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[Griffyn]

Hi there I am possibly thinking of getting a MkIV supra bcos there are some nice cheap examples, which already have a few mods. Being at uni this is ideal for the moment....but am I right in saying some models have rear seats too? If so which ones? This is a must at uni unfort.....and if so what is the room like? I am 6ft1 so will people behind me of abt 5ft10 be able to fit in for short journeys? When its my turn to drive in (car pool basically) there are usually 3 of us and sometimes my m8s gf who is small so wld fit fine LOL Also is there much room with rear seats down and the boot ie 4 like bringing my stuff home....and how does this compare 2 the yaris 4 any1 who has used both?

4 example i saw http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/ATD_web/s...ia?id=237337882 wit the veilside kit, 66k miles, air con blah blah and was £3,995 which seems pretty reasonable!

Also what are the insurance groups like for the N/A models? I currently have 3yrs no claims @ 20 so I know this will be a problem bt will be parked at home in my garage most of the time *cough* rather than on the road at my uni house

I have been wanting something with more power for along time and almost bought a new mazda 3 sport last year but wld have been a waste of money due 2 residuals and stuff and wana keep my saved money for after uni if it aint all gone by the end of it

Does any1 have any advice as well as wat kinda model is best? I will prob hav about max of £5-6k 2 spend after selling my yaris combined with some of savings (

Also any common probs wit high mileage MkIV supras i shld b aware of? Also what are running costs like? How does a tank cost 2 fill and what do most ppl get wit 'normal' driving.

I know there is a search function but much better to be told things 1st hand :P

Thanks alot people

[SMW]

You are at Uni and can afford to run a Mkiv ?? Wow.

OK -

Personally I don't like Veilside - period.

If I went for a Mkiv I would want a UK car in black with a few tasteful cosmetic mods but not too much performance stuff done. That way it's likely to be Auto, TT, active front spoiler, steel blades, bigger brakes, full leather, glass lights, bonnet vent and a few other things I can't remember now. The UK v JDM debate rages on the Supra forums and there is no real answer. A simple search will reveal loads of these debates covering power to weigh ratios, spool times etc.

Given your budget though you are probably looking at JDM in less popular colours and maybe high miles and a bit tatty. I think you are bottom end of TT money so probably best to go N/A if you MUST have one.

Anyway wish you well - sure the Soop peeps will be along soon to advise you better than me !

[SMW]

This UK manual is up for grabs at the moment but you'll probably need about 9K

Zed

[Griffyn]

Haha yes i am at uni and wld b able 2 afford 2 run one. Remember I am at uni 30wks max of a year....last year was at uni for 26wks and the rest I spend working, and also hav a job at uni which is 2 nites a week (altho 8 hr shifts :S after a whole day of lectures)

Neways yeah looks like N/A is only option for a MkIV supra....due 2 cheaper price 2 start off with, cheaper insurance, blah blah blah

Its only an idea atm and just doin a bit of research but they are huge step up from yaris and dont look to old like alot of other cars frm same kind of period.

Still debating whether 2 keep all my savings and when i get a job after uni see what i can get then.....but a 2007 Civic Type-R could b very tempting....just hope rumours of same engine arent true...bt cld always giv it a power hike as JDM is 220hp, neways off topic! Also the proper mazda 3 sport....heard frm alot of sources it cld be a turbo 245bhp beast wit 4wd. But will have 2 see wat job i get tbh and if i live at home for a cpl of years or not or wana rent somewhere.

Options!!!!

[Bibbs]

First, can you drop the text speak .. I can't be bothered to *try* and read a lot of that.

The soup will give you 15mpg on Optimax .. and you'll need about £500 a month on maintenance. Tyres are £150 a corner and will last 6k miles.

NA's are more expensive to insure than UK Turbo's. Cause they are imports.

Also RWD car from a Yaris is a BIG jump. You'll probably crash it within a month.

Rear seats are tiny, really only for small kids or people with no legs (the front seat will touch the rear).

[Leeky]

Ok i've had both a UK Twin Turbo and an Import Non Turbo.

So here it goes...

Dont get the Import car unless you get a cheap quote 'prior' to buying it. Same goes for a UK car actually.

Dont expect to see any more than 15-20 max mpg.

