Have we reached peak Mark IV Toyota Supra?

The Tesla Cybertruck from last week sold for over $145,000, proving that money and good taste are not mutually exclusive. Not for you guys though, because 78% want the Hummer instead. Hell yea, brother. Speaking of expensive, today I have a Mark IV Toyota Supra available. Are they becoming cheaper, or just older?

The Mark IV Toyota Supra’s legacy

Let’s go back in time to the late 1990s and early 2000s. Imports rule, domestics drool and all that. I fell firmly on the Imports team, but there was a problem: Import cars in the 90s were slow. Or, they were expensive and thus out of reach for a kid like me.

Oh sure, you could attach a big turbo to your Civic and have it run 10 flat after you blew up three K20 motors to find “just the right tune.” Really was a dark magic science back then. Meanwhile the kid in the Camaro could bolt on a supercharger in his driveway in an hour and eat you alive.

Eventually, The Fast and the Furious came out, Mr. Walker showed up in a ridiculous orange Mark IV Toyota Supra, and we all cheered. Finally, a car that could kill all those monster American V-8s. Still couldn’t afford one though.

But now it’s 30 years later (my God, this Supra is nearly as old as I am), and I think everyone growing up that had to have one…has one. As these cars are getting higher in mileage, are values coming down?

The 1994 Toyota Supra Turbo

Let’s take a look at this example up for sale first.

• 92,900 miles
• Clean title
• Unmodified, a huge plus
• Classic Renaissance Red over tan – the color combo
• OEM chrome wheels have been added (they were not available until later in the production run).
• Some gaps in service history, and I’d say wear and tear appropriate for a car of this age and vintage.
• Problem: it’s an automatic
• Current bid: $44,444

Aside from the higher miles, I’d call this a pretty cherry example. But that automatic transmission will bring the value down.

Attack of the JDM

For a long time, you didn’t really have to worry about JDM, or Japanese Domestic Market examples. Now that the 25-year ban is ending on many model years, they have started to flood the US.

Check out Bring A Trailer’s history – see how many “JDM” examples pop up? Aside from the steering wheel being on the wrong side, they are pretty much identical. Though the Japanese insisted on a gentleman’s agreement of a 276-horsepower cap, I don’t believe them, and if the Turbo version isn’t putting out 320 horsepower like the US I’d be shocked.

That said, I’ve yet to see a JDM example reach the lofty heights of an original US Supra. Add in the cost of importing the car here (if it isn’t already), and you’re either going to lose value upon purchase or resale.

That said, you’re still in a Supra.

So what’s a Mark IV Toyota Supra worth?

Historically, a lot. Here’s a one-owner, all-original, 13k-mile Turbo for $232,000. That is not a typo.

What about non-turbos? They fetch a pretty penny too. How about this 15th Anniversary Edition, which sold for “only” $71,000, with 29k miles.

If you don’t need a cream puff, here’s one where the odo stopped working at 120k miles for $58,500. Still asinine for a car this old, and this broken.

Modified? Here’s one for $61,000 with 94,000 miles. But for some reason, I feel as if almost any heavily-modified Mark IV Toyota Supra is tacky. The car’s charm lies in its stealthy yet odd appearance. Remember what a 1997 Camry looked like parked next to it in the showroom?

So while not many examples are going for over $100k now, it’s still an expensive car, much more so than a new one.

What’s the alternative to the Mark IV Supra?

Let’s talk about something that isn’t as expensive, but still gets attention: the R33 Nissan GT-R. And wouldn’t you know it, one’s for sale:

• 134,700 miles
• Bid to $42,000 so far
• Right-hand drive
• Manual (five-speed)
• White over black cloth (it’s cool)
• Some mods, including forged pistons, but I think all good things

This isn’t exactly like the Supra – it has all-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, and a smaller 2.6-liter inline-six, but it’s authentically JDM, was also in that first Fast and Furious (“street’s closed, pizza boy.”), and should get just as much attention at the shows.

So – must it be tuna, no crust, or can it in fact be Pizza Boy?

Want MWS to review your car?

If you live in the tri-state area and want me to check it out, send me an email! 

Support Machines With Souls

Commissions may be received for product links on this site. Help out if you can.

I use Nikon camera bodies and lenses, a Westcott Ice Light 2, Manfrotto tripod, B + W filters and an iMac Pro to make the art you see here.