Toyota GR Supra manual | Spotted
The six-speed Supra was the best version of the A90 - it's now usefully cheaper, too
While it may seem easy to say this with the Toyota Supra no longer on sale in the UK - we’ll live in hope for a GRMN - the manual version never seemed destined to sell in significant numbers. Partly that was because the eight-speed automatic was already such a good fit for the 3.0-litre turbo six; you’d have to be very committed to the manual cause to give up the more efficient gearbox.
Those that were die-hard self-shifters, moreover, might have been tempted by the GR86 that was launched at the same time. Manual gearboxes - front-engined, rear-drive coupes, in fact - don’t really come much better than the smaller GR Toyota. Add all that to the fact that Porsche offers a superb six-speed manual gearbox for its six-cylinder sports car and it’s easy to see why there aren’t many Supras with the red boot badge and 10-spoke wheels around.
Which isn’t to say it’s bad - not by a long chalk. The manual Supra was the most fun A90 Toyota made; the obsessiveness over gearknob weighting made for a very satisfying shift, and a few suspension tweaks (part of a wider mid-life facelift) sharpened the driving experience as well, without detracting from its GT credentials. Toyota even offered the manual with standard, non-electric seats that dropped the hip point a little and reduced weight just a little bit more. It was a considered, thoughtful integration of a manual gearbox, not something cobbled together to satisfy demand.
That’s exactly how the GR Supra drove, too, the manual a cohesive part of the package rather than standing out for all the wrong reasons. It ensured a closer relationship with that fantastic straight-six, for starters, as happy lugging from low revs as chasing 7,000rpm. The ratios were more appropriate for a B road than the equivalent Cayman, and even with less than perfect steering it wasn’t hard to enjoy a front-engined, rear-drive coupe with lots of power and limited-slip diff. All for less money than the auto.
Nevertheless, you’ll do well to find a six-speed for sale in 2024. This yellow example is the only manual A90 in the PH classifieds at the moment (with a dozen autos around). Because this version only came around with the mid-life update, too, there wasn’t very much time for manuals to find customers. So grab the ones you can find, basically. This one has the lighter seats, is showing just 6,000 miles for two years use, and comes in at £10,000 less than the new price. You’ll not find a 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 for much less than £55,000, the latest BMW M2 still commands £50,000, and an Emira remains at least £60,000 also. Any deficiencies the Supra may have as an out-and-out sports car are a lot easier to overlook at £42,000 - and with such a huge saving over comparable cars. Indeed, with a six-speed manual, a famously tuneable straight-six turbo and money to spend, it’s easy to imagine living out the glory days of the Supra with this one. Next stop, 500hp…
SPECIFICATION | 2022 TOYOTA GR SUPRA 3.0 MT
Engine: 2,998cc, straight-six turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 340@5,000-6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 369@1,600-4,500rpm
0-62mph: 4.6sec
Top speed: 155mph (electronically limited)
MPG: 32
CO2: 198g/km
Year registered: 2022
Recorded mileage: 6,000
Price new: £53,495
Yours for: £42,950
maybe it's the way we were driving it, but it suffered the common problem of not being able to be in the right gear at the right time, plus it left us feeling missing that last 10% of connection that three pedals and stick provides. We explored the option of getting one with a manual gearbox but Toyota UK didn't have any in stock and said they didn't expect to get any more imported. It was a real shame as it would have been perfect for us but it wasn't to be. We bought a 718 4.0 GTS in the end, but I'd still consider a manual Supra.
I'm not sure there's ever been a more depressing time for enthusiasts of engaging, interesting cars. There is virtually nothing left on the new market now, at least not for people that don't have six figures to spend.
Car enthusiasts time is definitely almost over as you say, but at least if you are of a certain age, then you did at least get to experience the good times though(I'm lucky that I did in that regard thankfully).
I'm not sure there's ever been a more depressing time for enthusiasts of engaging, interesting cars. There is virtually nothing left on the new market now, at least not for people that don't have six figures to spend.
