Toyota Supra Mk2 - Brilliant.. Yet It FAILED To Take On Porsche?

After the debacle of the Mk1.. Here finally was a worthy sports car from Toyota. Known as the Celica Supra or The Celica XX in Japan, the Mk2 version of Toyota's sports car ramped things up a gear.
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[@Number27]

Big thanks to Kai for bringing it down. Check out his Instagram account if you want to see more of the Supra and Porsche 944 and give him a follow: @attcars

[@markrivers2651]

You need to persuade Kai to allow you to review the 944t 🤩🤞👌

[@lasticonoclast]

Lotus was engaged by Toyota to help develop the suspension of the Supra II. In exchange, Lotus sourced the Supra's transmission, driveshafts, rear differential, 14x7 inch alloy wheels, and door handles for its own Excel model. It's probably no coincidence the two cars look so much alike.

[@toyota420xp]

I love how this car looks

[@JDtimesten]

I had one just like what you're driving (red, but very similar) as my first car in 1993. I learned everything about driving past the limit in that car, and it was wonderful. Perfect first car for me-LSD, not enough power, and intuitive handling. It was reliable and comfortable, too. God I wish I'd never sold it. Of course I feel that way about every car I've ever had. Thank you for the review.

[@attcars7612]

@@markrivers2651 Jack already reviewed a 944 Turbo (aka 951/952) back in January 2023, albeit the conditions were certainly wintry and therefore far from ideal.

[@67daltonknox]

I had 205,000 very pleasant miles in my '84 Supra. Replacing the shocks/struts with Bilsteins improved the handling without destroying the ride comfort. Repairs were minimal: an alternator, fuel pump and wiper motor. Even at the end, I would happily set out on a 300 mile trip without a second thought. I replaced it with an E36 M3 which certainly had better handling and was quicker, but by the time it got to 50,000, I couldn't trust it on a long trip.

[@rc666]

You must have been clueless.

[@badbusdriver7160]

@@rc666 Maybe you could expand a little?

[@smhorse]

Did that have anything to do with VANOS failure in the E36?

[@matthewlok3020]

That 5M is one tough engine, I had a 1982 Crown with around 55000 miles on it when I took over, the head gasket was already broken, coolants has blended with the engine oil, and yet it still runs on and on and on. Later I learned that M engines are quite prone to head gasket failure.

[@scslre]

​@@rc666 criticise my bmws, will you?! reeeeeeeee

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

An uncle here in Australia had one of these... A red one he ordered new, was a cool car even in the 90s. He gave it to his daughter when she graduated high school, it got stolen from her uni car park and sadly disappeared. He had a bunch of Japanese collector cars, including an early NSX that he bought new and still has. It was his daily until he became too old to use it. Man loves his Japanese rides.

[@markoverly4747]

I worked as a salesman for a Toyota dealership in the states when these cars were new. We didn’t get many of these because of the import allocation restrictions that were mandated at the time but I did lose a sale on one of these to a Porsche 924, which was about $1,000 more money. The failure? It didn’t have a Porsche badge on it, otherwise a superior car in every way.

[@BillLaBrie]

Best part: lumbar inflators

[@bombakdik]

When I saw you pulling away, the stance and view on the rear end from a distance gave me some Lotus Esprit vibes. Also a bit of Scirocco and even perhaps a 308? A friend of mine has the next generation Supra 3.0 turbo 7M-GTE engine but it is pested by oil pressure problems. Nice video!

[@antoniotula262]

Loved that Supra in maroon. Great engine, great seats, smooth shifter.

[@Astoooooria]

My Dad had one in 1986 felt like a space ship with pop up headlights and that digital dash

[@brettbuck7362]

For goodness sake, what is it with British pronunciations? It is not a "suh-LEE-kuh", it's "SELL-ik-a" even from Toyota themselves. And its not a "zed-car" ,it is a "zee car". And in any case - the British were "not taking Japanese cars seriously" - after they quickly blew your own industry into oblivion (and the same with motorcycles) with far superior designs and far superior build quality? It is astonishing, I think you guys probably *still* don't get it!

