I Drive Toyota's Most Pointless Car: The Four Cylinder Supra. Am I Wrong To Doubt?
Summary
TLDRThe video reviews the fifth-generation Toyota Supra, highlighting its connection to the BMW Z4 and its shared features, including the BMW-built engine. The presenter revisits the 2.0L Supra, previously criticized, and reflects on its performance, economy, and appeal, comparing it to the more powerful 3.0L variant. Despite its quirks, such as interior design and driving dynamics, the 2.0L Supra proves to be reliable and enjoyable for daily driving. The video emphasizes the car's value, particularly with its attractive finance offers, and praises its ability to balance performance with practicality.
Takeaways
- π The fifth generation Toyota Supra was met with initial excitement due to its iconic nameplate but later faced criticism for being too similar to the BMW Z4.
- π§ Despite sharing a platform and engines with the BMW Z4, the Supra has received significant input from Toyota, especially in the engine department.
- ποΈ The BMW-built B58 3.0L straight-six engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger is highly praised for its performance in the Supra.
- π¨ The 2.0L 4-cylinder B48 engine option, which is a cutdown version of the B58, offers 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, providing adequate power for everyday driving.
- π The Supra's design has grown on the presenter over time, and the car has received more attention than expected, suggesting it has a unique appeal.
- π οΈ The interior of the Supra is mostly derived from BMW parts, including an older version of BMW's iDrive system, which is still considered very good.
- π¦ The car's proportions have been criticized for being narrower and visually taller compared to the concept car, affecting its aggressive look.
- π£οΈ The Supra's road manners are smooth and intuitive, making it an easy car to drive, with good visibility at the rear and sides, though the front is somewhat limited.
- π The 2.0L Supra has proven to be reliable and economical, with the owner reporting no issues and an average of over 4 miles to the gallon.
- π° The presenter suggests that the 2.0L Supra is a good value for money, especially considering its performance, reliability, and the remaining warranty.
Q & A
What is the primary criticism of the fifth-generation Toyota Supra discussed in the video?
-The primary criticism is that the fifth-generation Toyota Supra feels too much like a BMW Z4 Coupe rather than a true Toyota sports car. Despite being highly anticipated, many felt disappointed that it shares so much with BMW, including the platform and engine.
What element of the Toyota Supra stands out positively, according to the speaker?
-The engine, specifically the BMW-built B58 3.0L straight-six with a twin-scroll turbocharger, is praised for its power and performance, exceeding Toyota's official claims.
Why did the owner, Ian, choose the 2.0L Supra instead of the more powerful 3.0L model?
-Ian chose the 2.0L model because it was available with a tempting finance offer at 0% interest, and he wanted a more economical car. Additionally, the 2.0L version was a good fit for his driving needs, and he could afford it with the money from his previous Subaru BRZ.
What were the initial concerns about the design of the Supra compared to its concept car?
-The production Supra appeared narrower and taller than the concept car, losing some of the aggressive stance and proportions, which led to a somewhat disappointing visual impact.
How has Ian's Supra performed in terms of reliability over the years?
-Ianβs Supra has been very reliable, living up to Toyota's reputation. Despite being built by BMW, it hasn't had a single issue in the two years and 26,000 miles he has driven it.
What changes did Ian make to his Supra, and why?
-Ian changed the tires to Falkens and the wheels to ones from a company called Two Forged. He felt that the factory-fitted Michelin Pilot Super Sports became sketchy as they aged, and he preferred the new wheels' appearance.
What are some of the key features that Ianβs 2.0L Supra is missing compared to the 3.0L model?
-The 2.0L Supra lacks parking sensors, electric seat adjustment, memory functions, and a heads-up display, which are available in the 3.0L version. However, it does have heated seats, cruise control, and a reversing camera.
How does the 2.0L engine in the Supra compare to the 3.0L in terms of performance?
-The 2.0L engine is less powerful, producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, compared to the 3.0L's significantly higher output. While it's adequate for regular driving, it lacks the firepower of the 3.0L, particularly on open roads.
What was one of the speaker's corrections regarding the Supraβs vents?
-The speaker initially believed that the Supra's vents could be opened up and had a functional purpose. However, after further inspection, he realized that the vents are entirely fake and do not serve any practical purpose.
Why does Ian prefer the smaller 2.0L engine despite its lower power?
-Ian appreciates the 2.0L engine because it offers a more manageable power output for regular driving, especially in wet conditions, and provides better fuel economy, making it a practical daily driver.
