Moving on - Supra 3.0 Premium First thoughts

[IndyRN]

I sold my mustang last week. Mostly a crime of opportunity, I got an offer on it I just couldn't turn down and decided I wanted to move on to a GT350/R or a GT500. I searched local inventory and was disappointed in what I saw, so I started looking a bit more into other cars that interested me. The A90 Supra wasn't even on my radar, as it lacks a rear seat - but then again, do I really ever have passengers? No. We have a van to haul the kids around in and I mostly adventure alone when I do get out for car related stuff. So I drove it.

First thoughts: The car is not nearly as comfortable as the Mustang was. It's tiny, and I felt confined when comparing it to the S550 I just got rid of. Driving was great, the turbo picked right up and you could really feel that it had good power even at low RPM. It was grounded, although a tiny bit squirrely in the rear. The heads up display was an awesome touch and the media was much better in comparison to the B&O, not even close. It's more nimble but that's to be expected, it's lower and much smaller.. almost feels like a Miata in that sense.

And then I put it in sport mode. Within 5 minutes of driving in Sport, I knew this was the car for me. I'm still going to hang around the forums, because I will always love mustangs. But for now... I guess I need to see what the Toyota snobs have to say as well.

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[Balr14]

I am looking at the BMW version. I have owned several BMWs and they just feel like they are more responsive than my Mustang, more of a drivers car. The Mustang is big and heavy, which doesn't help.

 

[Strokerswild]

Congrats. I looked at one a few months ago and was very impressed.

 

[Saxgod]

I am looking at the BMW version. I have owned several BMWs and they just feel like they are more responsive than my Mustang, more of a drivers car. The Mustang is big and heavy, which doesn't help.

I have owned a Z4 and it was a lot of fun, more go cart in its blood. I would equate it to a rear wheel drive mini cooper. I regret getting rid of it for sure.

 

[Balr14]

I have owned a Z4 and it was a lot of fun, more go cart in its blood. I would equate it to a rear wheel drive mini cooper. I regret getting rid of it for sure.

I have been shopping for a BMW Z4/M40i, but the only ones I have found around here are the base model. But, even that one is fun to drive, just a lot slower. I wouldn't be adverse to a used Z4 S drive 35i.

 

[ChitownStang]

Nice looking toy but super impractical, IMO
I can easily fit a couple sets of golf clubs in my Mach 1 without putting down the seat or my entire mountain bike with the seat down. problem with these little cars is that you can't take them to do anything fun.

 

[IndyRN]

Nice looking toy but super impractical, IMO
I can easily fit a couple sets of golf clubs in my Mach 1 without putting down the seat or my entire mountain bike with the seat down. problem with these little cars is that you can't take them to do anything fun.

Very, very true. The mustang has so much more space than this does.. it's extremely impractical, especially if you're trying to daily it or don't have something bigger to drive for those occasions.

 

[Bulutt]

Great car but IMHO F'UGLY!!!!

 

[IndyRN]

Great car but IMHO F'UGLY!!!!

Compared to the S550 almost everything is! Especially those Bullitts!

 

[Inthehighdesert]

I actually like the way they look, drive as well. I never understood why Toyota got involved with BMW on it though. Mustang or not, congrats, enjoy it.

 

[Schwerin]

I'm just not a fan of how Toyota is mostly just rebranding cars that others are taking the lead on. As much as people want to say Toyota "had lots of input on them" and "it had to meet Toyota's approval" the Supra and GR86 both feel MUCH more like BMW/Subaru did 80-90% of the work than they do Toyota.

Maybe if it was clearly more a blend of their technologies I'd be more into them, but to me they both just scream about how lazy Toyotas performance development has been. Like if it was a Subaru engine with a new IM and intake designed by Toyota, or mated to a Toyota transmission, or used a Toyota designed shifter... but from all I can tell All they did was do some appearance kit, maybe an ECU tweak, and then change the sprint/strut/bars. Which is some of the easiest stuff to do since its after most the rest of the development is done.

 

[Balr14]

I'm just not a fan of how Toyota is mostly just rebranding cars that others are taking the lead on. As much as people want to say Toyota "had lots of input on them" and "it had to meet Toyota's approval" the Supra and GR86 both feel MUCH more like BMW/Subaru did 80-90% of the work than they do Toyota.

Maybe if it was clearly more a blend of their technologies I'd be more into them, but to me they both just scream about how lazy Toyotas performance development has been. Like if it was a Subaru engine with a new IM and intake designed by Toyota, or mated to a Toyota transmission, or used a Toyota designed shifter... but from all I can tell All they did was do some appearance kit, maybe an ECU tweak, and then change the sprint/strut/bars. Which is some of the easiest stuff to do since its after most the rest of the development is done.

The sports and performance vehicles Toyota has made have under-performed the competition and I would not buy another. The 93 - 98 Supra was the last good one.

 

[Schwerin]

The sports and performance vehicles Toyota has made have under-performed the competition and I would not buy another. The 93 - 98 Supra was the last good one.

I'd go a little more recent, at least the Final Gen Celica GT-S and Corolla XRS were great cars in their market. Not Sports cars, but they did a great job of competing with the Civic Si, Sentra SE-R, Focus SVT, Neon R/T, Escort ZX2 S/R ect. in auto X and races. After those cars died Toyota put nothing forward that was developed by them in house that has been relevant in any way.


I had really hoped that the 86 and Subra would be clearly joint designed cars. Like as I had mentioned perhaps a Subaru engine that was taken in house and revamped by Toyota, or a Joint designed new i6 by Toyota and BMW, but it just feels like Toyota walked into the other makers shop and started putting parts in their shopping cart, then gave the cart to the other OEM's engineers to do something with, then came back like 6 months later to see how it was coming along.

 

[shogun32]

problem with these little cars is that you can't take them to do anything fun

uh, the DRIVING is the be-all end-all of the fun. What is this utilitarian mode of transport nonsense you are spewing? For everything else there is a class-1 hitch and/or bicycle rack.

Come on TRD put a bloody stick (or sequential) transmission in the car already!
This was the last *proper* Celica/Supra. All the round beanie cars that came after were not Supras. They were predecessors to the '86

Does the body shape remind you of say the S550?

 

[IndyRN]

I figured it would get plenty of hate, but honestly, driving it and talking about it are two different things. I enjoy it quite a bit more than any vehicle I've owned, BMW or not. I don't regret my choice one bit.

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