[@RUfromthe40s]

the Z there was the bigger american edition as the celica supra was also for american market, as the celica was seen all over europe i even brought one from south africa, the next model of the celica supra as it is it´s real name was even more atractive than it´s predecessor ,i had also one both were black the wheels on the early 90´s one had some type of screws all around the wheel next to the tires, it was really nice at the time it´s still somewhere in the city i live but the current owner broke a wheels and now looks bad with four new alloy wheels,cheap ones

[@jimcabezola3051]

After Nissan's Z-cars and this, it was impossible for me to take Ferrari and Porsche seriously again. The Asians did the same to Mercedes and BMW when Honda, Toyota, and Nissan introduced their respective luxury brands. It was nice to have a car that always started up and drove and that didn't leave bits of itself all over the road.

[@bugattieb110ss]

This was actually more comparable to the 2.8i Capri in the UK market. I ran one of these for almost a year back in 2001 and it was a great car, but horrific on fuel. It rarely did more that 15mpg.

[@williamegler8771]

In the United States, these were very popular when new and are still popular to this day. They usually sell for impressive prices.

[@mescko]

Biggest automotive regret: Selling my '85 Supra that I bought for the princely sum of $650 (15 or so years ago) because it wouldn't pass the local sniffer test, I lived outside the testing counties. Cosmetically perfect except for a light front-end shunt, just had to replace the structural metal stampings behind the soft plastic front bumper cover. It was indeed brilliant, beautifully balanced, gobbled up twisty backroads, yet still a comfortable cruiser. If I still had it, it would be packing a 1UZ now. 😢

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@mescko i repent selling both my Celica Supras, but they were still toyotas

[@Williameddings-l1t]

exactly why i love my 85 ptype

[@my1vice]

I bought one in 1991 that had 160K miles on it. Still drove like brand new. Everything worked, just needed a clutch. Best $4,000 I ever spent.

[@AnnatarTheMaia]

It's "funny" how these always needed a clutch or the transmission would pop out of gear...

[@my1vice]

@@AnnatarTheMaia Not while I owned it. But I bought it from a kid, who was the second owner, that was really rough on the clutch. It was fine for the 90k miles I put on it.

[@phillipevans9414]

As a man now in his late 50's, with my formative car years being the '80's, this is still a dream car...best looking coupe of it's time IMHO, and with a those signature, '80's cool, digital dash and pop-up headlights sealing the deal. Definitely a GT car though. Cheers!

[@johang7498]

Personal favorite: this car just looks like the coolest one of the entire 1980s with its straight lines, fastback, spoilers and widened wheel arches. When it was new I think it was compared more with the Datsun 280 ZX (obviously), the Ford capri 2.8 injection, the Alfa Romeo GTV6 and the Mitsubishi starion (anyone remembers that one?). Since it's more a GT-like car, I think that comparison does the car more justice.

[@daveshongkongchinachannel]

Spot on with your list of competitors and I'm pretty sure the mainstream car mags of the time did make such comparisons. As you pointed out, the Starion would really be another interesting car of that era to see again in one of these reviews.

[@antoniotula262]

Definitely remember the Starion!!!

[@celuiquipeut6527]

Starion was in the 90's tho. I loved both.

[@celuiquipeut6527]

@@bfc3057 Ha! Wasnt aware of that! Thx for letting me know. I really liked the starion. Way bettee than the american dodge version we got.

[@celuiquipeut6527]

@@bfc3057 Yeah they get a lot of hate! But the v6 were fun! Some people here put in a 3800 (from the gran prix gtp) i side of them. Complete monsters! The MR setup make it interesting to drive!

[@strangequark1926]

I've got a 1983 Supra that's been in the family from new. It still has the supplying dealer window stickers from Crosby Park Garage in Liverpool. Here's a little factoid - it has a non-interference engine. If the timing belt snaps you fit a new one without the need to rebuild the engine. Rust was the big killer. The survivors were rustproofed from new - the Toyota dealer in Liverpool offered Tectyl rustproofing as an option. It's the reason mine is still going. And this year it's tax-free.

[@CaptainKremmen]

I've always thought they look very similar to a Starion, both inside and out, though I've never had the opportunity to drive one. (And the Starion likewise had a non-interference engine.)

[@liverpoolscottish6430]

Your car needs retreating! Petroleum based rustproofing products only last about five years- then they dry, crack and permit water ingress. Have a look at Rustproofing North West Ltd. That's my business! I'd be delighted to treat your Supra- I think they are a great looking machine and rare now.