Both turbo and non turbo are about the same MPG anyway.

Either car is very expensive to run and maintain. I wouldn't touch one unles you have at least £5k disposable income to spend on it each year.

If you've never owned RWD before then dont go for a Supra.

They arent like normal RWD cars, and will rip your head off when you least expect it.

Supra's have a tendancy to end up wrapped around tree's etc

If i was you i would work your way up. Get a Celica GT4 ST205 - 255bhp standard, similar 0-60 of a supra and 4wd to boot

BTW dont buy one with a Veilside kit or we will all hunt you down and kill you

[Mik_D]

Ok i've had both a UK Twin Turbo and an Import Non Turbo.

So here it goes...

Dont get the Import car unless you get a cheap quote 'prior' to buying it. Same goes for a UK car actually.

Dont expect to see any more than 15-20 max mpg.

Both turbo and non turbo are about the same MPG anyway.

Either car is very expensive to run and maintain. I wouldn't touch one unles you have at least £5k disposable income to spend on it each year.

If you've never owned RWD before then dont go for a Supra.

They arent like normal RWD cars, and will rip your head off when you least expect it.

Supra's have a tendancy to end up wrapped around tree's etc

If i was you i would work your way up. Get a Celica GT4 ST205 - 255bhp standard, similar 0-60 of a supra and 4wd to boot

BTW dont buy one with a Veilside kit or we will all hunt you down and kill you

When I was at university (a good one I'll have you know) I could barely afford to run my moped!

I had no bank of mum or dad, but this was back in the days when I got a full grant (showing my age now). I too do not understand 'text speak' and we should ensure this site does not succum to bone idleness.

There is absolutely no way that a 20 year old student will get insurance on a mkIV anyway unless he is prepared to spend £BIG MONEY. All the studoes I know (I am a college physics lecturer) would pay for a bag of chips with a cheque if they could. This individual should get realistic before they kill themselves or spend time watching their mkIV rot away on the drive.

There, I have had my tuppence worth (that means two pence).

Regards

Michael

[Griffyn]

Well thankyou for all of the really useful information

Firstly as explained I work my ***** off in the holidays with at least two jobs and when at univeristy I also have a job, so yes I do end up with some money left over other than expenses paid for such as accomodation, etc. I dont even have a student loan and if your going your going to be a$$y because I work hard and earn money so I can afford something such as a Supra then im not all that bothered with your comments.

I have looked at insurance quotes and seems much cheaper for the non-turbo supra, would cost me £996 fully comp for a year when 21 with only a quick look round. This doesn't seem too bad at all!

Was there definitely no N/A MkIV sold in the UK? Just been doing a bit of reading and alot of sites have said that the N/A was sold in UK as well as the TT. Some insurance sites have both the N/A listed under import and non-import (same as TT). So somewhere there is a contradiction.

RWD is obviously alot different from FWD but I have had a few goes in RWD cars with more power than even the Supra TT and as long as you don't push too hard when new to them they aren't that bad, but I wouldn't buy a car and then push it hard at all within the first few days of owning it! That is just stupid, any why insurance is so high for alot of people my age as there are some stupid people about, but this is true for any age group. I mean I know people who have bought nice cars at 35+ and ruined them (911 turbo and S4...OUCH!)

What are the common problems with the N/A supras with high mileage? Most reviews have said they are pretty bullet proof. From what I have looked at on autotrader for around £5k they are anything from 40k miles plus. Things such as brakes and suspension I would want to upgrade as I go along since power isnt anything without control!

As I said im only looking into the options I have available which is why im doing abit of research. How much on avg do you get from a tank of normal driving and a tank of fast driving? Also how much does tank cost to fill up wit optimax or equivalent? (tescos do a 99 ron cheaper than optimax which is good stuff just incase you haven't heard as alot of people I know haven't)

No offense Mik_D but you put "When I was at university (a good one I'll have you know)" Was that really necessary? You don't even know what Uni I am at, or what course I am taking so seems rather pointless putting that.

What tyres are you using for £150 a piece? No offense but you can get really nice tyres for a boxter s and or audi a6 2.7 bi-turbo wit 18"x10 alloys cheaper than that, as long as you know where to look. Also im guessing you dont mean that the front tyres need changing every 6k as well? As that seems alot! Currently im doing about 10-12k miles a year. Does the supra have a tendancy to wheel spin alot?

