Why The A90 Supra Is The Right Move In Today’s Used Car Market

Hard to believe that the A90 Toyota Supra has been in the US markets now for 5 years, and boy it did not come with welcomed arms. As we have said before, it was one of the most controversial cars because Toyota had unfillable shoes to satisfy. The MKIV Supra from 1993-1998 was Japan’s best muscle cars with the 2JZ engine that is utilized in professional drag racing programs to this day, even 30 years after it’s development. Truth be told, the Lexus LFA was the MKIV Supra’s true successor as it had a co-developed symphonic V10 engine between Toyota and Yamaha just like the 2J. But to develop a successor that was sustainable in terms of Toyota trying to make back their investment by designing their own Supra was not feasible. They tried doing it with the original FT-1 design, but to make an engine that would be as good as the 2J while satisfying every rule, every guideline, and every checkmark of todays stringent EPA standards was not impossible, it would just cost Toyota hundreds of millions of dollars. Because of these reasons perhaps it is speculated that Toyota threw in the towel and gave BMW a call because they already had an inline-6 turbocharged engine program, and they shook hands. The controversy stemmed from the A90 Supra not really looking like the FT-1 variant that we wanted from Toyota, and 90% of the car is BMW from the engine, drivetrain, electronics, and downright to that unsettling BMW *chime* you hear every time a check engine light appears.

Now with BMW’s reliability stigma, it’s true they are just not reliable vehicles. Virtually every BMW model aside from units made in the 80s and earlier have catastrophic failure points. Their cooling systems are terrible, their electrical gremlins are perpetual, they have strut mounts and subframes that crack, and they have timing chain guides that can wipe out motors. For many everyday people who may have bought an X5 SUV or a 5-series sedan, their first BMW is usually their last BMW because they need something that will stay on the road and won’t max out their credit cards in repair bills.

Yet with enthusiasts, we understand that to own a BMW takes patience, tenacity, mechanical know-how, and money. Because when everything works as it should, BMWs are one of the best drivers’ cars. The E30, E36, and E46 M3 cars are some of the most rewarding driving experiences much like the first-generation Acura NSX. These are not the fastest cars according to today’s standards, but while on the track, they give the driver some of the best suspension and chassis feedback to keep up with the faster cars in the field. The driving experience is so great that people will spend the thousands it takes to own a 20+ year-old E39 M5. We know that the E36 M3 will overheat in traffic, we know that the SMG pumps will fail in the E46 M3, and we know that the V8 in the E92 M3 will grenade because BMW cannot get rod bearing clearances right. Yet there are several owners who will spend tens of thousands of dollars and way beyond that just to keep the experience going. You never really have to worry about these issues with a Toyota, and that is why the masses were slighted when Toyota announced that the MKV Supra will be co-developed with BMW.

But what about Toyota? Toyota’s great reliability reputation came from cars built from the 90’s and well into today with the V6 used in the 4-runner. But virtually all new Tundra, Landcruiser, and GX550 models are getting recalled because they also didn’t get those rod bearing clearances right. The GR Corolla? That’s $50k+ out the door for a 3-cylinder turbocharged engine that isn’t exactly stout. Mechanical weaknesses and design flaws aside, we need to be thankful that Toyota hasn’t limited their catalog to sandstone beige Camrys.

So why is the A90 Supra one of the best used sportscar deals in today’s automotive market?

Truth be told, sports cars of today are just unobtainable. The Miata and the new BRZ and GR86 are about the only affordable new sports car for the average working-class citizen. In terms of wanting something modern with all the creature comforts, drives great, and has BMW’s motorsport DNA, the GR Supra is very hard to beat. Another great example aside from the GR Supra is a used newer mustang with a Coyote V8, but the GR Supra offers a little more exclusiveness as Mustangs are all over the road. But the reason why the GR Supra sticks out a little more, is because there are several used lower-mileage 3.0 turbo examples in the mid $40k dollar range. It is a great median for those of you looking for a great newer sportscar in that price bracket who don’t really want to spend the extra money and get the C8 Corvette, or who aren’t attracted to BMW’s larger kidney grille design on the front bumper.

Yes, the GR Supra is BMW’s newer Z4 Coupe, but objectively, it’s a better-looking car when compared to BMW’s sedans that share the B58 engine, and when lowered on wheels, it really changes the aesthetic dynamic of the MK5.