[@ivaneberle3972]

Supra Mk II handling was easily improved with stiffer gas shocks, P/U bushings, +2 wheels. For it's day it was quite a solid GT offering and while it was less sorted than early Z car with fewer aftermarket parts, there was a lot that could be done to them. These were factory raced IIRC? Remember, too, that here in the US, the competition was as much with GM and Ford, Camaros and Thunderbirds. Toyotas were a huge step up in mechanical reliability (especially beyond 75K miles, holding used value better). Great ergonomics and a non-strident ride slotted it in the comfy GT segment. While you could cruise all day in luxury at 85mph, the speed limit was 55mph nationally. 170 HP was a lot in the early 80's, the recent gas crisis not yet that far behind in the rear-view mirror

[@deanbirt7531]

Loved this model. A rich neighbour got a black one for him and his wife had a red one they looked like space ships compared to what everyone else down the street was driving.

[@rv6ejguy]

Owned an '82 and '84. Super reliable, great heater, seats, quiet, looked good. Put a bazillion miles on them. Good memories. It was really a GT car.

[@peterkauss5852]

Still have my '85 MK II purchased in '89. A real fun car to drive and easy to maintain.

[@wot48320]

I had one in college, good memories. It's more of a GT then a sports car like the RX7 or Z at the time. It was a very popular car during the period in US, I still love the look of it.

[@darrylmoore5847]

I absolutely love these cars. I lusted after them as a child, and part of me still does.

[@roryscottbrown]

I'm surprised you didn't know that Lotus did the handling tuning on the Mk2 Supra GTS. I had a 1983 in Canada and loved it. Many of the Supra GTS parts made it into the Lotus Excel. Toyota was part owner or majority owner of Lotus at that time. The Excel had the wheels, brakes, diff, and transmission from the Supra GTS and climate control from another Toyota.

[@attcars7612]

Yes, Jack and I do know that, but I feel this “handling by Lotus” thing was more marketing than reality. A ‘sports car’ it ain’t, not in my book anyway.

[@s0m3cunt91]

@@attcars7612 Like all those Isuzu Bighorns with 'handling by Lotus', they didn't feel any different then the ones without those stickers.

[@TassieLorenzo]

@@attcars7612 Proton hatchbacks also had "handling by Lotus" I guess.

[@f.kieranfinney457]

@@attcars7612 in America, with wider, better, less twisty roads, this car works better than most pure European sports cars of the era. Which is why they sold tons in the US. Most GT cars do well in America.

[@georgebettiol8338]

@@f.kieranfinney457 In general, the "US market' places a higher priority on a car's ride over that of it's handling.

[@CherylCold]

Competing against the Capri 2.8injection, Nissan Silvia turbo, 924s, RX7 and Alfa GTV6 were probably the main ones back then. They were very cool. An era before the hot hatches took over. Most people who could afford them had children getting bigger and these cars were just not practical.

[@hughphillips1427]

For me a Ford Capri has never been cool what ever engine it had.

[@justinmueller9579]

Alfa gtv6 was the comparison I made back then

[@ChristianRThomas]

@@justinmueller9579 Great, great car! A friend of mine at university had one. I was very jealous as I only had a 1974 GT1600 Junior which I had bought for £400. Boy, do I wish I still had that car, especially after watching what Homebuilt by Jeff has done with his 105! Today I think the 105 would be the more interesting choice, which is a great example of how we don't appreciate what we have, when we have it.

[@Beauloqs]

........and the Starion

[@loveisall5520]

I was in college when this came out here in the US and had a good friend with one, and drove it often. You are absolutely right--priorities in the US for driving are different. After all, Texas where I live is roughly the size of France! I've done countless 1000-mile days driving for pleasure. I always want a car that sacrifices the 10th degree of absolute handling and performance for one that's great for the other 98%, and this car fits that. It was a great one to do those thousand-mile days, particularly in the American West with the air conditioning pumping out cold air in the heat and rock music on cassettes! Always fun to see the Euro perspective, anyway.

[@Rafagafanhotobra]

Honestly? I think it is one of the best exterior designs of the 80's of any automaker. Very masculine while a little discrete, not a lot of flair needed.