LOL veilside kit aint as bad as you are making out :P Is it not the most fitted kit to the supra?

When you say yoy need £5k to spend on it a year can you clarify what you mean by that? Is that just the general upkeep of the car such as servicing/repair or tyres, petrol, and so forth.

Sorry for the text talk but it is only a forum and in most it is generally accepted, but have adjusted my grammar as according.

Thanks for your help and hopefully get a few more 'useful' replies this time.

[spotipus]

it would probably help if u listened to what leeky and bibbs tell u

you asked for information on the supra and they have given it to you

the supra is pretty much bulletproof but when they go wrong they dont do it cheaply

the uk supra is only a twin turbo whatever anyone else tells you :D

[silvasurfa]

Well thankyou for all of the really useful information

Firstly as explained I work my ***** off in the holidays with at least two jobs and when at univeristy I also have a job, so yes I do end up with some money left over other than expenses paid for such as accomodation, etc. I dont even have a student loan and if your going your going to be a$$y because I work hard and earn money so I can afford something such as a Supra then im not all that bothered with your comments.

I have looked at insurance quotes and seems much cheaper for the non-turbo supra, would cost me £996 fully comp for a year when 21 with only a quick look round. This doesn't seem too bad at all!

Was there definitely no N/A MkIV sold in the UK? Just been doing a bit of reading and alot of sites have said that the N/A was sold in UK as well as the TT. Some insurance sites have both the N/A listed under import and non-import (same as TT). So somewhere there is a contradiction.

RWD is obviously alot different from FWD but I have had a few goes in RWD cars with more power and as long as you don't push too hard they aren't that bad, but I wouldn't buy a car and then push it to the max within the first few days of owning it! That is just stupid, any why insurance is so high for alot of people my age as there are some stupid people about, but this is true for any age group. I mean I know people who have bought nice cars at 35+ and ruined them (911 turbo and S4...OUCH!)

What are the common problems with the N/A supras with high mileage? Most reviews have said they are pretty bullet proof. From what I have looked at on autotrader for around £5k they are anything from 40k miles plus. Things such as brakes and suspension I would want to upgrade as I go along since power isnt anything without control!

As I said im only looking into the options I have available which is why im doing abit of research. How much on avg do you get from a tank of normal driving and a tank of fast driving? Also how much does tank cost to fill up wit optimax or equivalent? (tescos do a 99 ron cheaper than optimax which is good stuff just incase you haven't heard as alot of people I know haven't)

No offense Mik_D but you put "When I was at university (a good one I'll have you know)" Was that really necessary? You don't even know what Uni I am at, or what course I am taking so seems rather pointless putting that.

What tyres are you using for £150 a piece? No offense but you can get really nice tyres for a boxter s and or audi a6 2.7 bi-turbo wit 18"x10 alloys cheaper than that, as long as you know where to look. Also im guessing you dont mean that the front tyres need changing every 6k as well? As that seems alot! Currently im doing about 10-12k miles a year. Does the supra have a tendancy to wheel spin alot?

LOL veilside kit aint as bad as you are making out :P Is it not the most fitted kit to the supra?

When you say yoy need £5k to spend on it a year can you clarify what you mean by that? Is that just the general upkeep of the car such as servicing/repair or tyres, petrol, and so forth.

Sorry for the text talk but it is only a forum and in most it is generally accepted, but have adjusted my grammar as according.

Thanks for your help and hopefully get a few more 'useful' replies this time.

As tempting as it is to just shoot you down in flames I don't think it will help.

Firstly, be careful that these insurance quotes you're getting aren't for an older model, MKIII etc.-

Right, you work your a$$ off, fair play, you can afford it, fair play, some of us aren't being deliberately negative, it will not be cheap at all-

There is 100%, guaranteed, definately, no such thing as a UK MKIV N/A... FACT, don't know where you read that, I suggest you don't get anymore information from there-

No amount of 'having a go in a few RWD cars' will prepare you for a Supra in the rain, let alone ice (trust me)-

You shouldn't struggle to get an N/A with under 60k, so quite simply, don't, they are 'bullet proof' but why get one with lots of miles when you don't need to-

I get about 220 miles to £60 on average, this'll go up with more motorway miles, that's paying for the highest octane available at the particular pump-

The porsche wheels you're talking about I believe are Continentals, I have just bought two at just over £300, that was mates rates, 6k would be for the back, obviously depending on how you drive-

The opinion of Veilside here is generally baaad, but that's just an opinion, whatever you like is your choice! The fact that it is probably the most common kit (usually really badly fitted) doesn't help-

Can't comment on the 5k bit yet-

The text speak is rubbish, not accepted on here thankfully, don't take it personally though as you didn't know. If you take constructive criticism as its meant, ie. constructively, you'll get on well here...