Outlines
π Introduction to the Fifth Generation Toyota Supra
The script opens with an introduction to the fifth generation Toyota Supra, a sports car that generated significant excitement due to its iconic nameplate. However, the enthusiasm was dampened when it was revealed to be a collaboration with BMW, sharing the same platform, engines, and even the factory. The car's proportions were criticized for being narrower and visually taller than the concept car, losing some of its aggressive appeal. Despite these criticisms, the presenter admits that the car is starting to grow on them, especially in the vibrant yellow color seen in the video. The script also touches on the car's interior, which is largely derived from BMW parts, and the older version of BMW's iDrive system that was considered good but somewhat outdated by the time of the Supra's release.
ποΈ The Supra's Performance and Practicality
This paragraph delves into the practicality and performance of the Toyota Supra. The owner, Ian, chose the 2.0L version over the 3.0L due to financial incentives and his preference for a more economical car, especially considering his high mileage. The car's reliability is highlighted, with no issues reported over 26,000 miles. The script discusses the car's features, such as heated seats and cruise control, and the absence of electric seat adjustment and memory functions. The Supra's fuel efficiency and the owner's satisfaction with the car are also mentioned, as well as the presenter's envy over the car's reliability. The paragraph concludes with a mention of a discount code for a car history check service, emphasizing the importance of due diligence in used car purchases.
π The Supra's Dynamic Capabilities and Modifications
The script describes the Supra's dynamic performance, particularly the 2.0L model's capabilities. It mentions the car's sport mode and manual gearbox, and the reviewer's experience driving the car on a wet road. The car's handling is praised, especially its grip and stability. The script also discusses modifications made by the owner, including new tires and wheels, which improved the car's appearance and ride quality. The reviewer notes that the car feels a bit laggy compared to the 3.0L model but still provides a fun driving experience. The visibility and road manners of the car are also discussed, with some minor criticisms regarding the car's high bonnet and the lack of parking sensors on the 2.0L model.
π Final Thoughts on the Toyota Supra and Its Legacy
The final paragraph wraps up the review with the presenter's final thoughts on the Supra. They acknowledge that while they initially had reservations about the car, their opinion has softened, especially considering the car's performance and the owner's positive experience. The script mentions the car's road manners, smooth driving experience, and the impressive suspension calibration. The presenter corrects a previous mistake about the car's vents and discusses the interior's simplicity and functionality. The video concludes with a recommendation for potential Supra buyers, suggesting that while the 3.0L is preferable, the 2.0L is a capable and enjoyable option, especially considering the car's residual warranty and the Toyota brand's reputation.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Toyota Supra
π‘BMW Z4
π‘BMW B58 engine
π‘BMW B48 engine
π‘iDrive
π‘Fast and Furious
π‘GR86
π‘Finance offers
π‘Reliability
π‘Performance
Highlights
Introduction of the fifth generation Toyota Supra, an iconic sports car returning after over a decade and a half.
Initial public excitement and subsequent disappointment due to the Supra being effectively a Z4 Coupe.
The Supra's engine, a BMW-built B58 3.0L straight-6 with a twin-scroll turbocharger, is highly praised.
Mention of the lesser-known 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo option and the reviewer's confusion over why anyone would choose it over the 3.0L.
The Supra's shared platform with BMW's Z4, including the same engines and construction in the same factory.
Criticism of the interior being largely from BMW parts bin and the use of an older version of BMW's iDrive system.
The Supra's proportions changed from the concept car, making it visually narrower and taller, losing some aggression.
The owner's perspective on choosing the 2.0L Supra over the 3.0L due to previous positive experience with a Subaru BRZ.
The Supra's fuel efficiency on a run, capable of over 40 mpg, making it more economical than its 3.0L counterpart.
The Supra's reliability, with no issues reported over 26,000 miles, despite being built by BMW.
The Supra's ride quality and handling, with the 2.0L version being praised for its balance and fun-to-drive nature.
The car's visibility and practicality, with a high bonnet and narrow door aperture affecting ease of entry and exit.
The Supra's performance in sport mode, with the gearbox and engine responsiveness being tested on a demanding road.
The Supra's road manners and ease of driving, making it an intuitive and smooth car to operate.
The Supra's impressive performance on a demanding test road, showcasing its suspension and handling capabilities.
The Supra's value for money, with the 2.0L version available for around Β£33,000 and still offering a lot of the 10-year warranty.
The emotional appeal of the Supra badge and the car's ability to put a smile on the owner's face, despite initial criticisms.
