Generation Gap: Toyota Supra Edition

"Amoore100" (amoore100) 09/02/2015 at 21:49 • Filed to: Generation Gap, Toyota Supra

2

27

Welcome to Generation Gap where we ask you about your favorite generation of a certain multi-generational car nameplate. Then, explain why your choice is right to the rest of us uneducated folks.

If last week’s Generation Gap focused on a classic car in the American sense, this week’s choice could be said to represent the same thing in Japan. The Toyota Supra, one of the most iconic Japanese cars ever ended production nearly fifteen years ago, and today, we are deciding which of its four generations should receive the most recognition. Everyone nowadays loves the fourth gen, but what about the others? Are they doomed to live in their younger siblings’ shadow forever? (Also, shout out goes to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! who suggested the Supra on last week’s Generation Gap!)

The options:

First Generation [1978 - 1981] A40

Second Generation [1981 - 1986] A60

Third Generation [1986 - 1992] A70 and facelift

Fourth Generation [1992 - 2002] A80

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Steve in Manhattan > Amoore100 09/02/2015 at 22:00

1

Had an ‘88 Camry 5M wagon (gray) base model. 2nd gen I think. That was the best - crank windows, very simple car.

Birddog > Amoore100 09/02/2015 at 22:03

1

Second Gen because it happened in my “formative” years.

Muscle Cars were still abundant so nobody cared about any of the “Jap Crap”. There’s a long story behind that and a NA Supra.

I’ll spare you for now..

Amoore100 > Birddog 09/02/2015 at 22:11

0

I have a soft spot for the second gen, mainly because my neighbor daily drives a burgundy one and I get to see it very often...I think it looks better than the third generation for sure, but perhaps familiarity breeds respect...I would love to hear your story if you want to share it, but perhaps if you wanted more recognition you could post it directly to Oppo...

Birddog > Amoore100 09/02/2015 at 22:15

1

It’s not a recognition thing. I have to talk to the family first.

Amoore100 > Birddog 09/02/2015 at 22:29

1

Haha, I understand...that sort of situation has happened to all of us...but if that story does end up being published, I would love to read about it! (No pressure though, it’s fine if it’s never released or if your family says no...)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Amoore100 09/02/2015 at 22:37

2

2nd gen

Amoore100 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/02/2015 at 22:38

1

Same.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Amoore100 09/02/2015 at 22:39

1

I’m almost surprised that the 3rd gen is ahead of the 1st.

Amoore100 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/02/2015 at 22:43

0

Me too. But the first is basically just a Celica.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Amoore100 09/02/2015 at 22:52

1

2nd gen or 4th gen. I think they look the best and even numbers are my favorite.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Amoore100 09/02/2015 at 22:57

1

I am a huge fan of the Mark III shark-nose. A sleek, smooth GT, targa top, fastback hatch, manual gearbox, smooth inline 6... Proper driveline compared to ST160 Celica, and Ford Probe, and more approachable and affordable than upkeep on a BMW 8-series.

The Mark II has been climbing the charts, too, with the sharp edges and clean lines. A nice P-spec with fender flares can look pretty darn good.

Mark 1 leaves me flat, and I do like fastback hatches... it just seems slightly dowdy, rather than sharp.

Mark IV gets all the press, and I like the drivetrain, but not the 90’s Jelly-bean meets Ferrari F40 switched to front-engine looks. It looks like it is made of marshmallow.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Amoore100 09/02/2015 at 23:28

1

With two extra cylinders! haha

Amoore100 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/02/2015 at 23:31

0

Very true. Nearly forgot about that :)

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Amoore100 09/02/2015 at 23:38

1

Yup the Supra was always a inline 6 powered car. One more reason we’ll never see a true reincarnation. The likelihood of any manufacturer making anything with an inline 6 at the point is as good as Saab being re-Born. :(

Amoore100 > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 09/02/2015 at 23:39

0

Agree mostly on all accounts. I personally prefer Mk II to Mk III since the lines are a bit less cluttered, but I can totally see the Mk III’s sleek and timeless appeal...I don’t hate the Mk I mainly because I like its stance—visible in the image below:

See, it kind of has a hunkered down, rounded presence about it that reminds me of, say, a Citroen SM style kammback...and finally, the fourth gen does have a bit too much Ford Taurus about it for me to say it’s gorgeous...pretty yes, but not timelessly beautiful...

Amoore100 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/02/2015 at 23:41

0

Now, if Geely were to just buy NEVS, we could have Saabs being designed by the Volvo crew! Sadly, the I6 is dying out, even Volvo is getting rid of them sooner than later, and it’ll all be stupid I3s and I4s; they don’t even have the decency to give us the wonderful T5 anymore...

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Amoore100 09/03/2015 at 11:38

1

Mom had one of these. ha dto sell it when we moved into a new house with a steep driveway and garage. Scraped the cats off so much. Just thinking about it I cry everytime.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Amoore100 09/03/2015 at 11:39

1

I still love this car. Wish I had time and money to find one and restore it.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Amoore100 09/03/2015 at 13:08

1

That is not bad, as Mark I Supras go... but even so... gets shut out by it’s successors.

But I have to say, for a late-70s I-6 japanese car... I would go with an S130 Nissan 280ZX over an A40 Celica Supra any day.

For 80’s cars, A60 and A70 Supras, and FC-3S RX7s are higher on my list than Z31 300ZX with the V6, although I kind of like the Z31’s simple wedge shape.

For 90’s cars, it goes back to the gorgeous Z32 300ZX, or FD-3S RX7, although I might not turn down a nice little Lexus SC300 5-speed manual as a grand touring coupe. I also liked my Subaru SVX quite a bit, it just needed a transmission swap to a manual gearbox with AWD, and I am evidently one of the few who like Porsche 996.

Alex B > Amoore100 09/08/2015 at 20:51

1

4th gen all the way!!

Axial > Amoore100 09/09/2015 at 20:47

1

This one. And it has to be a pre-90; body-colored belt line is an insta-fail.

JDMatt > Amoore100 09/10/2015 at 01:48

1

This was the last car my Grandpa drove before the DMV took his license away. He had it until he was maybe 86? he’s 100 now.

Amoore100 > JDMatt 09/10/2015 at 01:53

0

Awesome! Your grandpa sounds great! I wish my grandparents were that cool, but alas my dad’s parents have a Camry, my mom’s father has an Odyssey, and my mom’s mother has a Civic...

RT > Amoore100 07/03/2016 at 21:18

1

The A80 wins solely because of its amazing engine, though I bet Gran Turismo nostalgia also plays a role.

It’s a shame all the other Supras get overshadowed by it so often, though - but again some had a few problems with their driving dynamics. Good thing they still look nice, or even better than the A80.

Amoore100 > RT 07/04/2016 at 02:31

1

Yeah, they kind of worked their way up towards a climax at the A80, although the I6 engines were always some of Toyota’s best.

RT > Amoore100 07/04/2016 at 05:03

1

You can probably figure how I found this post btw. xP

Amoore100 > RT 07/04/2016 at 13:36

0

Of course, haha ;)