HOW TO GET ONE IN YOUR GARAGE

An expert’s view TRISTAN 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 prices for 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 6k 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.