They say to be aware of the wolf in sheep’s clothing. We say to be aware of the BMW in the Toyota’s clothing. That’s because the new Supra isn’t really a Toyota. When the JDM sports car met its original demise in 2002, fans of the twin-turbocharged classic began a campaign to bring the model back. Gearheads succeeded in 2017 with the release of the new Supra Mk V, but the good news was short-lived.
Fans of the Supra quickly realized that the new version of the beloved JDM sports car was not an adequate successor to the previous generation. The BMW Z4 engine got fans angry, but the lack of manual transmission generated outright hate. To be clear, the Supra 3.0L is a fantastic vehicle. It’s fun to drive, the engine is snappy, and it’s much stiffer compared to previous generations. Despite the good, the 2.0L is unsatisfying, and many refuse to call it a JDM sports car. Plus, the $52,000 doesn’t make buying one all that easy. Therefore, we found 8 used JDM sports cars we’d buy over the new Toyota Supra.
8th 1993 Toyota Supra MK4
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While the latest Supra is known as the MK5, we’d rather have the MK4 Supra instead. The 1993 Toyota Supra MK4 featured a twin-turbo inline-six that made 321 horsepower. It had excellent acceleration with a 0-60 in 5.1 seconds. Though Toyota tried to convince the world it only made 276 horsepower at the time.
After a lackluster third-generation Supra, the MK4 helped bring the Supra nameplate back from the brink of destruction. As the Supra turbo graces streets, it also became a status symbol for the JDM world. They also hold their value quite well, as the 1993 model still sells for an average of $47,000, which is still cheaper than a new one!
7 2020 Nissan 370Z
Nissan is revamping the Z lineup for next year, but in the meantime, a used 370Z will make a great alternative to the Toyota Supra. Nissan’s previous-generation Z is rear-wheel like the Supra, but the 3.7L V6 is naturally aspirated and produces 332 horsepower. If you decide to get a Nismo, you’ll see 350 horsepower.
Regardless of which option you go with, the 370Z has a six-speed manual transmission, unlike the Supra, and hits 60 in 5.1 seconds. Further, the 370Z is much cheaper than a new Supra, with great used examples of this JDM classic going for less than $20,000.
6 2019 Subaru WRX STI
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The infamous WRX STI is another well-known JDM sports car we’d buy over the Toyota Supra. Subaru supplies the STI with a 2.5L turbocharged boxer-four that produces 305 horsepower to all four wheels. The STI also has great rally heritage and is an excellent modification platform, with affordable mods making examples well north of 450 horsepower.
A fully-loaded used WRX STI will run $10,000 cheaper than even the cheapest 3.0 Supra. Additionally, the STI is reliable and can lay claim to being authentically JDM.
5 2018 Honda Civic Type-R
Honda fields a fully-loaded JDM sports car with the Civic Type-R. The Type-R can produce 306 horsepower to the front wheels using a turbocharged inline-four. This Civic also comes with a six-speed manual, the Supra, and despite being FWD, Honda has done a great job eliminating torque-steer.
That six-speed we mentioned earlier? It’s even better than we let on, with virtually no rev hang and a decent rev-match for aggressive downshifting. Brand new, the Civic Type-R is several thousands of dollars cheaper than the Supra, but finding a used 2018 version will provide you will all the joys of a new one, but with even less cost.
4 1997 Honda NSX
Honda, or Acura if you’re in North America, produced one of the best JDM cars of all time, and one we would take used over the new Supra. The Honda NSX is mid-engine with a 3.0L V6 capable of 290 horsepower, though Honda initially hid the actual performance numbers.
The original NSX had superb handling and an interior inspired by fighter jets. Gordon Murray loved it so much that he used it as a base for his McLaren F1. Though a used NSX averages $73,000, we would take it over the new Supra in a heartbeat.
3 2001 Mazda RX-7FD
Perhaps just as iconic as the STI or the NSX is the RX-7 FD. As the third generation of RX-7, the FD enjoyed refinement of the Wankel rotary engine, which now featured turbochargers. These small JDM classics are frequently modified, yet stock they rated at 276 horsepower but tested closer to 320.
The Mazda RX-7 had a five-speed manual transmission, and the lightweight body allowed it to be highly competitive against the Mk4 Supra. We’d buy a used RX-7 FD over even a modern Supra, let alone a gen four model.
2 2009 Nissan GT-R
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America still waits for the famous GT-R R34 to make it stateside, but another GT-R is street-legal – the R35. Brand new, the GT-R goes for well over $100,000, but with age comes affordability. The 2009 model, for example, now goes for what a brand new Supra goes for, and we’d take the GT-R over it all day long.
The GT-R R35 uses a 3.8L twin-turbo V6 to generate 480 horsepower. It uses AWD for extra grip and excellent handling. Despite not using traditional manual transmission, the automated six-speed does the job and allows the GT-R to be extremely fun.
1 2012 Lexus LFA
If you’ve got money to burn on a Toyota Supra, you probably have money to burn on a Lexus LFA. Without a doubt, we would take a used 2012 LFA over a brand new Supra. For starters, the LFA is like nothing else in Lexus’ lineup, especially with the 4.8L V10 engine hiding away.
While smaller than other V10s, the engine is large enough to put out 553 horsepower. Plus, the carbon-ceramic brake pads and rotors bring it to a stop just as fast as it can accelerate, which happens to be 60 MPH in 3.6 seconds. These things weren’t cheap new, and they’re still not that cheap used. Regardless, you can pick up a used LFA for about $100,000, well worth the almost double price compared to the Supra.
10 JDM Sports Cars Nobody Is Buying (But They Should)
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About The Author
Michael Stroup
(116 Articles Published)
Michael Stroup is an emerging author with experience writing for academics and personal portfolio pieces. Articles featuring JDM cars have been popular on his website. His love for cars combined with a passion for writing creates content that is engaging and fresh! Michael’s hobbies include snowboarding and family time.
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