[Bibbs]

Cheers for changing the typing - I could read that No-one is "dissing" you, it's just a load of lads post in here saying they want this and that and as I've said to all of the Yaris peeps that are looking to upgrade, just take off the rose tinted glasses.

There was no NA mk4 UK soup - infact I think there were only 600 or so UK ones anyway (not many people will fork out over £40k on a Toyota).

Tyres are expesive, I've only a little car and 245, 40 17's were £90 each .. and I expect them to last 9k miles top.

Lee(ky) told me about his soup taking 85 liters (the pump will stop at 60 - you have to ask them to switch it on again) and that'd get him low to mid 200's for miles.

Because it's a big performance car, it'll eat disks, pads, suspension etc quicker, and due to it's status as an (ex-)flagship car, it's a load more expensive.

I worked my bum off at uni too (had three jobs while at uni, and then full time when I got home) and I walked out with no car :)

TBH, I'd suggest keeping the yaris till you graduate. You'll be in less debt, and better able to afford the running of a car with a £20k job.

You'll also have a few more years of driving and a few years NCB too.

I drove a shed for 12 months before getting my first "proper" car. I then went for 18 months driving RWD before getting my turbo. 4 years before getting my S2000 .. and I'm still a long way off my De-Tomaso .. I could afford a cheap one. I'd rather keep learning and not stretching my finances to buy a shed ;)

[Griffyn]

Cheers that reply was helpful, been looking again on here. It appears that there was no N/A UK MkIV Supra, sorry. Think the best bet would be to ring up some insurance companies, but still dont know if I will go down this route yet.

The tyres on the porsche I was talking about aren't Continentals anymore as they are okay, but if you know where to go you can get better/cheaper tyres. Currently running on Yokos I believe, but I dont know which model.

I get about 200-220miles from a £30 tank currently so looking at least double what I spend on petrol.

Wouldn't want the veilside kit just seems a fair amount of supras on autotrader had bodykits on them as well as aftermarket alloys.

Well im going to go away and do some reseach and see what is best for me to do.

Thanks

[Griffyn]

I can understand that Bibbs.

I am just thinking about getting something nice bt not ridculously expensive to tie me over till I finish uni. I have just over a year really until I will go into a full time job. I really like the look of the new civic and have been planning to get one of those after I graduate when finances permit (Type-R version of course! On an alternate note can't wait to see the Type-R concept once its unveiled at Geneva)

Also ever thought about S/C the S2000 Bibbs as they are really nice cars! Driven one and it was a really nice drive. But I do love Honda tbh. Also much better looking than any De-Tomaso in my opinion :P . Spoilt by modern looking cars so cant admire alot of older cars apart from things such as the NSX-R, 355, and so forth.

At the moment I am thinking of probably keeping the yaris but its just painfully slow and I have driven to many nice cars that make it feel even slower now!

[Bibbs]

I'm not a fan of Honda .. they have the "boring old !Removed!" image, but now it seems Toyota are trying to steal that crown. Toyota used to have the Supra, GT4 and MR2 Turbo .. all awesome cars .. now they have nothing.

At least Honda still has the NSX, S2000 and CTR. The First two being phased out, but there ARE replacements in the pipeline.

I've thought about a LOT of things with the S2000 .. and I've started modding (no pics/spec's on here till it's done). But it's staying NA till Easters Nur trip.

Sorry if it seemed like we are beating you down, but it's not a light investment to make and it seems to be a topic that's posted often.

[Mik_D]

Ah-ha

Well there it is then. If you get about 30 mpg you are using the car for urban driving I'd guess, then you are looking at 10-15 in Soop. You will also be in for pads, tyres, disks, oil changes, belts PDQ.