 

 

 

THE AFTERMARKET SUPPORT

Toyota knew that the previous MKIV was famous on a worldwide scale not only because of the movie, but people were making 1000 HP on the stock Toyota short block. The author has done so. From the factory, the 2JZ-GTE made 320 HP, and it responds substantially to just about any upgrade, while remaining as king of the strongest inline-6 engines ever made. Yes, RB guys will argue otherwise, and online warriors will say “the M4 CSL makes XXX horsepower out of the factory”. We are talking about how much power the stock bottom end can support here. Yes, the stock 2JZ-GTE will explode at 1000 HP, but 700-800 HP these engines hold it down.

BMW however, since 335i model debuted in 2007 with the N54 also dipped their toes in the market with their own inline-6 twin turbo engine. From tunes, intakes, single turbo kits, downpipes, cat-back exhaust systems, all of BMWs turbocharged variants have a massive aftermarket support. And this is the reason that caught Toyota’s attention as again, it would have cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars to develop their own engine that would satisfy the aftermarket support but would also need to be universally compliant with worldwide guidelines.

Going back to the aftermarket support, as complex as the B58 engine is, it has been proven to be very receptive to mods. There have been some enthusiasts that have taken these cars into 8-second ¼-mile territory on a stock bottom-end, and modified 9-second cars are on the regular 5 years after the A90 was released. With aftermarket support, they cover virtually every area of the MK5 Supra. Let’s take a look at some of the examples.

 

 

AFTERMARKET TURBO KITS

AMS Performance Alpha 8 GTX3582 Gen II Street Turbo Kit 2020-2024 GR Supra

Because that what made the MKIV Supra so legendary was seeing a giant turbo under the hood. As complex and not-so-attractive as the B58 is, there are still several aftermarket turbocharger options for the B58 that add more power to make these cars competitive with both the previous-generation Supra, as well as other titans such as the R35 GTR.

 

 

NOT EXACTLY CONVENTIONAL, BUT THEY HAVE THEIR OWN INTERCOOLER DESIGN

CSF Super Manifold Charge Air Cooler 2020-2024 GR Supra

 

Super expensive, but these work just like an intercooler. Well, it is an intercooler just not the conventional front mount intercooler fin design. This unit cools down the compressed air from the turbocharger to make sure nothing, but cool air enters the intake manifold.

 

 

SO MANY AFTERMARKET CAT-BACK OPTIONS

AWE Resonated Touring Edition Exhaust 2020-2024 GR Supra

 

The B58 responds very well to an aftermarket cat-back and downpipe. The B58 also has an excellent exhaust note naturally, so many aftermarket examples really amplify that exhaust note with larger piping, and very minimal bends to create more power, torque, and it will make you stomp on that loud pedal, brother.

 

 

LITERALLY ALL OF THE EXTERIOR MODS TO MAKE YOUR A90 DIFFERENT

Fron lighting, carbon fiber hoods, widebody kits, rear whings, front lips, and trunk spoilers, the A90 Supra is one of those cars that you can really lipstick it up. These are some of our favorite exterior mods for the MKV Supra:

OLM V1 MT Style Carbon Fiber Front Lip 2020-2024 GR Supra

 

 

 

OLM Legacy Taillights 2020-2024 GR Supra

 

 

OLM Carbon Fiber RV Style Rear Trunk Spoiler 2020-2024 GR Supra

 

 

 

WHEELS WHEELS WHEELS!

The aftermarket wheels support for the A90 Supra is stellar, with many great examples from the most desired wheel types such as the TE-37, Advan GT’s, all available in aggressive fitments so that you can run a wider tire for better grip on the street or the track.

Volk TE-37SL Pressed Graphite 19x10.5 +35 5x112 (Rear Fitment) 2020-2024 GR Supra

 

 

AND FINALLY, COILOVERS

The best suspension mod for most makes and models, but these really make a world of a difference to the chassis of the A90 Supra. Aside from the obvious better handling benefits, the A90 Supra inherently comes from the factory a little high, and with narrow wheels. If you’ve got yourself a set of TE37’s, coilovers are a must to really complete the look.

HKS Hypermax R Coilovers 2020-2024 GR Supra

 

 

As you can see, the aftermarket support for the A90 Supra is very plentiful. And because the A90 has BMW DNA in terms of virtually being the Z4 coupe, it is highly versatile. The A90 is very common at the drag strip with a set of bead lock wheels and slicks in the back, while having every aero mod in the catalog at a weekend road race event. These cars are also very fun to drive with mild mods such as your everyday intake and exhaust, lowered on wheels. The transmission shifts very fast, it’s comfortable with BMW’s luxurious interior. For a car that loves aftermarket mods in every category, and can look good with the right upgrades, the MKV, A90, Zupra, Toyota Z4, BMW Supra, or whatever you want to call it, is actually a good car that can be used for many levels of motorsport, while being a pleasant daily drive. Just remember to stay on top of maintenance, because at the end of the day, it’s still a BMW.