Last Weekend Car - Supra or F-Type?

[scz4]

I recently sold my F-Type V6S and looking to purchase a replacement car in the coming months. Realistically it will probably be my final weekend car purchase with the demise of the internal combustion engine, so it’ll be a keeper. However, for the first time in about 28 car changes, I’m really torn on what to do, even more so no I have cash burning a hole in my pocket.

So the choice is either another F-Type, V6 or V8, but coupe this time and facelift >2017 model) or the new Supra. Heart says F-Type but head says Supra. I’ve driven both, but that didn’t really help as both great in their own way. I’m probably going to wait until early spring next year, in the hope car prices will continue to slide. F-Type prices certainly have recently, but Supra prices are stubbornly firm. No harm in looking now though ?? Budget for Supra & facelift V6 F-Type would be around £38k-42k and would be willing to stretch to £48k for the dream car and spec, a facelift V8 F-Type.

I thought it would help to put fingers to keyboard and outline the postivies and negatives of each choice...

Supra Positives:
- As a BMW fanboy, love the familiarity of the car, but in a less boring body
- Significantly cheaper to run (fuel, insurance, servicing)
- Cheaper to buy compared to V8
- Potential for 10 year warranty
- More reliable
- Dynamically better than F-Type
- Aftermarket tuning\styling options
- Feels a lot more moderns, plus has all the toys (heads-up display, adaptive cruise, great entertainment system etc)
- Easy to find that “perfect” spec, just look for a Pro 3.0.

Supra Negatives:
- Claustrophobic cabin
- Risk of buying one previously tuned
- Fairly quiet exhaust as standard, no real sense of being in a “sports car”
- Needs some aftermarket parts to resolve the looks, fake vents etc.
- Temptation to tune the car which would invalidate the 10 year warranty
- Perhaps a bit boy racer-ish for someone approaching mid 40’s. All the forums seem to be young American’s in their late 20’s/early 30’s sticking huge
wings on them, lowered 5” and running -10 degrees camber up front ??

F-Type Positives:
- Sense of occasion & drama on every drive
- Gorgeous and timeless looks.
- The noise!
- Interior with the fixed panoramic glass roof (never had a non-convertible weekend car, so hope this will compensate a little)
- No need for aftermarket parts
- My existing bike rack specifically made for the F-Type can be re-installed (imported from the US). Would need one of those SeaSuckers for the Supra.

F-Type Negatives:
- Reliability concerns, although newer cars should be better than my 2013.
- Running costs (worse mpg, annual servicing, higher insurance, expensive parts). Worried the cost (or the ever hanging worry of potential costs) of the F-Type would grate on me.
- Really hard to find the perfect spec.

Going to arrange another Supra test drive over the festive period.

Love to hear any other suggestions, but the two must haves are the ability to transport a mountain bike and dog, hence selling the F-Type convertible in the first place.

G

Edited by scz4 on Tuesday 20th December 10:14

[dunc69]

Great problem to have.

Personally, it would be an F-Type all day.
Stunning looks, sound, and, difficult to describe this, but the perception of a more expensive, classic, classy British sports car, if that makes sense.

If this is your final ICE weekend car, it should ideally be the V8 I think. However, if you find your perfect spec in a V6S, that would be gorgeous too!

Have fun deciding!

[jjr1]

I sold my Supra a couple of months back after 11k miles. If I was choosing between the two it would be the Jaguar every time. Better sounding engine, more of a sense of occasion.

The one thing the Supra did have was it was easy to tune and get big power but that gets boring pretty quickly.

[Silvanus]

If it's your last weekend car and a keeper, the Supra will start to look and feel pretty dated fairly soon. Why not get something old already, a modern classic of some sort.

[BlueJ]

V8 Mustang, with a manual gearbox.

To the best of my knowledge the only way to buy a manual V8, and therefore the perfect last ICE car.

[Vsix and Vtec]

Go with your heart. If this is the last throw of the dice, let's go out in something that when you look back on the memories, you'll smile at. Even when petrol is too expensive to put in the tank, it'll still look gorgeous on your driveway. The F Type is the only real choice.

[Evil.soup]

The Supra seems to be a rather rare car and I only see one red one regularly. I am personally still a bit torn over it's looks and the fact it isn't really a Toyota . I am always a little unsure if I like it, but it does have road presence.

As for the F-Type, again, quite a rare sight, but a real thing of beauty. The noise is epic and it just looks twice the car the Supra is, even if is isn't dynamically.

