MK IV non turbo Supra
Discussion
Hi
I've owned a MKIV Supra non turbo (N/A) import for the last 2 and a half years and they are very very good cars, loads of different specs available making virtually every car different. The imported N/A is approx 225 BHP going up to the UK version Twin Turbo of 320 BHP. (good ones very hard to find).
These cars offer everything and must be one of the best performance cars for not a lot of money available, they look gorgeous, rare, as you can drive for sometimes weeks and weeks and never see another one also pretty cheap to run so long as you have them regularly serviced etc.
They are so good that I've just had a newer one imported. Hope this helps....
The non turbo ones have a few differences, but options can bring them closer in spec. Cars from Japan have to be looked at and valued on an individual basis.
Main differences are:
power difference 220 vs 320bhp
gearbox 5spd vs 6spd
no leather interior (not all Jap turbos have full leather either)
no auto spoiler
no rear spoiler (a widely opted for option though)
alloy wheels are 16"
brake calipers are smaller
suspension parts are different
there are other differences but probably don't count for much (i.e. electric driver's seat)
Prices for non turbo range from 5k to 12k and turbos will range from 9k to 18k, depending of course on condition, mileage and age.
One thing though, don't get the non turbo and later think of increasing power into turbo's range. It will cost lots. Check your insurance co for turbo cars, my renewal came in at £1300 for my Supra TT, with only one years NCB, I'm 24 with no claims or convictions and london address, check out admiral for a quote.
I've always used Toyota main dealers, but there are many very good specialists around. I can recommend these cars highly. But really, consider the turbo
Obviously have it properly inspected, as although they really are bullet proof, they can also be costly to correct.
Main differences are:
power difference 220 vs 320bhp
gearbox 5spd vs 6spd
no leather interior (not all Jap turbos have full leather either)
no auto spoiler
no rear spoiler (a widely opted for option though)
alloy wheels are 16"
brake calipers are smaller
suspension parts are different
there are other differences but probably don't count for much (i.e. electric driver's seat)
Prices for non turbo range from 5k to 12k and turbos will range from 9k to 18k, depending of course on condition, mileage and age.
One thing though, don't get the non turbo and later think of increasing power into turbo's range. It will cost lots. Check your insurance co for turbo cars, my renewal came in at £1300 for my Supra TT, with only one years NCB, I'm 24 with no claims or convictions and london address, check out admiral for a quote.
I've always used Toyota main dealers, but there are many very good specialists around. I can recommend these cars highly. But really, consider the turbo
Obviously have it properly inspected, as although they really are bullet proof, they can also be costly to correct.
Elephant quoted me £810 for a UK turbo car and £1300 for an imported turbo, so I assume the non turbo would be in between.
To be honest, it sounds like the non turbo version is quite inderior to the UK turbo cars.
I would want full leather and the spoiler etc so I think a UK turbo car would be the one to go for.
To be honest, it sounds like the non turbo version is quite inderior to the UK turbo cars.
I would want full leather and the spoiler etc so I think a UK turbo car would be the one to go for.
Dont want to confuse the issue but dont think for one moment that the N/A is inferior as I am importing another N/A, I have driven quite a few of both and I felt the TT didnt warrant the extra insurance, petrol and running costs , the TT will beat 98% of other cars the N/A will beat 96%, big deal, OK the UK turbo is good but now looks dated in its standard form, sorry Ninja, but imported turbos are approx 290 BHP not that much difference ! I believe full leather was an option also my mate has a jap N/A and has full leather in his, rear spoiler's are on most cars rare to see one without. Alloy wheels are 16" but UK turbo's are only 17" . You would probably want to upgrade to a decent set of 18's or 19's as I have done on mine , the standard alloys look dated now and as you can only get a UK 94 / 95 model you may find they still have the standard alloys.
If you want the facelift model these go upto year 2000 or 2001, updated lights, vvti, updated dash, interior etc etc you have to look at imports and believe me the N/A or TT make a great buy...
Also if your looking for an insurance quote I'm pretty certain Tesco are currently the cheapest !
Hi Mr DVD,
You're right that standard Jap spec cars have only 280BHP, but its the torque that they carry, which is even higher than the UK model standard. Also, it is VERY easy to modify a Jap turbo spec to realise the extra BHP to bring it inline with the UK cars. Indeed something as small as a decat will release upto 30BHP.
I don't like to use the word inferior, but as it's been used, I will say that the non turbo is in fact the inferior car. Same way as a 500SL is inferior to the SL55 AMG.
Chris, Jap turbo's barely ever came with leather anyway, so thats something you have to search out or indeed have it done yourself, its not over expensive.
Also the non turbo will not beat 96% of cars on the road, the turbo won't do that standard either!!