Transcripts
[Music]
hello everybody today on cars which are
actually just about still in production
and yet you've already forgot about them
I give you the fifth generation Toyota
Supra the car that we were all
desperately excited to see The Return of
an iconic name plate after over a decade
and a half away and yet as soon as it
landed we were very very keen to forget
because it turned out that what we were
given was effectively a Z4 Coupe and on
a number of occasions I have now sampled
the Supra and each time come away
frustrated like so many that Toyota came
so close to Greatness and yet still were
so far however on each occasion there
has been one element of the Supra about
which there is no doubt whatsoever the
might of its engine the BMW built
although Alle ly with much input from
Toyota b58 a 3 l straight 6 with a twin
scroll turbocharger and far more power
than Toyota ever claimed it is
absolutely fantastic and though Toyota
did offer the car with the 2 L
4-cylinder turbo of the day the b48 I
could never understand why anybody would
actually ever buy one but it turns out
that at least one person did his name is
in this is his car and today I am
revisiting the Supra asking if I was a
little bit too harsh on it and if there
is something to be said for it in lesser
specification
[Music]
okay then just to bring us all up to
speed what is it we're dealing with
today this is the fifth generation of
Toyota's iconic Supra a sports car
dating back decades now which last Saw
Service in the late 1990s with the
fourth generation a80 Supra that's the
very rounded Fast and Furious one which
went out of production in
2002 and naturally we were all excited
for its return but Spirits were
understandably dampened when we learned
it was to be a collaboration between
Toyota and BMW with not just a little
bit of part sharing going on but a lot
to the extent that not only is this car
built on the same platform as BMWs then
new Z4 it also uses the same engines and
is even constructed in the same Factory
but to add insult to injury though the
interior was chiefly liberated from the
BMW parts Spin and that's actually fine
because it's a good beenin to loot they
were forced to use the older version of
BMW's iDrive which is still very very
good indeed but by the time this car
came out was already a little bit
[Applause]
old it also didn't help that because
this car was built on that shared
platform when you looked at it and
compared it with the concept car that
essentially previewed The Styling you
realized that the proportions had
changed the car had become a little
narrower and therefore visually a little
taller and it lost a key bit of that
aggression meaning that to my eyes
initially it it just didn't look quite
right however I will confess that years
later seeing it arrived today in this
resplendant yellow I've got to say it is
rather beginning to grow on me and
apparently Ian says he has never had
another car that gets as much attention
as this now I know you have some very
very important questions to ask the
first of which and I'm sure most
important is James what on Earth are you
doing looking like you've just come back
from a particularly dull conference at
the NEC where you've no doubt been
discussing your company's new strategy
well no I haven't been sneakily hiding a
day job from all of you instead I have a
Tesla press car on the driveway and this
is how I was handed the
key because I didn't know want to be
recognized driving a Tesla I also
decided to put on a fairly plain shirt
and other things you'll likely also want
to know will be why did Ian go for the 2
L when if you check the classified
you'll see that the 3 l can be had for
more or less the same money well that's
fairly simple and easy to answer you see
previous to this he had a Subaru BRZ and
he was very very happy with it it
replaced a Golf GTI and although it
wasn't as fast as the golf it was a lot
more fun so he was keenly waiting for
the new generation of BRZ to arrive but
he then found out that here in Britain
we weren't to get the second generation
BRZ instead receiving only its Toyota
sibling the
gr86 which as it turns out I've also
driven and is a brilliant car but at the
time 2022 he was waiting for it to be
announced and the Toyota website simply
said helpfully coming soon so while he
was waiting for soon he started playing
around on the configurator for the Supra
and saw that they were doing some rather
tempting Finance offers and he realized
he'd been a fool because he was looking
at three or fouryear deals and then
realized if he click the button for a
2-year deal they were doing % interest
which meant that if he were to put down
the money that he already had in his BRZ
he could actually have this for the same
amount ount of money a month provided he
went with the 2 L which also was
available only in Pro specification so
you've got plenty of nice features in
here heated seats cruise control that
sort of stuff though not electric
adjustment or naturally memory heads up
display and it's missing a few other
things too but overall it's fine it does
the business it's got everything you
need and nothing really that you
don't however perhaps more importantly
because he does actually use and dve
drive his car he wanted something that
was a little more economical and this on
a run will comfortably do over 4 to the
gallon and he really has driven this car
in the two and a bit years he's had it
now he's put on just shy of
26,000 miles and happily in that time
despite it being built by BMW it's been