I would take advice when given it. Wait around, spend your time studying for a good degree because competition for graduate jobs is fierce. You will need a 2:1 at least to stand a chance so get rid of some term time jobs as this will be more important in the long run than 'trying to afford' a Soop.

There.

That's my tanner (three old pence)

Regards

Dr Michael Dowling BA BSc(Hons) MSc EngD MinstP MBA CEng CPhys + Supra

[Bibbs]

I wouldn't go that far .. I've only got a "BEng(hons)" .. and that's a 2:2 .. and I got offered 3 jobs when I walked (okay, stumbled) out of Uni.

I reciently quit my job after 6 years, and found another instantly ..

But then again, I don't want a Soup ;)

And that's my 0.0292270 Euro's ..

[Griffyn]

Alot of people associate Honda as a boring old !Removed! company these days but they are far from that in my opinion. For example in the new 5dr civic you can get blue ambient lighting (ie in car neons) and you can get an upgraded sound system which has an independent amp and not many other companies do that kind of thing! Plus there the civic is very much so a young persons car rather than previous models which appeared as old gits cars to many a people! (Well apart from the CTR) Alot of the range however is very mundane but they do have soom very nice cars. It is a shame Toyota are going away from having faster cars now :(

Also watch out for Honda this year in Formula 1. From what I have been looking at in testing they are looking very competitive, just hope renault dont improve anymore as they seem the best at the moment.

The S2k is a brilliant car as standard but there are a few upgrades for it that compliment it further. Especially the Mugen bodykit for it, very nice indeed.

Bibbs: "Sorry if it seemed like we are beating you down, but it's not a light investment to make and it seems to be a topic that's posted often" No worries as you have been really helpful thankyou, just took a while to get there :P But if you get these kind of questions asked alot then thats understandable. But could therefore be a good idea to put a topic under announcements under a heading of a quick FAQ to supras (if any moderators are reading this) to stop the same questions being posted over and over. I knows its not a light investment, but thats why I am doing some research by asking some questions to get a feel of how much it will cost :)

Mik_D what is the point of posting; "Dr Michael Dowling BA BSc(Hons) MSc EngD MinstP MBA CEng CPhys + Supra" do you have something to prove as all your proving is that your very arrogant!

I dont use my car just for urban driving (most of my commute to uni is dual carriageway) but due to having to get any performance out of my engine I have to keep the revs high which results in petrol being used very quickly.

Thanks for the advice Mik_D about getting rid of the term time job but since I am on for a 1st currently at uni think I will keep it. It stops me from going out two more nights of the week :P Plus helps pay the bills, etc.

Thankyou for the replies again.

[Leeky]

Ok here is a run down of what my UK Supra TT cost me during the course of the year I owned her. This doesnt include the modifications i done to get my 400 ponys either. This is just what i HAD to have done.

Insurance - £900

Tyres (Goodyear Eagle F1's - Only the best will do for a supra, buy cheap tyres and the supra will introduce you to Mr Tree) - £450 (£100 each for the front 235's and £125 each for the rear 255's)

Brake Pads all round - £170 for quality Fast Road Pads

New Standard Brake Discs - £500

Brake Fluid 5.1 - £15 (Again quality stuff)

Geometry check @ Toyota - £60

Rear Bearing - inc Labour £300

New Brake Lines - £100 inc labour

MOT - £50

Years Tax - £170

bulbs - £50

Some Paintwork - £150 (excess)

5 litres of High Quality Fully Synthetic Motor Oil - £60

New Iridium Spark Plugs - £120 (and that was a cash deal for these)

TRD Oil Filter - £20

Blitz Air Filter - £50

Power Steering Cooler - £150

Labour to diagnose this problem and fix it - £200

Labour trying to fix leaking brake caliper - £300

New Caliper - £200 (cheap)

Labour Fitting new Caliper - £30

So thats £4145 i have spent so far, this doesnt include all the other small things i got like cleaning products and Halfords odds and ends etc.

Of course you dont need new discs and pads every year (unless you really cane the a$$ off it) but next year it'll be something else and the next year it'll be something else.