Performance wise a TT will leave the N/A in a straight line, and I don't doubt that corners would be further to the N/A's detriment. Also, I've heard some people claim that the NA can get to 165mph?? Erm well, my TT (which supposedly is running close to UK bhp, but not confirmed) has managed to get to 165mph indicated, with quite a few revs still to go (although acceleration had slowed right down), I guess it would probably max out at 180/185mph indicated, which is probably more realistically 170mph). No way can a stock N/A, with smaller alloys, get to 165mph actual.
The TT is definitely the faster car, by a margin after 70 or 80mph. I've come across quite a few, and the result has always been the same, even with some mods.
Check out both, but I can tell you now you will prefer the TT by a margin, especially if you are used to serious grunt coming from a TVR
You're right that standard Jap spec cars have only 280BHP, but its the torque that they carry, which is even higher than the UK model standard. Also, it is VERY easy to modify a Jap turbo spec to realise the extra BHP to bring it inline with the UK cars. Indeed something as small as a decat will release upto 30BHP.
I don't like to use the word inferior, but as it's been used, I will say that the non turbo is in fact the inferior car. Same way as a 500SL is inferior to the SL55 AMG.
Chris, Jap turbo's barely ever came with leather anyway, so thats something you have to search out or indeed have it done yourself, its not over expensive.
Also the non turbo will not beat 96% of cars on the road, the turbo won't do that standard either!!
Performance wise a TT will leave the N/A in a straight line, and I don't doubt that corners would be further to the N/A's detriment. Also, I've heard some people claim that the NA can get to 165mph?? Erm well, my TT (which supposedly is running close to UK bhp, but not confirmed) has managed to get to 165mph indicated, with quite a few revs still to go (although acceleration had slowed right down
), I guess it would probably max out at 180/185mph indicated, which is probably more realistically 170mph). No way can a stock N/A, with smaller alloys, get to 165mph actual. The TT is definitely the faster car, by a margin after 70 or 80mph. I've come across quite a few, and the result has always been the same, even with some mods.
Check out both, but I can tell you now you will prefer the TT by a margin, especially if you are used to serious grunt coming from a TVR
Hi Ninja
Never set out to say the N/A was better than the TT, It goes without saying the TT is faster, I was just pointing out that the J Spec N/A or TT is very good in its own right and never should be seen as far inferior to the UK spec after all it was the Japs that built it, anyway may go down the single Turbo route and then game on......
Hugh, if you want to find out more there is a dedicated forum to the mkiv supra www.mkivsupra.net/bbs
As far as I'm aware the jap ones have two turbos like the uk car but they are a bit smaller and the turbos are ceramic. This means the car produces a bit less power but the turbos spool up a bit quicker... or so I am lead to believe.
hughjayteens said: So are the Jap ones single turbo?
Regards,
Mark
Hi guys,
Agree with you Mr DVD that really and truly the word inferior is inappropriate, as they are both great cars, which is why I referred to a comparison of an SL500 compared to a SL55.
(wouldn't say no to either!!)
I can recommend the forum listed, there are some really knowledgeable guys there and lots of info to consume.
Either way, the cars are great, in any guise, so you win/win whatever you choose. One in better performance, other in cheaper running costs.
All Supra Turbos are twin turbo from the factory and I understand the differences to be what Dern mentioned, some people change them to single turbo to extract even more power, but these people are totally insane and seriously ballsy too. Get a ride in one of these cars if you dare, I intend to
Mr DVD, are you going to create a weapon with power circa 600BHP? When the time is right, contact Leon of JPS motorsport. He has allegedly the fastest Supra in the country and is an enthusiast specialist, and a very nice guy too.
regards
Agree with you Mr DVD that really and truly the word inferior is inappropriate, as they are both great cars, which is why I referred to a comparison of an SL500 compared to a SL55.
(wouldn't say no to either!!) I can recommend the forum listed, there are some really knowledgeable guys there and lots of info to consume.
Either way, the cars are great, in any guise, so you win/win whatever you choose. One in better performance, other in cheaper running costs.
All Supra Turbos are twin turbo from the factory and I understand the differences to be what Dern mentioned, some people change them to single turbo to extract even more power, but these people are totally insane
and seriously ballsy too. Get a ride in one of these cars if you dare, I intend to Mr DVD, are you going to create a weapon with power circa 600BHP? When the time is right, contact Leon of JPS motorsport. He has allegedly the fastest Supra in the country and is an enthusiast specialist, and a very nice guy too.
regards
MR DVD said:
Hi Ninja
I like the sound of going single T , but by the way the insurance premiums seem to be going up at the moment I'm not too sure... by the way that Ferrari you have is insanely gorgeous....
Cheers mate! I feel for you, insurance can be a bastard, at thats at the best of times. Good luck, but it will be worth it!!
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