as reliable as a Toyota it has not had
one single issue and I am a little bit
jealous
about that I'll be honest it would be
nice to have one car that doesn't
require consistent
maintenance he has enjoyed it so much
that when his Finance did come to an end
earlier in this year he then bought the
car outright and so is now very happy to
call this his Supra 2 years on it still
puts a smile on his face and it does for
him absolutely everything that he would
need so if after today's video you head
towards the classified in search of your
dream Toyota be it a Supra or a Sara
don't forget to use car vertical the
superpowered super search that cross
references a number of databases from
around the globe to give you all the
information you want to know on any
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accident history potential mileage
discrepancies usage as a taxi
involvement in fire or theft and all of
this you can get in just 60 seconds with
only a VIN or a registration number even
better for 20% off the service don't
forget to use my discount code
JM naturally many of my comments and
criticisms of the previous video will
remain valid I don't think it looks
quite as good as it should but I do
think it has improved in my eyes the
boot is still a little awkward to get
into as is the rest of the car this door
aperture is um not anyway near as
generous as it might appear though
knowing this I did manage to get in it
today without bashing my head the Bonnet
is impossibly high so you feel like
you're in a car that's much much larger
than it is and compared to say a Cayman
or something like that visibility out is
um it's quite compromised these cars the
2 L also don't for whatever reason have
the parking sensors of the 3 l but they
do at least have a reversing camera and
to be honest that makes the rear
absolutely fine but that front though
you can can see a lot of it you know you
can't see all of it so I would
appreciate parking sensors but you know
what he does say you do get used to it
and if it's your one and only car I'm
sure you would at normal speeds with the
caring Comfort it's a little bit bouncy
through some of these more demanding
sections here I'm only doing 40 mph now
cuz I'm following a couple of other cars
the steering has a a reasonable waiting
to it it's not particularly
communicative or fome but it does a nice
job it is reasonably Speedy whether it's
different between the and the 3 L I
couldn't tell you but that may become
very apparent when I do put my foot down
road noise is pretty decent doesn't seem
to be all that intrusive the gearbox is
excellent too the classic ZF 8speed and
if you did want a Supra with a manual
Toyota did eventually introduce one but
for the 3 l only Honestly though this ZF
was always such a good box I actually
never really particularly felt the loss
of a manual and I think Toyota were very
wary of the fact they knew these were
going to be modified and the auto box
was always going to be able to cope with
a lot more power and torque and on that
note this 2 L 4-cylinder b48 effectively
a cutdown version of the b58 6-cylinder
makes 255 horsepower and
295 lb ft of torque that's 400 Newton M
so all well and good then but if you
wanted a car to just cruise up and down
the motorway you could get a Corolla you
buy a Supra because every now and again
you want to have fun so what's this one
like let's put it into sport mode put
the gearbox into manual and find out
[Applause]
you know what despite the fact that on
paper it may be a little lacking and
when you put your foot down it certainly
doesn't have even close to the Firepower
of the 3 L for a road like this the car
has more than enough particularly as
there was a burst of rain just before I
put the cameras on the car and now the
road is wet I'm actually grateful that
it isn't overburdened with masses and
masses of talk the road though does seem
to have quite a bit of wildlife on it
thus far today two squirrels and one
pigeon have both seen their life flash
before their eyes I would say this car
feels a touch laggier than the b-58 but
that could simply be the fact that car
just has a lot more to give all the time
right patent pending three-point turn
hillst torture test how are we doing
visibil is not cracking we got hillh
hold thank you very much for letting me
out
Madam actually no take that back the
visibility out the back is sort of okay
it's a little compromised but to the
side all right that side it's good that
side not so much I have put the car into
its sport traction mode but even so
seems to have absolutely no trouble
whatsoever finding the grip that rear
end has remained planted which I suppose
it should with 275 wide boots on it the
fronts are 255s and they are now all
round Vulcans in place of the factory
fit Mitchell imp pilot Super Sport those
apparently became very very sketchy as
they aged and that's one of the many
reasons that Ian decided to change them
he also at the same time changed the
wheels they're from a company called two
forged and I got to say they look
fantastic to the point that I was fairly
convinced they were a Toyota option when
I saw them seeing 18s on the car like
this too I think actually does make it
look that little bit better I like
seeing a good bit of sidewall on a tire
and it's likely contributing to the fact
that when you do press on the ride
quality is actually pretty good I've got
the dampers in normal everything else in
sport but honestly doesn't really feel
like it's made a massive difference the
gearbox can be a touch slow on the