Short-sighted legislation aimed at people who buy cars the same way they buy a fridge has pretty much killed off the market for relatively affordable fun cars in the UK and Europe. GR86/BRZ, Nissan Z, and others are sold in other markets without causing armageddon.
Not to mention the government-led "need" to fit electric motors and batteries to everything, to the point that we now consider a 1.5 tonne car to be light.
To be honest with all the daft mamdatory electronic "safety" features I wouldn't buy anything current. I'm unlikely to ever buy another new car because I don't want something that randomly brakes because it thinks I'm going to hit a car that's on a sliproad, tugs at the steering wheel when I avoid a pothole without indicating, or forces me to go through menus and turn off needless interventions every time I drive.
I've become old - it really was better in the old days.
Car enthusiasts time is definitely almost over as you say, but at least if you are of a certain age, then you did at least get to experience the good times though(I'm lucky that I did in that regard thankfully).
Joking aside, cars like the new Renault 5, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and MG Cyberster do give some tiny cause for hope, but the overall picture is a pretty miserable one at this point.Times have very much changed, and I don't see any return to the type of cars that appeal to me. All that most buyers want now is a silly 0-60 time and lots of driving modes.
Short-sighted legislation aimed at people who buy cars the same way they buy a fridge has pretty much killed off the market for relatively affordable fun cars in the UK and Europe. GR86/BRZ, Nissan Z, and others are sold in other markets without causing armageddon.
Not to mention the government-led "need" to fit electric motors and batteries to everything, to the point that we now consider a 1.5 tonne car to be light.
To be honest with all the daft mamdatory electronic "safety" features I wouldn't buy anything current. I'm unlikely to ever buy another new car because I don't want something that randomly brakes because it thinks I'm going to hit a car that's on a sliproad, tugs at the steering wheel when I avoid a pothole without indicating, or forces me to go through menus and turn off needless interventions every time I drive.
I've become old - it really was better in the old days.
The drawback is that the car market here in Saudi is probably even worse. I went to a motor show in Jeddah over the weekend and, while I was happy to see that they've made the MX-5 available again, I was depressed to see that it's only available with an automatic gearbox. I think the Toyota GR86 is just about the only manual car you can order here now.
Not sure whether I would definitely want manual over auto, that would need to be a back to back drive, if possible, as I have always considered the auto to suit it's GT credentials better.
Regarding enthusiast cars being extinct, I'm sure I read Toyota are still looking at a new MR2 and Celica etc, so there's still hope.
Overall they are a great little package, easy to extract more power from and the experience takes you right back to the heyday of Japanese turbo coupes.
There are several manuals available outside of the PH classifieds.
Absolutely smitten with mine!
Overall they are a great little package, easy to extract more power from and the experience takes you right back to the heyday of Japanese turbo coupes.
There are several manuals available outside of the PH classifieds.
Absolutely smitten with mine!
Overall they are a great little package, easy to extract more power from and the experience takes you right back to the heyday of Japanese turbo coupes.
There are several manuals available outside of the PH classifieds.
Absolutely smitten with mine!
I'm not sure there's ever been a more depressing time for enthusiasts of engaging, interesting cars. There is virtually nothing left on the new market now, at least not for people that don't have six figures to spend.
Not much manual left now if you’re buying brand new - MX5, Yaris, then it’s Lotus, Porsche etc at a much higher price point.
Old is where it’s at if you want to feel 100% connected. I keep looking at old Alfas and TVRs…
I'm not sure there's ever been a more depressing time for enthusiasts of engaging, interesting cars. There is virtually nothing left on the new market now, at least not for people that don't have six figures to spend.
Not much manual left now if you’re buying brand new - MX5, Yaris, then it’s Lotus, Porsche etc at a much higher price point.
Old is where it’s at if you want to feel 100% connected. I keep looking at old Alfas and TVRs…
I'd love a manual Supra like this one, because they're definitely my kind of car for sure.
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