To be honest i could have done without doing a lot of those jobs but with a supra you need to make sure its running 100% correctly 100% of the time or else anything can happen and anything could happen to you when driving it

Its scary how the costs can add up, and im sure that i was just a bit unlucky with a few of the problems in that list but its a guide to what can go wrong.

All the best of luck with you in getting a Supra dude, but make sure you have something put aside for any of the problems that i have encountered B)

[Griffyn]

That was an interesting read and thanks very much for the post! They are definitely more expensive than I thought they would have been to run, I was thinking about £2-3k a year, but seems alot of guys are saying alot more than this. You could have been on your way to a Brembo,etc big brake conversion for the kind of money you hand to spend on the brakes in the end. Bit annoying I bet!

400bhp is quite impressive, still an easy to use everyday car? Bet thats fun to drive as well!

Thanks leeky!

[Karma Supra]

£500 a month maintenance???? What planet are you on????????

Nice to see the supra experts giving advice

[Griffyn]

Karma Supra what figure would you guesstimate at then? £500 a month maintenance does seem alot to me but sounds like a few unlucky people have had to pay that.

But if you had a mechanically sound vehicle with recent break pad change and been looked after well how much do you think a year it would cost to run/keep?

Thanks alot for replies once again :)

[Karma Supra]

It depends totally on the car and how you drive it....

but I have never spent £500 in a month on my 12 year old knocking on for 170,000 miles supra. infact raw maintenence, I don't think i have spent that in a year..... Obviously modifications will bump this up!

As for "you'll die if you get a big power rwd car"

I got my first proper car at 17. I went from an MG metro to a 280 bhp soarer TT. I am still here and the car left my hands in the same condition I got it in, two years later.... I do however think I am far better drive for gettinga proper car while my driving learnign curve was so steep, and I am totally at ease with powerfull rwd cars... -infact I feel unsafe in horrid understeering FWD cars!

[Bibbs]

So thats £4145 i have spent so far

And that's without the few mods ..

£500 a month maintenance???? What planet are you on????????

Nice to see the supra experts giving advice

See above .. Lee didn't even have the soup a year and spent over 4k on it ..

but I have never spent £500 in a month on my 12 year old knocking on for 170,000 miles supra. infact raw maintenence, I don't think i have spent that in a year..... Obviously modifications will bump this up!

But that's cause you do a LOT of the work yourself. I know I'd not wanna do half the things you do while at Uni.

And £500 aint a lot .. that's a set of tyres and pads.

[Mik_D]

Went out for an Indian meal last night (Sunday) and the 19 year old waiter who presently has a small hatchback is desparate to own a mk IV supra and was grilling me on insurance and running costs. If you are 19 and are 'desperate to own a Supra' then it probably isn't for you. I directed him to this website and this actual line so he can get all the insight he needs. By the way my instant advice was "Wait until you are 21 and save more money to get the best vehicle you can"

By the way he is also at college and wants to be a medic or dentist. It must be something in the water that effects the young ones.

Regards

As always

Michael

[tbourner]

Dunno what everyone's deal is, I went to a Supra after an MGZR and didn't crash!

And £4100 over a year is nowhere near £500 a month!!!

I spend about £300 a month on mine, but I'd say 80% of that is stuff I wanted to do rather than needed to do.

Things that have been changed in 2 years on mine are clutch (most expensive bit), suspension (because it was standing for a year after import - on stock Billies), brake discs and pads, alignment, bulbs, Battery.

I spent £3k on wheels, £1k on engine mods, upgraded to Tein instead of stock suspension, engine dress, blue dash lighting, silver dash, EL glow dials, stereo system, custom sub enclosure etc etc.

It's only an expensive car if you're into modifying.

400BHP is nothing BTW, you can get that with less than £1000 mods on the Supra. It's basically an exhaust system!!

Insurance is a lot, but not enough to make you specifically want a UK car!!

An NA is the only option for £5k really.

I get 23mpg average in mine, up to 35 on long motorway journeys!!! NA probably won't do that though.

TBH your only issue is the space, if you're wanting to have people in the back (ooh err) you're in for a rough ride, my girlfriend had to sit across the seat in the back because her legs wouldn't fit properly. Treat it as a 2 seater because for anything more than a very short journey you will HATE being in the back (hence I took my rear seat out :D ). Plus you hit your head on the rear window when you accelerate!!