For me, the F-type would probably be the car I would love to drive more on a long run through Mid-Wales, that said though, I am sure the Supra is a hell of a B-road car if you felt the need to hoon a car that day...I can see why you are torn...

[stepej]

From the perspective of a Supra owner....

When i bought it i was struggling to make the man maths add up to running a daily and weekend car again
If i was to run 2 cars, the F-Type would have right up there for the weekend toy
As a daily the Supra is great, I'm not a BMW fanboy but agree with all the positives

Using it daily, you always lose some of the sense of occasion & drama, but once i take it out on a weekend & open it up over some good roads i know again exactly why i bought it
I think you'll see fewer Supra on the roads
If you're thinking of tuning, first thing to do is upgrade the brakes, i find they are just able to cope with the power as standard on a spirited drive

a bit boy racer-ish for someone approaching mid 40’s? I hope not i'll raise you another 15+ years

If you have any specific questions, ask away

[CABC]

as it's a weekend car, maybe something a little spicier? later TVR, Evora, RCF, V8V, Mustang?
they all have more luggage space too.

[nunpuncher]

The Supra just seems like far too much of an every day, normal, modern car to be a weekend toy.

[Stuart70]

Aston 4.7 V8 manual. Job done

[scz4]

Thanks everyone for the input above.

Not sure why I'm surprised to see unanimous vote for the F-Type, they really are special cars.

As for the other suggestions, my criteria must include being able to get the Cocker Spaniel in the boot and carry a bike. I should also add that whilst I mentioned it's my weekend car, it's also used as my daily when I don't have the kids (single parent).

I think this sums up my thoughts pretty well. F-Type will still look great in 10 years time. - "If it's your last weekend car and a keeper, the Supra will start to look and feel pretty dated fairly soon. "

[scz4]

Stuart70 said:

Aston 4.7 V8 manual. Job done

Ha, I did look at those last night. Great value, but my nearest reputable specialist is Edinburgh, 140 miles away.

[Slowboathome]

The F-type coupe is one of the very few cars that I would class a real head-turner. If it's to be a 'special' weekend car that would be my choice every time.

[Stuart70]

scz4 said:

Stuart70 said:

Aston 4.7 V8 manual. Job done

Ha, I did look at those last night. Great value, but my nearest reputable specialist is Edinburgh, 140 miles away.

Yes, I remember the problem, I had Porsches when I lived in Aberdeen in the 90’s. Used a Porsche specialist just off Mounthooly roundabout. To my shame I cannot remember the name, but they were good guys.

Guess the F-type it is, great choice. V8?

[Da Original Whyayedee]

I took the Supra for a test drive and it was quick, but ultimately I was left pretty underwhelmed by it, again I was looking at it for a weekend car, its probably a bit too new and refined for that. So for me it would be the F-Type all day long if you are tossing up between those two. I actually think the V6 S is the sweet spot for the F-Type too, its such a great sounding engine.

[scz4]

Da Original Whyayedee said:

I took the Supra for a test drive and it was quick, but ultimately I was left pretty underwhelmed by it, again I was looking at it for a weekend car, its probably a bit too new and refined for that. So for me it would be the F-Type all day long if you are tossing up between those two. I actually think the V6 S is the sweet spot for the F-Type too, its such a great sounding engine.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I've booked another test drive for between Xmas and New Year. Need to rule in\out.

Also going to look at a V8R.

I pretty much agree with you regarding the engine noise. The V8 sounds great, however it's very monotone. Same sound\tone right through the revs, just inceases in volume. Where as the V6 as more induction noise, but sometimes it sounds raspy and other times it's nice and deep.

[Pistonpants]

GR86?

Gets better ratings for driving pleasure/dynamics in recent reviews than the Supra and going to be pretty rare given the allocation. Just missed out on Evo car of the year by 1/2 point, beating much pricier cars from Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche etc.

[______]

I’d drive a 981 (flat 6) Boxster before buying either, then choose between that and the f type.

[scz4]

[quote=__]
I’d drive a 981 (flat 6) Boxster before buying either, then choose between that and the f type.
[/quote]


Test drove a 981 S few years back, prior to getting the F-Type. Dynamically superior, but lacks the soul and character the F-Type has. Not a fan of the flat 6 noise either and the super tall gearing just robs you of involvement and fun. Also too clinical for my liking, I've always preferred that flawed diamond, S2000, Z4M, F-Type....

Besides, there’s no where to put the dog. Same goes for the GR86 suggested above.