Supra Or Celica?

April 24, 2004

Hi everybody

I just signed up as I'm looking at returning to a Toyota again this summer (after a couple of years with bland company cars...)

The question is: Supra or Celica?

I'm looking at spending about £2500 for the car itself and have come up with the following alternatives:

1. Supra 2.5 twin turbo '90-93 (if I can find one)

2. Supra 3.0 turbo '89-93

3. Celica GT4 ST185 '90-93

I would like a car with manual gearbox that could do 0-60 in about 6 seconds standard or with minor mods (open air filter, free flow exhaust, increased boost pressure, etc.) and that is still reliable for day-to-day use AND is fun to drive :)

I've heard that a Jap spec GT4 has 225 bhp as opposed to 201 bhp on the UK version.

What difference does that make in 0-60 time? Are there any other important differences between Jap and UK spec?

I had two 3.0 litre Supra 7M-GTE ('87 and '91) and while they were very nice cars otherwise, I experienced two blown head gaskets on standard engines....

Don't know what the other's are like so any suggestions or advise are most welcome.

Cheers

Bogs

April 24, 2004

Jap specs are 225hp. As for a 6 sec 0-60 with minor mods you might be pushing it but as mine is standard I'm not really the authority on that. Generally speaking the Celicas have few inherent problems, just areas that need attention, like improved cooling of the intercooler, any weight reduction that you can do etc but as per Toyota they tend to be fairly bulletproof. As far as gaskets go the rocker cover usually needs replacing but not a major. My ST185 is very standard and yeah its had its turbo recond. but after 200km what do you expect. If you want off the mark acceleration it would be easier to acheve with the GT-Four, Supra's come into their own top end I've found unless they are running high boost and a truckload of mods. Again top end, two wheel drive vs. four wheel drive top end the Supra has it. You won't find an auto GT-Four (Thank god) so you can put that nightmare to rest. I'm not sure how common Group-A GT-Fours are in the UK but they are worth the trouble to look.

April 25, 2004

Thanks a lot for your input!!

I could easily live with replacing the rocker cover gasket - it can't be a £1000 bill as the Supra head gasket replacement tend to be.....

The extra 25 bhp on the Jap version should make some difference performance-wise, I'd imagine.

Are there any other major differences between Jap spec and UK/Aussie/NZ-spec that you know of?

Cheers

Bogs

April 26, 2004

Nothing that I'm certain on but the later ones had ABS if you want that. Generally the Japanese keep all the goodies for themselves so a JDM car is goin to have at least whatever the locally made ones will. Like I said the RC and Group-A versions are worth looking for with higher spec'd engines and higher boost limits. Since our esteemed Member of Parliament decided randomly that any car made before 1996 must be unsafe we can't import any more of these. I've seen an RC in Japanese auctions for as little as $1400NZ (roughly 500 pound) and it just about makes you sick.

Basically go JDM and you can't go wrong (not sure what your supply of parts is like there for imports but any major components on these things tends to be genuine only I've found.)

August 11, 2005

i have a jap gt4 and its fantastic! i also considered the exact same cars as you are when i was chosing. Had the same limit to.

ive had mine for 3months and although mines got the head gasket going (ive heard its certainly not common) im still in no doubt of my choice. the 4wd, turbo, the bonnet scoop, and the looks(modern for its age) make it awesome... im no expert but i love this car and it may be good for you too.

regards james

ps

cycling to work now as fuel is falling out the car like a leak(i just sit in it and the gauge moves,i dont care its great!!!).