[@stephenricketts7764]

This the MK 2 was and still is a great looking car. I do think we still 'had a thing' about Japanese cars in the UK but perhaps some of their early cars were a bit off-putting to some in terms of design. I personally loved the Celica Mk1 shape and those chrome bumpers! One thing Toyota did well up to the 80's was those velour interiors, so comfortable. This is an excellent example and a credit to Kai the owner and If this were my car I would hang on to it as long as was possible, great colour too. Thanks Jack for another great review. 👍👍

[@nelsonserrate9281]

I forwarded this video to my beloved aunt. She bought a new one in late ‘82. My uncle ended up buying her a new car in 1991, yes, a Lexus 400, and he drove that Celica Supra, for work until 2003 when the frame rust was beyond repair. Engine and gearbox and most of the rest of the car were still functioning. Including the AC. Very important in Miami! 😂

[@ca9968]

When I was a kid in the late 1980`s in Johannesburg a new girl arrived at school in a car nobody had ever seen before, her dad, a plant manager brought over from Sheffield to work for an SA steel company had brought it over from the UK with him, that was a MKII Supra, everyone at the school lusted after that car...the daughter was pretty cute too...(my first crush...)

[@Z-u-m-a]

Just love the idea of a power curve rev counter. Never seen that before. Ace car.

[@tonyflorio3269]

I always thought of these as more of a poor-man's BMW 6-series than a pure sports car. As Jack says: more of a spirited GT. Which is why these were a success in North America. For a typical suburbian driving cycle, these were really well-suited. This, the MR2 and the subsequent Corolla GT-S and twin-cam Celica really helped attract enthusiasts in the 80s.

[@justme307]

Don't forget the Celica All-Trac (I think it was called GT-Four in the UK).

[@georgebettiol8338]

Agree - a better comparison is the BMW than the Porsche. My Doctor at the time was toying between the Supra and a BMW and chose the Supra. There is no denying the reliability and quality of the Toyota.

[@daveblock4061]

I bought a 1983 Celica Supra new. Test drove it, the 944 and the 280ZX. Porsche: $18,900 plus $5000 NON refundable NON applicable deposit and a 6 month wait. Datsun: A Boulevard Cruiser then. Toyota: $13,500, buttery inline 6, in the showroom to drive away. Until my Elise in 2018 my best/favorite car.

[@f.d.robben159]

Thank you for dusting off almost lost memories. My girlfriend at the time, a pretty and lively Italian, had such a Toyota Supra in 1990. The contrast to me could hardly have been greater. As a stoically calm North German, I naturally had a W123 200D ;-) It was a stormy wonderful year, but unsurprisingly we each found the luck that suited us better elsewhere. Nevertheless, I will never forget the pretty girl and her great car

[@damieg82]

More Japanese reviews please! Tbh a lot of the euro stuff is played out already with a plethora of reviews available, but it's not often you get these deeper dives in Japanese classics. I'd love to see a review of a Mitsubishi Lancer EX 2000 GSR.... rare, but with a global cult following.

[@MichaelTrivett-pr6zx]

These were a brillant car in their time i drove many miles when they were new always great had a lovely spec sunroof and air had that ability to cover a journey of hundreds of miles comfortably. They also came in a maroon and looked stunning. Still look amazing now a real presence on the road.

[@michaelhawkins5530]

My absolute favorite generation of the Celica and the Supra. The big wheel flares were just so cool. The whole thing was cool! This example just needs the rear sunshade/spoiler to make it complete.

[@jeffreyoldham55]

I had one, and it was absolutely faultless. Once had a memorable, highly spirited run with a 911, and the Supra stayed firmly attached to it's tail. Could not pass, however. Traded it, along with an RX7 GTU for a Nissan 300ZX.

[@mikefaulhaber]

I can't overstate how significant this car was when it was introduced (in the US, anyway). I was obsessed.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

They should have installed this DOHC engine in the Delorean

[@deanstevenson6527]

Early Japanese market Celica XX advertising showed Colin Chapmans Lotus Approval for 1982. I believe Mike Kimberley from Lotus helped correct the semi trailing arm rear suspension and rack and pinion steering geometry. Lotus fixed the geometry, Toyota softened the suspension. Toyota also figured out how to avoid the Japanese over 1.7 Meter width taxation, by making the P an exported version.

