Used car buying guide: Toyota Supra

A major event during the Supra’s last years was the introduction, in 1998, of variable valve timing and injection (VVT-i) and, at the same time, the non-turbo SZ-R gained the turbo car’s six-speed manual ’box.

More details on the next Supra

Today, the Supra Mk4, UK or JDM, appears to be in the cross hairs of every moneyed 40-year-old who ever lusted after one when it first came out. Most sought-after are rare UK turbo manuals. In fact, all good turbo manuals are becoming seriously expensive, and that’s before you consider spending a further £50,000 or so taking them to showroom condition and 1000bhp, as some enthusiasts are now doing courtesy of specialists such as SRD Tuning.

As next year’s new Supra hoves into view, now is the time to buy a Mk4 before prices vanish over the horizon.

How to get one in your garage: 

An expert’s view, Tristian Longden, Founder Torque GT - “Demand for the Supra Mk4 easily outstrips supply so prices are getting higher with each passing month. Buyers tend to be in their 40s — people for whom the Supra was a poster car. It’s a nostalgia thing and now they’ve got the money, they want one. The engine is bombproof. A good Supra feels like it’ll go on forever. UK cars were rare to begin with and pricesfor the few that remain are strong. The cheapest Supras are naturally aspirated autos but even their prices are rising. The turbo auto is roughly 30% cheaper than the manual. It’s underrated but I reckon the auto suits the Supra, which is more grand tourer than sports car. It’s a tough ’box, too.”

Buyer beware…

ENGINE - Smoke on start-up and when blipping the throttle after idling is probably valve stem seals. Continuous smoking is likely to be failing piston rings. As for the turbos, listen for the second blower kicking in at around 4000rpm. Boost should be smooth and turbos should whistle rather than whine. Check for a timing belt change every 50k miles and oil changes every 6km miles.

GEARBOX - Check the clutch operation, and if it needs changing, have the flywheel done, too. It can fail, causing a severe judder and rattling as you let out the clutch and pull away.

TRANSMISSION - The six-speed ’box is toughest of all. The five-speeder can suffer synchro wear. On the four-speed auto, first to second will probably clonk. The diff is strong but can clonk into first from reverse (not serious). A whining noise under load is not good.

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES - Major components are tough but bushes and dampers wear out. Beware aftermarket track-day dampers that tighten the handling but ruin the ride. Brake hard from 60mph checking for any instability and then, again, lightly, checking for worn discs. Post-1994 cars with uprated brake pistons eat pads and discs. Beware oversized aftermarket wheels, which stress wheel bearings and suspension. Expect tyre wear on the inner shoulders.

INTERIOR - Check all comfort features, including windows and air-con. Ensure the ABS light illuminates briefly on start-up.

Also worth knowing: If you can’t stretch to a twin-turbo model, you could always consider adding a single turbo to a naturally aspirated Supra. The five-speed gearbox is easily strong enough but you’ll need to uprate the clutch. The automatic is weaker but will still take up to 400bhp. Specialists such as SRD Tuning can help.

How much to spend: 

£4500-£5500 - Cheapest runners, all naturally aspirated imports with high mileages, a bit scruffy and far from original. 

£7000-£8995 - Tidier naturally aspirated cars start here with decent service histories and reasonable mileages.

£9000-£12,495 - Mostly naturally aspirated autos in sound order. Still very few turbos and no turbo manuals.

£15,500 AND ABOVE - Take your pick of turbo manuals in good condition, with prices going all the way to £22,000 for the very best.

One we found:

TOYOTA SUPRA SZ AUTO, 1994/L, 64K MILES, £7000 - Okay, it’s not a turbo manual but then it’s not turbo manual money. It has a solid history (14 services since 2006), and recent new seals and gaskets, coil-overs and brakes, plus a long MOT.