Tuesday 29th April 2014

Toyota Supra: Spotted

A UK Supra that isn't modified, isn't automatic and is rather lovely

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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 and 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.

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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]

 

[Fastchas]

Is it me or is 17 grand a lot of money for this...? If so, then I had no idea they commanded such prices.

[BlueMR2]

Fastchas said:

Is it me or is 17 grand a lot of money for this...? If so, then I had no idea they commanded such prices.

Ironically its still up against the 928 as that kind of money should get you a minter.

[tadaah]

or how about a very low mileage earlier one for a few quid? Needs a bumper refresh but look at the mileage!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Supra-/2214112245...

[PATTERNPART]

It is really nice. I'd want some nicer wheels and maybe loose the spoiler but then those are original so you shouldn't. It seems a LOT of money!

[Nigel_O]

Fastchas said:

I had no idea they commanded such prices.

They don't....

If the author of the article had looked a bit closer in the PH Classifieds, he would have found the other bog-standard red 6-speed Supra but with less miles, three years younger and less than half the price

[HaloGen8]

Nice - but the image ruined thanks to Fast & Furious and orange paint

[Muzzer79]

Nigel_O said:

Fastchas said:

I had no idea they commanded such prices.

They don't....

If the author of the article had looked a bit closer in the PH Classifieds, he would have found the other bog-standard red 6-speed Supra but with less miles, three years younger and less than half the price

Except for the fact that the one you've highlighted is not a UK car??

ad said:

- It’s an import: manufactured in Japan 1996
- Imported to UK and first registered 5 Feb 1998

[vinnybear]

@ Nigel_o

not saying the price is right but you just compared a Japanese import to a UK original so not the same car and hence not same price.

[dukebox9reg]

Muzzer79 said:

Nigel_O said:

Fastchas said:

I had no idea they commanded such prices.

They don't....

If the author of the article had looked a bit closer in the PH Classifieds, he would have found the other bog-standard red 6-speed Supra but with less miles, three years younger and less than half the price

Except for the fact that the one you've highlighted is not a UK car??

ad said:

- It’s an import: manufactured in Japan 1996
- Imported to UK and first registered 5 Feb 1998

And its a N/A not a turbo.

[GaryThomlinson]

tadaah said:

or how about a very low mileage earlier one for a few quid? Needs a bumper refresh but look at the mileage!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Supra-/2214112245...

I lusted after this model when I was a kid.. in white tho, looked the dogs dangles to me... I'd still have one now. Though no doubt be ruinous.

[Devil2575]

dukebox9reg said:

Muzzer79 said:

Nigel_O said:

Fastchas said:

I had no idea they commanded such prices.

They don't....

If the author of the article had looked a bit closer in the PH Classifieds, he would have found the other bog-standard red 6-speed Supra but with less miles, three years younger and less than half the price

Except for the fact that the one you've highlighted is not a UK car??

ad said:

- It’s an import: manufactured in Japan 1996
- Imported to UK and first registered 5 Feb 1998

And its a N/A not a turbo.

So a N/A Jap import

Something of a fail there Nigel

Edit: just checked the ad and it says Twin Turbo, unless the seller is lying?

[Hammerhead]

GaryThomlinson said:

I lusted after this model when I was a kid..

Ditto. Sod Astra/Golf GTIs of the time, the Supra was boss.

GaryThomlinson said:

in white tho, looked the dogs dangles to me...

Black for me (and I'm not usually a fan of black)

GaryThomlinson said:

I'd still have one now. Though no doubt be ruinous.

Ditto, though disagree about the latter as these cars are pretty bombproof. 928 is the definition of ruinous! (though I'd still like an '86 928 S2.5)

[Jaldi]

Devil2575 said:

dukebox9reg said:

Muzzer79 said:

Nigel_O said:

Fastchas said:

I had no idea they commanded such prices.

They don't....

If the author of the article had looked a bit closer in the PH Classifieds, he would have found the other bog-standard red 6-speed Supra but with less miles, three years younger and less than half the price

Except for the fact that the one you've highlighted is not a UK car??

ad said:

- It’s an import: manufactured in Japan 1996
- Imported to UK and first registered 5 Feb 1998

And its a N/A not a turbo.

So a N/A Jap import

Something of a fail there Nigel

Edit: just checked the ad and it says Twin Turbo, unless the seller is lying?

The engine pic shows it's a twin turbo

[IMI A]

way too expensive

[Monaro5.7]

This is the car to buy & manual


http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/t...

[andymc]

just googled the seller the Jap fan boys love him

[JDMDrifter]

Fairly sure the bonnet isn't stock!

[Monty Python]

HaloGen8 said:

Nice - but the image ruined thanks to Fast & Furious and orange paint

...and that it looks like a glorified Celica and that Halfords handrail on the back.

[Hammerhead]

JDMDrifter said:

Fairly sure the bonnet isn't stock!

Bonnet is stock - UK Turbos had the scoop.

[JDMDrifter]

Hammerhead said:

Bonnet is stock - UK Turbos had the scoop.

Oh really? Never new that, though the plain JDM bonnet was for all markets?