[@jasongoetz5184]

I have 2 MK2 Celica Supras 82 and 83. I’ve owned and driven many cars over the years and must say the 83 is one of my favorite cars to drive. Granted I put headers and stainless steel exhaust on it and it sounds brilliant. Will never sell! The 82 is next to be restored. These cars are so underrated!

[@dantheman7357]

Hi Jack, I have owned a Porsche 944 and a 944S and loved them both for the handling. I have owned an '84 Supra, and a '85 Supra both with white body and Maroon interior. I loved them both also for the handling and comfort. Superb cars. If I found a pristine 1985 Supra I would buy it immediately. Then I would refresh everything and keep it forever this time! Thanks for the review and memories.

[@gisbertklockemeyer823]

Thank you Jack for this video. The Supra 2.8i is a beautiful Gran Tourismo and I remember driving a white Supra in the mid 80s quite well. Greetings from Germany.

[@davidheath3100]

Almost bought one of these, bought an Opel Monza GSE instead. Incredibly similar cars with the digital dash and cruise control and on a fairly equal performance footing. Miss that Monza, may it rust in peace.

[@ramspace]

I watch these clips to chill.

[@AdamLaw-f4w]

Me too!!

[@Crogunson-wb2zl]

Yeah Bruzz wind down b4 bed.

[@slownrusty]

Your videos are typically very good and I enjoy them, but you fumbled the ball on this review. The 944 Turbo (or anything from Stuttgart) and this Supra were never meant to compete against each other, two totally different market segments. The 944 Turbo was £34,500 when launched in 1985, this Supra was around £13,000 in 1985 according to my trusty CAR magazine. Toyota were trying to establish themselves in the GT market (not Sports Car) and the Supra was a foray into that new development area. The Supra was more of a competitor to the likes of the Capri, Manta and 300ZX.

[@mrcarpenter2008]

I loved the Supra when it was first released and I still love the shape now. I LOVE the styling of the seats.

[@terrypikaart4394]

That is best looking supra ever built!...

[@thedarkknight1971]

Famous (and rather tidy 😍) KZbinr 'Sarah-N-Tuned' recently did a resto-mod of one of these, bought, FULL valet, suspension, worst and more, and gave it away to one of her subbers. I love these 80's classics! She's currently resto-mod ding a 70's Celica with a Toyota VVTi V8... GO check it (and her/her skills) out! She has a penchant for even the smallest details! 👍😏 😎🇬🇧

[@sebastiend.5335]

Such an icon. Brings back memories!! Cheers. Greetings from the Netherlands

[@ruleninetyone]

I always used to see these things (Supra- Celica’s) in U.K scrap yards in the early/ mid ninety’s with rust issues if I remember correctly but I always wanted one real bad. Just a memory I thought I’d add ❤

[@malcolmlane-ley2044]

I had not long taken delivery of my new Ford Sierra 1.6 GL when this car was made so I've had to cast my mind back to get into context how good this Toyota was when it came out and I rather suspect part of the success would have been the dealer experience and the build quality although 170 bhp was also impressive in those days and they weren't a common sight on the roads. I could not fail to notice the condition of the interior during your test and surely that durability may even be to the benchmark of a Mercedes C123?

[@wusaint]

Owned several MK3s and other sports cars over the years. But my MK2 is by far my favorite car I've ever owned. It just had an undeniable balance and character that other vehicles lacked.

[@berwhaletheavenger]

Brilliant cars - more like a really good 2.8i Capri, an Alfa GTV6 that worked or a 944 with character. Very well made, superbly reliable and great looking.

[@franksheeran9243]

I cannot believe how good that car looks. It's got, like, a crack on the stereo. And that's it.

[@graemelliott3942]

Nice video! Toyotas from the late 80’to the early 2000s are in that sweet spot of engineering. They were over engineered and everything worked well and fit and finish were spot on! They were designed to last a long time with normal use! The car magazines were very biased in the day. This was right before the internet and the height of magazine publication with a lot of publisher politicization going on!

[@georgebettiol8338]

The Toyota plastics were particlarly durable during this period - in complete contrast to the current German OEMs that use very poor quality plastics/rubber components.

[@HervavenGill]

Perfect car... love the shape of it... never looks too outdated.... the wheels put it over the top... the wheels are sort of like the iroc z which made the iroc look absolutely amazing

[@TheLemon777]

Have you done a Starion? Probably really Rare Now.

