own thus far from a driving perspective but i just feel sad and depressed the moment i have to interact with the dealership network for servicing. They have me by the balls until that warranty expires and i don't like it

I think value for money is a subjective thing and even more so for the avid car enthusiast, again everyone has their thresholds.

[C7 JFW]

I think you need to consider, it's most likely the Fast and Furious generation that are going to buy these cars.

Love them, would rather buy something ropey and bring it up to my standard. Incredibly cool cars.

[SonicShadow]

amoeba said:

Can you not import these from Japan for 6-10k?

Not a late TT 6 speed.

[amoeba]

SonicShadow said:

Not a late TT 6 speed.

Okay so how much does an import cost?

[cocopop]

amoeba said:

SonicShadow said:

Not a late TT 6 speed.

Okay so how much does an import cost?

A late spec, TT6, anywhere from £20k up to £40k.

[TommoAE86]

Atomic12C said:

J-Tuner said:

I think as long as you buy any classic car as an enthusiast and driver rather than an investor (and therefore have genuine love for the marque/model) if there is a supposed bubble and it bursts i doubt you would give a st! I've got an R32 GTR on the way in from japan. I'm paying strong money for a Grade 4B example, but i don't care - the car is on my Bucket list and thats all that matters to me. You only live once. I'd expect if i ever sell on it'll then be worth far more than what i am paying - even if a bubble pops and reinflates again years down the line.

My friend had a MK4 TT - UK car with the Getrag and the massive stock rims etc - the perfect spec. He sold it for 13k years ago. He regrets is massively not only because because they are slipping out of his reach, but that it was a a real drivers can and had its own sense of occasion. Few new cars provide this.

Sure, I agree with what you're saying. Although at the root of any purchase there should be the simple question "am I getting value for money?"... on many enthusiastic asking prices for motors these days, one simply isn't.
But of course, as you say, this is down to the individual.

Personally I see much better value for money in something a bit more modern, where OEM parts can still be bought from the manufacturer, where I'd not be thinking if the turbo is about to blow or especially in the case of the Supra MkIV if the 6-speed gearbox is about to give up the ghost....as many of these cars are high mileage and have been treated to a hard life. (The MkIV's getrag gearbox , I'm lead to believe is no longer available)

Everyone looks for different things in where they put their money, I guess I'm one that prefers things a little more modern..... not too modern mind you, as I am no fan of battery powered cars. (No real fan of the new MkV Supra either to be honest - it doesn't seem to follow the same ethos of the MkIV).

I realise this is a pool of 1, but I got parts for my R33 very easily and for good value (the workmanship was worth the price imo) direct from Nissan. Although mine was not a GTR it was still a Japan only model of Skyline.

J-Tuner congratulations a 4B must be amazing! That wait while it was on the boat was the longest of my life and I'm doing it all again now!

[Bladedancer]

TommoAE86 said:

I would say £25k-£28k would be a good starting point for this car. If you look at other JDM legends they are equally marching north in terms of prices. R34 GTT's are approaching £20k and they are the "lesser" model in most people's eyes.

I hope I'll be able to experience one of the top models one day if my R33 GTS-T is anything to go by they are all amazing and deserving of praise.

Because GTT *is* the lesser model and it was designed and priced to be that

Are these cars actually selling for that money though? I've been looking at the GTR/GTT/GTS for a while now (close to 2 years) and the same cars come up on sale over and over again. Sure, some cars sell but many seems to hang around for ages.

[Unreal1066]

I think the engine mods people do enhance the car. The supra is basically a muscle car, big engine, sportcar body and rear driven. It just happens to come from Japan rather than America. Supra's can have engine mods on standard internals up to 700bhp. The stock power didn't use this strong engine to it's full potential. If I bought one, which I would love to do, I would buy one which has lots of engine mods to make massive power.

[s m]

amoeba said:

Also - are they dynamically not a bit pants? I.e. brakes and handling

What?

When they were new they had good reviews - steering was supposed to be a bit remote but CAR said it was a better point to point car than the M3 it was often reviewed with

[C7 JFW]

Unreal1066 said:

I think the engine mods people do enhance the car. The supra is basically a muscle car, big engine, sportcar body and rear driven. It just happens to come from Japan rather than America. Supra's can have engine mods on standard internals up to 700bhp. The stock power didn't use this strong engine to it's full potential. If I bought one, which I would love to do, I would buy one which has lots of engine mods to make massive power.

