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MKIV - Are they really that Timeless?

4.1K views 58 replies 45 participants last post by  SUPRA180  
#1 ·
I keep asking myself questions about the MKIV. A part of me wants to sell it and another part says your crazy these things will be collector items or at least very sought after cars in the future. But I can't help but wonder how and why I do not think of my car as a 10 year old vehicle. I mean it doesn't look 10 years old. Take a look at other 10 year old models and you know what....they look OLD! I mean with the styling, and interior, and just overall feel of the car - the MKIV still seems "NEW". And maybe it's cause there's nothing that Toyota has done since the MKIV to make it "Feel Old", but there's just something different about this car. And I can't put my finger on it. Then again, I sometimes think I'm so emotionally attached that I can't see the Reality - I'm driving a 10 year old sports car. (I have a 1997)

There are a few vehicles out there that capture the imagination, respect, and timeless looks that are inherently MKIV. Am I the only one that sometimes thinks this way?
 
#3 ·
the way i see it, the supra has a somewhat cult following much like the Delorean DMC-12. There were 9700 of those produced...slightly more rare than our beloved supras but in the same ball park. On autotrader right now there are 5 for sale ranging from 16k-28k...all low mileage good condition blah blah blah. Now the deloreans have one major downfall...they're not a true sports car and don't have the ability to produce power numbers like the mkiv. They retailed for 25k in the early '80s when they were introduced to the market. I see the supra doing the same thing...they will hold their approximate original value, but will probably not match their inflationary value. Basically, the Delorean would be worth somewhere in the neighborhood of 50k in 2007 dollars if it were 25k in 1981. So will the supra be timeless...who knows that's up to the direction that the auto industry takes. If it is in fact the last supra model, then yes it will be timeless and will be worth a few bucks down the road if kept nice and such.

I don't see myself getting rid of mine mainly because i love it so much...but things change so who knows...i never thought i would sell my 87 supra either...

Jim
 
#5 ·
I've tried so many times to sell my Supra and get out of the car, but I just can't. For me it's more about the friends/experiences/etc... than anything else. Of course the quality of the car is top notch, of course the mod-ability is nuts, and of course the Supra simply rocks, but it's all about the ppl for me. Been in this community since 1998 and just can't seem to get out of it... :)
Peter
 
#7 ·
Im with you. For me its not about the value its just about all the experiences. It makes me feel good and I love the aftermarket support for it. Whenever you get bored there is always something new you can buy or mod to keep resparking that interest.
 
#6 ·
I agree. Im about to make another supra purchase, part of me wants to go back to the viper world, but these cars are jus to timeless and nostalgic. I wonder sometimes if there will ever be another car out there I will be as devoted to.
 
#8 ·
Definately it's a timeless design, one that does not need to be updated.
It's also the rarity. You don't see them everyday like Mustangs,
Porsches or Vettes.

Now IF Toyota brings out one that's BETTER then it'l may not be as much so.
But if a replacement is WORSE then yes it'll (MKIV) be an even greater design.


Look at the new Jags and Astons, they have that 1993 Supra look to them.

What's that old saying?"You're only as good as your last hit!"

Toyota got it right the forth time. The MKI is truly a 70's car just as the MKII with its
angular styling is an 80's car. The MKIII is on the cusp of the change. We are still seeing
the rounded "jellybean" shape cars like the MKIV 2day.

Hell my car is a 93. It still looks the same as a last year 2002. Aside from the head and tallights.
 
#9 ·
I was just thinking of the things I could do if I sold my MK4 yesterday. But, then I think of how much I wanted it and how hard I worked for it, and I know I will regret it. It brings a smile to my face every time I drive it and I can't beleive it's already 14 years old and the body has less then 80,000 miles.
 
#12 ·
all signs point to the fact that it will be worth not much less than the original purchase price after the loan has reached its term. so in fact it's not that stupid, especially if you get a rate around 5.9% and do it over 3 or 4 years.

In the end you basically pay the interest just to use the car for the years that you're paying...not bad if you ask me.
 
#14 ·
Toyota just nailed it right. for the 4th generation they set out to do something that no one else at the time could do and still pretty much cant do. even though my Mk3 is 17 years old,i from occasion have people asking me what year my Supra is.ofcourse there are morons have no idea what it is
 
#15 ·
I agree with what you're saying about the value of the mk4, but it's not really realistic to finance such an old and expensive car thats probably gonna need repairs in the near future. I'm just saying that I, myself have much more important things to finance money for. Maybe I'm just saying that because I only make 40000 a year, but I would never buy one of those unless I could pay cash for it. Then I would drive it for one summer, and flip it for cash in september.
 
#16 ·
Before you side track this thread - what you just said was stupid. You'd pay Cash for a Sports car and then sell it after the summer in September??? You'd most likely loose money cause you would be selling at the end of a peak selling season for sports cars. You need to read up on, and look into the concept of "Time Value of Money". It'll do you some good.

You'd actually be better off Financing the car and purchase it in the Winter - put alittle into it, and then sell it in the Spring. Then you'd have a good decent plan.

Now back to the Thread....
 