[@ordinaryjoe2247]

I remember these from back in the day, and I think you nailed it. Sharp looking car. Reliable. Sporty? maybe. Secretary car? absolutely. Sports car? Not at all. But there's nothing wrong with that. Just don't expect the performance to match the appearance. Comparatively, keep in mind that the first 944s weren't exactly barn burners either. A 2nd gen Golf GTI would out accelerate them. But the handling and brakes surpassed what the Supra offered.

[@davidhinkson8856]

One of my all time favorite cars. There's one sitting on an empty lot near me but that's been off the road for a very long time and the cost to repair it may be prohibitive or it may be too far gone. I agree with some of the comments that the real rivals for this would have been the 280ZX, RX-7, Starion and in Europe the Capri and Manta. The Mark 4 Supra did beat a Porsche 968 in a Car and Driver comparison test in 1993 and that was when the Supra became legendary. But my heart still yearns for a well kept A60, possibly resto modded with a turbo engine from a JDM variant or a newer model.

[@johnsuffill6520]

I had one of these in the early 90's and it's the one car I still regret selling after covering many thousands of miles. By the way, the engine was derived from the one in the 2000GT, and the suspension was sorted by Lotus when they part-owned Toyota (Toyota in turn sorted out the Eclat, when it was briefly named the Eclat Excel and later just Excel). A great car, I remember 'racing' (at legal speeds officer) Ford Capri 2.8's and sporty Mercedes and nearly always won. I later also owned a bog-standard Corolla 1.3 which was not as economical to drive! I also found that if I was driving down a dual carriageway at 70mph nobody would overtake me. Driving down the same road at the same speed in the Corolla, almost everyone was overtaking me. I guess they didn't want to try it against the Supra 🤣 If I could, I would have another one of these in a flash. Thank you Jack for bringing back some very happy memories.

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

“Everything still works” of course it does it’s a Toyota !

[@billcunningham8485]

I owned a 1983 Toyota Celica GTS coupe with the fender flares, larger tires and the same interior as the car in this video. My 1983 Celica was a great little car. I have also owned two Porsche 944s. My 1984 Porsche 944 handled better than the Celica. I felt I could push the 944 harder into turns - likely the better weight balance in the Porsche with the transaxle over the rear wheels. The Celica had crazy tall gears in the manual transmission. The Porsche was geared better for speed (in my opinion). I currently own a Supercharged 2006 Mini Cooper S which I have made some simple modifications to Best handling car I have ever owned.

[@Depp500]

The German competitor of this Toyota is the Opel Monza 3.0 E, try to find a good example for the test, the car was then in the range of the BMW 6 series.

[@attcars7612]

Funnily enough I mentioned the Monza when Jack was filming 👍

[@floatingonairandwater]

Great review Jack, but i should point out you didn’t mention the Lotus connection. Toyota engaged Lotus to do engineering work on the Supra and became a major shareholder in Lotus around this time. Lotus in turn used various Toyota components in their cars but especially the Excel. You say that there is no real comparison between this Supra and European sports cars, yet in terms of size, layout etc (even if you squint there’s a similar silhouette) then there may be a good comparison to be had between this Supra and the contemporary Excel.

[@daniellee9015]

Absolutely brilliant video jack ❤👍it's absolutely lovely car love the way it's bolted together and love the interior as a classic it deserves to be enjoyed brilliant

[@Number27]

Glad you enjoyed it thanks 🙏

[@LynGriffiths70]

Loved these, such s looker.

[@mattagnew206]

Saw one of these in the Boston area as a kid (summer 85) that I still recall today. Black with those wheels, rear spoiler, numberplate MADMAX.

[@Kryptic1046]

Back around 2002, I found one of these (an '84 L Type) with 182,000 miles on it sitting on a small dealer lot for $1200. I traded in an old Ford station wagon which took $500 off the price and paid the dealer $700 in cash. I drove that car for 7 years and put another 100,000 miles on it. Everything in it worked. The only thing it needed in all that time other than oil changes was a $90 sensor. That remains the best $700 I've ever spent in my life. I love these cars. Whenever I see one it makes me nostalgic.

[@NenadTrajkovic]

Honda Prelude and this car are my favourite cars of that era

[@neilvinyl]

One of my favourite 80´s cars. Stuff Porsche Ferrari & Lotus, this was seriously reliable. Great car.