Well said.

I'd be buying it to have it tuned to a LOT of horsepower, not 330bhp stock with all of the failures/issues stock cars often have.

[TheAngryDog]

morgs_ said:

greenarrow said:

Dr G said:

Zero surprise that the best cars of this generation are appreciating now; the comments on this thread are probably not at all dissimilar to what a generation once said about Minis, then about MK2 Escorts, then E30 BMWs... I would however want £50 off that asking price to allow me to bin the revolting blue ebay dash LEDs

I've no idea what these cars actually change hands for but if that figure is at least reasonably representative it could make for a pretty sound ownership proposition. It'll lose nothing in purchase price (compared to a used Cayman or TTS, for example) and probably be cheaper to maintain.

Absolutely correct about the appreciating 80s and 90s cars and the boat has sailed for people like me on this gen of car.

Its why I keep telling people with a bit of spare cash for a toy to look at the early 2000s stuff instead. Early Nissan 350zs, Focus RS Mk1s, E60 M5s, Subaru Impreza Turbo RB5s.... are all going to go the same way as the E30s, Supras etc..

I remember for years you could buy UK spec Supras for around £7-8K..always thought they were cheap for what they offered. Not any more!

The Mk1 RS boat sailed at least two years ago!

Be interesting to see what happens with 350Zs, much higher numbers. They do seem to have hit a level, whether they go up much will be interesting to see.

Looked at a Supra when I sold my Z, but just wanted something a bit more modern to live with day to day. Definitely still on the list, although as I don't mind some 'chintzy' wheels I should be able to save myself a few pennies.

The E60 M5 is also still depreciating and very difficult to sell.

[J-Tuner]

TommoAE86 said:

I realise this is a pool of 1, but I got parts for my R33 very easily and for good value (the workmanship was worth the price imo) direct from Nissan. Although mine was not a GTR it was still a Japan only model of Skyline.

J-Tuner congratulations a 4B must be amazing! That wait while it was on the boat was the longest of my life and I'm doing it all again now!

You must have had a lucky break there - surprised Nissan would even look at the car if its not on their UK systems!?

A 4B example should be an absolute minter - its due into Southampton in a month or so!

Edited by J-Tuner on Friday 19th October 11:10

[HannsG]

Is this a turbo version? Ah it is....

I remember looking at these years and years ago. They were stupid cheap

£35K!!!!!

[TommoAE86]

Bladedancer said:

Because GTT *is* the lesser model and it was designed and priced to be that

Are these cars actually selling for that money though? I've been looking at the GTR/GTT/GTS for a while now (close to 2 years) and the same cars come up on sale over and over again. Sure, some cars sell but many seems to hang around for ages.

Yeah, the "" bit was because I think they are all great in their own right Most people seem to be prepared to pay £14-£20k for the GTT (going by the for sale/wanted posts), and so about half the price of a top of the tree model like this Supra seems like good value to me. I don't really know about GTR's as they've always been out of my budget but my GTST sold within 2wks for more than I paid 3 years ago (just under half the price of a R33 GTR) and the GTT's always seem to sell for alot but I think anything with R34 in front of it adds £££'s.

J-Tuner said:

You must have had a lucky break there - surprised Nissan would even look at the car if its not on their UK systems!?

A 4B example should be an absolute minter - its due into Southampton in a month or so!

Edited by J-Tuner on Friday 19th October 11:10

Couldn't believe it myself to be honest, I bought various rubber engine pipes as mine were all rock solid and then rear shocks, the shocks were shared with the 200SX, what I didn't understand was that they still had some in stock, arrived within two days and for two were +£80 over pattern parts but the quality was much better. The dealer I got the pipes from were grumpy as they dug out the disc from the cupboard but they did order them, the shocks guys were happy throughout the transaction lol.

Yeah I don't think you could get higher than a 4B for that age of car, going to be amazing You probably already know but unless it's aftermarket the gearknob will go missing as the guys remove whatever isn't nailed down when they take it off the RO-RO!