downshift but it's really not that bad
upshifts they're fine doesn't have a
snap or a bite to it but you know what
get into the groove with this thing you
can make good progress my only real
criticism is I do want to rev the thing
out a little bit more but the red line
is set at just 6 ,200 RPM nevertheless
though I'm having a good time in this
sure if you went to Santa pod it's
likely going to disappoint although Ian
did say that he watched the carwow drag
race where they had this the 3 l and an
old fourth gen and off the line in the
wet this was actually the quickest
simply because it didn't have too much
power to try and put down makes a
pleasant enough noise too though I know
most of it is probably artificial and
it's a decent place to be this interior
is nice you're reminded constantly by
the view of that Bonnet those side
arches that you are in something quite
special although I do have to make a
correction to my earlier review of the
car in that I said that all of these
fake vents over the car which nobody
ever liked could actually be opened up
and did have a purpose because this is
what we were told back in the day this
is not true have a look at where some of
those vents are and it's very clear this
is not true and I feel a bit silly about
that but it's also important to correct
that and say yeah don't know quite why
they did that but they did and
um it is what it is in fact from in here
just about the only thing I'm not really
a fan of is this little gr logo that
ends installed down here behind it is
simply just a a blank plate there's
nothing really there and he wanted to
just put something nice there he looked
at buying a badge as you would get on
the back of the car but they were too
big so he printed this off and fitted it
and it it just looks well it's offset
doesn't look quite right and um you can
see the edges where he's had to cut it
so that I don't like but I know it also
would come off very very easily I also
love the nice simple very compact Dash
which tells you everything that you need
to know you've got plenty of buttons in
here for all of your important functions
and honestly having just come out of a
Tesla I am reminded of why there is a
lot to be said for this way of doing
things pulling away from a stop the car
got nice decent Road manners it's very
smooth very nice very intuitive it's an
easy easy car to
drive easier apparently than a Nissan
micro which is so big it can't fit on
its side of the road and all look this
range driver has got out of my way just
ahead of the roller coaster my most
demanding piece of test Road and as we
here let's give the Supra a proper
workout shall we
[Applause]
you know what I have taken an awful lot
of cars down that piece of road it is
the undoing of a great many of them but
I think this might be just about one of
the best behaved I've ever encountered
it's incredible it took all of the lumps
and bumps in its stride did not deviate
from its course
very very impressed I did not expect
that is the suspension calibrated
differently to the 3 l oh possibly I
suppose it must be to compensate for the
loss of the weight over the front axle
all in the saving over a 3 l isn't
really going to be all that much but
still it is a hair lighter the wheels
certainly will be contributing
incidentally I don't know how you have a
semi forged wheel surely it's forged or
it's not not oh TR 4 five not sure pass
Triumph yeah this is a lot of fun
this and here's the thing right I drove
the Supra and and came out of it last
time
going what have you done Toyota what
have you
done and many of my comments I stand
by
but like Ian a little while after this
car had come out in
2022 when you couldn't get anything if
you wanted to buy one of those
Mitsubishi Warriors or you wanted to buy
that Volvo xc40 you wanted to buy a
fiesta you wanted to buy a Tesla
anything you had to basically pay overs
you bought a brand new cooking focus and
your dealer would offer you three grand
more for it 3 months later you couldn't
get a hold of a single car for a
reasonable price this was Peak car price
Madness and Toyota clearly had a bunch
of Supras lying around around and so
they started doing these really really
good Finance deals and I remember seeing
them and thinking CRA you as Supra for
like 500 OD quid a month I mean I would
unfortunately the time I just wasn't in
the position to do it but I was tempted
Ian was tempted and he took a real leap
of faith because when he spoke to his
dealer they didn't have one in that he
could even look at let alone drive so he
had to order it and hope that he liked
it two years down the line he does not
regret his decision one
bit and you know
what I think he's pulled a Blinder now
anybody that asks me and says James
which Super should I buy of course I'm
going to tell you get the 3 l because
they do only cost a little bit more than
the two but if you are doing that many
miles or if you just not that fussed
about having the big engine the 2 L does
its job very very well indeed and today
you can pick one of these up for
Β£33,000
and because it is a Toyota it's still
going to have a lot of its 10-year
warranty left and I love the gr86 I
really really love the
gr86 but that Su
badge that does count for
something I like this car a lot anyway I
want to say a big thank you to I for
bringing it out and as ever to you for
watching don't forget to hit the like
button comment down below and subscribe
if you haven't already bye-bye
[Applause]
[Music]
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