[@franksheeran9243]

It's not quite as simple as to say "Toyota was copying Nissan's 240Z." The 240Z was kind of a mass-production version of the 2000GT, I think. As an owner of a MkIV Supra '95-'02 or so, the one thing that totally pisses me off to high heaven is that Toyota didn't simply keep with it. The 2000GT beat Porsche 911s. Then nothing for a decade. Then the MkII beat 924s. Then the luxury barge MkIII years. Then the MkIV beat 911s again. Why not simply keep improving it incrementally? There was just about no change except a move to variable valve timing and a weird extra shock absorber from '00 on JDM. Then nothing for 15 years, then the MkV BMW-light? People buy Toyota for the engineering and reliability, and do not WANT a BMW lump that spends half its time in the shop.

[@timothylanders3189]

Horribly overated car imho! I owned one many years back. It was extremely thirsty. Lacked power. Too slippery on the rear. Had beautiful interiror & exterior styling but, all hype....

[@Gargravarr2112]

I've owned my '86 for 11 years and I'm still waiting for the novelty of the digidash to wear off ;) I find it so much easier to glance at the digital speedo than read an analogue dial. And I love how the tach LEDs follow the torque curve. Only issue I have with mine is the pessimistic fuel gauge! I don't know if it's common to these cars, but mine gives a delicious little snarl when the engine comes under load from about 1,500RPM, it sounds aggressive and brings the car to life. Single best thing you can do with these cars is accelerate! I think you're right in that the MKII is more of a GT than a pure sports car - it'll cruise 500 miles on a tank of fuel quite happily at motorway speeds. And yes, availability of tyres is stopping me driving mine hard! But during summer, I use it as my daily and I love it. Seats are so comfortable and the driving position is superb, and with the amount of boot space, it's really practical. Always enjoy seeing them get recognition!

[@caeserromero3013]

Early 80's these cars were quite popular with professional footballers because they were more affordable compared to Porsches and Ferraris. I used to collect the old Sun soccer annuals and it was quite common in those little interview sections with people like Bryan Robson or Ray Wilkins etc for them to list their car as a Celica. Footballers wages were good back then but nothing like what they are today. I watched an interview with the Liverpool 1984 European cup winning team and Souness was the top earner apparently on £100k a YEAR. Jordan Henderson was earing $750k A WEEK in Saudi. No Celica for him....

[@jefferysmith3930]

I love, love, love the looks of these. All of the lines just work for me. One of my all time favorites. Actually looks right with the RWL tires. Digital gauges…..the novelty wears off as soon as it stops working. I currently have no fuel and temp readout on my Mk.4 Prelude as the LCD? LED? display for these has packed up while that analog speedo and tach work just fine. Bother! I notice the UK spec car gets the same spring yield door mirrors as my sister’s old Tercel….even the manual adjustment! US cars had more Integrated non-breakaway design that were power operated. Totally different steering wheel. I think all US Toyotas of the period (‘84 and up) had a very similar 2 spoke wheel with the low spokes canted inward and a huge protruding horn pad

[@alcyon2sp]

The Mk2 Supra was related to the first generation JDM only Soarer. They had the same suspension but with a 3" longer wheelbase. For the next generation Supra and Soarer, Toyota went with a double wishbone suspension to address it's stability complaints of the Mk2. But that increased the weight by 200kg.

[@dannork1240]

I wonder how the opinion would have changed if he drove a regular 4-cylinder Celica first before driving the Supra. A couple of my friends parents had Celicas and they were fine, but the Supra really felt like a step up from them. Of course that was the USA… Oh yeah another friend’s parents traded their Camaro for a Supra. I remember the dad saying something like the Supra was like the “grown up version” of the Camaro (or “the Supra was the car the Camaro wanted to be when it grew up”)

[@marksbikeexports5123]

I've had 3 of these, one in 1989 on a A plate, one in 1999 on a B plate.....and one 1982 model in Canada in 2019. They are a terrific car......iirc the Auto box version was the first auto ever that was more economical than the manual......

[@Schlipperschlopper]

The DOHC heads came from Yamaha same story with the older 2000 GT, you could compare the Toyota 2.8 DOHC engine to BMW 528i engine from character

[@cogboy302]

Toyota CELICA Supra. I love them. Probably because I'm a fan of flared wheelarches, like those on most of the Group 4 rally cars back in the day.