#19 ·
Wont the value of the car go down the longer I drive it? Besides, if I kept it for longer I would want to mod it, and modified cars are worth less than stock. Also, I would shop around for a good deal, then flip it for more than what I bought it for, or I wouldn't even sell it. And no, I guess I'm not a Supra guy, I only own an mkIII, which is a project car. I bought it because I dont plan on selling it, ever. I only baught it because I'm swapping in a 1j for some fun.
 
#20 ·
yeah i could never part w/ the supra!
the family recently grew(sig) and contemplated the thought of selling for something more practical, then said no way would i ever get rid of car! this stays for ever!
and here's a funny one, when i bought mine it had a theft recovery on title, and when i put it on the road in my state it cleared it, and the guy i bought it off of wanted to buy it back for 3k more than i gave him!
the only thing that bothers me about these cars is the book value of them and how ins. bases there assumtions on that!
and a note to above post about the financing! banks have a hard time giving someone 30k or whatever on a car that books for 12k?whatever they go for on those sites?
i was turned down on a camaro, because they said that the car was being sold for more than its worth! even though it had goodies on it they based there desision on the value!
 
#21 ·
I don't think that it's just an individual feeling of timelessness in regards to MKIV's either. Considering the infinate aftermarket applications for the cars, it's hard to make any type of arguement that the car could be dying out any time soon. I mean the magical number 1000 rwhp was just achieved not too long ago stateside. Now we're having full out Supra drag cars, road-racing cars, drifting cars, and show cars. There have been few cars that transition from generation to generation as well and as smoothly as the MKIV Supra.

Josh
 
#23 ·
Here's the thing, we buy the car because we like it. I got mine because I want to drive it, and keep it. I love the thing. All you keep saying is sell sell sell. Which shows you don't care about the car, just the money it could be worth.

I could care less if the car was worth 5 grand tomorrow. I have no reason to sell it so I have no reason to care. If all you care about is resale value, then you will never understand, as that is not a true enthusiast. I hope to even a few more in the future. :bigthumb:

BTW I own my car outright, but it was financed. I have driven it almost everyday since it was purchased. I just checked the NADA price on it and it is basically the same as what I bought it for. :)

Alex
 
#31 ·
Here's the thing, we buy the car because we like it. I got mine because I want to drive it, and keep it. I love the thing. All you keep saying is sell sell sell. Which shows you don't care about the car, just the money it could be worth.

I could care less if the car was worth 5 grand tomorrow. I have no reason to sell it so I have no reason to care. If all you care about is resale value, then you will never understand, as that is not a true enthusiast. I hope to even a few more in the future. :bigthumb:



Alex
+1
 
#25 ·
:lol: Radiator cracked on me on the freeway and overheated the car. Splashed all the coolant on my windshield. I said eff it I'll just do everything I wanted to do now. So the motor is out, and I'm going to paint the bay and clean up whatever I can. Also go single. Car would be back much sooner if i didn't, but I REALLY don't feel like pulling the engine, or the stock twins off again.

Whole front end is of the car. :) Going to buy a new long block, and build my stock block/sell it.

Alex
 
#26 ·
Back in the day I liked the 300Z TT ( I use to shiver when I saw this car, it sat like a beautiful frog) over the supra mkiv. I thought the Z had more masculine appeal and back in 93 and 94, I saw more girls driving the mkiv. It wasn't until about 2 years later, I started to see that the styling on the supra was before it's time. Although the Z is way behind in market value, these two cars are legends in my mind. :)
 
#29 ·
To me the Mkiv has a style like no other. So sleek and sexy... it's one of the only cars that look PERFECT from every angle. Then add how rare it is, and it's potential power and you have the perfect package. I see tons of sick cars on the road, but i always hold my MKIV higher. I will own one FOREVER!!

:bigthumb:
 
#30 ·
these cars for me are just timeless......iv wanted one since i was in 6th grade when i saw it on the cover of superstreet and now im to the point where i can finally afford a MK4 and i honstly can't wait until i get one.....i also met alot of ppl throught this car, i was at TX2K4 and i was just blown away how cool an down to earth all you guys are.....i even got to go out street racing in a supra (can't remember his name, it red, trd CF hood and licnse plate saying 200mph u guys know him??) it was just insane
 
#32 ·
Week ago I went to Boston to pick up 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible. I looked at that car, drove it and then it hit me - cars like that are timeless. Same goes for Supra. I keep mine because I love them, I'm proud of owning them and I really enjoy driving them (even if it's on a rare ocassion). I owned couple MKIV's in a past and every time I sold one, my heart was broken. I even cried after selling my first one to a Toyota dealer. My biggest regret was after I looked at my hardtop pulling out of my driveway forever...
I'm not sure if keeping multiple Supras is practicle but I know that one of them will stay with me for life.
 
#35 ·
i agree, people always mention their supras value and miles, not me, i dont look at those numbers because i simply don't care, i'm one of those people who will die old with a supra in their garage and i'm being serious. Something about getting all kinds of good compliments and amazed looks everyday is good proof that it is timeless, shit my car is older than my cousin thats in high school already and is still getting cellphone pics taken often lol
 
#36 ·
I certaintly agree with a lot of you and especially with peter, the community alone keeps this car better than any other car out there. SF has been a part of my life for the past 5 years or so. I may have sold my supra, but Im aching to get into another one. I do feel their design is timless. I could stare at them forever haha.


Matt