[@mattkinsella9856]

It was really interesting you comapred it to having a more muscle car feel because I used to have an '88 mk3 Supra and that's exactly how I would've described it. I'm surprised Toyota made all those European sports car comparisons because to me it felt very American, from the interior to the ride and handling, it was clear that was rhe market they were going for. Toyota also had the MR2 as a smaller better handling sports car.

[@rupertorgan7749]

There were several cars of this type coming out of Japan in the 1980s. My father bought himself a Nissan Silvia ZX Turbo when he retired and it certainly kept him on his toes when driving it quickly on wet roads!

[@AnnatarTheMaia]

This was my second car. It was kind of practical, went 200 km/h but not more than that. Performance was nothing to write home about. The handling does get significantly better with better tires.

[@dougodyssey50]

Probably had something to do with the Crown engine they used. That thing was not even close to sporty.

[@soonerlon]

I'd take the Supra over a Porsche any day of the year in '82. My sister owned one and it was totally brilliant - it never once broke down and had a far superior interior compared to Porsche. I worked on several 911's and 924's in the day and I always thought Porsche was overrated crap (especially for the money one had to fork out for them).

[@JimiLux]

I agree! This is a wonderful car that people underappreciated. One of my favorite reviews from back in the day is the German Autotest review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWq2aGWJmbdje6s&pp=ygUPYXV0b3Rlc3QgY2VsaWNh

[@bagpusslxv4858]

I remember What Car? doing a test on this, the Starion and the Opel Monza GSE. I ended up buying the Monza which was great GT car - don’t see many of these with these days😢

[@Westmoreland348]

Rejection of Japanese products wasn't just European arrogance there was a justifiable resentments particular months older generation because of their experience in the Far East and they were even Newspaper campaigns by papers such as the son of people not to buy Japanese things in the same way that w rejection of Japanese products wasn't just European arrogance,there was a justifiable resentment particular from the older generation because of their experience in the Far East and there were even newspaper campaigns by papers such as the Sun encouraging people not to buy Japanese things. There is an interesting historical parallel in how China is distrusted and underestimated now. It's not many years since China was visited by Top Gear and then was the industry was very much in its infancy now it is a huge force to be reckoned with

[@mreuropa88]

The suspension package was tuned by Lotus. I worked at Toyota at the time and had one as a demonstrator. The car was too heavy to handle exceptionally well, but by the standards of the day it was an easy match for the 2.8i Capri!

[@dentman67]

You cant compare it to the European elite vehicles. This one cost a 10th as much, and didnt break down. Its also unfair to look at it performance wise looking through the lens of today.

[@FREEDOOOOM]

Yes, mk1 MR2s are very nice driver´s cars. Would be great to see what you think of them. Great content!

[@713vinh]

I had one of these as a teen in the 80's and believe me when I tell you I was the coolest kid on the block! It was a super hit in the USA and as you can see, still very valuable in the current market.

[@DaDa-David]

Love that! Cool reg too. Had a black Corgi model of one as a lad, can't remember ever seeing one but looks like I might fit! (6ft 8)

[@yrasphong]

When i was young..i fell in love with this Supra..till this day this is my favorite supra because it was my fiest memory of a Supra..the body kit was so new at the time

[@bradallard1542]

One of my favorite 80s cars. Thanks for the memories

[@davidhayes4814]

I guess that it competed with the Opel Monza…. 3 litre 180 bhp …. Similar price when new.

[@russellhammond4373]

I loved this Supra from the day it was released in Australia. Like the idea of Japanese reliability, not too stressed and half decent shape. Great review mate.

[@russellball530]

Celica was a brilliant automobile. It's only downfall was it's rust issues. The smiles per mile were excellent, and it didn't cost a ton to insure

[@Goldie644]

Early UK cars lacked the wide arches - they came in with the 1983/84 facelift, along with Lotus fettled suspension.

[@colinmcleod4190]

These were very popular in Australia. The Japanese have built some of the best and most reliable cars for many years now.

[@ClellBiggs]

I'd love to see you review an SW20 and hear your take on it. I had one in the 90s and it's one of my favs of the cars I've owned.